Category: Audi

If the regular 335bhp from the feisty five-cylinder engine in your Audi TT RS isn’t enough, Swiss tuning company, Sportec, can up the ante for you to 400bhp. For those of us who speak in kilowatts, that’s a leap from 250kW to 294kW. The Stage One tune increases torque by almost 100Nm, to around 540Nm.

Acceleration has improved, with the 0-100km/h down 0.4 seconds to a very tidy 4.2 seconds and, of course, the factory 250km/h speed limiter has been removed.

Road tests for the TT RS haven’t always been glowing endorsements, but, as the saying goes, Sportec have taken the “I’ve never met a horsepower I didn’t like” approach. Maybe that will work?

As it is Australian buyers will have to wait before they can judge the TT RS for themselves, with deliveries not due until early next year. Plenty of time to save for the relative loose change the Sportec tune will cost!

Last night Audi Australia officially opened their new “Lighthouse brand terminal” on Sydney’s South Dowling Street. Audi has been trading at the site since the start of the month, but the big wigs were in town for the official event last night. At an impressive 16,000 square metres it is the largest of its kind in the world.

The $50 million eight-storey facility was opened by Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

“With 45 million cars per year passing the site, this impressive facility will quite literally be a lighthouse between the CBD and the airport. With 100 metres of street frontage on this busy arterial road, no-one will miss this extraordinary brand statement. It will raise awareness of Audi to a completely new level in Australia,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Significantly, it also demonstrates the company’s long term commitment to this country and our confidence that our brand will continue to grow in this economic climate,” Mr Hofmann added.

Peter Schwarzenbauer is excited about the statement the new building makes for Audi, “For us, it is about bringing our brand to our customers with trend-setting dealerships that focus on people. This new Audi Lighthouse terminal in Sydney is not only the largest yet to be built, it is also a great statement for the brand in Australia.”

Audi’s awesome R8 just got more awesome with the local release of the 386kW 5.2 FSI quattro model, or put simply, the R8 V10. The closely related V10 engine in the RS6 sounds sublime, so one can only imagine how exquisite it would be to have that noise right behind you as you prowl the streets.

While not exactly a bargain, it seems the Australian market has already taken a liking to the R8. Accordingly, Joerg Hofmann, Audi’s managing director, boasts, “The R8 V8 has been very successful in Australia, so much so that we have been securing additional production from other markets to fill our waiting lists. This new V10 version will certainly prove popular with an exclusive number of customers who want blistering performance, combined with head-turning design and the vast benefit offered by our vehicle which is everyday versatility.”

Indeed, a couple of weeks ago now I was fortunate to get an up close look at an R8 V10 in the bowels of Audi Centre Canberra before being delivered to its lucky buyer. The LED headlights, standard fitment on the 5.2 FSI model, really are a nice bit of kit.

Other standard fare on the über R8 includes a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system, satellite navigation and heated silk nappa leather seats.

As well as the LED headlights, Audi anoraks can spot the difference between the V10 and V8 models by pointing out the wider sideblades which feed more air into the engine, oval shaped exhaust tips and a chrome trimmed grille.

Despite the Audi Space Frame technology, the R8 still tips the scales with a fair old weight. However, proving the 5.2 litre engine is more than just show, it can propel the 1620kg coupé from rest to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. After my taste of the V8 model I came away thinking the car deserved more power. I reckon this might just do it!

More from Audi after the jump and you can download a spec brochure below:

• Audi R8 specifications—August 2009 (1.6mb PDF)

According to CAR magazine you’re looking at the Audi Project Anniversario. A new model based on the S5 that breathes new life into the car that put Audi on the modern performance map—the iconic Ur Quattro.

The Anniversario, as the name suggests, was due for release this year, Audi’s centenary. However the GFC put the kybosh on those plans and the latest speculation suggests a launch in 2012.

It is believed the Project Anniversario will tip the scales at a relatively light (these days) 1400kg, and with a twin-turbo V6 producing a tidy 425bhp (315kW) der neue Quattro is sure to move quite rapidly.

According to reports the project has internal sign off from product planners and is now being given the once over by the bean counters to see if the numbers add up.

The artist’s impression above is not the prettiest on the eye. But, then, neither was the original Quattro. If Audi does make this model it would certainly be a very bold move. The lads at quattro GmbH have one hell of a reputation to protect.

[Source: CAR | Thanks to Costa for the tip]

Audi’s angry sounding TT RS has been prowling European roads for a few weeks now. So, what do the world’s press have to say about the 250kW in-line five cylinder turbo?

Paul Horrell from Top Gear says, “It’s a right little terrier for corners. Just chuck it in and the 4WD sorts things out. OK, so there’s not the delicacy of a Cayman S…”

John Simister from The Independent reckons, “The TT RS, sad to say, seems a backward step in Audi’s development of dynamics, a return to the dull days of speed without thrill or engagement. A Volkswagen Golf GTI, with similar underpinnings, less power and front-wheel drive only, is much more fun. So, crucially, is a Porsche Cayman S.”

While Michael Taylor from Australian website carsales.com.au said “For all of its chassis surety, it always feels like the engine is the star of the show. There’s no turbo lag beyond about 1100rpm and in a straight line, it’s quicker than the Porsche Cayman S (its most obvious rival), BMW’s new Z4 and the new Lotus Evora—and not just to 100km/h, either. The TT-RS will sprint through the 200km/h barrier in 15.9 seconds.”

Okay, so we’re clear that the TT RS has some stiff opposition against the Porsche Cayman S. However, while the three previous scribes all favour the Stuttgart sportscar, television presenter Jason Plato, from Fifth Gear, thinks otherwise.

Earlier this year I was offered an opportunity to spend a morning fanging a few Audis around some closed roads. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to take part in the Audi Driving Experience which came my way courtesy of Audi Centre Canberra.

Audi’s program is designed to give their customers a chance to drive at the limit in controlled conditions, while under the watchful eye of expert instructors. Former Audi Touring Car driver Brad Jones headed the tuition and he was ably assisted by ex-Formula Holden racer Christian Murchison and 2007 National Formula Ford Champion Tim Blanchard.

Sutton Road Driver Training Complex was the venue for the day and before we started there was a brief introduction from Brad Jones with some fairly rudimentary theory on oversteer, understeer and so on. Our group had about 10 people and there were three groups in total using the course during the morning session.

Following the release of the Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro, that is the question being asked to the Australian market. Audi boldly claims they are leading the way with the “first series production diesel sportscar”.

So, let’s look at this as objectively as possible then. The published 100km/h dash time is 7.5 seconds. Not too shabby, but not brilliant, either. In fact, that’s a few tenths slower than a Mk5 Golf GTI. In gear acceleration would be fun, though, courtesy of the 350Nm of torque at your right foot from just 1750rpm that is found deep inside the diesel donk. Maximum revs are just 5400rpm, however, so you would expect to be fiddling about with that manual box quite a bit. Peak power is just 125kW. So, we’re not quite cutting the sportscar mustard just yet.

Diesel engines are more refined than ever before, although they do still have a hint of tractor lurking in the engine bay. It’s not really a great sound for a TT is it. And its certainly no match for the sublime sounding 250kW five cylinder from the TT RS.

Fuel consumption is a luxury car tax shattering 5.3l/100km and CO2 emissions are a relatively meagre 139g/km. Not terribly sportscar like figures there, it has to be said. But in this instance, I guess that’s a good thing.

But, as an overall package, is the TT 2.0 TDI a good thing? Australians are embracing diesel powered cars more than ever before, but are they ready for a diesel TT? Sure, a TDI can be good fun in a Golf or an A3, surprising fun, in fact. But a TT? Does it really make sense?

So many questions. And I’m not sure Audi will find the answers they are looking for.

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

As predicted last week, Audi have unveiled their A5 Sportback today—the company’s 100th birthday. Australia will see the A5 Sportback on its shores in early 2010 with petrol and diesel powered engines. Final specs will be confirmed by Audi Australia closer to the local launch.

In the meantime, we can go off European specs to get a taster of the new four seater quasi-coupe. A suite of images from Audi can be seen after the jump and if you’d prefer a closer look, simply click on an image to launch a wallpaper friendly 2000px super image.

The swooping C-pillar cuts a nice shape allowing the all important luggage space to expand from 480 to 980 litres when the rear seats are folded down. For extra flexibility there is a two-piece luggage compartment cover as well.

The European launch will begin wth six engines, including the familiar petrol line up of the 2.0 TFSI, in 132kW or 155kW spec and a 195kW 3.2 litre V6. Those chasing diesel power can opt for a 125kW 2.0 TDI, a 140kW 2.7 TDI or a 176kW 3.0 TDI featuring an S tronic transmisison.

All engines meet Euro 5 emission standards and all are equipped with stop-start technology to help reduce fuel consumption.

UPDATE: More pics added below.

A couple of weeks ago an Audi A5 Sportback was spotted at the University of California San Diego. The car was on site for a photoshoot which lasted a few hours. Unsurprising, then, that the car was noticed by a few astute students. In fact, quite a comprehensive eye witness account from one of the students can be read at Fourtitude. The fortunate chap was given a front row seat too, being invited to take a seat inside the new saloon.

This is a bit of an educated guess, but I have a feeling we might be seeing a world premiere of this car on 16 July—the date of Audi’s official 100th birthday celebrations.

Why do I think that? Firstly it’s clearly an important date for the manufacturer, so much so that German chancellor Angela Merkel will be in attendance. Further to that, if you take a look at the Audi 100 Years microsite the text under ‘The party > The birthday’ section reads, “The guests in Ingolstadt can expect a world premiere on July 16: In front of the eyes of almost 2,500 guests of honour, Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board at Audi AG, will be unveiling a new Audi model.”

Sure, it could be the R8 V10 Spyder that makes its debut, or even this R8 mystery test mule. However, the A5 Sportback has been around the traps internally for some time now and the timing makes sense. Especially after the release of a teaser image and video that were published in mid June, or, one month to the day from Audi’s birthday event.

On the other hand, is the A5 Sportback worthy of a premiere at such a prestigious event? I guess we’ll find out next week.