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Audi Q5 in Malaysia: RM299k to RM325k!

Audi Q5

The new Audi Q5 is here in Malaysia, available in two models – the regular version priced at RM299,000 or the S-Line priced at RM325,000, both prices without insurance. Both models come with the very nice 2.0 litre TFSI engine with Valvelift putting out 211 horses and 350Nm of torque between 1,500 to 4,200rpm, and is mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic twin clutch transmission.

The S-Line package includes an S-Line exterior bodykit, Milano leather for the front seats and black headlining. On top of that you can also spec some other niceties including a B&O sound system for RM6k, a panoramic glass roof for RM10k and an electrical tailgate for RM6.5k. This should mean a fully loaded up Q5 should cost you RM347.5k!

Audi Q5

Although there are plenty of platform sharing going on between Volkswagen and Audi and the Q7 has many technical and platform similiarities to the Cayenne and the Touareg, the Q5 is no rebadged Tiguan. The Q5 is more of a SUV-ized Audi A4 and uses the A4′s MLP architecture, which means a longitudinal engine layout instead of the Tiguan’s transverse engine layout.

Also, the Tiguan’s transverse edition of the engine puts out less power and torque – only 200 horses and 280Nm over 1,700 to 5,000rpm. The Tiguan also uses a regular torque converter 6-speed auto, while this Q5 has a DSG.

Audi Q5

Its competitors in Malaysia is the new Land Rover Freelander 2 which goes for RM272k with a 2.2 litre turbodiesel engine, the Tiguan 2.0 TFSI which goes for about RM250k, the X3 which goes for RM320k (this model has even disappeared from bmw.com.my) and the RAV4 which comes in the cheapest at RM204k. Internationally there is also the Mercedes-Benz GLK but Malaysia will not see this model offered officially as Stuttgart has decided to build it in left hand drive only.

Look after the jump for a full gallery and video of the Q5.
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Next generation Audi A3 to also feature sedan body

Audi LogoBMW’s formula of taking a boot onto the 1-Series and creating a coupe out of it sparked an idea in the Volkswagen AG stables. The American market while in a slump is still of significance to car manufacturers, and they love stuff with boots not hatches, so Audi is apparently going to launch the next generation Audi A3 with a boot, basically Audi’s equivalent to the Volkswagen Jetta. Autocar UK also reports that the new A3 will not be based on the Mk6 GTI platform (largely a rehashed Mk5), but a next generation platform. The A3 will also have the adaptive damping system also found on the A4.

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Audi to celebrate 100th birthday with new model

Audi A7

It seems that Audi will be unveiling a new model to celebrate its 100th birthday on the 16th of July 2009. There has been completely no details released on this model, and it’s probably not likely to be some of the other more “normal” cars that Audi are scheduled to release either, with the new Q3 being one.

The fact that the Q3 is only scheduled for a 2011 production start makes it a little too early to showcase it this year, perhaps only next year. What else could it be? A new Audi A7 (previewed in concept form as the 2009 Audi Sportback Concept) would definitely be a feast for the eyes, but there’s over 2 months to go so we’ll watch out for any other indicators coming in the future.

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Audi Q3 to begin Spanish production in 2011

Audi Q3 Theophilus
Click to enlarge image

The Audi Q3, a third addition to the Audi Q range of SUVs will begin manufacturing in Spain in 2011. Currently none of the Q range share a plant – the Q7 is built in Slovakia while the Q5 is built in Audi’s homeland of Ingolstadt.

The new compact Audi Q3 has yet to be revealed in production or close to production form yet, but Audi has given us some teasers in the form of the Audi Cross Coupe and Cross Cabriolet concepts last year, with the Cross Coupe being a 4-door SUV with a fastback roofline, and the latter being a 2-door cabriolet with SUV styling and ride height. In fact Audi has said the new Q3 will have a coupe-like roofline, which points to the aforementioned concepts.

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Audi Q7 gets its mid-life facelift

Audi Q7

We’ve been talking about budget 7-seater family MPVs the whole of last week, time to get back to dreamworld and have a look at another type of 7-seater vehicle! Audi’s mammoth of an SUV the Q7 has been updated with a facelift. It gets a new grille, new bumpers, a more distinctive underbody protection design, new side sills, more aggressive fender flares, optional LED daytime running lights, air-intake mounted LED signal lamps, and new LED lighting for the tail lamps. There is also a chrome package for more chrome trim on the exterior.

Audi Q7

On the interior you get a new instrument cluster with larger displays, including Audi’s latest MMI system with hard drive storage, 3D map graphics, a DVD player, voice control, Bluetooth telephony, TV tuner, and even optional rear seat entertainment. The top of the line specs that can be specified is a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 505 watts of power through 14 speakers and 10 channels.

Audi Q7

The Q7 is beginning to get quite popular here in Malaysia (perhaps too many X5, Touareg and Cayennes around) as reconditioned units are beginning to come in to pique the interest of those who want a cheaper deal than the official distributor. It looks absolutely menacing coming up your back through the rear view mirror and now with the new LED daytime running lights it’s going to be an even scarier sight.
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Next Audi RS3 to feature the 2.5 liter 5 cylinder engine from the TT RS

Rumor has it that a member of Audi’s board of management for technical development has revealed that the auto maker is considering to produce a new Audi RS3. Most importantly, the new RS3 is expected to be powered by the same 2.5 litre 5 cylinder engine which is under the hood of the recently launched Audi TT RS.

If the new RS3 features the same weight as the TT RS, the turbocharged powerplant with 340HP and 450Nm of torque will be able to propel the RS3 to the 100 km/h mark in 4.6 seconds, and all the way to a top speed of 288 km/h.

However, the next Audi A3 is scheduled to debut in 2011, so the RS3 will most probably follow suit at least a year or two later. We will bring you the latest updates. Stay tuned!

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Next generation Audi A8 expected to arrive in 2010

According to German-based Automobilwoche, Audi has revealed that the next generation Audi A8 luxury sedan is set to arrive sometime in 2010. More than just the approximate launch schedule, we also know that Audi’s flagship model is also expected to feature two diesel and two petrol powerplants.

To help Audi keep up in the “fuel efficiency” bandwagon, the auto maker will also add an engine start-stop system while the super-fast S8 model is expected to carry a 5.0 litre V10 FSI that is good for 620HP.

Another improvement that we might see in the new Audi A8 is the utilization of the Audi’s second generation Alluminium Space Frame (ASF 2) which features an aluminum passenger cell with steel and foam built in to reinforce certain vulnerable areas. Expect a preview of the Audi A8 at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show which is set to kick start in September this year.

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Geneva 2009: Sportec RS700′s V10 puts out 700 PS!

Sportec RS700

The Audi RS6 Sedan you see above looks barely touched but it is in fact the very sleeper Sportec RS700. Despite its design which is far from being the typically outrageous type of look that some tuners like Wald like, its 5.0 litre twin turbo V10 gets a power boost from the standard 580 PS up to a mind-blowing 700 PS, with truly massive 800Nm of twisting torque! 0 to 100km/h takes only 4 seconds while 200km/h is hit in 12 seconds, on to a top speed of 310km/h. Other changes include a suspension that’s lowered by 30mm and a rear diffuser for additional downforce. The original exhaust can be replaced by the Sportec quad tailpipe unit you see above featuring 76mm tailpipes.

Bear in mind all of this are achieved with just minor rechipping, imagine what could be possible with a full overhaul of the internals with stronger parts, bigger turbos, better cooling, etc, this is one truly massive engine!

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Geneva 2009: Audi presents the high performance TT RS Coupe & Cabriolet

As expected, the Audi TT RS Coupe and Cabriolet was launched in Geneva, and also as expected, both high performance versions of the beautiful Audi TT feature the 2.5 litre TFSI turbocharged 5-cylinder power plant with direct injection that is capable of 340HP and 450Nm of torque. Both all wheel drive models also offer excellent power to weight ratios thanks to the implementation of Audi’s Space Frame design. The Coupe weighs 1,450 kilograms which means it offers 4.3 kilograms per HP while the Cabriolet weighs 1,510 kilograms which translates into 4.4 kilograms per HP.

Thanks to those figures, plus the fact that the engine only weighs 183 kilograms, the Coupe hits the 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds while the Cabriolet does it in 4.7 seconds, and top speed figures for both models are rated at 250 km/h, although Audi revealed that buyers have the option to increase the top speed to 280 km/h. Both models also offer reasonable fuel consumption figures; 9.2 litres per 100 kilometers for the Coupe and 9.5 litres 100 kilometers for the Cabriolet. The power plant is coupled with a revised 6 speed manual transmission.

With 18-inch 5-spoke wheels, the exterior is treated to a number of face lifts that make the new TT worthy of the RS badge including large and squared air inlets with diamond-shaped inserts, a spoiler that tapers downward into a splitter, high-gloss black single frame grille with a frame in matt aluminum look and Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights up front. With vigorous side sills and exterior-mirror casings in matt aluminum look on the side profile, the rear is finished with two large oval exhaust tailpipes which are encircled by a diffuser insert and a fixed rear wing, instead of fold able type with the more modest TT.

In the black interior, you will find your self surrounded by a leather multifunction sports steering wheel, Alcantara/leather combination with silver contrasting stitching and embossed TT RS logos in the front backrests, more badges and logos on the steering wheel, in the rev counter, and on the door sill trims, brushed aluminium inlays, floor mats with silver piping trim, as well as footrests and pedals in aluminum look.

Other features on the inside include a driver information system that displays boost pressure and oil temperature as well as lap timing, heated seats, an automatic climate-control system, a concert sound system and an electrohydraulic soft top and an electric wind deflector for the Cabriolet.

Other fitments that are standard with TT RS include an electronically controlled, hydraulic multi-plate clutch (If a situation calls for it, the clutch redirects a majority of the torque input from the front wheels to the rear wheels), tightly tuned springs and shock absorbers as well as high performance brakes (370 millimeters ventilated discs with a four piston brake caliper up front and 310 millimeters ventilated discs with a four-piston brake caliper at the back).

Potential buyers can also opt for Audi’s magnetic ride adaptive damping system that allows the driver to select one of two modes including Dynamic and Comfort for the shock absorbers by simply pushing the Sport button. The Sport button can also activate a flap installed in the left exhaust tailpipe that produces exhaust noise that is even more robust and intense while boosting engine responsiveness. An optional sport exhaust system is available with matt black tailpipe trims and sound flap. The same Sport mode button is also used to fully or partially deactivate the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP).

Available in eight body colour options including colours with pearl effects such as Mugello Blue, Sepang Blue, and Suzuka Gray, potential owners can expect deliveries by summer. Continue reading to view an image gallery and a video of both bodytypes.
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ABT reveals the 510HP AS5-R Audi S5 Coupe

Ingolstadt’s favorite tuner; ABT has revealed its latest “four-ring” project. Based on the sexy Audi S5 coupe, the tuner has performed a number of improvements on the S5 including upgrades on the engine management system and the addition of an ABT compressor which help increase engine power output by 156HP, to a grand total of 510HP.

Called the AS5-R, the V8-powered coupe is also treated to a high performance braking system with 380 millimeter disc diameter, an ABT Coil-over suspension system and a set of 20-inch 5-spoke BR alloy wheels.

On the outside, it features a spoiler that accentuates the ABT grill as well as inner fender skirts and gill-shaped air inlets. At the rear end, the tuner has fitted a distinctive ABT rear skirt and a 4-pipe rear muffler.

Overall, the AS5-R reaches the 100 km/h mark in 4.5 seconds and will go on to reach a top speed of 292 km/h. Although with a power output of slightly more than half a thousand, the German tuning specialist also mentioned that the up-rated S5 maintains a fuel consumption figure that is almost similar with the stock Audi S5. All looks good for the AS5-R, but I think I will stick to a one-colour body finish.

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