Tag: audi

First details on Audi’s ActiveE-fighting A3 e-tron

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Audi, Electric

Audi A3 etron

Audi A3 e-tron – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is ready to take its e-tron vehicle strategy on the road, and one of its first all-electric offerings will come in the form of the A3.

Based on Audi’s entry-level hatchback, the A3 e-tron packs an electric motor under the hood which sends power from the rear- and mid-mounted battery packs to the front wheels. Output is rated at 100 kW (just over 130 horsepower) and 199 pound-feet of torque, with the 26.5 kWh lithium-ion batteries providing a range of around 90 miles. The electric A3’s performance figures to be far from enthralling, requiring 11 seconds to hit 60 mph and topping out at just 90 mph, but with a 400-volt rapid charger, getting juiced up can take as little as four hours – or as long as nine with a standard 110-volt outlet.

Other modifications include a new gauge cluster, a low consumption HVAC system and a heated windshield, but when the A3 e-tron is set to hit the market is still up in the air. The R8-based flaghip will supposedly go on sale sometime in 2013, but if Audi wants to get in on the EV action sooner – much like BMW is doing with its ActiveE 1 Series – the A3 could be a worthy stop-gap until in the interim.

Gallery: Audi A3 etron

[Source: Autoblog.it]

First details on Audi’s ActiveE-fighting A3 e-tron originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up

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

heffner twin-turbo audi r8 v10

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s hard to argue with the potency of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI. With it’s 525-horsepower V10 mounted amidships, the Gallardo-based engine is more than enough motivation for mere mortals. However, some folks out there felt slighted by the fact that Audi detuned the Lamborghini-sourced mill for four-ringed application. Enter the folks at Heffner Performance who decieded to rectify the situation by sticking two massive Garrett turbochargers into the R8’s rear-end.

The result? A 725-horsepower twin-turbocharged Teutonic terror that runs from zero to Ludicrous Speed faster than Spaceball One. Oh, and those 725 ponies are measured at the wheels.

Check out Heffner’s work in the gallery below and click past the jump to get a taste of the boosted R8 in action.

Gallery: Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10

[Source: Heffner Performance]

Continue reading Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up

Heffner Twin-Turbo Audi R8 V10 pipes up originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi announces Pole2Pole expedition

Filed under: Etc., Audi

audi pole2pole expedition

The North Pole and the South Pole are separated by over 12,000 miles, and Swedish explorer Johan Ernst Nilson wants to traverse that distance within 12 months. To do so, he wants to go carbon-neutral, and Audi has partnered up with Nilson to help make sure he accomplishes his goal.

Called the Pole2Pole Expedition, Nilson plans to go from the North Pole to the South Pole in six stages. Nilson’s means of transportation will be skis, a dog-sled, sailboat, bicycle and kite-sled. Audi has provided a light-weight sled that will allow Nilson to transport his equipment as he nears the southern pole, and the automaker has also offered up its test facility so Nilson can ensure that it will withstand the harsh conditions to which it’ll be subjected. The test facility is capable of recreating freezing temperatures and vicious wind, two of many environmental hazards awaiting Nilson on his trip.

In addition to the carbon-fiber sled and cold-weather testing, Audi has supplied a Q5 that will serve as a support vehicle as Nilson treks across the Americas. The Q5 spews CO2 so the team will work to offset the difference and keep the expedition carbon neutral.

Check out the press release after the jump for more on Johan Ernst Nilson’s Pole2Pole expedition.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi announces Pole2Pole expedition

Audi announces Pole2Pole expedition originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Apr 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

Audi S4

2010 Audi S4 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ordering a special edition luxury vehicle from Germany can take some time. The plant needs to put you in the production queue with the rest of the orders, shipping across the Atlantic can eat up weeks and parts availability can also throw off timing. Such a protracted timeline played out for Audi forum member Datz as he waited for his brand new S4, except three months became five months and then his December order led to a July delivery.

Instead of sitting back and listening to excuse after excuse from the dealership, Datz reportedly took to the Internets in search of justice. The expectant owner even sent a note out to Audi U.S.A. chief Johan de Nysschen, and he says he focused his vitriol on Audi’s goal to be the global leader in luxury autos instead of complaining about his plight at the dealership.

Instead of ignoring the email, de Nysschen took action, calling the disgruntled buyer to see how he could hep. The Audi boss apologized for the delays, telling him that his $2,500 Daytona Gray paint job and trunk component delays were the issue, though he reportedly added that those issues are Audi’s, not his.

Calling the customer was a very cool thing for de Nysschen to do, but he went a monumental leap forward by providing a 2010 S4 loaner to use while he waited for his new vehicle. He also called the plant and had production moved up to April, with a June delivery date. Nicely done Audi, and way to use the Internet to your advantage, Datz! Now you can beat the snot out of the loaner to get it out of your system before you get your own S4 to coddle.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi S4

Photos copyright (C)2011 Damon Lavrinc / AOL

[Source: Audizine.com via Quattro World via Motor Authority]

Audi makes it right with disgruntled customer, loans free S4 until order arrives originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3

2012 Audi Q3 renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has confirmed that its 2012 Q3 small crossover will receive its worldwide unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Before the Q3 debuts in the metal, Audi has released a series of sketches hinting what we can expect in a few weeks time.

When the production Q3 debuts it will sit on Volkswagen Tiguan underpinnings, but will be considerably more shapely than its less costly cousin. If these sketches are to be believed, the Q3 owes a little somethin’ somethin’ to Audi’s Cross Coupe Quattro concept shown in Shanghai back in 2007.

The Tiguan’s engines and transmissions should carryover into the Q3, which means a turbo four producing around 200 horsepower with a diesel option for Europe.

Gallery: 2011 Audi Q3 sketches

2011 Audi Q3 sketches2011 Audi Q3 sketches2011 Audi Q3 sketches2011 Audi Q3 sketches2011 Audi Q3 sketches

[Source: Audi]

Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi Quattro edging closer to production [w/poll]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Audi

Audi Quattro concept

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

When the veil was lifted on the Audi Quattro concept at the Paris Motor Show last year, suffice it to say people stood up and paid attention. And ever since, reports have been circulating of its production potential. Call it an inside line, or call it wishful thinking, but the latest reports indicate that the Quattro coupe – a five-cylinder, turbocharged, all-wheel-drive tribute to the original rally machine – is edging ever closer to production.

According to the news from across the pond, Audi’s namesake Quattro division – the department in charge of all the S and RS models as well as the R8 project in its entirety – has a working prototype based on the S5 coupe but considerably lighter thanks to the intensive use of aluminum and carbon-reinforced plastics. At around 1300 kilos (2,866 pounds), the vehicle is said to be about 300 kg (660 lbs) lighter than an RS5, and 225 kg (500 lbs) lighter than an R8.

The prototype is reportedly due to be driven by Audi’s board members before they sign off on its production. No word yet on what strategy the product would take – full production model or niche product – but here’s our question for you: if, for the sake of argument, it came in around the same price as an R8, which would you buy? Cast your vote in our poll below.

View Poll

Gallery: Audi Quattro Concept: Quick Spin

Audi Quattro ConceptAudi Quattro ConceptAudi Quattro ConceptAudi Quattro ConceptAudi Quattro Concept

Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Audi Quattro edging closer to production [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Audi A7 to start at $59,250,* configurator live

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

2012 Audi A7 website configurator snapshot

2012 Audi A7 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 A7 five-door is drop-dead gorgeous and headed to an Audi dealer near you in the next month. Interested? You’re going to have to shell out $59,250 (*$60,125 including $875 in destination charges) if you want to pick up the base Premium model. That puts the A7 right in the middle pricing-wise between the $45,200 A6 and the $78,050 A8.

Spending $60k on the coupe-like sedan will net you Audi’s 310-horsepower, 3.0L TFSI V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Also standard is Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system with a rear-biased 40/60 power split. Jump up to the Premium Plus model and you’re looking at a base price of $62,810 ($63,685 with destination). The Plus variant adds Audi Connect plus MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch controls.

The top-of-the-line Prestige model starts at $65,580 ($66,455 with destination), which adds four-zone climate control, full-time LED headlamps, 12-way power front seats with ventilation and a Bose sound system. The A7 configurator, which is live on Audi’s sales site, shows that the A7 can be optioned out to $80,000 or more with options like a $5,900 Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, $1,500 20-inch Sport package and $5,800 innovation package that includes adaptive cruise control, night vision and blind spot protection. All models feature the supercharged 3.0-liter V6.

Hit the jump to read over the Audi press release, and head over to the Audi USA website to configure your own A7. How do you say “we want one” in German? Thanks to all for the tips!

Gallery: Audi A7

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2012 Audi A7 to start at $59,250,* configurator live

2012 Audi A7 to start at $59,250,* configurator live originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi teams up with Renovo to build… hardwood bicycles?!

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Audi, Design/Style

2011 Audi duoCity

2011 Audi duoCity – Click above for high-res image gallery

Renovo is a Portland, Oregon-based bicycle company that builds custom high-end bike frames exclusively from hardwood. For 2011, Renovo has teamed with Audi to produce the duo, a limited-run bike that uses a wood monocoque frame. Audi says the bikes are designed to show its commitment to sustainability and forward thinking.

According to Audi, wood is about 75 percent lighter per cubic inch than aluminum, and is just as stiff and durable while offering a shock-absorbing ride. The woods used mirror those Audi uses to decorate the interiors of its cars, providing a tidy aesthetic connection between the two companies.

The duo comes in three models: the duoCity, duoSport and duoRoad. The City and Sport models use an internal-gear belt-driven hub for space efficiency and ease of maintenance, while the Road model has a more traditional SRAM Red derailleur set up.

The wood frames are individually hand-built, and are bedecked with some seriously high-end components. Translation: they’re expensive. The City model is the cheapest, at $6,530, followed by the Sport at $7,350 and the Road at $7,460.

Gallery: 2011 Audi duo

2011 Audi duoCity Brown2011 Audi duoSport Brown2011 Audi duoRoad Brown2011 Audi duoCity Serrano Red2011 Audi duoSport Serrano Red

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi teams up with Renovo to build… hardwood bicycles?!

Audi teams up with Renovo to build… hardwood bicycles?! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Win an autographed Audi flag from this year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Racing

2011 59th Annual Twelve Hours of Sebring – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi invited us to warm and sunny Florida for the 59th annual Twelve Hours of Sebring, the opening round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series that was held this past weekend. While the French racing team Oreca took the surprise win in the LMP1 class (beating the factory Peugeot 908 HDi team in their older first-generation Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP), Audi held on through punctured tires and collisions to deliver both the fourth and fifth spot in matching R15++ diesel-powered prototypes (Audi will run its brand-new R18 prototype at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June). In the GT class, BMW proudly nailed first and second place with its hot M3 GT.

Spending time behind-the-scenes with a race team offers a completely different perspective, especially when it comes to an endurance event. While huge crowds of spectators down cold beer and blister from sunburn at Sebring’s huge infield and midway (with some seriously creative camping accommodations), dozens of Audi Sport Team Joest crew sweat out the long hours working on the minute details – everything from track concrete composition to atmospheric barometric pressure is taken into account. During our glimpse into a whirlwind 48-hour period (encompassing qualifying and the race), the pace was maddening whether the drivers were attending signing events or the crew was rehearsing pit stops.

Check out our extensive photo gallery with coverage of the 56-car field. Note the amount of race telemetry delivered in real-time to the team engineers in the hot pits, and the exhaustion of the crew in the 85-degree ambient temperatures (who capture shut-eye only while the car is running well). A special shout-out to Xander Walker, who we bumped into hanging with the folks in Turn 10 – see you guys next year!

Audi’s Sebring drivers (Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen, Allan McNish, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller) signed a flag for us before the race. While it looks great on our wall, we’re going to give it to one of you (official rules). Leave a comment on this post to enter (only one comment or else you’re disqualified), and we’ll choose one lucky recipient for the win.

How to Enter:

  • Leave a single comment on this post (if you leave two or more, all of your comments will be disqualified)
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec)
  • Limit 1 entry per person during entry period
  • This entry period begins 7:30 PM EST on Friday, March 25 and ends at 7:30 PM EST on Saturday, March 26. We’ll randomly select 1 winner at that time to receive an Audi flag signed by the team’s 2011 Sebring drivers.
  • For a list of complete rules, click here

Gallery: 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

The 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringThe 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringThe 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringThe 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringThe 2011 59th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

Photos copyright (C)2011 Michael Harley / AOL

Win an autographed Audi flag from this year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Audi R18 “Evolution 2” cars finish tests in U.S.

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Audi, Diesel, Racing

Audi R18 at Sebring

2011 Audi R18 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi let its new diesel-powered R18 LMP1 enclosed prototype loose on the U.S. for the first time for testing over the four-day weekend surrounding the 12 Hours of Sebring. Audi tested both R18s, chassis 101 and 102, against an R15 for a control group. The first U.S tests garnered feedback from all 10 of Audi’s factory drivers.

The tests put a beating on the R18s to make sure their aerodynamics, reliability and fuel economy all stacked up to the standards set by the previous generations of Audi’s diesel LeMans prototypes.

Their next stop is Ingolstadt to be fully disassembled and checked out, before being shipped to LeMans for the 24-hour race in June. Trust us, you owe it to yourself to see the images below in their full high-res glory.

Gallery: 2011 Audi R18

2011 Audi R182011 Audi R182011 Audi R182011 Audi R182011 Audi R18

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Pics Aplenty: Audi R18 “Evolution 2” cars finish tests in U.S.

Pics Aplenty: Audi R18 “Evolution 2” cars finish tests in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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