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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Tag: quattro
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Audi TT RS – Australian specifications
Audi have sprung a very nice surprise for fans of the TT RS. Originally due here early next year, they’ve managed to unwrap a few examples in time for Christmas. Nice work!
If you dig this car you’ll know all about it, so you don’t need me to remind you about the angry sound produced by the 250kW in-line five cylinder turbo. But, in case you have forgotten you can click the button below for some five pot aural delights.
One thing you may not know is the asking price. Entry level pricing for the Coupé starts at $133,700 plus all those horrible taxes and delivery charges. So, we’re talking north of $140K by the time you drive off the showroom floor. Audi hope to sell around 80 TT RS models every year. No word in all their guff today about the Roadster, so leave that with me for a bit.
The TT RS has been on sale in Europe for some time now, so you can also take a squiz at some review clippings. Despite the work Audi has done in making the TT RS look and sound superb, it would seem from those reviews they left a bit of work to do with the driving experience.
After the jump you can see a full complement of Australian images (all available as wallpaper-friendly 2000px super images, just click on the pics you like), as well raft of press information. Knock yourselves out.
[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/TT-RS.mp3]
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Audi TT RS – Return of the famous five
Images of the Audi TT RS have spread across the interweb overnight, and here’s a few for you to take a look at. The TT RS will be revealed, officially, in Geneva next month. That’s if Audi doesn’t counter this leak by releasing official images and specs beforehand.
In the meantime, what we “know” is that the TT RS will return to the UR Quattro‘s roots and be powered by an inline five cylinder. The 2.5 litre is good for 340hp (250kW) and a very tasty 450Nm of torque. With a six speed manual and, of course, an all-wheel drive system, one should be able to propel the TT RS from rest to 100km/h in under 5 seconds.
The bigger front air dam on the lower edges of the front grille are the biggest visual clue separating the TT RS from the regular S model. There’s also a more aggressive rear spoiler.
More details and wallpaper sized images as they come to hand. For now, there’s a few more pics below and a YouTube clip which is said to be the engine note of the TT RS. If that’s true, then … Schwing!
Source: CarScoop & TopGear.com
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Audi A4 allroad quattro
Soccer mums rejoice! Audi’s newest allroad model is set for its public debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. However, the lads from Ingolstadt have been kind enough to show us a few pics before it goes on display.
Based on the A4 Avant the allroad has plenty of visual clues that hint at its alleged off road capabilities. The cosmetic clues include flared guards and a revised grille treatment, giving the car a more rugged look. I think it looks great, and, if anything, looks better than the regular tarmac-locked A4 Avant.
Of course, there is the 37mm increased ride height, as well, giving the car a total ground clearance of 180mm. Not so immediately obvious is the wider track, which has been increased by 20mm.
The metal bash plates at either end of the car are said to be stainless steel, so, depending on how far under the car they go, they could actually provide some bona fide protection should the A4 allroad ever see dirt road duties. Of course, the allroad is never going to displace the role of the Land Cruiser, but having previously owned a 2001 Subaru Outback it is surprising how far these types of cars can be pushed, if you remain sensible.
Being an Audi there is enough electronic trickery on board to assist the driver as well, including Offroad Detection (ORD). Okay, it sounds a bit daft and obvious, but the system will modulate the ESP capabilities to suit the road conditions. For example, in off road conditions the system allows more slip than usual which therefore enables the torque to be sent more quickly to the wheels with grip. In regular road situations the quattro system sends 60% of the car’s torque to the rear wheels. When required, a maximum of 85% can be sent to the rear wheels, or a maximum of 65% to the front wheels.
Buyers can choose from three engines, all meeting EU5 emissions targets, and include a new 155kW/350Nm 2.0 TFSI four cylinder (which will also power the next Golf GTI), a 125kW/350Nm 2.0 TDI four cylinder and a 176kW/500Nm 3.0 V6 TDI. Six speed manual or S tronic transmissions will be available. Although, with the news that the new Q5 will come to the Australian market in S tronic guise only, it will be interesting to see if Australian buyers will be offered a manual option in the A4 allroad.
UPDATE: No need to wonder what transmissions will be available for the Australian market, I’ve just had it confirmed that the A4 allroad is not on Audi Australia’s radar.
More pics and press releases from Audi UK and Audi AG can be viewed after the jump.
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Audi R8 V10 unwrapped in Detroit
Audi’s V10 powered R8 had its first public showing in Detroit recently. With 525bhp the 5.2 litre produces an engine note to die for. As far as finer details go, nothing has really changed from the information we bought you last December. However, since when has it been a bad idea to show more pics of the stunning R8?
Enjoy!
AutoExpress has again led with images that will excite hot hatch enthusiasts. News has been around for a while about the Audi S1, but initial speculation suggested the S1 would be powered by the 2-litre turbo found in the current Mk5 Golf GTI. This latest report says the S1 will be powered by a 200bhp+ 1.4-litre twin charge engine, similar to the one used in the new Polo GTI. Of course, the S badging means the S1 will get that power to the ground using Audi’s familiar quattro technology.
From an Australian perspective, the spunky S1 looks to be the only car to match the MINI John Cooper Works in both driving thrills and desirability. While the feisty Renault Clio 197 might push both cars to the limit on tight mountain roads, it can’t match the cachet of either brand, let alone the build quality.
The aggressively styled S1 looks sensational and I, for one, can’t wait to test the car’s driving capabilities. I will have to wait a while though. The A1, the car on which the S1 will be based, is still over 12 months away from European release, so we’re likely to be looking at late 2011, at best, for the S1 to reach Australian shores.
Along with the supercharged and turbocharged technology of the engine, the S1 is said to showcase more of Audi’s gadgets, such as full LED lighting, a 7-speed S-tronic transmission and magnetic ride suspension, which will be electronically adjustable from inside the cabin. Most surprising, however, is the claim the quattro system will have a rearward bias, sending up to 60 per cent its power to the rear wheels under regular conditions.
Premium products command premium pricing, of course, so don’t expect much change from AU$55,000 by the time time you drive the S1 off the showroom floor. Something I look forward to doing myself when the opprtunity presents itself.
Source: AutoExpress
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Past master: Audi RS2
The RS2 was Audi’s first ‘RS’ quattro model. A collaborative work between Audi and Porsche in the mid 90s, the RS2 was not only the world’s fastest production wagon, it was also one of the fastest cars money could buy.
On sale for just three years (1994–96) the RS2 was based on the S2 and built on the Audi 80 platform. The S2 was built in coupé, estate and saloon models by Audi, although, the only variation imported to Australia was a very limited number of coupés. An initial run of 2200 RS2s was planned, in Avant guise only, but demand saw the final production end closer to 2900 units. Just 180 of these were made in RHD and none were imported to Australia—despite plans from then importer Inchcape to bring 25 RS2s down under, to be sold at an estimated cost of $145,000.
(Clearly the above image shows there is at least one RS2 in Australia, and you can read more about this car after the jump.)
Transformation of this otherwise humble estate car into a serious performance weapon took place at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory. Audi would deliver basic S2 shells and Porsche would then work their magic. They did this by giving the 2.2 litre inline 5 cylinder engine a bigger turbo, along with several other modifications, including a larger intercooler, larger injectors, modified camshafts, modified exhaust system and a revised engine management system. Porsche also supplied the wheels, brakes (via Brembo) and, of all things, the wing mirrors. The engine was good for 232kW/450Nm, enough to propel the RS2 from rest to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
Porsche also tweaked the suspension, with revised Bilstein struts and stiffer anti-roll bars, sharpening the generally mild and dull characteristics of the Audi 80 platform.
Despite these revisions the RS2 couldn’t really shake the fact it was based on the 80 and tipped the scales at 1600kg. As good as the RS2 was, it was unable to achieve universal acclaim from the motoring media of the day. Subsequent RS models from Audi, including the RS6, have certainly improved the breed. One thing the RS2 did do, though, was show the world that a niche market did exist for estate cars with supercar performance.
In fact, so strong was the performance of the RS2, when tested by UK publication Autocar it was revealed the Audi-Porsche lovechild could accelerate to 30mph in just 1.5 seconds. Amazingly, at the time, that was faster than both the McLaren F1 road car and Jacques Villeneuve’s Williams F1 car. The quattro system obviously did a great job of getting power through its wheels then!
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Audi R8 V10 breaks cover
With the reveal of the 5.2 litre V10 powered model, the R8 is now complete. Complete with near on 400kW. That will do nicely sir. Finally, the R8 has the bonkers engine to go with its oh-so-desirable body. Not that the 4.2 V8 was really anything to complain about.
The full engine spec reads 386kW power, with 530Nm torque. The 5.2 litre V10 is also used in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. In Italian mode the V10 has a fair bit more power, at 412kW and just a wee bit more torque, at 540Nm. Still, both cars are down on power compared to the completely mad RS6, which has 426kW.
There’s been a few cosmetic tweaks over the V8 model, including changes to the front grille that a trainspotter will happily point out for you. Likewise with the more pronounced sideblades, shown here in carbon fibre. Of course. The oval-shaped exhaust outlets are a whole lot angrier than before, too. More interestingly, though, is the use of full LED lighting. The lights, including headlamps, are fitted standard to the V10 model and Audi are the first manufacturer in the world to offer such technology on road cars.
Stop the presses! I almost forgot about the room for two golf bags. They’d fit behind the front seats presumably.
The V10 is available with two transmissions, either a trad 6 speed manual or the slightly awkward R tronic, which is not to be confused with the double clutch S tronic box. The R tronic is an aquired taste, as AUSmotive found out during our R8 review.
Entry level pricing for the R8 V10 is EUR 142,400, or around AU$278,500. By the time you add all of our local taxes, expect that price to jump another eleventy million notes. Either way, if sir is currently finding himself laughing at the commoners and their silly Global Financial Crisis, I’m advising sir to ask Jeeves to arrange an R8 V10 to be delivered post haste. I expect this to be a truly astonishing car.
Full European press release and dimensions shown below.
UPDATE 13 December: The R8 V10 should be on Australian shores by the middle of 2009. To hear what the V10 sounds like in the RS6, click HERE.
UPDATE 7 April 2010: 10 new pics added at end of article.
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2009 Audi S3 image gallery
Hope you enjoy this selection of images of the 2009 Audi S3 range, including images of the familiar 3-door Coupé and the newly introduced 5-door Sportback. Also included at the end of the gallery is Audi’s press release from the Paris Motor Show and technical drawing of both models.
Click on an image to load a 2000x1320px super image.
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Audi RS6 Avant opens up
Audi’s bahnstorming RS6 Avant is now on sale in Australia. Starting at $270,946 it’s fair to say buyers of this car won’t be feeling the squeeze at the petrol pump. Which is just as well, because extracting 426kW from the 5.0 litre V10 twin turbo takes a fair amount of fuel. That said, some may consider a combined urban/highway fuel consumption claim of 14.0l/100km a small price to pay for such stupendous performance. Fair enough too.
Although, there’s probably not too many that wouldn’t wince at the Luxury Car Tax giving $50K a very serious nudge, this, on top of 20-odd-thousand in GST. Wowsers!
There’s not much else to say other than enjoy the pics and stats below. Oh, the RS6 sedan will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of 2009. If you’d like to check out video footage of the RS6 Avant in action, then check out Fifth Gear‘s take, filed by Tiff Needell.
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Audi S3 Sportback docks down under
Back in April AUSmotive brought you pictures of the S3 Sportback, now, you can go to your local Audi dealer and see one for yourself. The five-door über hatch is 72mm longer than the three-door and Audi expects the Sportback to account for over two-thirds of Australian S3 sales. Local deliveries start in November, although I’ve heard of at least one customer receiving his S3 Sportback already.
The addition of the Sportback model ties in with a mid-cycle refresh for the 8P A3 range. Apart from the cosmetic tweaks, mostly to do with the light clusters, customers can now option some pretty trick gear on the S3 that has been previously unavailable. Technology such as Audi magnetic ride (as seen on the R8 and TT) and Audi Park Assist can now be added for $2,400 and $950 respectively.
The S3 is a lovely piece of kit, 188kW in a small car generally helps. Starting at $68,310 plus on roads, the introduction of a five-door model to the range will no doubt broaden the car’s appeal.
You know the drill, more pics and words below.
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Drive Thru: Audi R8 4.2 quattro
Well the drums rolled off in my forehead and the guns went off in my chest…
That’s how I felt with Audi’s teutonic symphony orchestra behind me today. Welcome to the Audi R8. There’s nothing quite like the sound of a V8 and what better place to put it than right behind your ears. All 309kW of it.
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I defy anyone to claim they don’t like the silhouette of the R8. It is simply stunning. I’m not sure Audi’s understated desirability has been executed better. So, when sir is considering a quarter of a million dollars on a supercar sir can be assured that with the R8 he will look the part and create the appropriate, albeit subtle, impression. A point highlighted by the looks and smiles from nearby traffic during today’s drive. Mash your right foot to the floor and you’ll be creating smiles on a demographic far broader than Audi ever planned. While putting a grin on your face that has you giggling like a mischievous school boy.