Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS will be unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto Show. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces well above 300 bhp. It also delivers explosive acceleration, driving delight, and unrivalled sound. (more…)
Tag: Audi
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Audi A4 allroad quattro
A vehicle that knows no boundaries: Audi is launching the A4 allroad quattro. With its permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, the A4 can handle any road or trail; it also offers driving pleasure – even on unpaved surfaces. (more…) -
Audi Tradition Displays the Family Silver
Audi Tradition’s annual programme for 2009 is centred on the Audi centenary. More than 50 events have been planned. (more…) -
Audi sets 2009 model-year prices for all-new Q5 crossover
Audi set the base price for its all-new and segment-redefining 2009 Audi Q5 crossover vehicle at $37,200. The Audi Q5 will begin to arrive in U.S. dealerships next week and will be offered in three equipment levels. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price for the 2009 model-year Audi Q5 Premium starts at $37,200. Pricing for the Audi Q5 Premium Plus starts at $41,500, and the Audi Q5 Prestige starts at $48,200. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges.
With the new Q5, Audi will have its first crossover vehicle for luxury car buyers who otherwise might have considered buying the Lexus RX, the BMW X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLK.
The launch of this new vehicle allows Audi its first opportunity to surpass those, and other, contenders in the popular luxury crossover vehicle segment. The new Audi Q5, with its combination of head-turning exterior and interior design, comprehensive safety features expected of a premium luxury vehicle, technological innovation and responsive Audi performance, more than achieves that goal.
“Luxury crossover vehicles appeal to a wide audience seeking both practicality and performance,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “But monotony has developed in that segment – sameness we’re certain the Audi Q5 now disrupts with its array of distinctive styling cues and forward-thinking features.”
The Q5 indeed offers plenty of unique features that give it a balance of functionality, luxury and performance. The Q5 will be the only vehicle in its segment with three-zone climate control, which lets drivers and passengers select their own comfort levels. It is the only vehicle in its segment with 40/20/40 rear seats that recline and offer fore-aft adjustment for the comfort of passengers and for balancing cargo-carrying capabilities.
Audi is also equipping the Q5 with its signature LED tail lights as standard equipment, including running lights, brake lights and turn signals. The Audi Q5 will offer standard hitch preparation for 4,400-pounds of towing capacity, which puts it at the head of its class. Also standard are roof rails with aluminum cross bars that sync with the Audi ESP system to adapt accordingly.
Audi has a strong reputation for outstanding automotive interiors and that tradition carries through in the Q5 with standard twelve-way power front seats, leather seating surfaces throughout and genuine wood or brushed aluminum inlays. Available exclusive luxury touches on the Audi Q5 include the Bang & Olufsen Sound System and the exclusive Audi drive select system that allows motorists to choose among four distinctive driving configurations.
The Audi Q5 will be the first model sold in the U.S. with available MMI Navigation plus, the third generation of Audi’s acclaimed MMI (Multi-Media Interface) system, which manages entertainment, communications and navigational information.
The new MMI Navigation plus offers a high-capacity hard disk with 40 gigabytes of memory (including 10 GB for media storage), DVD drive and an automotive grade NVIDIA™ chip for graphics processing. The added processing power allows MMI Navigation plus to render 3D maps of the entire U.S., including branded points of interest, and detailed images of buildings while offering real-time traffic information. The system also features a new, larger screen that measures seven inches from corner to corner, a vocal command recognition system that understands complete words in a variety of languages and improved joystick controls.
The Audi Q5 is derived from the same Audi-exclusive platform first developed for the A4 model range. The versatility of that vehicle platform gives the Q5 the driving comfort and performance characteristics of a luxury performance automobile and the longest wheelbase in its class. The efficient engineering and design of the Q5 also translated into shorter front and rear overhangs for better weight distribution to help stability. Audi also widened the vehicle platform to increase shoulder room inside the Q5 and to optimize the driver’s seating position for a more commanding view of the road.
The Audi Q5 will also lead the segment of AWD, gasoline-powertrain crossover vehicles in fuel economy. According to the U.S. EPA, the Audi Q5 achieves 18 mpg city mileage and 20 mpg combined – both tops in the category – along with 23 mpg highway mileage.
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S Tronic Sports Transmission Now For Audi A4 And A5
Shifting into a higher gear in Audi A4 and A5 models could take as little as 0.2 seconds from this month as the latest performance-oriented S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission makes the transition to 2.0 TFSI quattro versions of the acclaimed compact Saloon, Avant and Coupe. The new S tronic option adds £1,420 to the prices of A4 2.0 TFSI quattro and A5 2.0 TFSI quattro models, taking them to £27,170 OTR and £31,065 respectively.
Despite its rapidity, the latest incarnation of the twin-clutch gearbox also acts responsibly, maintaining fuel economy and CO2 output at the same level, or below, manual equivalents.
Launched to critical acclaim in the first generation TT, the advanced transmission added a new string to its bow during 2008 when it was further upgraded to enable installation in Audi models with longitudinal, ‘North-South’ engine installations. The new addition made its debut in the Q5 SUV, and soon after in the latest supercharged S4 Saloon and Avant.
Linked to an all-new engine
It now brings its lightning fast changes to the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro with its brand new turbo charged and directly injected FSI engine enhanced by Audi valvelift technology for improved engine ‘breathing’. In Saloon form, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic can power to 62mph from rest in 6.5 seconds – a 0.1 second improvement over the manual version – reach a top speed of 150mph and return 38.2mpg according to the combined cycle test. In the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic, the sprint to 62mph can be completed 0.3 seconds more quickly than in the manual at 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 150mph can be reached, while combined economy and CO2 output match the A4 at 38.2mpg and 172g/km.
These impressive economy figures are identical to manual A4 and A5 equivalents, and in terms of CO2 output the A5 S tronic actually shows a reduction versus the manual version’s 173g/km, highlighting the fact that in contrast to most automatic transmissions S tronic demands no compromise in return for added convenience.
Advanced electro-hydraulic controls and the alternate use of two clutches enable the S tronic gearbox to deliver lightning fast automatic or manual shifts via the gear lever or steering wheel-mounted paddle controls with no interruption of the engine’s power delivery across seven ratios.
The first of the two clutches serves the odd-numbered gears and reverse, and the second the even-numbered gears, so when the A4 or A5 are travelling in third gear, for instance, fourth is already pre-selected in anticipation. As soon as the shift command is given, the first clutch is disengaged and the second engaged in just a few hundredths of a second, virtually seamlessly.
The sporting credentials of both A4 and A5 2.0 TFSI quattro models can not only be enhanced by the new S tronic transmission, but also by the extra cost option of the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system. With its influence over throttle response, transmission points, steering weighting and damper control Audi drive select delivers the sharpest possible response and the highest degree of poise in all situations.
New Executive SE and Executive S line models
In A4 models it is also now possible to further enhance appeal through highly cost effective specification upgrades following the introduction of new Executive SE and Executive S line trim lines. In addition to the SE equipment list, which among its highlights features 17-inch 7-arm alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, an Audi Concert CD audio system and automatic headlight and wiper operation, Executive SE specification brings an upgrade to 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, an Audi Symphony audio system with six CD autochanger, cruise control and mobile phone preparation. The Executive SE trim line carries a premium of £635 over the SE model, representing a saving of £480 compared with the cost of adding each item individually.The more sporting S line option that is available at extra cost for all A4 Saloon and Avant models includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a unique S line front and rear bumper design, extended side skirts, xenon headlights flanked by distinctive LED daytime running lights and S line sports suspension lowered by 20mm. Inside, it adds leather and cloth combination sports seats, a 3-spoke S line sports steering wheel, matt brushed aluminium inlays and a perforated leather gear knob.
S line models can also be given the Executive treatment – the Executive S line models that are new for 2009 upgrade to Alcantara and leather combination sports seats, the Symphony audio system with CD changer, cruise control and mobile phone preparation. At £635, the Executive S line premium saves £650 over the cost of the individual items.
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Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
Audi continues to vigorously advance its successful strategy in the high-performance sports car segment. With the R8 the brand has established itself there right from the start – now follows the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. Its ten-cylinder engine churns out 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, which makes for breathtaking performance. With its distinctive design and superior Audi technologies such as quattro all-wheel drive, the lightweight aluminum body and the innovative, all-LED headlights, the R8 V10 takes pole position in its competitive field. (more…)
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2009 Audi Q5
Key Summary Points
• The Audi Q5 builds on the foundation established by the Audi Q7, and strengthens the brand’s presence in the SUV segment. (more…) -
The complete AERO package from ABT
When the designers of ABT Sportsline work on a vehicle, it is with the aim of giving the car its own character – and this must be recognisable from every angle. (more…) -
PPI ICE – Noble lifestyle all-rounder based on the Audi Q7
By presenting the Q7 at the IAA in September 2005, Audi extended its product range by a luxurious and sportive SUV model. Only shortly after its market launch, PPI Automotive Design already presented an enhanced version of the 7-seater basic model. (more…) -
PPI PS Audi TT Sport
PPI Automotive Design GmbH is one of the first addresses when refining automobiles by Audi. Already since 1997, the company based in the Southern German town of Waiblingen, develops and produces powerful performance enhancements, lift-reducing aerodynamic components and perfectly finished interiors. (more…) -
Audi Recognized for Design Excellence at Prestigious EyesOn Design Awards at the NAIAS 2009
Audi of America announced that it won two awards at the EyesOn Design Awards Ceremony at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). (more…) -
Audi Sportback Concept
Audi is unveiling the Sportback concept show car at the 2009 North American International Automobile Show. With systematic refinements to the brand’s characteristic design elements, the five-door model offers a glimpse at the Audi’s future design vocabulary. With its pronounced coupé-like silhouette and large rear hatch, the 4.95 m long (16.24 ft), 1.93 m wide (6.33 ft) and only 1.40 m high (4.59 ft) vehicle is boldly progressive for the luxury class. (more…)
