Figures show Audi surging over other VW brands

Volkswagen's luxury brand Audi is racing ahead of VW's other makes and generated more than 85 percent of total operating profit in 2009, according to group figures released on Thursday.

Audi's operating profit of 1.6 billion euros (2.2 billion dollars) was nearly three times that of VW's eponymous brand, which posted a profit of 561 million euros.

VW's finance unit was the second biggest contributor to operating profit, turning in 606 million euros.

In terms of unit sales, Audi sold just under 950,000 vehicles, less than one quarter the 3.954 million VW's delivered last year.

"Without Audi, VW would not be profitable," German car expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer from the University of Duisburg told AFP.

The VW group "does not pay enough attention to costs," he added.

VW, Europe's biggest carmaker, aims to overtake Toyota as the world number one by 2018, and sell more than 10 million vehicles per year at that point.

To reach its goal, VW is ramping up local production in Brazil, India and the United States, countries where chairman Martin Winterkorn said the group was "under represented."

2009 Audi A4 2.0 TDI e

Audi announced today that its latest A4 2.0 TDI e will be available starting in early June. The new vehicle is equipped with 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine connected to a 6-speed manual transmission and delivers an impressive fuel consumption: 4.6 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (51.13 miles per U.S. gallon).

It consequently emits a mere 119 grams of CO2 per kilometer (191.51 grams per mile), which according to the manufacturer it is the best value of any vehicle in its class. The ‘e’ model has 136 bhp (100 kW) and sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.5 seconds while the top speed is limited at 215 km/h (133 mph).

[Source: Audi]

2009 Audi A4 Avant

Wagonistas, your chariot has arrived. Audi A4 has debuted in Geneva. The estate version of the A4 is nearly identical to the sedan from the B-pillar forward, but now features 50-cubic feet of cargo capacity out back. An optional power liftgate is available and the load floor is reversible if you happen to be toting a set of used wheels in the trunk and the mat is coated in brake dust. Overall, the Avant gains about five inches in length, but is almost ten-percent lighter than the outgoing model.

Although powerplant details are scarce, those of us in the States will be stuck with the 2.0-liter TFSI mill, while sedan buyers get a choice of either the four-cylinder or the 3.2-liter V6.

[Source: Audi]