Audi A3 sedan concept

Audi will unveil an A3 sedan concept at Geneva next week that's based on the successor the current A3 hatchback and previews where the A3 line may be expanding in the near future.
Audi is in the process of redesigning its A3, and it will use the launch of the next-generation car as springboard to finally add the long-rumored sedan variant to the lineup. The new Audi A3 concept sedan will come into the light for the first time at the rapidly approaching 2011 Geneva auto show.
At roughly 175 inches long, 72.5 inches wide and 54.7 inches high, it’s more than 6-inches longer, some 3-inches wider and more than an inch lower than the present A3 five-door. According to Audi, the concept’s ‘proportions emphasize the dynamism of the car’s appearance.’ Among the concept’s top design features are what Audi refers to as a ‘flowing roof dome and a coupe-like, low C-pillar’ (heaven knows it wouldn’t be a sedan these days without a coupe-like greenhouse), a new take on the brand’s single-frame grille, and updated LED lightbanks.
Even more dynamism can be found under the hood, where the A3 Concept will feature a version of Audi’s inline 2.5-liter five-cylinder boosted to as much as 408 horsepower, mated to Audi’s seven-speed S tronic gearbox. Of course, quattro will drive all four wheels.

Next-Gen Audi A2

It was never sold in the United States, but the Audi A2 was once a very lightweight small car sold overseas. Available from late 1999 through 2005, the A2 employed an aluminum spaceframe and managed to keep the curb weight below 2000 pounds (for certain models anyway). Now, and after much speculation, it’s coming back in 2015, and Automobile has the scoop on the upcoming car.

If the A2 is coming to the United States, it’ll do so primarily to help with CAFÉ requirements. Now scheduled to ride on Volkswagen’s MQB chassis (shared with the next Golf), the 2015 A2 will have an aluminum five-door body and keep to the lightweight mission. This time around, it won’t have the aluminum spaceframe.
Sans aluminum frame, Audi hopes they’ll sell more A2s compared to the last model. Just 175,000 total were sold in the first run, a small figure considering the European market favors small cars. Automobile says the new car will weigh less than 2400 pounds and is ready to meet the mark by using composite materials for the body panels and thinner glass. The battery, alternator, and air-conditioning compressor will be downsized to keep the weight down.
While the first A2 scored around 80 mpg on the European test cycle over 10 years ago, the new car will be under pressure to produce a similar number despite slight bodily growth. Unlike its predecessor, the impending A2 will get five seats versus four, and is planned to be wider with more interior space for the occupants. The gas and diesel engines will be small, and electric and plug-in hybrid variants are in the planner too. According to development boss Michael Dick, the A2 EV should surpass 150 miles on a charge. The plug-in version is expecting to travel 40 to 60 miles on battery alone.

New Audi A2 Launch Date

Audi has finally decided on a launch date and features for the much-expected comeback of its A2 model.
Now slated for an early 2015 release, a couple of years later than Audi’s original schedule, the A2 hatchback will use a lot of aluminium and will offer electric and plug-in hybrid variants as well. Basing the chassis on the relatively cheaper Modular Querbaukaste (MQB) material being under process for the MkVII Volkswagen Golf, the automaker hopes to address its general high cost issues this time around.
Audi is going for a range more than 150 miles for the electric version using a single-speed transmission, pushing out 75 hp to 110 hp. The plug-in hybrid will be seen with three-cylinder engines offering a choice between gasoline and diesel and paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is expected to maintain an electric range of 40 to 60 miles.

To bring things closer to the original A2 that boasted of a light 1900 pound curb weight, thanks to the advanced aluminium frame-which also skyrocketed its price value- Audi has turned to composite panels, thinner glass and some cutting down on the size of various parts like the batteries and AC compressor. Plus, the hatch will be more spacious this time around and add extra room for one more passenger to the existing capacity for four.

Audi A6 review

The all-new Audi A6 is packed with technology, but it's the executive car's refinement and build quality that really impress.

2012 Audi A6 Interior

When it snows here in the UK we're told to pack sleeping bags, shovels and flasks full of tea. Audi man, faced with crossing powdered white mountains needs nothing more than his crisply pressed suit and designer stubble.

His journey is long but immensely enjoyable. We know this because it warrants a montage in Audi's promotional video for the all-new A6, the seventh generation of the German firm's executive saloon that started life in 1968 as the 100. Exactly where the Colin Farrell look-alike is going is anyone's guess but it involves travelling up a lot of hills and through weather that has deteriorated from sun to rain and now lots of snow.

Audi A6

There's trouble ahead for our hero though as just up ahead a recently fallen tree is blocking the road. Outside in the bitter cold people struggle to clear the obstacle, battling with their bare hands to lift, push, pull or roll the huge object - anything so that the road can be reopened. Exhausted and cold they must be relieved to see Audi man arrive, looking young, strong and dressed in completely inappropriate clothes for the conditions. He's clearly a hardy chap; if anyone can help, he can. They wave at Audi man, waiting in hope for their sharp-suited hero to emerge from his remarkably still very clean new car.

He, however, is engrossed in switching on his seat massage function to relieve the boredom of waiting for these peasants to clear the road before giving up and asking his Google Earth enabled satnav to find an alternative route. In a flash Audi man spins his A6 around and, safely cocooned in his bubble of technology, gets on with his clearly very important journey.

We never do find out where he was going, only that he never would have been able to get there without all of the A6's groundbreaking technology. So many systems do Audi's range toppers get these days that the UK operation is considering laying on tutorials for customers in the style of Apple's iStore sessions so that they may start to get to grips with at least some of the following: night vision assistant, head-up display, park assist (both parallel and perpendicular), side assist, active lane assist, wireless internet hub, active cruise control, active lighting, pre-sense safety system and the fingertip sensitive touch pad.

 

2012 Audi A6 3.0 TSFI Quattro Drive

2012 Audi A6

While the outgoing C6-generation Audi A6 made a significant splash at its start of sales in 2004, winning World Car Of The Year honors, the somewhat featureless exterior eventually blended into the woodwork. Worse, the car never really won any hardcore dynamics comparisons, not even in the limited-run RS6 treatments. All the same, that A6 was the best-selling car in that lucrative premium segment worldwide in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
What Audi obviously wants to do first with this C7-generation A6 is seize back its selling supremacy. But Ingolstadt has also been listening to us and to clients when we’ve repeated that we want a lighter car, a better-looking car, and a car with superior dynamics in the class. From our drives of various trims and engines recently in Sicily, the new A6 is, in fact, now the best in its very challenging class. We’ll need to wait and see if Audi can make a great S6 and RS6 to face down the hotter new M5 and E63 AMG top-of-the-range stars, but as for the civilian package, the new A6 beats the others.
Although the eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox that gets such wide use in North America (the only box available on the A6 when it arrives in the States by mid-July) was not available here to test, we still got a clearly good feeling for the car over 200 miles of challenging driving.
It’s amazing what happens when you take 120 pounds out of a 300-horsepower Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (make that 176 pounds less for the re-engineered 3.0 TDI that will probably be coming over to the States later on), give it a longer wheelbase by shoving the front axle forward almost three inches, and make the front axle itself half an inch wider. Then opt for the top-most version of the latest MMI onboard system with 3-D chip and seamless integration of Google Earth. It’s all so stylin’ as to not be believed. If you intend on snagging the S-line package with 1.3-inches lower sport suspension and better steering wheel et al., we recommend not getting the twenty-inch wheels because they freely tramline towards wherever the road imperfections are headed. With the bigger optional wheels, we often needed to nudge the steering wheel back to where we wanted it to go. The nineteen-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zeros solve all of that.
In addition, there is new electro-mechanical steering with optional Dynamic Steering available. Thusly equipped, the new-found precision on this A6 throughout the western mountain roads of Sicily was truly impressive. We dare say that the A6 beats both the heavier 5-Series or latest E-Class in overall feel. Working also with the new-generation of 40:60-split crown-gear Quattro system (introduced on the RS5), also works to the dynamic advantage. Same for the optional sport rear differential with torque vectoring that pays big dividends in all those curves.

2010 Audi Q5

2010 Audi Q5

 It's quite remarkable how, in the short span of a few years, the compact-crossover segment has blossomed from a handful of vehicles to a category nearly as dense as the mid-size-sedan field. But then, small utes are an entirely rational, left-brain purchase, because they offer both family-car practicality and trucklike utility. It's a solid formula for sales, if not excitement.

The Audi Q5 first caught our attention during an April 2009 comparison test against a Mercedes-Benz GLK and a Volvo XC60. Along with sharp looks and a competitive price, the Q5 exhibited a dynamic edge that made it stand out against its rivals. Shortly thereafter, we decided to add one to our Four Seasons test fleet and ordered an ibis white Q5 in Premium Plus trim, which added a panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, heated front seats, Bluetooth, and a power tailgate. Our only other option was the $3000 MMI navigation system, which also adds front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera.

The Q5's dominant trait is its particularly potent 3.2-liter V-6. The 270-hp, direct-injected engine is fluid, responsive, and strong through the rev range. "At any speed, in any gear, full throttle or part throttle, the 3.2-liter V-6 provides an instant burst of acceleration and never seems to run out of breath," observed assistant editor David Zenlea. The six-speed automatic was similarly both well mannered and frisky. In typical driving, shifts are relaxed and gentle, but drive aggressively and the gearbox cleverly steps up its game.

2011 Audi Q5 2.0T

2011 Audi Q5 2.0T

Even though this car has a four-cylinder engine, the driving experience is not all that different than our recently departed V-6-powered Four Seasons Q5, in that it handles more like a sedan than like a tall crossover. It's missing the $3000 MMI Navigation package, but that's the price you pay for keeping the cost below $40,000, which is pretty darn good for an upscale crossover. One other thing you sacrifice when you forgo the nav package is the radio on/off switch located on the center console, a feature I really like. On the plus side, the transmission in this Q5 has two extra gears.

In cold weather like we've been experiencing, I was happy to see that this Q5 has heated seats, and I think, after a year with our Q5, that I'm finally attuned to the somewhat counterintuitive seat heater controls. I think the confusion stems from the fact that in most cars - make that, in every other car I've driven-- the seat heater and the climate control buttons are discrete units, but in this (and other Audis), they are controlled by the same dials.

2011 Audi S5

The 2011 Audi S5 Cabrio is in for some minimal but effective modification, courtesy of Awe Tuning - a Philadelphia-based tuner specializing in German automobiles.
The tuning kit comprises of a new exhaust system which lets the 3.0-L V6 in the convertible to churn out an extra 8 hp and 9 Nm of torque more than the stock figures. The tuner claims that the exhaust sound will feel like music to the ears, with frequency-tuned Helmholtz noise cancellation resonators to eliminate low rpm drone in the 1000-2200 rpm range. The system is fabricated from mandrel-bent 2.5” T304 Stainless Steel. An X-Pipe provides for an improved cylinder scavenging and exhaust tone.

Review: Audi RS 5

Given its fearsome reputation, the biggest surprise about the Audi RS 5 is just how civilised it can be.
Locked into comfort driving mode it feels pretty much like any other luxurious German coupé.
Its two plus two seating configuration and spacious boot make a decent stab at transporting the trendy young family.
Fuel consumption will leave you in no doubt there’s something significant under the bonnet, but this really is a car one could happily live with every day.
The flick of a switch on the dash transforms the RS 5 from around-town tourer to sports machine.
The car springs instantly into life and growls at the top of its voice before its occupants are catapulted forward by its huge 4.2-litre V8 powerplant.
Based loosely on the A5 coupé, the RS 5 is a combination of cutting-edge engineering and good old-fashioned raw power.
Its chassis sits 20mm lower than that of the standard Audi A5 on 19in five-spoke Aero design alloy wheels with vast 265/35 tyres.
As well as its trademark oval RS tailpipes, the RS 5 boasts swivelling xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED rear lights and a speed-activated rear spoiler.
Inside, black silk Nappa Leather upholstery is complemented by carbon fibre and aluminium elements and additional oil temperature and lap timer gauges.
A slick seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission delivers 450bhp when the engine is reaching its peak.

A car to lust over -- Audi's A7

Audi A7

THE snow, the freeze and the thaw all had their own challenges, which were met for the most part by the public transport system but woefully failed by many drivers and their cars. We are going to have to take this situation very seriously and start planning for more extreme weather conditions, as they do abroad, where it is the norm to change to winter tyres for the whole season.
Many businesses and an awful lot of householders seemed to fall down on the job of taking on some responsibility for keeping the pavements safe. Surely it is not too much to ask able-bodied people that they clear the snow and ice off the pavements in front of their own homes and then do the same for any incapacitated neighbours?
It is a very basic part of being a citizen that you look out for other people and don't expect the "authorities" to do everything for you. I was totally shocked at how many people shirked their obligations. This in turn forced pedestrians to walk on roads and made hazardous driving even more dangerous for all concerned.

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

SPORT-WHEELS, Galactic Audi R8 Spyder with 600 HP

Audi R8 V10 Spyder
Audi R8 V10 Spyder
Audi R8 V10 Spyder
Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Audi developing new diesel fuel cap to avoid misfills

Audi is following BMW in introducing a mechanism to prevent misfueling of diesel vehicles with gasoline. It's generally not possible to put diesel into a gasoline vehicle because the larger diesel nozzles won't fit in the filler neck. However, the smaller gas nozzles will fit in the diesel neck. Audi's system, like the one used by BMW, adds a flap in the neck to prevent fuel flow. The flap only opens up if the nozzle presses on contact points just below the cap. The smaller gasoline nozzle won't be be able to hit all of the contacts at once and the flap will prevent fuel from getting into the tank. Apparently, the improved refinement of modern diesel engines has led to an increase in misfueling in recent years, prompting both BMW and Audi to add the new feature. BMW has had this mechanism in all of its diesel vehicles since early 2009.

AUDI Q3 may launched in India

Though entire world is awaiting Audi Q3’s launch which is scheduled next year, India might have some good news here. Though Audi have rubbished reports of launching their mini-SUV in India next year along with its global launch, market experts believe India will get Audi Q3along with the world. The reason behind this is Audi is investing a lot in Indian arm; they would not like to lose out in any manner, especially after BMW announced the launch of their mini SUV, X1.

Audi would love to launch Q3 in India. Though Audi have kept Q3’s platform a secret, international auto publications believe Audi to borrow Golf Mk5 or Mk6 components. Reports also suggest Q3 to be available in three models, a 2.0L, 3.0L and 3.6L generating 197 bhp, 229 bhp and 282 bhp respectively. These models will also have the option of 4WD or on-demand 4WD.

Audi Is Combating For No.1 In Luxury Car

We will soon see Indians moving in to more luxury cars including the premium SUVs. Thanks to the numerous offerings from luxury car makers lining up almost twenty new model launches in India. Audi is one of the leading luxury car brand as its growth is 70 percent contributing to the growth of 40% in Indian luxury car market.
Audi, the luxury brand of the Volkswagen group is focusing to up its share in the country's auto industry to 25% and this will be 5% more than the present growth. Audi's rivals like BMW and Benz are aggressively increasing their brands with opening new showrooms and thereby widening their car distributions.


Audi eyes on No.1 position in Indian luxury car segment like occupying the top slot in European Union and China. According to Michael Preschke, the head of Audi India said that the company wants to be number one in India and they exceeded their budget by nearly 40 per cent and Audi is very happy for that. The German car brand plans in place with regards to products, network and branding and Audi has an ambitious target for next year. The Indian Audi head is assured that even next year Audi should be in position to exceed the target again.

After the commencement of 2010, Audi has got 20 new models and have been launched and there are 10 more launches. The wider lineup of Audi products would indicate the increasing competition in the luxury car segment. BMW and Benz are quietly working to build their own portfolio of cars. China and India are the two major localities where there is lot of scope for luxury cars primarily due to the newness of these products for Indians and also due to the booming economy.

2010 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI - Photo, Detail

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro will be rolling into German showrooms in the third quarter of 2010. Sales will be starting soon at a base price of €121,000.











Audi is adding another model to its R8 high-performance sports car lineup: Hot on the heels of the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro comes another model with a V8 engine. The 4.2-liter FSI produces 316 kW (430 hp) and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 299 km/h (185.79 mph). The engine is mated to the R tronic sequential manual gearbox; quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard.

Audi R8 Spyder adds another engine

Audi will add a new model to its lineup of luxe sports cars. The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro will feature a V8 engine that offers 130 hp less than its big brother, the 560 hp R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI. But with a top speed of 185 mph and only a fraction of a second slower off the line, it's still PDQ.

The upside of the smaller engine is the price: the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI will start at 121,000 euros (about $152,169). It's a nice discount from the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI's base price of 156,400 euros for not a lot of trade-off.

The roadster will be available in the third quarter of 2010, but in the meantime you can watch this clip from National Geographic's "Ultimate Factories" to see how the R8's ultralight aluminum frame is built.

Audi’s Robotic Car Looks Hot In Old-School Livery

The autonomous Audi TTS that will try to climb Pikes Peak without a driver is packed with leading-edge tech, but Audi went old-school with livery that pays homage to its glory days in rallying.

Audi pulled the wraps off the latest iteration of the robotic car we took a ride in a few months ago, and the livery looks great. The stripes recall those of cars like the awesome Sport Quattro S1 Pikes Peak and Quattro Rallye A2, though the overall look is cleaner.

“We were very much inspired by the Pikes Peak race cars,” Raul Cenan, lead designer on the project, says. “But there was very different technology used in those cars overall. So we decided to go with more modern elements that were heritage-inspired.”

Audi and the guys at the Stanford University Dynamic Design Lab and Volkswagen’s Electronics Research Lab in Palo Alto are constantly tweaking and tuning the 2010 TTS ahead of its ascent up Pikes Peak in September. Pikes Peak is one hell of a place to test an autonomous car — the course is among the most harrowing in motorsports, a flat-out sprint through 156 turns on a 12.4-mile climb to the clouds.

The best drivers attack the route at speeds of up to 130 mph. Chris Gerdes, head of the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford, assured us the TTS will be pushed to its limits.

Elton John Audi A1 Sold For 522,000 USD

Do you remember the cute and pink Audi A1 designed by Damien Hirst from a few days back. It was sold at Sir Elton John's auction at the Tie & Tiara Ball last night for 350,000 GBP, or 425,000 EUR, or 522,000 USD. That's more than half a million dollars! The money brought by the auctioned Audi A1 will go to Sir Elton John's AIDS Foundation (EJAF).

Last night's fundraiser featured almost 700 VIP guests from around the world who wished to help the research against AIDS. This foundation, which was established back in 1993, manages over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries. Apart from the research mentioned earlier, the foundation also helps with the medication, nutrition, education, shelter and support for millions of people around the globe.

The new generation Audi TT to debut in 2014

Audi has great plans for its future and they have declared these for public consumption and appreciation. For a beginning they plan to usher in the new RS3. To be launched at a major auto show, the new RS3 would be using the same engine as the TT-RS, which is a 2.5 liter engine that has direct fuel injection system producing 340 bhp and 330 lb-ft torque. Limited number of this car would be made available.

In 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor show they would be unveiling a car which would be the successor to the current A3. It is being built on a complete new chassis which is the same one being used for the seventh generation Volkswagen Golf. Audi also has plans slated for launch of a compact sports car named R4 as also variants of the A1 and wishes to revive the A2 project which is a completely electric model. The R4 on the other hand would be a hybrid version with a rotary engine installed at the base unit. There is also the emission free version of the R8 sports car that would be launched in late 2012.

Audi R4 in the pipeline for 2013 production?

R4 that’s scheduled to be out on the market in 2013.

What’s more, the rumored R4 is also looking to be based on what is now one of Audi’s most talked about concept cars in recent years, the E-Tron concept that we all laid our eyes on at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

As far as what tech specs will come with the car, it’s expected to weigh in at nothing more than 2,500 pounds and will have either a 1.4-liter TSI engine that produces 180 horsepower or an engine similar to the ones being used in the Audi TT, that is, a 2.0-liter TDI inline-four that produces 170 horsepower. No word yet on how much the R4 is going to command in the market, but the rumor is that it will be slotted just below the TT with it’s price tag of $27,000.