Word on the street says Audi is developing a sedan version of its A3 hatch. It would be launched as part of the third generation A3 platform and French publication L’Automobile reckon it will look like this.
It is now expected the next gen A3 hatch and Sportback will be launched in 2012. The sedan version would follow in 2013 with the US and Asian markets likely to be its main target.
A sedan body shape may also provide a better option for the next A3 convertible.
[Source: L’Automobile]
Here is the AUSmotive photo gallery from the Australian International Motor Show industry day. There are 128 photos in all and you can simply click on each thumbnail to access a 2000px super image.
Highlights include a couple of track specials in the form of the awesome Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and the rear-engined V6 Renault Megane Trophy. Others to look out for are the Toyota FT-86G concept, the Ford Focus RS, a trio of Lamborghini Gallardos and the highly desirable Audi R8 V10 Spyder, which looks great in all white.
Dedicated articles on the following cars can be access by clicking on the links below:
A big thank you to Daniel McKenna who joined the AUSmotive crew at AIMS and brought you many of the pictures you see here.
Hidden away on a mezzanine level at the Audi motor show stand is an imposing W12 powered A8 L. It’s Audi’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. A long luxo cruiser designed with opulence and luxury in mind, and not much else.
The huge lattice grille introduces a commanding presence, one which is complemented by the 20″ alloy wheels and the sheer length of the car. At 130mm longer than a regular A8 the L version has vast amounts of space for all passengers.
It’s the inside of this car, really, that completes the picture. Especially when you see the two individual rear seats facing two large entertainment screens. With electronic reclining and features such as a massage function you just know spending time in those seats would be time well spent.
The good news is the A8 L will be coming to Australia in the 2nd quarter of next year. The bad news is the 368kW 6.3 litre W12 will not be available. Australian captains of industry will have to choose from an engine lineup comprising 3.0 and 4.2 TDI diesels or a 4.2 FSI petrol engine. All are fitted with an 8-speed tiptronic transmission.
Check the pics out after the break, as far as luxo barges go, the A8 L looks like a great option.
Audi launched its new A1 model at the Australian International Motor Show. They say it is the next big thing. Small in size, big on features is the theory. Does the A1 deliver on its promise? We’ll need a drive before we can give a definitive answer on that, but after putting our grubby little fingers all over the car we can at least tell you what it’s like from a visual point of view.
Outside, the look is definitely Audi and the result is mostly a success. Maybe the lower lip on the lower hatch where it meets the rear window is a bit too chunky, but that’s being very picky. Overall the A1 creates a pleasing mix of fun and sophistication.
Inside, the A1 is a real success. While the new Volkswagen Polo has improved its interior look and finish taking it to an all new level, the Audi A1 raises the bar further still. The hideaway Nav screen is a nice feature. It brings a welcome level of luxury to the small car segment. The only negative, though, is the resolution of the screen lacks detail compared to the system used in the current A3 range, for example. First impressions of the seats are very positive. They get the right blend of support and comfort and feel the equal, at least, of far more expensive cars.
At launch Audi will offer two trim levels, both powered by a 90kW 1.4 TFSI engine. The Attraction, with 6 speed manual, is priced from $29,900, while the Ambition starts at $32,650. Add $2,350 to both if you want a 7-speed S tronic (double clutch gearbox).
Deliveries of the A1 will start early next year. More details from Audi when they come to hand.
This is one of the most extreme Audi TT RS examples we have seen yet. And for very good reason. It has been prepared by German outfit Raeder Motorsport and will be competing in a couple of VLN rounds at the Nürburgring later this month, starting this weekend in fact.
There’s not a lot of technical info about for this car, apart from a few mentions of using bits and bobs from the R8 LMS. We know the car will be entered in the SP4T class at the Ring this weekend, so we can assume it uses a 2.5 litre petrol powered inline five turbo like the road car (although there are reports the engine is diesel powered, too). When more details come to hand we’ll bring them to you.
UPDATE 21 October: Hi-res pics can now be accessed at AUSringers.
Audi Australia has just confirmed via its twitter account that its A1 premium hatch will be on show at AIMS, which starts on Friday. More details as they come to hand.
UPDATE 14 October: Audi Australia has confirmed with AUSmotive that the A1 will have its full Australian launch at AIMS tomorrow. Customer deliveries are expected in the new year. We’ll have full details after we return from the motor show.
Fellow bloggers Audidriven tweeted news during the week that Audi has signed off on adding quattro to the A1. AUSmotive has not been able to find a direct quote from anyone at Audi, but apparently the news has been announced publicly by both Rupert Stadler, Audi AG Chairman, and Michael Dick, Audi AG Board Member for Technical Development.
A quattro drivetrain appeared unlikely for the A1 platform after the rumoured S1 hot hatch had its “S” badging scuppered at the last minute due to it being a front-wheel drive.
Assuming the accuracy of the above claim it augurs well for the on-again S1 rumours. It also confirms a snippet passed on to AUSmotive some time ago that quattro would be available on at least one model sourced from the A1 platform.
One of the undoubted stars of the 2010 Paris Motor Show is the spectacular Audi quattro concept. Word on the street is saying Audi is willing to turn the concept into a production reality. Oh yes!
Speaking to Autocar, Stefan Reil, head of development at Quattro GmbH said, “We are rethinking standard processes to make it possible. We know how to engineer it already.”
Reil went further, hinting the car would mostly likely be produced in limited numbers. Not being shy he also speculated at a possible price point for the quattro concept, “We need feedback to see if it is possible. Audi has no heritage in building 200–500 cars that are really exotic. But it won’t be over €100,000 [approx AU$141,500].”
The show car’s 1300kg weight would be achieved through extensive use of carbon fibre. While power from the TT RS sourced 2.5 litre inline five cylinder engine should be at least 350bhp (260kW) with thanks to a larger turbo.
[Source: Autocar]
That thing, above, is an Audi R8 GT. Or at least, it was. The R8 GT is a go-faster version of the R8 V10. Lighter and more powerful than the regular model, only 333 R8 GTs are scheduled for production.
It is understood the driver lost control on a damp patch of motorway near Munich. Subsequently the car skidded along the road for some 400m, hitting barriers several times, before finally erupting in flames. The driver escaped with no serious injury.
And then there were 332.
[Source:Â donaukurier.de via Top Gear]
Audi has today released new information confirming the availability of a new 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission on the 250kW TT RS. European deliveries of S tronic equipped cars start this month.
Compared to the 6-speed manual box you can expect a 0.3 second improvement for 0-100km/h times. By employing a tall seventh gear the new transmission brings with it added fuel saving benefits. The S tronic TT RS has a rated overall consumption figure of 8.5l/100km against Euro test data (0.7l/100km improvement).
Hmm, those numbers seem a tad high, but that’s what you get when you compare published figures for the Coupé to the figures given in the press release available below.
Australian availability and pricing has yet to be confirmed by Audi Australia. Expect local deliveries to commence in early 2011 and the extra price difference to be under $5000.
UPDATE 7 October: AUSmotive has been in touch with Audi Australia; at this stage there is no firm ETA regarding availability of the S tronic in the TT RS for the local market.
Tucked away on the Audi stand at the Paris Motor Show, almost out of sight, is this “Rallye” version of the Audi quattro concept. Firstly, it looks sensational and clearly harks back to the all conquering Quattro rally beasts of the 1980s.
Secondly, what does it mean? There’s is nothing apparent on the usual Audi press portals that explain anything about this car. In fact, this picture isn’t even an official Audi image.
Is it simply a homage and nothing else, or is this even more extroverted concept a hint of something new to come? WRC perhaps? Or is that simply too much wishful thinking?
If you see anything that offers more than this World Car Fans article, please post a link in the comments section below.
UPDATE 7 October: According to a response from a representative of Audi AG this car is nothing more than a scale model produced to illustrate what a Group B rally car might look like today if the category was still alive. I still want one!
Audi has released a brief clip showcasing their highlights from the Paris Motor Show. Of course, that means the e-tron Spyder and the quattro concept. In addition individual promo videos on both cars can also be seen.
Rupert Stadler, Chairman Audi AG, reckons the “e-tron” name will end up holding a similar significance for Audi as the term “quattro”. Will be interesting to see if that comes to fruition in the coming years.