Category: Audi

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Audi

Fourtitude takes a closer look at the Audi quattro concept

Audi quattro concept

US-based Audi specialist site Fourtitude has taken a closer look at the Audi quattro concept. Currently split over two parts it brings far too much detail to summarise here.

Part One is a background look at the car, discussing its heritage and its current form. Part Two is a drive report and is well worth a read.

Here’s a teaser, “We get just two quick runs up and down through the canyon, though that’s enough to get the general idea. The car is fast but in a more engaging way than most modern supercars. It makes us think a bit more, think about the revs, think about the future of performance, and think about what it’d take to convince Audi to produce the thing.”

Both articles are complemented by a great gallery of images and there’s even a couple of videos showcasing some of the quattro concept’s niftier features.

Fourtitude will be adding one more part to their coverage, which will focus on the possible likelihood of concept becoming reality.

[Source: Fourtitide]

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Audi

Audi A1 – Australian pricing & specs

Audi A1

Audi Australia previewed the A1 at the Australian International Motor Show in October. Now, they have released full details on the local specification. Dealers around the country have been receiving stock over the last couple of weeks, as well.

To refresh, Audi will be kicking off the A1 with two offerings, both fitted with a fuel efficient 90kW/200Nm 1.4 TFSI. The entry level Attraction, with 6-speed manual, starts at $29,900 and the Ambition model is priced from $32,650. Buyers wanting the 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission will need to cough up an extra $2350. A 66kW 1.6 litre TDI will be joining the range in the middle of 2011.

Audi Australia has been a bit light on with images of its next big thing, so you’ll have to make to do with AUSmotive’s images from AIMS to start with. Following the Audi Australia press release is a gallery of images sourced from Audi UK. Keep in mind some of the details and specs in these cars may not translate directly to our market, but they do give a good feel for the A1 in right-hand drive.

A closer look at specifications and options pricing for the Australian market is available via two PDFs, which can be found following the presser.

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Audi Green Machines

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi will be adding a hybrid model to its new A6 range. The A6 hybrid will be powered by a 155kW 2.0 TFSI four cylinder and a 33kW electric motor. Audi claim the hybrid can achieve an average fuel consumption figure of 6.2l/100km, while emitting CO2 emissions of 142g/km.

The hybrid model will be driven by the front-wheels and the electric motor sits behind the petrol engine. A portion of the boot space is taken up by the lithium-ion battery.

While the car is designed to be powered by both petrol and electric motors, the A6 hybrid can run in a full zero emissions electric only mode. However, the range is an amusingly modest 3km, assuming a constant speed of 60km/h. Hmm, not much vorsprung durch technik going on there. Still, you have to start somewhere.

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Audi

2011 Audi A6

2011 Audi A6

Here are the official pics of the 2011 Audi A6. Following this morning’s leak there’s no surprises in regards to the look, which is straight from the familiar Audi playbook.

Audi say the new model is lighter than the car it replaces. The figure published is 1575kg, but finding a reliable figure for the kerb weight of the previous generation is proving a bit tricky. Around one fifth of the new model is made from aluminium.

At launch, in Europe at least, there will be five engines on offer, with a mix of four and six cylinders. Peak power will range from 130kW (2.0 TDI) to 220kW (supercharged 3.0 V6). There will also be an A6 hybrid model on offer with a total power of 180kW.

The usual electronic gadgets and driver aids are included, of course. These are headlined by the optional MMI navigation plus system featuring Google connectivity and a Bang & Olufsen stereo.

Inside the expected level of finish and quality materials has been delivered once again. The “wrap around” dash also looks quite nice. On some models Audi has used timber veneer which has pushed that look away from the older style walnut look, and towards a stylish speedboat theme. It looks pretty good in the pics, too.

After the break you will find all the images you could hope for along with some intro press material. A detailed press release can also be downloaded for those that really want to sink their teeth into detail of the new A6. Those wanting to see and touch the new A6 for themselves will be able to do so early next year. Local buyers will have to wait a bit longer as usual, but for now, Audi Australia aren’t saying when.

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Audi

Audi A6 images leaked

New Audi A6

Later today Audi will be taking the wraps off its new A6. Well, they needn’t bother now as the interwebz has already done it. Another round of leaked images, then, and here’s a few for you to check out.

From the side view the A6 doesn’t seem to have changed all that much, really. But taking the best bits from the Audi Sportback concept and the A7 Sportback means this new A6 will now fit in much better at family functions.

More details as they come to hand.

[Source: autblog.nl]

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Audi BMW

Autocar: Audi RS5 v BMW M3

Audi RS5 v BMW M3

It’s the classic German duel—Audi v BMW—and Autocar has been kind enough to play out the latest fight for us. It’s the 331kW 4.2 litre RS5 up against the 309kW 4.0 litre M3. Will the extra power and quattro all-wheel drive in the Audi give it an edge over the benchmark rear-wheel drive M3?

There’s no fancy timing equipment, no drag strip and no race tracks to decide the winner here. It’s just a seat of the pants match up on a closed road. Just as it should be.

UPDATE: Auto Express has also had a crack at this comparison, and they did take the RS5 and M3 to the track. It’s not the world’s most in-depth review, but it’s still worth a look.

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Audi

Audi RS3 promo video

Audi RS3

The Audi voiceover man is back; as lifeless as ever too. This time he is talking about the RS3 hyper hatch. There’s lots of facts and fugures, but, sadly, no driving footage. No 2.5 litre barking its way through a scenic European mountain pass. A bit of a let down, really. Hopefully there is more to come.

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Audi

Oh baby drive away, to Malibu

Audi quattro concept

Last week we told you the Audi quattro concept was spotted in Malibu, west of Los Angeles. Now, we can see what they were up to. Audi has released new footage of the concept car and a Ur-Quattro driving along the Pacific Coast Highway. Interspersed with vision of the quattro concept in front of a city skyline there is a voiceover man telling us what’s what.

He did forget to slip in the bit about the car being locked in for production and the first example to roll of the production line being reserved for AUSmotive HQ, but aside from that I think he got everything else right. Find out for yourself after the break. Also included is a longer video without narration.

Apart from the two clips Audi hasn’t released any extra text to explain why these videos have been released around two months after the car’s debut at the Paris Motor Show. Let’s just assume it’s to support the growing belief that Audi will turn concept into reality.

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Audi Motorsports

Audi announces race-ready TT GT4

Audi TT GT4

Just weeks after announcing the racing TT RS, Audi will extend its customer motorsport program further with the TT GT4 developed by quattro GmbH. Due for sale in 2012 the TT GT4 was launched at the DTM round in Shanghai on the weekend. Powered by a 250kW TFSI engine, the car will be priced from around €120,000 (AU$165,000) and is designed to be an affordable entry into motor racing.

The front and rear aprons originate from the road-going TT RS, so too the rear wing. However the addition of a race safe fuel cell and roll cage show this little beastie is a track-only proposition. Plastic windows are also a bit of a giveaway and many of the body panels are made from lightweight CFRP.

More piccies after the break.

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Audi Motorsports

Roll with the crunches

Michele Mouton rolls Audi S1

This weekend saw the annual running of the Race of Champions in Düsseldorf, Germany. As part of the exhibition event former rally star Michèle Mouton took to the track in an Audi Quattro S1. As you can see things didn’t quite go to plan for the only woman to win a round of the WRC.

Fortunately the crash was low-speed and low-impact meaning Mouton escaped unharmed and damage to the car was limited. Speaking after the incident Mouton, who helped organise the first ROC event back in 1988, was apologetic for the delays caused to the racing action.

For the record the home town team of Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher won the main prize ahead of Team Great Britain, represented by Jason Plato and Andy Priaulx.

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Audi

So, what is the Audi quattro concept like to drive?

Audi quattro concept

When the stunning Audi quattro concept made its debut in Paris it was little more than a show car queen. It had a modest engine designed only to get it from transporter to show hall. Now, though, Audi has fiddled with the car and installed a few herbs. 402 of them to be exact, or around 300kW if you want the straight version. Powered by the wonderful 2.5 litre inline five cylinder found in the TT RS and now the RS3, as well, and tipping the scales at a whopping 235kg less than the RS3, this 21st century Quattro should be the duck’s guts. But is it?

Well, luckily for us, or perhaps more luckily for them, Matt Prior from Autocar and Henry Catchpole from Evo have been given the chance to drive the car to find out.

Matt Prior: Encouraged by Audi to press on a bit faster, I give it a bootful, at which point it feels rather less like a concept car. The Quattro really flies. Once you’ve a few revs wound on – anything over 2500 is fine – most of the lag disappears and the distinctive five-pot warble kicks in, followed by some whistling and chattering of the wastegate when you lift and start the process in the next gear. It feels R8 V10 kind of fast, but that acceleration is easier to get at. The shift is sweet too. The brakes perhaps a tad over-servoed, but manageable enough. Engine response is fine for heel and toe downshifts.

Henry Catchpole: Despite steering that could do with being a bit quicker, you can feel how light it is and what a short wheelbase it has as it snaps into corners with the rear end feeling particularly keen. It also rides amazingly well for a concept car with big 20in wheels. Even after a limited drive I want one.

While it’s very early days yet—the concept is yet to be approved for production—it sounds as though Audi’s engineers have a great platform to work on should the top brass give them the okay to build it.

We especially like this last line from Catchpole’s review, “If you put the sat-nav into ‘Race’ mode then it will apparently read you pace notes for the road ahead like a rally co-driver!” For the full text follow the links below.

[Source: Autocar & Evo]

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Audi

Audi quattro concept looks set for production

Audi quattro spied in Malibu

This Audi quattro concept, or perhaps that should read, the Audi quattro concept was recently spotted in Malibu, California. It’s understood the Paris Motor Show star was out on a photoshoot, with a red 1980s Ur-Quattro also along for the ride. The cruisey quattros had a Police escort and all.

Okay, that’s not the properly exciting bit. Apparently the guy who snapped the spy pics (see link below for more) spoke to the lucky folks with the stunning quattro concept and was told Audi will be putting the concept into limited production. Bravo!

Let’s just hope the earlier rumour that its price could be a whopping £200,000(AU$320,000) is proved false.

[Source: Jalopnik]