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Frankfurt preview: Audi Urban Concept is one of a kind

Open wheeled EV city car? Yes, these sketches are of the Audi Urban Concept that will be unveiled in Frankfurt next month. It’s a 1+1-seat, ultra-light machine for congested cities. Audi says that they’ve combined elements of a racing car, a roadster, a fun car and an urban car into the Urban Concept, conceived under the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction.

The Urban Concept’s 21-inch wheels are free-standing, and the surrounding protective plates feature blinking strips of LED lights. The cockpit consists of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), which integrates the undercarriage of both seats.

Classified as a 1+1, there’s room for two people on board, but with their position slightly staggered. It looks easy to just step in the car when the roof slides to the rear, single seater style, but Audi says that “entry to the car is through the tailgate”, which we don’t quite get.

Anyway, the Urban Concept is an EV, and two e-tron electric motors provide the propulsion. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy. More pics after the jump.
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Audi A6 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TFSI launched at IIMS 2011

The Audi A6 has been launched in Indonesia, making it the first ASEAN country to get the new car, ahead of even Singapore. No surprise, considering Indonesia is important enough to Audi in the big picture for them to setup a factory there.

Two variants are available at launch, both with V6 engines. The inline-4 turbo seems to be missing for now, but perhaps that is to be launched later in CKD form. What is offered now is a 204 horsepower normally aspirated 2.8 litre FSI engine mated to a CVT transmission driving the front wheels, and a 300 horsepower 3.0 litre TFSI supercharged V6 with an S-tronic dual clutch gearbox driving all four wheels via the quattro all-wheel drive system.

To read more about the Audi A6, read our previous story covering the world debut, or look after the jump for a live gallery of the new Audi A6′s unveiling in Indonesia. When is Malaysia’s turn?
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Audi A5 range facelifted with changes under the skin

The Audi A5 range has been given a refresh, four years after the four rings impressed us with a graceful, beautifully proportioned Walter de’ Silva coupe. Audi has since added soft top Cabriolet and four-door Sportback variants to the family. Besides some minor exterior upgrades, the facelifted A5 comes with changes under the skin as well.

As you can see from our combi image, the signature Audi grille of the new car (on the left) has a different shape – the top edges have been sawed off to make it a six point box.

The new bumper features pronounced air inlets with big struts, revamped grilles and flat fog lights. The engine hood has been give some sharply chiseled edges for a “3D look” and the front end now appears lower and wider.

The headlights are also new. Their lower edge forms a wave and the LED daytime running lights runs a ring around the main projector, a more distinctive layout than the underline of the pre-facelift A5. The rear lights have also been redesigned and are optionally available with continuous LED light strips. The bumper has been reprofiled, too.

Audi’s benchmark cabin gets some updates as well. There are new steering wheels, including an option for a flattened ring, and new steering column stalks. A button is used to directly adjust the optional seat heating/ventilation in three stages. Also updated were the ignition key, the automatic gear selector lever and controls for the air con and Audi drive select.

Displays are now illuminated in white. There’s also a new selection of upholstery and inlays. Additionally, the originally four-seat Sportback can now be ordered as a five-seater.

The engine lineup consists of three petrol engines and four TDI units, all with forced induction and direct injection. Start-stop and brake energy recuperation is standard across the board.

Audi highlights the redesigned 1.8 TFSI that features new innovations in the control of the valves and their lift, thermal management concept, injection system, turbocharger and the integration of the exhaust manifold. This 170 hp/320 Nm engine consumes just 5.7 litres of fuel per 100 km and spews 21% less CO2 than before.

Models with quattro AWD and S tronic transmission also feature a crown-gear center differential with torque vectoring. In normal driving, this mechanical component sends power primarily to the rear wheels. It redistributes drive if necessary, up to 70% to the front and 85% to the rear. Torque vectoring uses targeted, minor braking interventions to improve handling.

Another new feature in the A5 series is the electromechanical power steering, which reduces fuel consumption by up to 0.3 litres per 100 km and up to 7g CO2/km because it consumes zero energy while driving straight.

All S5 models are now equipped with a 3.0 TFSI producing 333 hp. Compared to the older 4.2-litre V8, the supercharged V6 consumes on average 20% less fuel per 100 km. Accelerations remains impressive with a 0-100 km/h dash time of 4.9 seconds. Top speed is of course limited to 250 km/h.

Visual cues to distinguish it from the old S5 include new lights, modified body details and new crystal-effect paint finishes. Like the rest of the range, the S5 also gets the crown-gear center differential and electromechanical power steering.

The A5 is sold in Malaysia as a 2.0 TFSI Quattro for RM399,900. Hi res gallery after the jump.
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Adrian Newey: Audi flirted with four-cylinder F1 future

Earlier today, we posted about FIA ratifying the adoption of 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines, which will be used in F1 from 2014. This overrides the previous direction announced last December, which would have made F1 cars use four-cylinder engines from 2013. Now, Adrian Newey reveals that the party behind this flip flop drama is Audi, which flirted with four-pot F1, only to walk away in the end.

Red Bull Racing’s chief technology officer said that the FIA World Motor Sport Council decided on the four-cylinder turbo direction after Ingolstadt had hinted that it would consider an entry. But in the end, it turned out to be just a “test the water” move by the four rings. That, coupled with opposition from current teams, forced the U-turn.

“The initial decision from the engine working group was for a four-cylinder turbo to be introduced for 2013. The big driver behind that was Audi. They said they would come into the sport if there was a four-cylinder turbo, and that’s what everyone agreed in order to get Audi in. They subsequently decided that they won’t bother after all, thank you very much, and we were lumbered with a four-cylinder turbo,” Newey said.

“Certainly from an engineering point-of-view, a four-cylinder turbo is not a nice engine to install – you’ve basically got to put a space frame around it; you can’t make it properly structural. A racing V6 is a much nicer engine to package. That will now be the 2014 engine,” he added.

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Audi celebrates Le Mans victory with Limited Edition R8


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You knew it was coming when Audi won its tenth Le Mans title earlier this month, and here it its, the Audi R8 V8 Limited Edition. Created in honour of the four rings’ achievements in the most famous endurance race, this Limited Edition is based on the V8 engined R8 coupe, not the V10 powered model, which is quite surprising. It will be reserved solely for 100 customers in the UK.

Setting it apart are titanium finish 19-inch double-spoke Y design alloys inspired by the R8 GT Coupe, and red brake callipers – not much. All normally optional metallic and pearl effect paint options are included in the Limited Edition price (from £93,935), but the striking Titanium Metallic paint finish that’s exclusive to this model incurs extra cost.


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Above the standard kit, the LE includes satellite navigation, Audi Music Interface (AMI), an interior light package and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, as well as mobile phone preparation via Bluetooth with integrated seatbelt microphones. There’s plenty of red accents in the cabin, from stitching on the seats, steering wheel and instrument cowl to the monoposto and floor mats.

The R8 LE is also available with an optional Carbon Package, which adds carbon sigma sideblades, door mirrors, monoposto, inlays and door sill trims. The same material also frames the illuminated engine bay to impress all and sundry, when one’s not using the full 430 PS from the 4.2-litre V8 FSI engine. Audi’s magnetic ride adaptive suspension is also standard here.

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Audi A1 1.4 TFSI introduced in Malaysia – RM180k

Euromobil has officially announced the arrival of the Audi A1 in Malaysia, and the car enters the market in a single variant form, this being the 1.4 TFSI, priced at RM179,900 on-the-road, without insurance.

The four-cylinder 1.4 litre direct injection turbocharged block offers 122 hp at 5,000 rpm and 200 Nm of torque, available from 1,500-4,000 rpm – it’s mated to a 7-speed S-tronic transmission. Performance specs include a 0-100 kph time of 8.9 seconds and a 203 kph top speed. There’s a power difference compared to the 1.4 litre found in the Golf and Scirocco TSI; this is because the Audi uses the single turbo 1.4, not the twincharged 1.4.

Standard features include Xenon plus headlamps, LED rear lights, front and rear fog lamps, light and rain sensors as well as automatic air conditioning. Wearing an Ambition trim level, the car comes with front sports seats dressed in Herzklopfen cloth, aa leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium-look interior trim.

Also on, a rear roof spoiler, side and rear windows in heat-insulating glass and 16-inch cast aluminium 10-spoke design wheels, wearing 215/45 series tyres. Safety kit includes six airbags and a host of ESP-based three-letter acronyms, these being ABS, EBD, ASR (traction control) and EDL, not forgetting brake assist.

Additionally, there’s a comprehensively equipped Audi Concert audio system, with a 6.5 inch TFT colour display, 6-CD changer, SDHC memory card reader/auxiliary input and Bluetooth, MP3, AAC and WMA compatibility to be found in the mix, complete with 10 speakers and a 180-watt six-channel amp.

Optional equipment for the A1 consists of pearl effect exterior colour (RM2,500), a panoramic roof (RM4,500), a 465-watt, 14 speaker Bose surround sound system (RM4,000) and a S line package (RM15,000).

The latter includes a S line sports suspension, 17-inch 5-double-spoke alloys with 215/40 rubbers and an interior, dashboard and headlining finished in black, with jet grey seams on the seat covers. The package also bags S line front/rear bumpers, side radiator grille and a rear diffuser insert, body coloured side sill strips and plenty of S line badging (front wings, door sill trim etc). among other things.

If you want to catch the car in the metal, you can do so at the A1 showcase at the Pavilion from today until this Sunday, June 26 – there’s a special A1 Hour happening from 5.15- 6.15pm, with a dance performance, games and giveaways to be had. Penangites can visit the similar showcase at Straits Quay, which also runs from today until Sunday.

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After a buffet of thrills and spills, Audi wins Le Mans 2011

This year’s Le Mans 24 Hours has been won by Audi, and 2011 will be remembered for a long time as one of the classics. Audi’s car No.2 trio of Benoit Treluyer, Andre Lotterer and Marcel Fassler prevailed at the end, but it was a very tight affair – second place went to Peugeot’s Bourdais, Lamy and Pagenaud, whose No.9 car was just 13.854 seconds behind.

There was immense pressure on Lotterer, who drove the final stint being hounded by the Peugeots, and in on/off rain. He also had to pit for a puncture with around 40 minutes remaining, so it’s a job well done.

The French cars filled the rest of the top five positions, meaning all three factory Peugeots made it to the end. Things couldn’t be more different for chief rival Audi, which saw two of their three cars involved in major crashes in the first third of the race. Thankfully, Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller sustained no injuries in those incidents.

The first accident saw McNish’s car No.3, who had just taken the lead shortly before the end of the first hour, collide with a Ferrari at La Chappelle. The GTE Pro class car hit the Audi’s left rear wheel, causing the R18 TDI to spin off and hit the barrier hard before rolling over and causing an explosion of car bits. This brought the safety car out.

Eight hours into the race, another Audi crashed out. This time, Rockenfeller’s car No.1, which was running second at 11 pm, was powering down the Mulsanne when he collided with (another) slow Ferrari at the kink, propelling his car into the barriers. This was a super high speed crash, and it’s a testament of the safety built into today’s race cars that “Rocky” climbed out of the car himself.

“If you pursue new paths this always involves a risk. But this risk has absolutely paid off. The Audi R18 TDI was in a class of its own at Le Mans 2011. Particularly due to the two extremely serious accidents this has been the most difficult Le Mans race for us in an emotional sense so far. That our team managed to keep the strong competition at bay for 16 hours with just one car is almost unbelievable,” said Audi Head of Motorsport, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

“Everyone at Audi can be proud of this triumph. However, the news that Allan and Mike came out of these extremely heavy accidents so well is at least as important as that of the tenth Audi victory,” he added.

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Audi Q3 production starts in Spain, market launch in Q4

Production for the new Audi Q3 has begun at SEAT’s factory in Martorell, Spain. The small SUV, which will do battle with BMW’s X1, had its world debut at the recent Shanghai show. Market launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter of this year.

Around 100,000 Q3s are slated to roll off the three-shift assembly line annually. Audi and SEAT together have invested around €330 million in infrastructure and facilities at the 18-year old plant. A new body shop featuring 450 robots was specially set up for the Q3 on a 322,917 sq.ft site. It features the “roof bell,” an innovative development from the Audi Toolmaking Shop in Ingolstadt. A robot grabs the roof and aligns it precisely while a second robot has the roof bell ready for the following roof of the next body.

By building the Q3 at Marotell, Audi will provide about 1,500 jobs at the plant, including 700 newly created positions. This comes at a time when Spain’s economy is in dire straits and unemployment is high, so it can be viewed as social responsibility on VW Group’s part. All staff have completed a 180-hour program designed specifically for the Q3.

In a future second phase, Audi plans to build the Q3 in China for local consumption. Read all about the Q3 and view the gallery here.

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Another day, another topless star – Audi R8 GT Spyder


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Another day, another topless star. No, we’re not referring to a certain Gossip Girl but the equally hot Audi R8 GT Spyder. How hot? This Spyder is a open-top version of the R8 GT unveiled last year, so it has 560 hp and 540 Nm of torque, as opposed to the “standard” R8 V10′s 525 hp/530 Nm. 0-100 km/h is done in 3.8 seconds on its way to a 317 km/h top speed.

It’s not just more power, though. At 1,640 kg, the R8 GT Spyder is 85 kg lighter than its base car, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro and just 15 kg heavier than the R8 GT. The Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, consisting of cast nodes, extruded sections and aluminum panels, accounts for just 214 kg of the total weight.


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The engine frame is made of magnesium and the long cover over the soft-top compartment and the large side panels at the rear are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. CFRP is also used for the modified front spoiler, the fixed rear spoiler and the new rear bumper. Together, all these saved 5.5 kg.

Inside, the bucket seats alone, with their chassis of glass fiber-reinforced polymer, saved 31.5 kg. As to not waste their efforts, I’d skip that banana leaf lunch if I was driving one of these!

The fabric soft top with its electrohydraulic drive transforms the car in 19 seconds, at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The extendible glass rear window is nestled in the bulkhead, separate from the soft top. Integrated in the bulkhead is a rollover protection system comprising two pretensioned plates.


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The quattro permanent AWD has a strong rear-wheel bias, granted by the axle load distribution. If the situation calls for it, the system sends additional torque to the front axle. The gearbox is an automated six-speed R tronic transmission.

The interior is black and can be had with titanium gray or crimson stitching. Alcantara is found on the sport steering wheel and windshield frame. Unique details to look out for include white dials and R8 GT logos. The distinctive R8 “monoposto,” a large arch encircling the driver’s cockpit, is made of matt CFRP.

Not just hot, but exclusive as well – the R8 GT Spyder is limited to just 333 units.

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Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro with 503 PS, 0-100 in 3.7 sec!

The annual Wörtherseetour meeting for fans of VW Group models is celebrating it’s 30th birthday this year, and Audi is bringing a hot gift to the party. Meet the one-off A1 clubsport quattro powered by a heavily-modified version of the RS 3 Sportback’s turbocharged engine. This scary little car does 0-100 kph in 3.7 seconds and 0-200 kph in just 10.9 seconds!

The heart of the A1 clubsport quattro is a five-cylinder unit displacing 2.5 litres with turbocharging and direct fuel injection. Compared with the version used in the TT RS and RS 3 Sportback on which it is based, output has been increased dramatically to 503 PS (available between 2,500 and 5,300 rpm) and 660 Nm of torque, thanks to tweaks on the turbocharger, intercooler, induction tract and exhaust line. As on the Audi A4 DTM, the tailpipe is located on the left flank, just in front of the rear wheel.

A six-speed manual transmission and quattro permanent AWD, both taken from the TT RS and enhanced, deliver the power to all four wheels. Audi did not reveal this monster baby’s true top speed without the 250 km/h limiter.

The Wörthersee showstar rolls on 255/30 low-profile rubber mounted on 19-inch alloys with a unique turbine design. Sitting behind those are large, internally ventilated disc brakes. Up front, six-piston callipers grab perforated carbon fibre-ceramic discs. Large steel discs are mounted on the rear axle. The coilover suspension of the A1 clubsport quattro features adjustable compression and rebound damping.

The front wings, the doors and the rear side panels of the A1 clubsport quattro have been widened by a 60 mm. They form horizontal “blister” edges, like those found on the Audi Ur-quattro. Air outlets are integrated into the rear ends of the wings, and the newly designed trim strips on the sills are made of exposed CFRP, as with the roof.

The cabin still looks good, but is stripped out and has no rear seats. In its place is a large crossbar to further stiffen the body and storage for helmets. A weight-optimised starter battery used in racing is mounted in the rear below the two storage compartments. The lightweight bucket seats are taken from the R8 GT and feature a carbon reinforced polymer chassis.

They’ve gone mad! Gallery after the jump.
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