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Blind faith

Stanford University - Autonomous Audi TTS

You may remember news from November last year about a driverless Audi TTS being prepared to conquer Pikes Peak. Stamford University are providing the technology required to achieve this goal and they recently ran an article on their online newsletter giving some further background on the car they’ve named ‘Shelley’.

Even better than that, there is also a YouTube clip of the car being put through its paces (available after the jump). The Stanford team have even taken the car to the Bonneville Salt Flats and “driven” the car at speeds in excess of 200km/h.

Not content with merely driving Miss Daisy to the summit, the Stanford crew want Shelley to tackle the hill climb at race pace. Chris Gerdes, leader of the graduate research team says, “Our goal is to show that we can do this.

“There are some sheer drops at Pikes Peak in which any sort of self-preservation kicks in and you slow down a bit. We want to go up at the speed that few normal drivers would ever think of attempting.”

Nice! Shelley’s attempted run up Pikes Peak is scheduled for September.

[Source: Stanford University News]

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New vehicle sales report – January 2010

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January 2010 showed good signs for the automotive industry in Australia. While sales for the month did fall dramatically from December 2009 it is worth noting there were strong financial incentives, in the form of Federal Government tax breaks, that saw many businesses rushing to buy cars before the program ended on 31 December.

More importantly, the 74,864 new vehicle sales for January 2010 represents a healthy increase of 11.6% compared to the same month last year. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive Andrew McKellar believes the new cut in import tariffs has helped kick the year off, “New car affordability is better than ever and has been further enhanced by the tariff cut on many imported vehicles,” he said.

“New car buyers have effectively been handed a ‘tax cut’ and many brands have moved quickly to reduce prices or increase vehicle specifications. As a result, it is expected that this will encourage private buyers to return to the marketplace in greater numbers throughout the year,” Mr McKellar said.

Toyota, Holden and Ford maintained recent tradition as the top three selling marques.

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Audi

Audi A1 promo refresher – part 2

Audi A1 - The next big thing

Here is the second update on the Audi A1 promos. The pic above shows German football stars Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm. The “awesome” Bayern Munich duo are filmed from inside the cabin driving the A1 inside a warehouse. The clip doesn’t give too much detail away, of course, but you can see the door handle and the dash looks like it has a pop-up screen for the navigation and entertainment systems.

Other info in this update shows Audi staffers talking up the A1’s quality and what to expect from the car’s interior design and trim. Later today Audi are scheduled to reveal the detail of the A1’s air vent. Gripping stuff!

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Audi

Audi A1 promo refresher – part 1

Audi A1 - The next big thing

Late last year Audi started to build the hype for it’s upcoming A1 model. They even recruited Justin Timberlake to be the car’s brand ambassador. He repaid that faith by allowing the paparazzi to snap some undisguised pics of the A1.

This is a car that Audi says will be the first premium model in the compact car segment. You might think BMW’s 1 Series could lay claim to that title, but it is more of an Audi A3 rival, in what would now be called the small-medium car segment.

Since launching their A1 microsite Audi have been drip feeding promo pics and videos in the lead up to the car’s official premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. If you’ve missed them, here’s the first of a two part update that will bring you back up to speed.

In this update you will see a few Audi big wigs setting the scene for the A1. They explain what it will look like and why it is being made. You’ll also find out about the LED headlight technology filtering down from the R8, before seeing more info on the car’s exterior design.

Stay tuned for more on Audi’s “next big thing”.

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Audi

If you only give it a chance

Audi R8 Spyder

Audi tv is currently teasing its viewers with this evocative clip showcasing the R8 Spyder V10. You can see the clip for yourself after the jump. Fortunately they didn’t use a car painted in that horrible brown colour.

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Accessories & Tech Audi Safety Issues

VIDEO: Audi MMI navigation with Google Earth

Audi A8 MMI navigation integrated with Google Earth

Just before Christmas Audi knocked out a release saying their new A8 would soon feature Google Earth integration with its MMI navigation system. While that sounds kinda cool, a static image didn’t really cut the mustard. However, since then a video has been released along with a press statement from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) in the UK criticising new advances to in-dash navigation systems.

The video of the Google features can be seen after the jump, along with a neat demo of the finger pad that allows you to write letter shapes to assist Audi’s MMI functionality.

Access to the Google Earth feature set is currently gained by GPRS/EDGE mobile technology, so expect it to be a bit slow and clunky at times. However, Audi has plans to release an updated system mid-year which will use a new UMTS modem to help improve data transfer. The nifty aspect of synching with Google is the ability for users to plan a journey at their desktop and then pickup the saved route once in the car. As you can imagine such connectivity opens up a whole range of new and exciting concepts for in-car navigation and “infotainment”.

And here’s where the IAM guys are starting to get worried. Peter Rodger, IAM Chief Examiner, reckons the results of such functionality and the potential to distract drivers “could be deadly”. He goes on to say, “If it’s not acceptable to read a novel while driving, how can it be acceptable to read a multimedia display? Just how much information can a car driver absorb and still drive responsibly?”

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Magical museum tour

Porsche Museum

Doing the “German Car Museum Tour” is on the “to do” list of most petrol heads. In relatively close proximity you have Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. While, further north, in Wolfsburg is the superb Autostadt, Volkswagen’s celebration of itself and its multiple brands.

Stephen Williams from the New York Times is one guy lucky enough to have experienced this magical museum tour of late. He wasn’t able to fit in the Autostadt as well, but crossing the others off the list is a delight most would like to experience.

Here is a teaser of Williams’ findings, you can read his full article following the link below, “Devoting a day, give or take, to each museum and the accompanying attractions—usually a gift shop, bistro or cafe, and a delivery center for people who pick up their new toys at the factory—I came away with different impressions. ‘Cars are cars, all over the world,’ Paul Simon sang. But they’re not—and neither are car museums.”

[Source: New York Times]

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Audi

Audi A5 Sportback – Australian specifications

2010 Audi A5 Sportback

True to their word Audi have delivered the A5 Sportback into local showrooms with a two-pronged offensive. Kicking off the A5 Sportback range down under is a 2.0 TFSI equipped model with a manufacturer’s list price of $78,400. This will be partnered with a 3.0 V6 TDI priced from $89,100.

If that seems a little high to you, maybe standard fitment of a quattro all-wheel drive system and a 7-speed S tronic transmission will ease the pain. Other goodies thrown in include full leather seats with electric adjustment, MMI navigation and xenon headlights with LED daytime driving lights.

The other standard feature, which mustn’t be forgotten, is a great looking car, with a handy rear hatch and comfortable seating for four.

Tipping the scales at 1500kg the A5 Sportback isn’t a lightweight by any means, but its performance is quite brisk really. The 2.0 TFSI offers 155kW with a helpful 350Nm of torque and can get to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. To give that figure some sort of context, that is quicker than a Golf GTI, which shares a similar turbocharged four cyclinder engine. However, in a sign of the times, it is the diesel that sets the performance benchmark in the Sportback range. The 0-100 dash is over in 6.1 seconds, thanks to the TDI’s 500Nm maximium torque and 176kW peak power.

Impressively, both engines are on the start of their flat torque curves from a low 1500rpm, with the TDI staying on its plateau until 3000rpm, while the TFSI keeps puffing strong until 4200rpm. So tractability and low down urge should be a strong point in both offerings.

Those wanting that little bit more performance, and with around $50K more to spend over the V6 TDI, will have to wait for the S5 Sportback, which is due in Australia by mid-year. With the excellent 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged engine from the S4 this car is sure to keep both fashionistas and revheads equally satisfied.

A full list of specifications is outlined below in Audi’s presser, along with tech specs in PDF format available for download. Heaps of pics, too, of course.

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Audi

Mini-e-tron is R4-U2NV

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Rumours are getting stronger that the Mini-e-tron revealed in Detroit this week is a thinly disguised preview of the upcoming Audi R4 mid-engine sportscar. US blog InsideLine claim they have been told as much by sources within Audi.

The underpinnings of such a car would likely be shared across the Volkswagen group’s range, including its own Concept BlueSport and even the next generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman.

In regards to the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron, you would expect a lot of the concept to get lost in production, such as the aluminium carbon-fibre composite body, but an electric powered engine option could stay. Speculation also suggests that the snarling five-pot turbo from the Audi TT RS could find its way under the R4’s skin—yes please!

How or where the R4 would slot into the Audi range with the company’s iconic TT is uncertain at this stage, but Autoblog reckon an entry-level R4 could fit under the TT. Hard to see that happening, but stranger things have happened.

[Source: InsideLine & Autoblog | Thanks to Wayne for the tip]

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Audi

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Detroit showcar Audi e-tron

Audi released another e-tron model at NAIAS early yesterday morning. Rather awkwardly its title is “Detroit showcar Audi e-tron”. Maybe they were too busy cramming to get the concept car made in time for the show to bother coming up with a catchy model name.

Perhaps they should have called it the Mini-e-tron, okay that might not be brilliant either, but it’s a damn site better than the full title, so that’s what I’ll stick with. Given this new e-tron is some 220mm shorter than the R8 based e-tron shown at Frankfurt last year the Mini tag seems approriate, too. The short, stubby design is one that may draw envious looks as this is a very nice looking car. Part e-tron, part Aston Martin Vantage and part toy car, it does have some extraordinarily appealing details, such as the shoulder line over the rear wheel, as shown perfectly in the image above.

The changes don’t stop with the cosmetic, either. The Mini-e-tron is rear wheel drive only, and as such has two electric motors as opposed to its bigger brother’s four engines, one at each wheel.

A 399kg battery unit sits behind the seats, but in front of the rear wheels. Even with this near central location the Mini-e-tron’s weight distribution is still biased to the rear at 40:60. Mind, Audi say this “ensures perfect balance”.

It’s no surprise that there’s lots of gadgets in this car, and some of the smartest are the LED headlamps. To help save energy the lamps cover most forward lighting duties. Through the use of specially designed sensors they can automatically raise and lower their high beam at night, they can adjust their intensity to suit varying weather conditions—such as fog or rain—and, through the use of on-board navigation, they can also anticipate the driver’s intended course and illuminate corners before the driver starts turning the steering wheel. That’s kinda cool, I have to say.

Almost as cool as sitting at home entering your desired traffic route on your smartphone, then linking it with your car so that your nav system is right to go as soon as you hop in the driver’s seat. Things like stereo preferences and other in-car settings can be changed remotely with a paired smartphone as well.

Taking the smartphone connection further, the interior does away with a bunch of messy dials and switches in favour of an iPhone-like touch screen and additional scroll pad.

Maximum power on supply from the two engines is 150kW, and through the use of an aluminium and carbon-fibre composite chassis overall weight of the Mini-e-tron is 1350kg. “If necessary” the driver can propel the car from rest to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. Not too shabby at all, really. With a lighter right foot you can expect to travel up to 250km.

As always, there’s a whole lot more for you after the jump.

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Audi Drive Thru Reviews

Drive Thru: Audi S4

Audi S4 - V6 Supercharged

While the ‘new’ Audi S4 has been on sale in Australia for almost one year now it does represent something of a new world order for Audi and manufacturers around the planet, who are now desperate to play the green card by lowering CO2 emissions and fuel consumption figures. On that basis, gone is Audi’s familiar and silky smooth 4.2 litre V8 and in comes a new 3.0 litre supercharged V6 unit.

Crucially, power has only dropped slightly, down 15kW to 245kW. The addition of the charger keeps torque the same at a very tidy 440Nm. Official figures say the new 3 litre lump sips fuel at the moderate rate of 9.4 litres per 100km, while the CO2 figure is 219g/km, which is only 10% more than the four cylinder turbocharged S3.

So the theory is the new engine gives the same kick, while dropping the share price of Messers BP and Shell. But does it really? Well, yes, it does.

At least, it certainly gives you a jolly good kick when you plant your right foot. Audi claim the S4 can reach 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds. My back of the envelope calculations while the car was seamlessly working through its 7-speed S tronic transmission found this claim to be pretty accurate. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the S4 saloon could better the official figure.

In a word the new engine is awesome. It really is deceptively and wickedly quick. Sure, you miss the lovely V8 burble AUSmotive brought you in our S5 review, but the S4 did feel quicker than the V8 coupe. Sure, this is not exactly comparing apples with apples here, but it is an observation worth noting.

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New vehicle sales report – December 2009

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According to official VFACTS figures released earlier today new vehicle sales in Australia for 2009 reached 937,328, an overall drop of 7.4% compared to 2008.

November’s cracking results showed the motor industry was well on the way to financial recovery and  December followed suit registering 88,708 sales. Which sets a new record for the month.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar acknowledged the role of the Federal Government’s tax incentives for businesses in returning better than expected yearly figures, “The final outcome for the year has surpassed the industry’s original expectations by some 57,000 vehicles and a significant proportion of this additional volume can be attributed to the tax break.”

Toyota (200,191), Holden (119,658) and Ford (96,501) were the top three selling marques. Toyota’s stranglehold on top spot looks very secure, despite the highest selling car in Australia for 2009 being the Holden Commodore (44,387). The Corolla (39,013) and HiLux (38,457) rounded out the top three selling models nationwide.

Other notable performers were Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen. But it seems most manufacturers have a positive spin to sell and a raft of press releases to that affect follow this article.

Audi, intent on chasing BMW for the top selling prestige marque, concluded 2009 with their fifth year of growth. Impressively, the German brand bettered last year’s record by over 20% while recording 11,310 sales. A perfect end to the local career of Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann. The hard task master will be returning home to Germany at the end of this month—see carsales interview from December 2009.

Mitsubishi have put the corpse of the Magna well behind it, achieving best ever annual sales for the Lancer (21,362) and Triton (18,182).

Volkswagen improved on its 2008 record year by selling over 30,000 vehicles for the first time under the Volkswagen Group Australia banner.

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