If we were to believe our colleagues from Autocar.co.uk, the German automaker Audi is working on expanding its lineup of SUVs with three brand new models: the Q2, Q4 and Q6. The first one that will hit the streets will be the Q4, which will most likely be a sportier version of the available Q5 model, aimed to rival the Range Rover Evoque and why not, the Porsche Cajun. The car will be launched sometime in 2014 or 2015.
The Audi Q4 will be based on the current MLB – Modularen LangsBau architecture, the same one used for the Q5, which will also spawn the aforementioned Cajun from Porsche, yet another compact-sized sport utility vehicle. Taking into consideration that it will share its architecture with the Q5, the new Q4 will probably have just about the same dimensions so expect to see an SUV measuring 4,650 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and a wheelbase of 2,810 mm. However, it will certainly come with a changed roofline, one that will mimic a fastback and will be lower, at about 1,600 mm.
The entry-level model will probably be powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that has 211 PS. In addition, there are also going to be two more powerful engines in the form of a turbocharged V6 3.0-liter unit with 333 PS and a V6 TDI 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel that produces 312 PS. Of course, a hybrid version is also in the works, one that will consist of a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 211 PS and an electric motor that generates 35 PS.
Source: Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: audi q4, rumors
If you live in the United Kingdom and you want to avoid paying the road tax and the congestion charge, you can opt for the recently introduced Audi A1 1.6 TDI which can be yours for at least 14,480 pounds. They managed to reduce the CO2 emissions down to 99 g/km in comparison to the older one that had 105 g/km by optimizing the fuel system and the ECU. The A1’s combined fuel economy is rated at 74.3 mpg (in comparison to 70.6 mpg).
This frugal Audi A1 is powered by a 1.6 TDI engine that produces 104 hp (105 PS / 77 kW) and has a peak torque of 184 lb.-ft (250 Nm), allowing the car to do the 0-62 mph sprint in 10.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 118 mph (190 km/h).
PS: It all sounds great but I’d still get a gasoline engine…
Source: Audi UK via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi a1 1.6 tdi, Green
The German tuners from Senner Tuning have decided to come up with yet another tuning program for the Audi A1. This time they chose the one fitted with the 1.4 TFSI engine and the 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox and increased the output to 163 hp (165 PS / 121 kW) and 195 lb.-ft (265 Nm) of torque. The previous tuning program had 154 hp (156 PS / 115 kW) and a peak torque of 184 lb.-ft (250 Nm).
They also throw in a KW suspension lowering kit and a brand new exhaust system with double 90 mm end pipes. The car you see in these pictures is wearing a brown paintwork with Amalfi White accents for the roof arches, mirrors and those 19-inch alloys, dubbed Barracuda Tzunamee, wrapped around in 225/35R19 rubber.
On the inside, they’ve installed a multifunctional steering wheel, new floor mats with the company’s logo and a beige & black velvet finish.
All of these goodies can be yours if you can afford to pay 36, 590 Euros (car included).
Source: Senner Tuning via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi a1, senner tuning, Tuning
It seems that our esteemed colleagues from Auto Bild have managed to obtain more information about some of the soon-to-be-released hot version models from Audi. The first one on the agenda is the S8 which will probably make its official debut this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Most likely, it will be powered by an all-new V8 4.0-liter twin-turbo engine that has been developed together with Bentley. This power unit will produce about 493 hp (500 PS / 368 kW), which is 50 PS than the previous S8 and it is also 20% more fuel efficient. This engine will be mated as standard to an 8-speed automatic transmission and the power will be sent to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.
At the Los Angeles Auto Show we will most likely see the S6 and S7 models, which will be powered by a V8 4.0-liter unit, set to output 434 hp (440 PS / 324 kW) for the S6 and 464 hp (470 PS / 346 kW) for the S7. We don’t know if this engine is going to be a single/twin turbo
unit or naturally aspirated.
That V8 4.0-liter twin turbo engine will also motivate the RS6 model where it will develop 572 hp (580 PS / 427 kW), which is a little bit more than its main rival, the recently announced BMW M5 (F10), which offers 552 hp (560 PS / 412 kW) and has a peak torque of 502 lb.-ft (680 Nm).
In the works is also the RS7 model, which will have the same V8 4.0-liter twin turbo engine, but Audi will tune it in order to produce 592 hp (600 PS / 441 kW).
According to Auto Bild, the RS6 will be launched sometime next year. Stay tuned for more information.
Source: Auto Bild via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi rs6, audi s6, audi s7, Audi S8, rumors
The 79th edition of the famous Le Mans endurance race was won once again by Audi, this time with their spectacular R18 TDI model. The Audi Team Joest drivers Marcel Fassler from Switzerland, Andre Lotterer from Germany and Benoit Treluyer from France managed to finish the race just over 13 seconds ahead of the second-place Peugeot 908.
You probably know that the German automaker Audi has been dominating the Le Mans for the last few years with the R-Series TDI race cars, but Peugeot has also done a pretty good job, winning the 2009 Le Mans.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jnibRyrK-o[/youtube]
The winning R18 TDI was the number 2 car and it was the only one who managed to cross the finish line as the number 1 and number 3 cars crashed. The good news is that drivers Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller didn’t suffer any injuries.
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi r18 tdi, crash, le mans
Earlier this week, Audi has begun making the Q3 compact sport utility vehicle at SEAT’s plant located in Martorell, Spain. The Volkswagen Group, through Audi and Seat, has invested about $330 million for upgrading the facility in order to prepare it for the production of the Q3.
Audi has high hopes of its Q3 model as they anticipate selling 100,000 units per year. With this Volkswagen Tiguan-based SUV, the German automaker hopes to grab the title of the best selling premium SUV in Europe, taking the crown from the BMW X1.
The Audi Q3 officially goes on sale this month in Germany and at first it will be available with a choice of three engines. The first one is a gasoline 2.0 TFSI unit that produces 168 hp (170 PS / 125 kW) or 208 hp (211 PS / 155 kW). If you prefer diesels, you can opt for the 2.0 TDI unit that generates 174 hp (177 PS / 130 kW). Later on, Audi will offer a less powerful 2.0 TDI engine with 138 hp (140 PS / 103 kW).
The starting price for the Audi Q3 in Germany is 29,900 Euros.
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi q3, spain
WCF’s photographers have managed to grab a few spy shots with the upcoming 2012 Audi S7 which will be officially unveiled this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car you see in these photos is a prototype while doing some tests near Nurburgring.
As you might have noticed, it features a very aggressive front fascia and a four-tailpipe exhaust system, along with the aerodynamic side sills. Most likely, the production version of the S7 will benefit from a high-performance braking system, a sport-tuned suspension and faux aluminum mirror casings.
Under the hood it will probably feature the same engine as we shall see in the new generation of the Bentley Continental GT, which is a turbocharged V8 4.0-liter unit that will develop at least 429 hp (435 PS / 320 kW).
Source: WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi s7, frankfurt motor show, Spy Shots
Porsche Cajun Will Get Powerful Diesel Engine
Porsche Cajun (rendering)
According to our esteemed colleagues from Autocar.co.uk, the Porsche Cajun (aka baby Cayenne) will get a powerful diesel engine from the Audi Q5. We are talking about a V6 3.0-liter unit that produces 309 hp (313 PS / 230 kW) and has a peak torque of 479 lb.-ft (649 Nm), outperforming the current V6 3.0-liter that generates only 247 hp (250 PS / 184 kW) and 406 lb.-ft (550 Nm) of torque.
Aside from the Audi Q5 and the Porsche Cajun, this engine will also be available for the following models from Audi: A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 and the Q7, according to Axel Eisner who is the company’s head of engine development.
Eisner denied the rumors regarding that this power unit will be the foundation for a new lineup of diesel-powered “S” variants, but did admit that Audi is developing an oil-burner 4-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine.
Source: Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: audi-q5, diesel engine, porsche cajun
Super cars are like magnets to women, and Audi R8 doesn’t make any exception. Not only is it the fastest Audi on market and appeared in some blockbusters for the past few years (such as Iron Man or Transformers), but Audi R8 is also able to catch women’s eyes. And we are not talking about any women, but really sexy women.
In the video bellow you can see the magnetism between these two elements during a photo shoot on the Audi R8 and its female fans:
Audi R8 Photoshoot in HD from Tuan Hoang on Vimeo.
We cannot even say which of them gets more of our attention and admiration: the car or the girls. I guess Audi R8 can work with no problems as wingman for seducing women.
So, which one makes you more interested: Audi R8 or the women?
[Source: Topspeed]
Post tags: Tags: audi-r8, photo shoot, women
Sport Wheels Audi A4 Cabrio
The German tuners from Sport Wheels have developed an upgrade program for the Audi A4 Cabrio that adds a few goodies to this very desirable car. They’ve managed to increase the output of the engine to 250 hp and 372 Nm of torque by remapping the ECU and installing a new exhaust system that features middle and rear silencers, along with 4x83mm Le Mans pipes borrowed from Eisenmann. For those of you that choose the exhaust system, you’ll also get the rear apron that houses it.
Sport Wheels Audi A4 Cabrio
As you can see, the Audi A4 Cabrio also got a new set of white Eta Beta Tettsut X-ceramic 20-inch rims, wrapped around Dunlop Sport Maxx GT rubbers. In addition, the German specialists can install on your A4 Cabrio an Inox Coilover KW Variant 3 suspension.
Sport Wheels Audi A4 Cabrio
That power upgrade will cost you 849 Euros while for the exhaust system you’ll have to pay 1666 Euros, along with the mandatory rear apron that costs 130 Euros. That suspension will set you back another 1759 Euros.
Sport Wheels Audi A4 Cabrio
Source: Sport Wheels via ZerCustoms
Post tags: Tags: audi a4 cabrio, sport wheels, Tuning
Audi R8 GT Spyder Goes Official
About one year since they’ve launched the GT version of the sexy R8 coupe, the German automaker Audi has revealed earlier this week the R8 GT Spyder, which like its coupe sibling, there will only be 333 units available.
The car is motivated by the same engine as we find in the coupe variant, which is a V10 FSI 5.2-liter that produces 552 hp (560 PS / 412 kW) and has a peak torque of 398 lb.-ft (540 Nm). In comparison to the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro, the GT Spyder version is 85 kg less heavy, managing to achieve a curb weight of only 3,616 lbs (1,640 kg). It managed to lose those pounds thanks to the usage of carbon-fiber reinforce polymer for some of the body panels, along with the glass fiber-reinforced polymer for the seats.
The car can do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 3.8 seconds, on its way to a maximum speed of 196 mph (317 km/h). 19 seconds will be necessary to deploy or retract that fabric soft-top and it can be done at speeds of up to 31 mph (50 km/h).
The base price in Germany for the Audi R8 GT Spyder is 207,800 Euros.
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi r8 gt spyder
Audi S5 Cabriolet By STaSIS Engineering
The guys over at STaSIS Engineering, a North American tuning company, though that the Audi S5 Cabriolet isn’t powerful enough so they’ve decide to create this upgrade program. They took the V6 supercharged 3.0-liter engine and increased its power by 77 hp, managing to squeeze 410 hp from that power plant. The torque is also up from the standard 344 lb.-ft (465 Nm) to 370 lb.-ft (500 Nm). This extra oomph was possible by remapping the ECU and installing a new high-performance exhaust system.
Audi S5 Cabriolet By STaSIS Engineering
As you would expect, the car is a little bit quicker now, managing to do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 4.3 seconds, which is 0.7 seconds faster than the standard S5 Cabriolet. To lower the braking distance, they installed Alcon 6-piston monobloc calipers, along with high performance pads, braided stainless steel brake lines and 370 mm 2-piece front discs.
Audi S5 Cabriolet By STaSIS Engineering
STaSIS Engineering also tweaked the handling of the S5 Cabriolet by installing Ohlins SL dampers that have two settings, along with an adjustable ride height. Other goodies include those exquisite 20-inch aluminum rims that are wrapped around in high-performance low-rolling rubbers.
Audi S5 Cabriolet By STaSIS Engineering
Source: STaSIS Engineering via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: audi-s5-cabriolet, stasis engineering, Tuning
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
At the moment, the closest thing to an Audi RS1 is this Clubsport Quattro, which is being exhibited this week at the 2011 Worthersee Tour. The car is motivated by a 5-cylinder, 2.5-liter TFSI engine that has been heavily modified in order to produce 496 hp (503 PS / 370 kW) and a peak torque of 486 lb.-ft (660 Nm).
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
Thanks to its low curb weight of only 3,064 lb (1,390 kg), this one-off Audi A1 can do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 3.7 seconds and it needs a mere 10.9 seconds to hit 200 km/h from start. The top speed has been electronically limited by Audi to “only” 155 mph (250 km/h).
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
That powerful engine is linked to a 6-speed manual transmission that sends the power to all the wheels thanks to the Quattro permanent AWD system. This technology has been borrowed from the sexy TT RS model but Audi’s engineers had to tweak it a little bit.
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
From the outside of this Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro, we notice that full aerodynamic bodykit that broadens the car in comparison to the standard model by 2.36 inches (60 mm). The car sits on 19-inch alloy rims that have been covered with 255/30/R19 low-profile rubber. Its coilover suspension features rebound damping and adjustable compression.
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
As far as the interior cabin is concerned, this special A1 features a leather finish for the seats and the center console. Instead of the regular rear bench, Audi’s engineers have fitted the car with a body-stiffening crossbar and you can place your racing helmets in specially-designed storage spaces.
Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi a1 clubsport quattro
Audi brought to this year’s Michelin Challenge Bibendum an experimental Q5 Hybrid Fuel Cell model. With this green SUV, the German automaker is studying the potential of mixing a hybrid powertrain with the hydrogen fuel cell technology for improving the driving range in comparison to a regular hydrogen-powered car that uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate the necessary electricity.
The car has two high-pressure cylinders in which the hydrogen is stored at a pressure rate of 10,153 psi (700 bar). The engineers used a polymer electrolyte membrane for manufacturing the fuel cell, which generates 131 hp (133 PS / 98 kW). The two electric motors have been installed close to the car’s wheels and they offer a combined output of 121 hp (122 PS / 90 kW) and a peak torque of 309.78 lb.-ft (420 Nm). For storing energy, the Audi Q5 HFC has a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery.
No words about the fuel economy or the driving range of the car as the model is still in its early stages of development but the project looks very promising and we hope that someday Audi will roll out a production version based on this concept.
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi q5 hybrid fuel cell, Green
We’ve been waiting for Audi to launch the Avant version of its A6 model for a couple of months and now it is finally here. The car will have to face some serious competition coming from the Mercedes E-Class Estate and the BMW 5-Series Touring but I’m sure that it will do just fine.
Featuring a bold front fascia and a very elegant rear end, the A6 Avant is in my opinion the most beautiful car in its segment. Aside from its beauty, Audi put the car on a diet as it is 154 lbs (70 kg) less heavy than the outgoing model as the German engineers installed an aluminum-intensive chassis, along with a lightweight body.
As far as the interior cabin is concerned, you’ll find only high quality materials, driver-oriented controls and a wrap-around dashboard. Some of the goodies of the A6 Avant include the powerful 1,300-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system, MMI navigation plus, heated and ventilated front seats, along with a useful head-up display.
A car from this segment must offer plenty of practicality and the A6 Avant can live up to these expectations, featuring a generous boot that can hold up to 19.95 cubic ft. (565 liters) of cargo and if you need more than that you’ll have to fold down the rear seats, increasing the capacity to 59.33 cubic ft. (1,680 liters). Just like the Volkswagen Passat, the A6 Avant is available with a remote boot opening system that can be activated by waving your foot under the rear bumper.
When it will hit the market later on this summer, the car will be available with a choice of five engines: two running on gasoline and three diesels. The first petrol choice is a V6 FSI 2.8-liter naturally-aspirated that generates 204 PS (150 kW) and 207 lb.-ft (280 Nm) of torque while the other one is a more powerful V6 TFSI 3.0-liter that cranks out 300 PS (220 kW) and has a peak torque of 325 lb.-ft (440 Nm).
If you prefer diesels, you will be able to choose from a 2.0 TDI with 177 PS (130 kW) that has a peak torque of 280 lb.-ft (380 Nm); a more powerful V6 3.0 TDI that produces 204 PS (150 kW) and 295 lb.-ft (400 Nm) and the high-end 3.0 TDI with 313 PS (230 kW).
These engines can be mated to one of the following gearboxes, depending on the model chosen: 6-speed manual, 7-speed S-tronic, CVT multitronic or an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox. The entry-level variants will feature a front-wheel drive, but customers that are willing to pay more can opt for the company’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
The base price for the 2012 Audi A6 Avant in Germany is 40,850 Euros.
[youtube width="470" height="344"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUKyAkX3g6c[/youtube]
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: audi a6 avant
