Archive for Audi

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.

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.

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.

Click here to read the rest of Audi Q7 gets its mid-life facelift

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 liter 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!

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 liter 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.

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 liter 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!

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 liter 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 liters per 100 kilometers for the Coupe and 9.5 liters 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.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Audi presents the high performance TT RS Coupe & Cabriolet

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.

Following two official teaser images of the TT RS released by Audi a couple of days ago, more images of the most powerful TT ever has emerged on the Internet. This time round, there are some images of the convertible TT RS, that will join its hard top sibling in showrooms. A turbocharged 2.5 liter inline 5 with direct injection is expected to power the TT RS, which should be good for about 340HP and 450Nm of torque.

The power plant is expected to be coupled with either a 6 speed manual or a 7 speed S-Tronic twin clutch transmission. Audi also revealed that it would take slightly less than 5 seconds for the TT RS to hit the 100 km/h mark, and that the TT RS would go on to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. Thanks to the Audi Space Frame principle, the TT RS would also offer excellent power to weight ratio.

The TT RS with Audi’s all wheel drive Quattro setup also features a distinctive rear diffuser, apart from large air vents, a fixed boot spoiler and other upgrades and features worthy of the RS designation such as performance brakes, RS insignias, improved interior and so on. Both Coupe and Roadster models should hit European showrooms by the second quarter of this year, after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

Click here to read the rest of More images of the Audi TT RS released ahead of its Geneva debut

The Audi A5 Cabriolet and Audi S5 Cabriolet have already been unveiled back in early December last year, but here’s a mega photo update with tons of photos of both standard and warm versions of the car. No word of the RS5 yet though, and it’s not confirmed yet if the RS5 will be available in a Cabriolet body, but since there was an RS4 Cabriolet I don’t see why.

The A5 comes with your usual bunch of Audi/Volkswagen Group engines such as the 2.0 TFSI inline-4, the 3.2 FSI V6 and your usual plethora of TDI diesel engines. The S5 gets something more exciting, the second newest engine to be introduced by Audi, a 3.0 liter supercharged V6 with 333 horsepower and 440Nm of torque mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic twin clutch transmission. The honour of the newest engine is of course the 2.5 liter inline-5 turbo set to debut with the TT-RS.

Check out the photo galleries and a video of the A5 Cab after the jump.

Click here to read the rest of Audi A5 and Audi S5 new photo gallery released!

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Wanna hear how Audi’s new turbocharged 2.5 liter inline-5 engine that’s set to be slotted into the Audi TT-RS sounds like? Audi has released a teaser sound clip of the TT-RS doing its thing, so you can have a listen using the embedded audio player below. Sounds much better than the inline-4 2.0 TFSI, which while is a fantastic engine, is still an inline-4 which by trait sounds a little boring, with the exception of Alfa Romeo’s TwinSpark inline-4s of course, not sure how they pull that off! After enjoying the sound clip, head on after the jump for a gallery of more released photos!

Click here to read the rest of Audi TT-RS: inline-5 engine sound clip teaser!

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Audi has released a short teaser press release for the latest and most powerful variant of the Audi TT they will be unveiling at the Geneva Auto Show, the Audi TT-RS. Hot on the tail of the TT-S which featured a tuned up 2.0 TFSI engine, the new Audi TT-RS has been revealed to use a force inducted inline-5 engine, something that used to be a regular feature in the Audis of the past.

It’s likely to be a turbocharged 2.5 liter unit, basically you could consider it to be one-half of the 5.0 liter V10 turbo in the RS6. A normally aspirated version of this 2.5 liter engine is also found in the Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf) sold in the US. It will feature direct injection, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and great brakes to boot.

0 to 100km/h is said to be achieved in under 5 seconds, thanks to a good power to weight ratio allowed by its Audi Space Frame chassis. We’ll have to wait until the Geneva show for more details of this mini-R8, so stay tuned! For the moment, let us ponder upon this – Volkswagen is scrapping the V6 from its next generation R-model Golf. Instead of a high-boost version of the 2.0 TFSI, couldn’t we see this motor slotted in?