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Audi

Fresh Audi S1 spy shots

Audi S1 prototype

This otherwise innocent looking Audi A1 is believed to be a near production ready S1 pocket rocket. Apart from the images, there’s no new speculation from our last update posted in June, except to suggest the official reveal of the S1 could take place at the Paris Motor Show in October.

According to the photographer who took these pics, near Germany’s famous Nürburgring, the note from the exhaust was a bit “heartier” than other A1 models. A thought confirmed by the appearance of larger exhaust pipes at the rear.

More pics after the break.

[Source: Autoblog]

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Audi

Audi RS7 rendering

Audi RS7 rendering

Following the recent launch of Audi’s new A7 Sportback it hasn’t taken long for the Photoshop gurus to create an RS version. Here is an RS7 rendering produced by dacim12 from DeviantArt. It’s all pretty straightforward stuff; take a regular A7 shot, add some well-known RS styling cues, mix it altogether with some elite pchop skillz and voila—an RS7! The end result looks pretty good, I have to say.

But the real story here is Fourtitude’s snippet suggesting such a car would be powered by a new 4.0 litre V8 helped along with the assistance of twin turbos. Nice!

[Source: Fourtitude]

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Audi

30 years of quattro: The drive of progress

Audi 30 years of quattro

As part of Audi’s ongoing 30 years of quattro celebrations they have released a new video titles The drive of progress. It runs for just under 10 minutes and takes us through the origin of the famous Audi drivetrain, seen in the Ur Quattro, right up to the different applications we see in today’s road cars. It’s a nice complement to previous clips from Audi published around the time of the RS5 release.

You can see the clip in full after the break.

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Audi

A closer look at the Audi RS3 prototype

Audi RS3 prototype

Dutch website Autoliefhebber brings us some new and close up pics of the now familiar Audi RS3 test mule. We last saw pics of this prototype (note registration HN TT 342) back in June, with some video not long after. While there’s still nothing officially official coming from Audi we can learn a couple of things from these pics.

Inside you can make out a TT RS style flat bottom steering wheel. They’re quite a bit chunkier than the standard tiller found in the S3 Sportback on which the prototype is based. You will also note large cross drilled brake rotors up front. A better view of the front spoiler has also been captured showing a bit more definition than previous spy shots.

From these pics it’s not possible to see if the car is fitted with an S tronic or manual transmission. However, the TT RS is only available with a 6 speed manual box, so it may safe to assume the RS3 will come with any transmission you like so long as its manual.

Other interesting tidbits to note are the test mule is actually white underneath what appears to be a black vinyl wrap. You will also note the fitment of a roll cage and full on racing buckets from Recaro. Of course, there’s the data capturing hardware on the wheels as well.

[Source: Autoliefhebber]

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Audi

Audi A7 Sportback photo gallery

Audi A7 Sportback

Early this morning Australian time Audi pulled the wraps off the A7 Sportback in Munich. There were no surprises and the coupé styling cuts a sharp and stylish look. The A7 Sportback follows the path laid by the A5 Sportback and the Sportback Concept.

The rear tail light graphics are quite attractive. Also of note along the rear is a hidden spoiler that automatically raises at speeds over 130km/h, retracting once speed falls below 80km/h. As is the stylez Audi have fashioned distinctive LED daytime running lights for the A7. And if you really want to stand out from the crowd you can option full LED headlights, as well.

Inside the latest Audi MMI system features Google connectivity. The design of the interior, as you now expect from Audi, is first class.

Under the skin there will be four engines on offer. All V6 configurations with TDI and petrol options. There will be an entry level model with front-wheel drive and a conventional “multitronic” auto. While quattro equipped variants will nick the tricky diffs seen in the RS5. They’ll also come standard with a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

In pictures, at least, the A7 looks a more complete styling exercise than the A5. There’s over 45 images after the break for you to see and judge for yourself. Also available for download is Audi’s full 27 page press release.

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Audi

Audi A7 Sportback leaked images

Audi A7 Sportback

The Audi A7 Sportback is due for an official reveal in Munich early tomorrow morning (Australian time). But, as is the custom these days, a number of official looking images have emerged. The four images here would appear to be accurate representations of what Audi will reveal for the simple reason they so closely match the Sportback Concept first shown in January 2009.

The resemblance is strongest in side profile. Elsewhere the transition from show car to production model seems to have followed a fairly straightforward course. More details tomorrow when Audi releases their official material.

[Thanks to Jonathan for the tip]

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Audi Drive Thru Reviews

Drive Thru: Audi TT RS

Audi TT RS

The Audi TT RS has some very healthy numbers on its side. Let’s start with the 2.5 litre turbocharged inline five cylinder that produces 250kW of power and 450Nm of torque. That torque is all yours from a low 1600rpm, as well. The TT RS is only available with a six speed manual transmission and Audi reckon it can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds.

Nice numbers aren’t they. Then, consider the TT is one of the best looking mid-sized sports coupés on the market and you soon realise Audi could have a real knock out winner on its hands.

A catch. There must be a catch, right?

RS purists will bemoan the fact the TT RS uses a Haldex all-wheel drive system and not a Torsen-based setup, which does have genuine roots to the rally-bred Ur Quattro. They might also have hoped Audi pushed the envelope a bit on the body styling. Where are the beefed up and flared guards seen on other RS models, such as the highly acclaimed B7 RS4?

Take your seat behind the wheel, though, and you soon get a sense this car is something special. There’s the race-inspired Recaro seats, a thick and beautifully styled steering wheel and, of course, all housed in another class leading interior from Audi.

Turn the key, fire up that engine and senses are further heightened by the glorious five-pot growl that lies deep inside the TT RS (listen to the audio sample below).

This is all well and good, but is its bark bigger than its bite? The only way to find out was to head out to AUSmotive’s favourite test route and see how the TT RS fared.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/Audi-TT-RS-Drive-Thru.mp3]
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Audi

Is the R4 really going to be an R5?

Audi R5

Back in January Audi revealed the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron; a concept model derived from the R8-based e-tron first shown at Frankfurt in 2009. The day after the baby e-tron was revealed speculation began, suggesting the concept model could be the first glimpse at a new “R4” sports coupé. Now, a new report from Automobile Magazine suggests the R4 may actually be an R5. Yes, that five does indicate the possibility of an inline five cylinder engine; think Audi TT RS.

Apparently the R5 carries the internal code name “Mimo”, derived from the German term for mid-engine or “mittelmotor”. The model, or variations thereof, would likely be shared across the Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen brands.

Indeed, it is believed that Porsche could undertake much of the development work for the car under the “9X1” codename. For Porsche “Mimo” would present a 21st century 356 and would be positioned below the Boxster.

The full report from Automobile Magazine is worth the read and includes a drive report of the electric powered showcar, as well. Make sue you check it out.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

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Audi

Audi A7 Sportback to debut next week

Audi Sportback Concept

Audi have announced the world premiere of their new A7 Sportback model will take place next Monday, 26 July at 6:30pm UTC (which is 4:30am on Tuesday 27 July for Australian readers).

The launch will take place right in the heart of BMW country at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich. The event will be broadcast live on the internet via Audi tv.

Shown above is last year’s Audi Sportback Concept. Our guess is the A7 version will look a little bit like that. There is a teaser video released from Audi, but other than the date of the launch, it doesn’t give too much away.

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Audi

VIDEO: More Audi RS3 spotting

Audi RS3 spy video

Over at Spyshots.nl they have a new video of an Audi RS3 test mule flying around the Nürburgring. Definite sounds of S tronic farting at gear changes can be heard. It also sounds very much like the five cylinder growl from the TT RS can be heard.

You can check out the clip for yourself after the break.

[Source: Spyshots.nl]

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New vehicle sales report – June 2010

FCAI banner

The end of financial year saw some big numbers in terms of new vehicle sales in Australia. In fact, the final sales tally of 108,722 vehicles is the highest selling month on record. It betters the previous monthly high by over 2000 sales, set back in June 2008.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales.”Year-to-date sales now sit at 531,168 and the FCAI has upped is 2010 prediction by 40,000 vehicles. It now expects 980,000 sales to be registered in 2010.

Toyota, Holden and Ford continue as the three highest selling marques. But that hasn’t stopped many other brands from bragging about their sales results.

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Megafactories mega week

National Geographic channel - Megafactories

Australian Foxtel subscribers are in for a treat this week with five Megafactories episodes airing on the National Geographic Channel. Some of the car world’s most desirable brands are showcased.

On Monday you can learn all about the Lamborghini Murcielago SV; Tuesday is Rolls Royce Phantom day; Wednesday is all about the Audi R8; Thursday is devoted to the Porsche 911; Friday is spent inside the Ferrari factory at Maranello.

The episodes air at 5:30pm and run for one hour, so make sure you have your recorders at the ready on channel 610.