The Volkswagen Group’s new 1.2 litre TFSI engine from the Polo and the Ibiza will be installed into their C-segment Audi A3 and A3 Sportback hatches.

The 1.2 litre TSI SOHC engine produces 175Nm of torque between 1,500 to 3,500rpm and makes 105 PS. The engine is constructed with an aluminum crankcase and uses 2 valves per cylinder for a total of 8 valves. A water-cooled intercooler is integrated into the intake manifold, cooling down the air coming from the 1.6 bar turbocharger.

It’s an engine designed to be both wallet-friendly and environmentally-friendly (rated at 51.3mpg – 18.16km per litre and 127g/km of CO2) so acceleration times are very very far from blistering – 11.1 seconds for the 3-door and 11.3 seconds for the 5-door Sportback.

The new 1.2 litre A3 will make its debut at the Frankfurt show alongside two other models – the S5 Sportback powered by the company’s 333 PS 3.0 litre supercharged V6, and a 3.0 litre TDI clean diesel (with AdBlue injection) quattro Audi A4 using the engine from the Audi Q7.

Apparently the next generation MMI set for debut in the next generation Audi A8 will feature a system to use handwriting to input addresses for the GPS navigation function.

Currently most manufacturers implement text entry via either spinning a knob to choose letters from an on-screen alphabet list, or for those with touch screen interfaces, just touching the letters from an on-screen virtual keyboard.

One problem pops into my mind – while turning a knob is quite simple for both our hands to do, I would think that if the handwriting pad is located on the center console area that runs through the two front seats, a right-handed person writing in a right hand drive car would be a challenge as he would have to use his left hand, since the pad would be on his left. The same problem goes for left handed people writing in a left hand drive car.

The boys at Ingolstadt have officially unveiled the A5 Sportback, which goes on to join A5 family that also includes the Coupe and the Cabriolet. The five-door coupe measures 4,711 mm long, 1,854 mm wide, 1,391 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,810 mm. The front end which features Audi’s typical grille along with ellipsoidal halogen headlamps (for models below 190 horses while the rest get Xenon units as standard) and daytime LED running lights arranged in an arched strip.

The front looks alot like the outgoing Audi A4, while the gorgeous lines on the side profile, along with the ‘coupeish’ roof line and large 17-inch standard wheels gives it a very distinctive look (sizes up to 20-inches available as options). The rear also reminds you of the A4. This section of the vehicle is finished with LED taillights, a third brake light located on the upper edge of the rear window and a rear bumper that is flanked out with exhaust tailpipes at both ends (except for the 2.0 TDI model). Most importantly, the five-door coupe has a hatch, that is equipped with an electrically actuated lock.

The A5 Sportback is fitted with long doors, that open wide to facilitate entry and exit. Inside, the front and rear seats are mounted slightly lower. Again, typical Audi cabin design is apparent here, with the three-spoke leather steering wheel, two gauge instrument panel with an LCD display nestled in between, an MMI operating system and more.

Other features include a sliding center armrest with storage compartment and power outlets for the front and a another armrest for the rear seat, with an option to add two additional cup holders. As expected, the trunk space that offers 480 litres of space in standard configuration can be increased by simply folding the rear seat backs.

This brings the total storage space to a massive 980 litres. In this area, there are more features including hooks for hanging up shopping bags, lugs for securing larger loads and a fixed two-piece cover that shields the long luggage compartment from curious gazes.

The Audi A5 Sportback’s stiff chassis features a five-link axle front suspension, while the rear is treated to a trapezoidal link rear suspension, which is the same one used for both the front wheel drive and all wheel drive quattro versions.

Most of the front and rear suspensions parts are made of aluminum, to help reduce weight. More features include speed-sensitive Servotronic steering system (standard on the 211HP 2.0 litre TFSI and V6 models) and a braking system that is made up by 314 millimeter discs up front and 300 millimeter discs at the rear for the 2.0 litre TDI and the 2.0 litre TFSI (180HP) models, while the 211HP 2.0 litre TFSI and V6 models feature front discs measuring 320 millimeters in diameter, with lightweight brake calipers (made of composite material).

There is also the Audi drive select dynamic control system, that offers three driving modes, including comfort, auto and dynamic. There is a fourth mode, called individual which is only available if the potential buyer opts for the MMI system. In individual mode, drivers can customize their own settings, based on a large number of parameters.

Back to the suspension of the A5 Sportback. Audi also revealed that it can install sports suspension upon request. Three variants are available including a tauter setup with or without controlled dampers and an S line sports suspension that lowers the body by 10 millimeters. Furthermore, the electronic shock absorber control system uses CDC (continuous damping control) shock absorber with a fast controller that continuously analyzes the signals received from 14 sensors and calculates the optimal damping per wheel in extremely short intervals, by up to 1,000 times per second.

Engine wise, the A5 Sportback carries over powerplant options from the A4 and A5 range. In total, there are three TDI and three FSI engines, while three more powerplants will be launched by mid next year. The TDI family is made up by a 170HP 2.0 litre TDI with 350Nm of torque (5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km on average), a 190HP 2.7 litre V6 TDI with 400Nm of torque (6.0 litres of fuel per 100 km in the EU driving cycle) and a 240HP 3.0 litre V6 TDI with a massive 500Nm of torque (6.6 litres of fuel per 100 km on average).

This top of the line diesel accelerates the Sportback to 100 km/h in just 6.1 seconds, and will go on to reach 247 km/h. For the above diesel powerplants, all are mated to a manual transmissions, except for the 3.0 litre V6 which is offered with the 7 speed dual clucth S tronic cog box, coupled with the quattro all wheel drive system. Audi also mentioned that the quattro system for the 2.0 litre TDI and a multitronic tranny for the 2.7 litre TDI will arrive by fall, along with a manual tranny for the 3.0 litre V6. At the same time, the auto maker will also launch a 143HP 2.0 litre TDI version with 320Nm of torque. This engine will be offered with a multitronic transmission.

The petrol family starts off with the 180HP 2.0 litre TFSI with 320Nm of torque, paired with a multitronic transmission while a manual version will come next year. There is also a 211HP version of the same engine, with 350Nm of pulling power that is mated to a 7 speed S tronic transmission and the quattro permanent all wheel drive system. It has an average fuel consumption figure of 7.4 litres of fuel per 100 km. Three additional variants will be introduced during the course of the year including a quattro all-wheel drive with manual transmission and front-wheel drive with multitronic or 6 speed manual transmissions.

Lastly, there is the 265HP 3.2-litre V6 FSI, that is also good for 330Nm of torque. It is couple with an S tronic cog box, with the quattro system. It sips 9.3 litres of fuel for every 100 km, on average. 0 – 100 km/h takes 6.6 seconds, and will go to deliver a top speed of 250 km/h.

All engine options benefit from Audi’s energy regeneration system that makes use of the kinetic energy during deceleration. The alternator will then convert the kinetic energy into electrical energy that is stored temporarily in the battery. There is also the engine start-stop system that is offered with any of the three 2.0-litre engines with the manual transmission. According to the auto maker, it can help to reduce fuel consumption by 0.2 litres per 100 km.

There are also two S Line packages to choose from, including the S Line sport package and the S Line exterior package. The former features a tauter suspension setup and lowered body with larger wheels. Interior extras include sport seats covered in cloth and leather, a special leather sport steering wheel, a leather shift lever knob, inlays in brushed aluminum and color-coordinated floor mats. S line badges adorn the fenders, the door sill trims and many interior parts.

The latter on the other hand comes with unique bumpers and distinctive features on the side air intakes, on the diffuser and on the tailpipes, side sill trims painted in the body color and S line badges on the door sill trims and the front fenders.

In Germany, the Audi A5 Sportback is priced at:

2.0 TDI with 6-speed manual transmission: 36,050 euros
2.7 TDI with 6-speed manual transmission: 39,300 euros
3.0 TDI quattro with 7-speed S tronic: 47,950 euros
2.0 TFSI (132 kW / 180 hp) with 6-speed manual transmission: 33,650 euros
2.0 TFSI (155 kW / 211 hp) quattro with 7-speed S tronic: 42,150 euros
3.2 FSI quattro with S tronic: 47,000 euros

The Audi A5 Sportback will hit dealerships by September, and Audi has also announced that an entry-level model will arrive in 2010. Look after the jump for a full photo gallery of the A5.
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The Caractere kit for the Audi Q5 is now out. No doubt there will be many Q5 owners here in Malaysia who’ll opt for an Abt kit because of the presence and marketing of Cartrade-Abt but for those who want something a little more different (as if having a Q5 is not different already), you can look for the Caractere kit. Caractere kits are generally quite good looking and I think the one for the Q5 looks less overdone compared to the Abt version. Look after the jump for 4 different shots of the Caractere Audi Q5, and also check out the Caractere kit for the Audi A4 and the VW Tiguan.
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Abt has unveiled a new engine tuning kit for the V12-powered turbodiesel Audi Q7. The standard 500 horsepower and 1000Nm of torque that the 6.0 litre turbodiesel V12 produces is pumped up to 560 horses and 1,200Nm of torque. That must be one really strongly-built 6-speed automatic that’s mated to the V12, having to handle so much twisting power. Abt also has upgrade kits for the other engines that come with the Q7:

• Audi Q7 4.2 FSI 350hp – up to 500hp and 550Nm via chip tuning and a supercharger.
• Audi Q7 4.2 TDI 326hp – up to 365hp and 780Nm of torque via chip tuning.
• Audi Q7 3.0 TDI 240hp – up to 282hp and 560Nm via chip tuning with the Abt Power kit, or 310hp and 610Nm via chip tuning and an uprated turbocharger with the Abt Power S Kit.

The Q7 has started becoming popular in the parallel import scene. It’s big, hulking, looks impressive and most importantly looks expensive. Those that want a little more out of their 4.2 litre V8 given the amount of road tax that they’re paying each year may take a look at slapping on the 500hp kit.