Jethro Bovingdon from Evo spent the day fanging around Bedford Aerodrome in an Audi S3 and a BMW M135i. As you know the S3 is all-wheel drive and powered by a four cylinder turbo, while the M135i has a more pure rear-wheel drive layout with an inline six cylinder turbo.
The Audi is lighter but has less power. Can the BM’s extra grunt make up for its extra bulk? And which one is more fun on track?
[Thanks to Micky for the tip]
Audi clearly wasn’t content with unveiling the new production-spec TT in Geneva, so they brought along this 420hp (309kW) TT quattro sport concept as well.
You might think that this is a preview of what to expect in the next TT RS. Maybe it is. Audi isn’t really giving any concrete rationale for the model other than these words from Technical Development boss Dr Ulrich Hackenberg: “With our Audi TT quattro sport concept show car, we wanted to demonstrate what the new TT’s technology can do if you take it a step further. This car is designed for racing—an extreme driving machine for the motorsports enthusiasts among our customers.”
To that end, and with any luck, expectations this is a forerunner to a production TT RS are lost when it’s revealed the concept car is powered by a heavily worked engine based on the familiar EA888 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder and not an inline five cylinder. Yeah, we know the days of the unique five-pot may be over, but we can live in hope.
It’s clear this can’t really be considered an EA888 engine when you consider the quattro sport concept motor has a lightweight crank, revised pistons, a new cylinder head and a specially created cast alloy block.
All told there’s 309kW/450Nm on offer and it can propel the 1344kg concept to 100km/h in only 3.7 seconds, thanks also to its S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system. Audi proudly boasts the engine produces 155kW/litre, which it describes as “a new benchmark” for a 2.0 litre.
We’re a bit unsure about the aggressive and angular body styling, what about you?
This is the new Audi TT. The third-generation of Audi’s landmark coupé is ready to take centre stage at the Geneva Motor Show. Shown above in TTS trim with Tango Red paint you see many familiar cues from the original TT launched in 1998.
Overall the look is pure TT. Although, perhaps the grille may raise a few eyebrows at first, especially on the TTS. In general, though, the new TT has been chiseled and refined to form a very pleasing result.
The innovative electronic dash display, replacing the traditional dials behind the steering wheel, is the TT’s biggest party trick. It clears space in the interior allowing design to take centre stage without hurting function.
Powered by a familiar range of engines the TTS sits at the top of the tree, for now. Its 2.0 litre TFSI engine produces 228kW or 310hp in the old money—that’s 7kW more than found in the S3. Torque remains at 380Nm and reaches that figure at a low 1800rpm. Coupled to a quattro all-wheel drive system the TTS can reach 100km/h in 4.7 seconds with an S tronic transmission.
Also included at launch are 135kW/380Nm 2.0 TDI and 169kW/370Nm 2.0 TFSI models. With front-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission the 2.0 TFSI will reach 100km/h in 6.0 seconds. The addition of a 6-speed S tronic and quattro brings that sprint down to 5.3 seconds.
The TTS sits 10mm lower than its siblings and gets the S line body kit and Audi magnetic ride suspension as standard equipment.
More detail on the new TT range can be found after the break.
Der neue Audi TT is only days away from being revealed to the world. Audi Germany has published a short teaser to YouTube which almost shows us the whole car.
It will be the third-generation of TT, a model which since its launch in 1998 has, aesthetically at least, won a strong following. The new model will be built on the MQB platform and should be the best handling and performing TT we’ve seen.
Word is the free-revving 4.2 litre V8 in the current Audi RS4 will be replaced by a V6 turbo when the next-gen comes to life. If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu that’s okay; the first RS4 (B5 2000–01) was powered by a 2.7 litre twin turbo V6.
Cosworth did the fine tuning for Audi back then, but Quattro GmbH will take charge next time around. It’s not known if they’ll start with a 3.0 litre V6 from Audi’s shelves or create something more bespoke for the RS4. Our guess is they’ll use a 3.0 litre and perhaps once again bolt on a pair of turbochargers.
The main reason for the move away from normally aspirated power is the benefits turbocharging offer to increasing demands for more fuel efficient engines in order to meet EU emissions regulations.
[Source: Car & Driver]
In less than two weeks the third-gen Audi TT will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. To tide us over until then Audi has released four sketches which give us a taste of what is to come.
It’s true that most new cars look better and more aggressive in drawings compared with final production models and, while we think that will remain the case with the new TT, we’re also expecting to like what we’ll see under the brights lights in Geneva.
Certainly, the interior of the new TT looks promising and advances automotive design in a small way with its innovative dash display, removing the need for a screen in the central console.
A small detail of note, too, is the move of the four-ringed badge from the grille to the bonnet, as we see on the R8.
Audi has gone into adjective overdrive in the press release accompanying these sketches, which you can read below. We’re keen to see the real deal and will update once we have the photos and details to hand.
The Audi RS Q3 is now on Australian shores. It’s powered by a 228kW/420Nm version of the inline five cylinder engine found in the old RS3 Sportback.
We’ve known for sometime the list price for the RS Q3 would be a pretty sharp $81,900, but now we have more detail on the level of spec and the options packages Audi Australia has put together.
Suffice to say if you tick all of the option packs you’ll be looking at smidge over $92,500 before on road costs. Although, the standard level of spec is not too bad; further details are available after the break.
Audi Australia boss Andrew Doyle is keen to remind us all that, in Audispeak, the RS Q3 is quite cheap.
“Our price point of $81,900 is really going to motivate buyers to look at the legendary ‘RS’ Audi sports car they have always wanted,” Doyle said. “No other car offers anything like the kind of performance, versatility or exclusivity of an Audi RS model at this price point. It’s a truly unique vehicle—the first of its kind—and we believe it will only further expand on Australia’s growing love of performance SUV models.”
Let’s hope this augers well for the next-gen RS3, when it does arrive.
For the first time ever Audi is giving the world an S3 Cabriolet. But do we really want one? Audi seems to think so and good luck to them.
Under the bonnet it’s the same S3 221kW/380Nm engine and quattro drivetrain we’ve seen before, which just leaves the roof, or lack of, as the major point of difference.
The top is an electrically folding fabric arrangement and opens in 18 seconds. It can be opened at speeds up to 50km/h and is available in three colours. Although, Audi neglects to tell us what those three colours are. Our guess will be black, a dark grey and a light grey. If Audi feels a bit flighty a red roof might be an option too.
As you can probably tell, while being fans of the S3 in general, a soft-top version doesn’t really do it for us. How about you?
UPDATE: This just in from Audi Australia, “The S3 Cabriolet is confirmed for Australia and will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2014.”
Last month Chris Harris gave us a brief history of Audi’s quattro legacy. Drive continues its Inside Quattro series with JF Musial taking a visit to Audi Sport’s storage facility which is not accessible to the public. This video is the result.
Mark Webber is an exceptional man. It’s true, this video promoting the 2014 FIA WEC season says so. While his F1 mates are starting to get busy, Mark still has a couple of months to go before his new job gets real. We can’t wait!
Let’s say right off the bat, if this new Audi S1 is a dog to drive we’re going to be pretty pissed off. Because in almost every regard we reckon this shapes as being one of the best hot hatches on the market.
We’ve long been admirers of the A1 styling and with its facelifted details and S1 model-specific body kit this really hits the spot.
Take the quad tailpipes, for example. Often this arrangement just looks a bit too contrived, especially on a hatchback. But on this S1, combined with the reasonably aggressive rear valance, it just seems to work.
Yes, we know that it will probably have over-assisted brakes, that its steering will be a bit loose compared to its rivals and we know Renaultsport will more than likely still be king when it comes to driver involvement. But, go on Audi, prove us wrong. Please!
It is worth noting Audi has revised the front and rear suspension from the A1 donor model. The front-end gets new pivot bearings to help improve turn-in. A more dramatic change has taken place at the rear with the torsion-beam scrapped for a new four-link arrangement.
Factor in that the S1 is available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission—really, how good is that from a company who pioneered double-clutch boxes for the road—and the signs for this S1 are good. Very good.
Perhaps the biggest hindrance to the S1’s dynamic success will be its weight. Audi is yet to put an official figure on paper. Suffice to say the A1 1.4 TFSI Sport tips the scales at around 1200kg, add a quattro system to the S1 and it’ll be pushing 1300kg.
We don’t have a lot of technical detail to give you and have listed the key specs below. Fingers crossed this car is as good as it promises to be.
UPDATE: This from Audi Australia: “The Audi S1 Sportback is confirmed for Australia, and will arrive in the third quarter of 2014.”
We acknowledge that some people will be cut up that Audi is bestowing the legendary S1 badge on a pissy four cylinder hatchback. And while we do side with Audi on this one—as one of life’s great philosophers once said, “You can’t stop progress”—we hope these videos of “The S1” absolutely smashing it will appease those who aren’t happy with Audi’s decision.
It’s wishful thinking, of course, but let’s just pretend for a moment that Audi has been crazy enough to ensure the new S1 has the turbo whistle form the old car.