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Audi reconsidering Q3 for U.S. sales?

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Rumormill

Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept

Audi Cross Coupe Quattro Concept – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Is Audi going to bring its Tiguan-for-the-country-club Q3 over to the United States? Originally the automaker said nein! to the idea of a subcompact crossover on American soil, but now Audi is reportedly reconsidering offering the Q3 Stateside.

BMW is getting ready to launch the X1 here in the U.S., and Audi wants a cut of the North American subcompact crossover action. Since the American car-buying public is fairly wagon-averse, this move makes sense for Audi and could be a strong move to help it reach the aggressive sales goals it has set for itself.

The Q5 has already been a sales winner for the brand here in the States. In 2010, sales of the compact crossover rose 70 percent, and having a smaller Q3 in Audi showrooms would allow customers to still get in on the quad-rung crossover action for a bit less cash.

Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro

[Source: Motor Trend]

Audi reconsidering Q3 for U.S. sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi RS3 makes us hate winter less

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Audi RS3 Sportback

Audi RS3 Sportback – Click above to watch video after the jump

If you live in Pittsburgh, you probably don’t need a dissertation on the evils of winter. The season is an expanse of cold darkness punctuated by spurts of insufferable weather and hamfisted drivers. Fortunately, the good people at Audi have been so kind as to provide the world with a reminder of all there is to love about the cooler months. The company has turned out another lengthy bout of footage of the delicious new RS3 Sportback as it dashes through the snow.

There’s plenty of sideways action as well as excellent car control, all shot from multiple angles. Audi even busted out a helicopter to take in the view from above. There’s over seven minutes of footage to enjoy without a whisper of music or a pesky voiceover to spoil the sound of the RS3 barking through the powder. Hit the jump to watch the full clip for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

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Video: Audi RS3 makes us hate winter less originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi A6 Hybrid not coming until 2015?

Filed under: Car Buying, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Audi, Luxury

2012 Audi A6 Hybrid

201? Audi A6 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

At last week’s Detroit Auto Show, Audi unveiled the 2012 A6, and trotted out a hybrid variant capable of achieving 38 miles per gallon and running up to 62 miles per hour on electricity alone. So when can we buy one? Audi isn’t sure.

According to Autoweek, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen says the timetable for the A6 hybrid is still to be determined. In fact, we may not see the gas- and electron-powered luxury sedan until 2015. In the meantime, we’ll be quite happy to spend some seat time with the 300 horsepower supercharged version.

Gallery: Audi A6 Hybrid: Detroit 2011

Audi A6 Hybrid

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Chris Paukert / AOL

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Audi A6 Hybrid not coming until 2015? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi A8 Super Bowl commercial riffs on children’s Goodnight Moon book

Audi A8 Super Bowl commercial – Click above to watch video after the jump

The Super Bowl is just around corner ~~and before the New England Patriots celebrate another victory~~ and that means a new crop of automotive commercials are getting ready to pry your attention away from all the drinks and food you are consuming. Audi has revealed its new ad spot that takes direct aim at established premium sedans like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The commercial is based on Margaret Wise Brown’s popular children’s book Goodnight Moon, Audi says goodbye to old luxury, then welcomes progress with its all-new 2011 Audi A8 sedan.

Hop the jump to watch the new Audi Super Bowl commercial.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8 L

[Source: YouTube]

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Video: Audi A8 Super Bowl commercial riffs on children’s Goodnight Moon book originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi, Mercedes to double-down on diesels

Filed under: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel

Audi A3 TDI engine

Diesels have a tough stigma to overcome. Conventional wisdom – or just preconceived notions – characterize diesel engines as loud, slow and dirty. But even without the subsidies the fuel enjoys in Europe, diesels are starting to make an impact in the U.S. market.

Mercedes-Benz recently rolled the fifth of eight diesel models total planned over the next few years. Meanwhile Audi – based on the success of the A3 TDI (accounting for 53% of A3s sold in the U.S.) and the Q7 TDI (43%) – is planning to launch oil-burning versions of the A6 and A8 in the United States as well.

The difference comes down to improving technology (in the form of more advanced particulate filters that keep the exhaust cleaner) and increased availability of the fuel at the pump: studies found that, in 2007, 52% of gas stations in the United States were offering diesel, compared to 35% a decade earlier. Although Mercedes says it does not see the need to subsidize the purchase of diesel models, BMW – a relative newcomer to the diesel game on these shores – offers big incentives to offset the higher purchase costs of diesel models.

Rapidly advancing sales of diesel cars in the United States could, according to Bloomberg, stand to overshadow those of hybrids, whose sales have been slightly dwindling of late.

Photo copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Audi, Mercedes to double-down on diesels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A1 quattro works it out in the snow

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi

Audi A1 quattro in the snow

The Audi A1 quattro finally gets to play in the snow – Click above for high-res image gallery

The diminutive Audi A1 hatchback has had to watch as it’s older siblings enjoyed all-weather fun thanks to their quattro all-wheel drive system. Now the previously front-drive-only three-door is set to join in on that fun. Audi wants to make sure every model is offered with the quattro system and testing has begun on a quattro-equipped A1.

The Audi A1 quattro is packed with technology akin to its TT and A3 siblings. An electronically-controlled, hydraulically-actuated clutch sits in front of the rear axle. This unit sends most of the power to the front wheels but can transfer torque to the rear should the front lose traction. get all the details in the press blast after the jump.

Gallery: Audi A1 quattro

Audi A1 quattro

[Source: Audi]

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Audi A1 quattro works it out in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi registers SQ5 and RSQ5 nameplates

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Crossover, Audi, Rumormill

Audi Q5

Audi sat on the sidelines for long enough watching its rivals get the better of it in the SUV game, then it finally jumped in on the action with the Q7, followed by the Q5 and soon the Q3. But even as its crossover range broadens, there’s still another mountain to conquer: that of the performance SUV.

Rumors of impending S and RS versions of the Q5 have been milling about for a while now, and have now been given a voice once again courtesy of Car and Driver magazine’s source in Germany. Little in the way of details beyond a brief mention were disclosed, but word has it that Audi has registered both the SQ5 and RSQ5 nameplates with copyright authorities. That doesn’t mean any such vehicles will ever reach our roads, but if the reports are true, it does at least indicate Audi’s giving it serious thought.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Audi registers SQ5 and RSQ5 nameplates originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Audi A6 Hybrid is Teutonic efficiency

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Audi

2011 Audi A6 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

While we have already met the 2012 Audi A6, we weren’t clear on what the A6 Hybrid would look like. As it turns out, we had a pretty solid idea, as Audi officials say they have gone out of their way to keep it aesthetically true to the conventional gas-powered model.

The new A6 hybrid is a front-wheel drive affair that offers Audi’s 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder with a 45-horsepower/155 pound-feet of torque electric motor sitting ahead of the eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. A modest 1.3 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is resident in the trunk to generate 39 kW. Audi quotes an estimated combined fuel economy rating of 38 miles per gallon, noting that the A6 Hybrid can be coaxed up to 62 mph strictly on electricity, and it has a pure-electric range of three kilometers (1.86 miles).

Audi isn’t confirming when this new model will go on sale, but it is widely understood that the gas-electric model was conceived with the U.S. in mind, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see it roll into American dealerships before it hits the rest of the globe.

Gallery: Audi A6 Hybrid: Detroit 2011

Audi A6 Hybrid

Detroit 2011: Audi A6 Hybrid is Teutonic efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

2012 Audi A6 – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Audi has unveiled its mid-range 2012 A6 sedan, and as we learned from advanced photos, it follows closely in the mold of its big brother, the A8. As the range-topping sedan is a pretty piece, that’s not a bad thing, but Audi seems to be channeling BMW’s old “One sausage, three sizes” design mantra of decades ago. In this case, that means a massive single-frame grille, available LED headlamps (as shown), and a relatively simple and unadorned profile that lends the A6 a premium look that will likely wear well over the years.

The new A6 will be available globally with two gas engines and three TDI diesel powerplants, as well as a front-wheel drive-only hybrid model. The most powerful gasoline-fed model will be the 3.0-liter TFSI Quattro, packing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic automatic.

No word yet on U.S. availability or pricing, but we’ll have more news on the hybrid model shortly, so stay tuned. While you’re waiting, check out our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Audi A6: Detroit 2011

2012 Audi A6

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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