Audi Autonomous TTS – Driverless Sports Car

Audi Autonomous TTS

Audi is working hard on a car that doesn’t require the driver to anything except sit there and watch the scenery go by. It’s called the “Autonomous Audi TTS,” not the catchiest of names, and it’s “intended to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies.” (Pics and video)

The car is a joint project between the Volkswagen Group Automotive Innovation Laboratory (VAIL) in Palo Alto, Calif., and Stanford University. Audi, which is part of VW, thinks lessons learned from the project could help reduce traffic deaths and reduce road congestion.

It could also help with the more mundane aspects of driving. With the Autonomous TTS, you could let your car go find its own parking space in the garage. “The technology could return time to the cars’ owners by taking care of routine driving chores, such as winding through a parking garage to an assigned spot each morning,” Audi says. And, of course, you can find cool ways to torture test the car:

One idea is a run up Pikes Peak. That would be fun: say goodbye at the start. You might see the car again; you might find it in a ravine a few days later. The 12.4-mile course is used for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and could provide a “non-competitive environment that would allow the Autonomous TTS to show its capabilities at various speeds and conditions, including drifting.”

But not too much drifting. Otherwise, it will go right off the side of the mountain.

Audi builds driver-less car for Pikes Peak

Audi Autonomous TTS (click to enlarge)

Could racing cars driven by robots one day compete with the best F1 drivers in the world – and beat them?

Audi is investigating the technology and has built this ‘Autonomous’ TTS which it is considering sending up the infamous Pikes Peak hill climb.

Audi claims:

The Autonomous Audi TTS project is not aimed at making motorists, or the thrill of driving, dispensable. Instead, it is intended to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies to help Audi enhance the experience behind the steering wheel for future driver generations.

But executive director of the Electronics Research Laboratory Dr Burkhard Huhnke has high hopes for the technology:

We believe that developing a car that can perform as well and respond as rapidly as a ‘professional’ driver, like a race or rally driver, will eventually be able to drive its way around incidents in a way that a ‘normal’ driver couldn’t.
Burkhard Huhnke

May we one day see the famous Gary Kasparov-versus-Deep Blue chess match re-created on a racing track? How well would such technology work in an F1 car up against the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton?

It’s surely only a matter of time before someone tries it out. But I’m not sure watching a car driven by a robot could ever compare to the thrill of seeing a human tame the raw power of a racing car.

Even if Audi get their driver-less TTS to the top of the hill without it falling off, this is the Audi I will always associate with Pikes Peak:

Audi TT-RS Pictures

Audi TT-RS Pictures

Audi A4 Avant Black Arrow

2011 Audi A7 Production Unit - Spy Shots

2011 Audi A7 uncovered in a testing lab in Germany. Audi will not leave the field with the Audi A7 four-door luxury saloons in the coupe-style competition from Mercedes CLS, Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera.

2011 Audi A7 will be powered by a pair of petrol V6s 204hp (152kW) 2.8L engine in the base model, while a 3.0L supercharged engine making 300hp (225kW) will be the first step up. An upgrade to S7 trim will bring with it another 94hp (70kW) in the form of a 4.0L V8. The RS7 range topper will get the same 5.2L V10 from the RS6 but power will be boosted to 600hp (450kW).

Audi makes A3 2.0 TDI greener

Audi has launched a 'stop-start' version of the 2.0-litre TDI A3 with improved fuel economy and lowered CO2 emissions.

Power remains unchanged at 138bhp, but the car uses green technology, including an engine 'stop-start' system, to deliver dramatically improved efficiency.

Audi has also introduced a part-time alternator, which recharges the battery under braking, recuperating energy that would otherwise be lost.

CO2 emissions slashed by 16%
The package of changes mean that the A3 2.0-litre TDI hatchback now manages an average of 64.2mpg – up from 55.4mpg on the non-stop-start version – while CO2 emissions have fallen by 16% from 134g/km to 115g/km. Company car tax liability is cut from 18% to 13%.

The new efficiency measures mean that the A3 2.0-litre TDI is almost as green as the less powerful 1.6 TDI (67.3mpg and 109g/km) and better than the similarly powerful BMW 118d, which manages 62.8mpg and 119g/km with a manual gearbox.

The A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI gets the same green technology, which helps to boost fuel economy from 53.3mpg to 61.4mpg and cuts CO2 emissions from 139g/km to 119g/km.

Prices remain unchanged, with the entry-level A3 2.0 TDI three-door costing £18,860.

Audi A8 reveal just days away via Audi Pavilion at Design Miami

Audi R8

Audi A8

Audi A8

The reveal of the all new redesigned Audi A8 will happen at the end of this month at the Art Basel Miami Beach.

The Audi A8 is Audi's flagship luxury sedan and is set to be shown at the Audi Pavilion. (Pictured above) Visitors will be able to see the all new Audi A8 in person and the Audi Pavilion is sure to be a highlight for the Miami based show.

“Since our inception, Audi has embraced progress in the quest to create groundbreaking technologies and deliver new ideas to the road. Just as artists make it a mission to work for the untold future, so does Audi design to be relevant not just today, but for many years to come,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management, Audi AG. “The new Audi A8 embodies everything Audi stands for: fascinating innovation, uncompromising perfection, consummate craftsmanship, iconic design and new ways of thinking. This is why we chose to present this car in this progressive environment while continuing our commitment to fostering design culture and the arts.”

The all new Audi A8 is rumored to debut with state of the art technology and a luxury design that will bring the brand to a new caliber.

Just what can you expect to see with the all new Audi A8?

According to Motor Trend the car will will again receive a W12 engine but with more power. There is also rumored to be a supercharged V8 sitting underneath the hood that should be good for over 400 horsepower. One could also see the the supercharged V6 gracing the engine bay.

Technology wise the car is expected to push the envelope with hand written recognition tech that will mate with the GPS system for super quick and easy navigating. The Audi A8 will also receive the Audi signature LED headlamps that all Audi's are now so well known for.

Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro

Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI quattro

IF you thought that Audi's R8 V8 supercar was fast at 4.6 seconds to 62mph then the V10 version's 3.9 seconds will convince you that you are at the wheel of a true road rocket.

Not that you would use such power in everyday driving, especially on British roads, but it is there lurking in this surprisingly practical beast that has rocked the world of elite motoring.

By practical I mean that it is very manageable in traffic, has the option of a conventional manual gearbox, can cope with average speed humps and most importantly is massively reliable.

It has also caused shockwaves because it is the only production car under £140,000 to combine a mid-mounted engine with four-wheel-drive.

And it is blisteringly fast. With its 197mph capability it takes the podium from the Aston Martin DB9 at 190mph, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S at 185mph and the Maserati Gran Turismo S at 183mph. It is also the best accelerating car in its class - the Aston Martin DB 9 at 4.6 seconds to 62mph being the only one that can get anywhere near it.

The R8 V10 is also receiving accolades for having the most powerful engine in its class - a 5.2 litre V10 with 525PS on tap - not to mention the best power to weight ratio and excellent residual values.

All this is fine but I was bowled over not by the car's attainments but with the way it copes with everyday driving while having such massive power.

I would not use the words docile or tame, but the R8 V10 was surprisingly manageable in traffic with a clutch that did not snatch or judder and roadholding and brakes that most of us just dream of.

Its road manners are by virtue of Audi's so-called 'magnetic ride' adaptive damping system which is added to the highly-praised Audi double wishbone suspension system.

You do have to keep an eye on the speedo though because the V10 is so smooth and surprisingly silent. This is the only thing that you really have to worry about with this car. In fact it could do with more roars to match the 'Phwoars' from other drivers and passers by.

2010 MTM Audi TT-RS

2010 MTM Audi TT-RS

2010 MTM Audi TT-RS

2010 MTM Audi TT-RS

Audi A5 Sportback wins Golden Steering Wheel

The new Audi A5 Sportback has been awarded a Golden Steering Wheel in the mid-sized vehicle category by Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

Considering that this is Audi's 18th Golden Steering Wheel in the 34-year history of the competition, that is no mean feat.

It drew the attention of the judges through its elasticity and acceleration and earned brownie points for its exterior design, interior design and user-friendly operation.

The panel's technicians were also impressed by the vehicle's perceived quality and build quality, and emphasised on the ease of repairs.

Motorsport testers praised the combination of an outstanding chassis as well as first-rate steering and braking. Its engine was also thought to be the best and the transmission was highly regarded.

The A5 Sportback tested was a 3.0 TDI quattro equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission.

The Golden Steering Wheel panel of judges consisted of VIPS, technical experts, racing and rally professionals as well as editors-in-chief of the international subsidiaries of Auto Bild. Cars were put through their paces on a closed testing ground.

2010 Audi R8 5.2 V10

The new R8 with its 5.2-litre V10 engine is just plain radical. Not only does the R8’s monster, naturally aspirated engine attain the Holy Grail of more than 100 horsepower per litre of engine displacement, it only has to motivate 3.1 kilograms of automobile for each of the stallions it develops. It is a wickedly fast automobile.

The V10 is a work of art, delivering 525 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, 80 per cent of which is ready to run at 1,000 rpm. The engine also uses dry sump lubrication, which prevents the precious internal components from starving for oil when the car is pulling its mind-numbing maximum lateral 1.2 g force.

Power is fired to the road through a six-speed manual transmission or Audi’s optional R tronic box. The manual’s gate is easy to live with and the clutch pedal action is pleasantly light. The sequential R tronic has paddle shifters and accomplishes what’s needed.

From the transmission the power reaches the massive P235/35R19 front and P295/30R19 rear tires through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. In this case, the system sends 85 per cent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels, which imparts a rear-drive feel to the road-ready race car.

When it comes to handling, the R8 is nothing short of amazing. The two-mode system (comfort and sport) delivers the right amount of damping. When loafing along, the ride comfort is commendable. Yes, it is firm, but it does not rattle your fillings loose. Drop the hammer and the lot firms up to banish body roll. Factor in the razor-sharp steering and a massive set of brakes (optional ceramics on the test car) and the R8 can be driven into a corner at alarming speeds without fear of fade.

When not thrashing around a race track, the R8 V10 does an impeccable impersonation of a full-on luxury car. The wingback seats are wrapped in buttery-soft Nappa leather, there’s a full-on navigation system, power everything and a delightful 425-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 12 speakers.