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CES 2011: Next generation MMI, Touch debuting on Audi A3

Filed under: CES, Technology, Audi

Audi Next Generation MMI

Click above to enlarge

Take a close look at the photo above. You’re looking at Audi’s next generation MMI system being demoed during this morning’s keynote at CES. The circuit board to the left is packing NVIDIA’s Tegra chipset – the same processor powering a range of tablets and netbooks – and to the right is Audi’s new scroll wheel, which has grown considerably. The reason for the added girth? Audi is incorporating the much-lauded MMI Touch interface directly into the scroll wheel. MMI Touch – which originally debuted on the A8 and is making its way to the A7 and all-new A6 – will continue to move down through the ranks of Audi’s line-up and will debut on the next generation A3, likely to arrive within the next two years.

The revised MMI Touch will continue to include handwriting recognition, but will also handle scrolling and possibly gestures for panning, zooming and other functions. If you’ve used an iPhone, iPad or MacBook touchpad, you’ll be right at home.

We also got a sneak preview of the Tegra’s performance as it seamlessly rendered Google Earth, a new circular navigation menu and full 3D graphics. Audi claims to have over 100 engineers and user interface experts working on its infotainment software, and from what we’ve seen today, we believe them.

CES 2011: Next generation MMI, Touch debuting on Audi A3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CES 2011: Audi shows off revised eTron Spyder

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Hybrid, CES, Audi, Electric, Diesel

Audi eTron Spyder

Audi eTron Spyder – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler rolled onto the stage in the same eTron Spyder we saw in Paris, but for the crowd in Sin City, Audi swapped the silver paint for a more delectable red hue.

Aside from the color change, everything else remains the same, from the 300-horsepower twin-turbo TDI V6 churning out 479 pound-feet of torque to the front-mounted battery and wrap around windshield. It’s still a looker, although we’re generally in favor of something a little more subtle…

Gallery: CES 2011: Audi eTron Spyder

Gallery: Audi eTron Spyder

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

CES 2011: Audi shows off revised eTron Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi maintains it isn’t at odds with parent VW over new EV?

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Rumormill, Electric

Audi A1 E-tron

Audi A1 E-tron concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

All is apparently well in the house of Volkswagen. According to Automotive News, Audi has come out and refuted reports that the German automaker is butting heads with its parent company. Rumors had cropped up that the two had been locking horns over the creation of the Audi A1 E-tron. Word had it that VW was riled that Audi wanted to craft a range-extended EV with a gasoline rotary engine instead of following the EV plans of the rest of the VW family. Reports had said that Audi wanted a vehicle that would be an alternative to the BMW Mega City car.

Volkswagen wants all of the brands under its watch to use similar platforms for their respective electric vehicle efforts, or at least that’s what The Financial Times Deutschland reported earlier this week. Automotive News, however has reported that Audi says there’s no conflict between the two companies. Volkswagen, meanwhile, was apparently unavailable for comment the story.

Gallery: Audi A1 e-tron concept

[Source: Automotive News]

Audi maintains it isn’t at odds with parent VW over new EV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Urine trouble now, Audi driver

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Videos, Audi, Humor

Something ’round yonder bend is waiting – Click above to watch video after the jump

When you gotta go, you gotta go. We’re not talking about dying, we’re talking about answering nature’s clarion call. However, the individual seen in this video very nearly combined the two. While the side of a seemingly empty road might provide an ample spot for an emergency bathroom, you should be sure it is, in fact, empty. This one is not.

An Audi driver was on the road, apparently enjoying his German sedan con brio when he lost control. Did he succumb to oversteer because he spied a man relieving himself, or because of the camera man filming the his buddy? Perhaps he saw both – or perhaps he saw neither. In fact, perhaps the video isn’t even real, but it certainly looks it. If it’s the real deal, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn than more than one person soiled themselves in the making of this video.

Hop the jump to view the clip and tell us what you think in Comments. Top tip, Marshall!

[Source: YouTube]

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Video: Urine trouble now, Audi driver originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R18 Le Mans prototype unveiled with full roof, epic LEDs

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Audi, Racing

Audi R18 LMP1

Audi R18 LMP1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Right on schedule, Audi has pulled the sheets off its next-generation Le Mans prototype. As had been rumored before the unveil, the R18 has abandoned the open-top design of its forefathers – the R8, R10 and R15 Plus – for a closed canopy to improve aerodynamics and reduce driver fatigue. The company hasn’t worked with a clamshell since 1999, and we’re guessing is has more than a little to do with Peugeot’s 2009 Le Mans win. That victory is the only wrinkle in the Audi’s domination of the world’s most difficult motorsports race, and it’s no small coincidence that work on the R18 began in mid 2009.

The R18 gets its grunt from a 3.7-liter TDI V6 engine, and while Audi isn’t saying exactly how much horsepower or torque the oil-burner produces, we have to guess that the figures are nothing to sneeze at. Behind the engine is a new six-speed transmission, though the innovations aren’t simply chained to the drivetrain. Audi used a single-piece construction carbon fiber monocoque to keep weight down and increase stiffness, and those epic all-LED headlights are the first make their way to Le Mans.

While Audi is planning to campaign a total of three R18 racers at the 2011 Le Mans race this summer, the vehicle’s first appearance will be at the six hours of Spa on April 24. Click past the jump to see the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Audi R18 LMP1

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R18 Le Mans prototype unveiled with full roof, epic LEDs

Audi R18 Le Mans prototype unveiled with full roof, epic LEDs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche will develop sporty VWs, not Audi

Filed under: Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Design/Style

Porsche sketch

Sometimes, the children just refuse to get along, leaving it up to the parent to swoop in, clean up the messy bits and make a judgment. Such is the case at the Volkswagen Group, where corporate stepchildren Audi and Porsche were both fighting for the right to develop future sports cars and luxury sedans for the German auto conglomerate’s portfolio of brands.

In the end, Porsche won the heart of Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn. This means Porsche will develop the platforms that will underpin future high-performance machinery using front-mid and rear-mid-mounted drivetrains for itself, Audi and Lamborghini. Porsche will also be tasked with the next generation “modular standard matrix” platform for its Panamera sedan, which will also be shared with Bentley.

Audi won’t be left out of the engineering process, though, and will take the lead in the development of the group’s “modular longitudinal matrix,” which makes up the guts of such vehicles as the Audi A4, A5 and Q5. Finally, Volkswagen will continue work on its volume platform, the “modular transverse matrix” that is used by such models as the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3.

The goal of all these specific engineering assignments? Financial savings, of course. By consolidating multiple platforms into a few modular structures will cut the VW Group’s procurement and production costs by 20 percent and engineering costs by 30 percent.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Porsche will develop sporty VWs, not Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Audi R18 coming December 10

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Audi, Rumormill, Racing

2010 Audi R15 Plus

2010 Audi R15 Plus – Click above for high-res image gallery

The funny thing about a race series like Le Mans is that as spectators, we only see a small fraction of the action when we watch events like Petit Le Mans or the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the fender-to-fender fracas is plenty exciting, it takes an army of engineers frantically innovating and working to beat deadlines to carry the checkered flag each season. And that’s exactly why we’re so excited about this juicy little bit of rumor from Fortitude. From what we understand, Audi may be looking to retire its R15 Plus in favor of a new closed-cockpit R18.

According to Fortitude, the information comes courtesy of Le Mans Live Blog, which is operated by the fine people at Michelin. Since the tire maker is a partner in Audi motorsport, there’s a good chance that this rumor is more than wild speculation. If Le Mans Live Blog is to be believed, the new machine will get an official unveil on December 10, though there are few details beyond that.

Audi has notoriously rejected the notion of a closed-cockpit Le Mans racer for years, even as the competition adopted the design to reduce driver fatigue and aerodynamic drag. But after Peugeot managed to knock Audi off of its Le Mans throne in 2009 with its closed-cockpit 908 HDi FAP, the German racing team’s tune changed in a hurry.

Regardless of what the R18 looks like when it debuts, we’ll be interested to see what Audi brings to the table for next year’s race. With Peugeot once again looking for blood, it’s bound to be a good one.

Gallery: Le Mans 2010: The Race

[Sources: Le Mans Live via Fortitude]

Rumormill: Audi R18 coming December 10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi Q3 caught frolicking in the snow

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Audi

Audi Q3 spy shot

Audi Q3 spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The details on Audi’s forthcoming Q3 crossover are slim, and while we still have yet to see a clear set of spy photos (this latest set certainly isn’t the greatest, but beggars can’t be choosers), there’s no doubt that the automaker is prepping its smallest-yet CUV for a debut sometime in 2011. We do understand that the majority of the Q3’s groundwork will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, though the styling will be more akin to that of Audi’s Cross Coupe concept from 2007.

Various reports have stated that the Tiguan’s engines and transmissions will carry over to the Q3, so we can expect the Audi to be powered by the automaker’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing somewhere around 200 horsepower. A diesel version is more than likely planned for European markets, though there’s no word about whether or not an oil-burning Q3 will make its way Stateside.

Our spies suggest that the Q3 will debut in the second half of 2011 (Frankfurt Motor Show?) with the first models going on sale later that year. Until then, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for clearer views of Q3 prototypes out on the road.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Audi Q3

Audi Q3 spy shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Audi Q3 caught frolicking in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: Audi Quattro Concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Audi, Specialty, Quick Spin

Thirty Years After The Original, Audi Wants To Build Another Masterpiece

Audi Quattro Concept

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

Blue and red flashing lights filling the mirror after a spirited canyon run are never welcomed. Yet this time, I’ve fully embraced them. Why?

I’m driving down California’s Pacific Coast Highway in Audi’s one-of-a-kind Quattro Concept with a full police escort. In front, law enforcement is clearing the road ahead as if sweeping for mines, pushing civilian traffic off to the side. I’ve got another unit behind me, shooing the restless natives off my flanks. The parade is impressive, but I’m wary of the pageantry. Are the cops there to solely maintain a generous cushion around the multi-million dollar concept, or has Audi paid them to keep me from rocketing off into the sunset off with their turbocharged 190-mph sports coupe?

I’m tempted to floor it and find out.

Gallery: Audi Quattro Concept: Quick Spin

Audi Quattro Concept

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Quick Spin: Audi Quattro Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: The Smoking Tire drives Stasis’ 710-hp Audi R8 Spyder

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Videos, Audi

Matt Farah The Smoking Tire Stasis Audi R8

The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah spends some time with the 710 hp Stasis R8 – Click above to watch video after the jump

Matt Farah gets his mitts on tons of great rides, and we’re thankful that he puts them on camera for us all to enjoy. This time around, Matt was handed the keys to Stasis’ Audi R8 Spyder. The crew at Stasis set to work on the 5.2-liter roadster, adding a supercharger, suspension upgrades, larger wheels and an exhaust that breathes a little easier. The result is a 710-horsepower ragtop rocketship. The car seems to be so much fun to drive that Farah is often reduced to uncontrollable giggles. But seriously, who can blame him? We’d likely have the same reaction.

Hop the jump to watch Matt Farah have some canyon-carving fun courtesy of the Stasis Audi R8.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: The Smoking Tire drives Stasis’ 710-hp Audi R8 Spyder

Video: The Smoking Tire drives Stasis’ 710-hp Audi R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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