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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

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.

Monday, January 3, 2011

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

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.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

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.