Audi Sportback Concept pre-Detroit leaked images preview upcoming Audi A7 four-door coupe

First hi-res images of the Audi A7 Sportback Concept (the nameplate on the car seems to say Audi Sportback Concept) set to be displayed at the Detroit Auto Show tomorrow have been unveiled on the internet. The front-end looks alot like the ones shown on the Audi metroproject quattro and its evolution, the Audi A1 Sportback Concept, except the front grille loses the vertical slats, leaving only the horizontal ones.

It has a fastback roofline, more like the Porsche Panamera rather than the Aston Martin Rapide, which might lead some to think its going to have a hatchback boot, but a look an image of the rear after the jump and you can see the bootlid’s lines do not really meet the rear glass in a way that a hatch would, but then again Audi could also be doing a hatchback-sedan dual bootlid combo much like Skoda’s new Superb.

The Audi A7 is said to be larger than the Audi A6 and built on the new Audi MLP platform, which is modular in terms of length and width to suit different sizes of cars while retaining many components in the interests of economies of scale.

First all-LED car, Audi R8 V10 is exceptional genius

LEDs are arguable the future of efficient lighting. Making their presence felt, steadily LEDs are creeping into just about anything that we can think off, with respect to lighting. Auto industry may not be refraining from the greener future of course, therefore Audi R8 V10 stuffed with LEDs in just about every possible light emitting source, calls for all hail.

Being only the first ever commercial vehicle fully bloated with LEDs, Audi R8 V10 is all-LED with headlamps, daytime running lights, turn indicators, rain sensors and the like, all supporting LEDs. These lights boast of an excellent output and perfect distribution, which perhaps was considered a hindrance until now. The Audi R8 V10 will also feature headlights which react and adjust to vehicle’s speed, its distance, weather conditions and obstructive objects along with providing exceptional visibility in the nights sans disturbing the oncoming driver.

 Via: Gizmodo

Audi In India

Different types of cars appeal to different people. Some enjoy the commanding view from an SUV, others may prefer to be indulged in the back seat of a luxury car, while others still may simply look for a car that’s easy to drive around town – god knows with our unruly traffic, and the condition of our roads, you can’t really blame them.

And while each of these cars has its own virtues, if given the choice I’d grab the keys to a true sports car any day of the week. There’s a level of involvement and immediacy in the driving experience that’s missing in even the most sporty saloon. A well engineered sports car may be hard to live with, but the fact is that its sole purpose and reason for being is to please the driver, and that’s a very appealing thought indeed. Drive a nicely dialed in sports car on a decent driving road and it reminds you all over again just how much of a joy driving really is – something that’s easy to loose sight of sitting in bumper-to-bumper city traffic.

The car in question at the moment is the second generation Audi TT. The original TT was launched in 1999, and I still remember the moment I first saw one driving down the street in California. It looked like a seamless piece of fluid metal from front to back – a beautiful design unlike anything on the roads at the time. It was truly a piece of rolling sculpture. However, it was launched with a 20 valve 1.8 liter turbocharged engine – essentially the same engine as the one found in a Skoda Octavia VRS – not a bad thing in itself but it lacked the punch that its looks implied. Later versions had more powerful engines, and the TT was the first production car to feature a DSG (dual cutch semi automatic) gearbox in 2003. But despite all that, what was on the inside – the driving dynamics in this case – was always overshadowed by what was on the outside.

Audi intended to fix that with its second generation TT. Indication of this can be seen in the more aggressive face and angular lines of the new shape. Perhaps not as delicate as the original design, but more focused and still very attractive indeed. All of which points to the fact that it aims to be a more precise driving instrument – so let’s see if it really delivers.

The second generation TT is a clean and aggressive design with taut pulled back headlamps and a front grill that’s shared with its corporate cousins from Inglostadt. Its 18 inch 10-spoke alloys add to its muscular and squat stance. And while it may not have the styling flair of its predecessor, it does have some nice touches like the brushed aluminum fuel filler cap that has TT stamped on it. And of course, like all other Audi’s, you take one look at it and you can immediately tell that it’s very well built indeed.

Audi’s are known for their high quality and functional interiors, and the TT is no different. It doesn’t provide quite the same sense of occasion as the TT of old, which had some pieces of aluminum trim that were like jewelry on the car, but the cabin is still a very nice place to be indeed.

The small flat bottomed steering wheel is a work of art and feels very racy in your hands. The seats are infinitely adjustable and are contoured to hug you in place. The instrument cluster has a nice set of clear analog gauges with a digital display in the center that provides a wealth of information. Our test car had some nice touches as well like red contrasting stitching on black leather.

The rear seats exist in name only, but other than that, not for a minute does the cabin feel small and uncomfortable. Visibility is good and, even sitting in Mumbai traffic, you don’t feel particularly vulnerable. The hip hugging seats and fantastic steering wheel certainly encourage you to make the most of the driving dynamics available – as any good sports car should.

Funny Audi R8 commercial - 'The Hostage'

A bad driver, a villain, a cop, and an Audi R8 cross paths

We open on a black Audi R8 moving at a slow crawl through a parking garage. Meanwhile, an armed security guard is stalking a well-groomed criminal-type with a gun. An attractive woman comes out of the car after parking it - badly, across three parking spots.

The ruffian approaches, presumably to tell her about unwritten parking garage rules, even in an empty lot. The guard pulls his weapon and orders the thug to drop it. A standoff ensues, with the criminal alternating between holding his gun on the guard, then the woman, then finally the car. You'll have to watch the video to find out what happens next.

Not a bad one-minute spot for Audi. The only disappointing element is the criminal's choice of indescript getaway vehicle. We would have chosen something that at least matches the 518 hp capabilities of the Audi R8 V10.

Then again, maybe we watch too many movies.

Source: Audi

CAR SAFETY GADGETS

In an automobile industry safety is the priority of the customer because after all they travel in it and it can be fatal if not handled properly. Realizing this fact almost all the automobile firms always tries to invent new gadgets or systems to make ride safer. Recently some very interesting systems had been developed in this field.

Ford motors have invented a new system for cars called MYKEY SYSETEM. This system enables the owner to limit the speed of the car as well as the volume of its audio system. By this system owner can limit the speed to 80 miles per hour while the volume of the music system can be limited to the 44 percent of the maximum volume.

Moreover it can also be programmed to set alarm at different speeds on 45 mph, 55 mph and 65 mph. This system also improves your vehicles fuel economy because it forces driver to drive in eco driving-way .Research have proved that driving at speed of 55 miles per hour instead of 65 miles per hour consumes 15 percent less fuel, that’s good..

I MYKEY SYSTEM also have an earlier low fuel warning at 75 miles instead of 50 miles ,so that you may not have to look up for fuel station in the middle of the night with empty fuel tank.

Well this system is nice option for those whose car is driven by hired drivers so that while he is alone or with your kids he may not drive your car in rack less manner. But it seem to be particularly made for your teenager kids who have recently learned driving and still drives it like NFS video games .this system will allow parents to put limit on there speed and volume of hard metallic music which they often plays while driving to feel on top of the world.

MYKEY SYSTEM will roll out in 2009 onwards as standard equipment on the 2010 focus coupe and many other models including Lincoln and Mercury lines.

AUDI have always focused to create innovative systems for better future. Audi have developed a new system called TRAFFIC LIGHT ‘TALKING’ SYSTEM. This system communicates with traffic lights and calculates the speed which will be required to reach the traffic light when it gives green signal. This system helps the driver to reach the green light at time, reduces the traffic light emergency stopping avoids hard acceleration and breaking ultimately providing road safety and protecting environment too.

Creepy! Audi R8 burns on a street in Germany

You all know the R8 super car from Audi, but I bet you didn’t imagine this. Here is what’s left of a beautiful Audi R8 after it burst into flames on a street in Germany. While it seems there were some reports of several R8s that burned while in development, this is a production model. It seems that fuel spillage is what caused this, but on R8talk forums there are also some other speculations.

Whatever the reason, I think this affects Audi image pretty bad, because I find this unacceptable to a serious producer like Audi, especially on a super car, which is supposed to be at the highest level of engineering.

Audi R8 by Project Kahn

Project Kahn does the Audi R8. Kahn lowers the suspension and slaps on 20' F1-X rims made of lightweight carbon fiber.

Afzal Kahn is a busy guy. He's CEO of Kahn Design and head of Project Kahn, which brings us this Audi R8. He's also working on Kahn Pizza delivery, which promises to deliver your pizza in a supercar over 200,000 dollars in value or your money back.

Anyway, Project Kahn does the Audi R8. Kahn lowers the suspension and slaps on 20" F1-X rims made of lightweight carbon fiber. There are no more details than that, just the pic.

Project Kahn says on its website that, "You do not need to worry about the engine," referring to Audi's 4.2 liter FSI, 414 hp (309 kW) V8. Which we can interpret to mean that there won't be any engine tuning to this Kahn creation.
But maybe Kahn has a point. Sometimes tuning squeezes too much out of an engine and takes away its suppleness and character. A 3.77kg/hp ratio is very respectable territory for a supercar and, to paraphrase the late Paul Newman, avid race driver, its the driver that makes the car.

Source: Project Kahn

Crazy crash

A car, an Audi, was cut in two as the result of a horiffic traffic accident on Friday evening.

The accident happened on the road between Goesdorf and Dahl, shortly after 17:00, when its driver lost control and collided with a roadside tree. The impact broke the car in two.

Amazingly, the driver survived the crash and was found in the wreckage when the emergency services arrived on the scene. It is understood that he walked away from the accident with the aid of ambulance staff. He was later brought to hospital in Wiltz.

The police believe that excessive speed was a contributory factor in the accident.
 

Crazy thing about this is that the driver walked out of the car almost with no injuries and phoned the emergency services himself

Half An Audi And Still Drives.

Audi A5 2.0 TDI Announced for UK

Audi's A5 is already available in a wide variety of petrol and diesel engine options, but not until now has it included a four cylinder diesel variant. And so it is with a 2.0-litre TDI engine that the A5 becomes even cleaner and efficient, boasting an impressive 53 miles to the gallon on the combined cycle - most importantly whilst remaining uncompromising on performance.

Priced at £28,485 and £30,010 on the road for front-wheel-drive and quattro versions respectively, the new A5 2.0 TDI will reach the first UK customers next March, coinciding with the launch of an even more striking S line trim priced at £2,250. Available across the range, the new trim includes exterior and interior styling enhancements, 18-inch S line alloys, sports suspension and xenon lamps with LED daylight running.

The new A5 TDI model adopts the most powerful version of the 2.0-litre powerplant, producing 170 PS and first seen in the A4 range. Utilising a Piezo injection system, the unit generates 350 Nm of torque at an impressive 1,750 rpm.

Pitting the new A5 model against its 2.7-litre TDI sibling and there's little in it for the figures - at least bar efficiency. The 0-62 mph sprint is reached in 8.3 seconds (7.4s for the 2.7) and a top speed of 140 mph is only just short of the higher model's 144 mph. Pulling away from its higher-powered siblings is the fuel consumption figure, the 2.0-litre model offering a 20 percent or 9 mpg (combined) advantage over the 44 mpg-achieving 2.7-litre TDI. CO2 output is 140 g/km - now the lowest in the A5 range.


Source: Audi

Audi Prices TTS Coupe From $45,500; Roadster From $47,500

 

The Audi TTS, which was revealed at last January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is just about ready to be sold in the States, and official pricing has been announced. The TTS Coupe will start at $45,500, with the TTS Roadster priced from $47,500. This pricing reflects a $10,300 premium over the base TT models.

Under the hood, the TTS is powered by Audi's revised 2.0 TFSI engine, cranking out 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Coupe will go from zero to 60 miles an hour in just 4.9 seconds, while the Roadster adds two tenths of a second to that time. Fuel economy should still be relatively good for cars in this segment, with both models yielding 21 city and 29 highway miles per gallon. Power is routed through the S-tronic dual-clutch system capable of 0.2-second shift times and Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. Top speed in both cars is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour.

Audi is also working on an even more powerful TT-RS, though there's still no official word if that car will be coming to America.

The V-8 Is Dead — Long Live the V-8

Probably nothing is more symbolic of America’s love affair with the automobile than the classic eight-banger. It’s the engine of choice for muscle car knuckle-draggers, luxury car aficionados, and truck haulers alike. And until recently, V-8s were stuffed under the hood of nearly a third of the vehicles sold in the U.S. market.

Industry observers have long wondered what it would take to get American motorists to change their buying habits. The market barely nudged when gas hit $2.50, and there were only marginal changes at $3. But as Ford marketing czar Jim Farley observers, there’s been a sea change since the pump price topped $4.

Light truck sales, as we all know, have collapsed. But even in the luxury market, normally immune from recession and rising oil prices, buyers are rethinking their options. “V-8 output is expected to plunge 45 percent…by 2009,” notes a new report from PriceWaterhouse-Coopers. In fact, ask authors, are we looking at the “death of the V-8?”

You might recall that General Motors recently scrubbed plans to replace the big Northstar V-8, the fast-beating heart of its Cadillac lineup. On the other hand, it’s also developed the massive, new LS9, for the coming Corvette supercar, and a variation of the LS line will power the next-generation Caddy CTSv. But GM product chief Bob Lutz frets that with the new emissions and mileage standards the industry is facing, there may be little room for 8 cylinders much longer.

Of course, there are those who see that as good news – and not just “tree-huggers,” many of whom would like to see the automobile vanish entirely. Notes the PWC report, “I4 engines will soon be able to perform at levels similar to current V6s, while future V6 engines will perform at levels comparable to V8s, while also achieving better fuel economy than their predecessors. This transition will allow smaller engines to compete in segments that were previously dominated by V8s.” The Ford Ecoboost engines, which will be used in models like the Flex and the upcoming Lincoln MKS, are good examples.

That’s not to say we shouldn’t lament the loss of a brutish powertrain that has thrilled drivers and passengers alike for much of the last century. And, of course, like Mark Twain, we should be wary of anything that prematurely reports the death of the V-8. It was labeled a “dinosaur,” during the fuel crises of the '70s, and was expected to be gone by the end of the millennium, yet in 2004, Americans bought 4.7 million V-8s. And even by 2009, the PWC study shows likely demand remaining at 2.7 million.

The V-8, the report concludes, “will continue to play a role in the North American market, albeit in an increasingly limited capacity within more specialized segments. As new CAFE milestones are implemented through 2020, V8s are likely to become a more niche offering.”

Audi Calamaro: Hottest flying car you've ever seen

Most concept cars are relatively unrealistic. Heck, they're just concepts, they don't have to be realistic. But this Audi Calamaro concept really takes things to the next level. For one, it's a flying car. No wheels here. Yeah, you could say it's futuristic.

It certainly is slick-looking though, isn't it? If we lived in a magical fantasy land in which this thing would be anything other than a shiny lawn ornament, I would definitely take it for a test drive. Although I have a hunch that even if it flew, it just wouldn't be practical enough. I mean, where's the trunk?

Automotto, via Jalopnik

Audi R8 Spyder: New spy video!

The Audi R8 Spyder has been caught testing at Nurburgring. Great sound!

Audi A7: Coupe and cabriolet revealed

Car Magazine is running a great special on Audi "scoops" and we would like to share the Audi A7 with you. Truly awesome-looking car!

Just as the A5 uses the A4 platform, so the A7 will be based on the new A6. But
the next-gen A6, which means a lightweight aluminium platform with various steel
reinforcements.Air suspension will be standard on high-end models, and unless
sales don’t surpass the expected 40,000 units, four-cylinder power won’t happen.
Instead buyers will be offered a based 2.8-litre V6 FSI or the new supercharged
3.0-litre V6. Oil-burning owners will pick between a 2.7-litre, and a 3.0-litre
V6 with either one or two turbos. Then if you can make sense of it all, there
will be various six and seven-speed manuals, autos and dual-clutch S-tronic
boxes.Audi will slot, no make that shoehorn, its 5.0-litre twin-turbo V10 into
the A7 to create an RS7, while the S7 will use a detuned version. Never fear
though, because a hybrid version will be on hand to balance your polluting ways.

Source: Car Magazine

715 hp Audi RS6 Avant by B&B

It seems that tuning companies really love the Audi RS6 Avant. After we saw 702 hp tuning package from MTM, this time we have a more powerful upgrade, from German tuner B&B. Fitted with a special race exhaust system, high performance racing catalyst, remapped ECU, high-flow intake and uprated cooling system, the 5.0 liter V10 engine develops an amazing 715hp (533kW), which mean that the car sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).

B&B offers severatl levels of performance, 650hp (485kW), 670hp (500kW) and 700hp (522kW) respectively and of course, the top specs 715 hp. All versions come with stiffer sport springs that lowers the car by up to 25mm and a set of 21 inch forged alloy wheels.

Audi O: A fusion of Automobiles and Audio!

There are many concept cars out there and with each passing day many more seem to be pouring in and the concepts only seem to be getting crazier with the minute. ‘Audi O’, apart from the brilliance of the apt title, is one concept car that seems to be more grounded in reality yet is refreshingly different to say the least. The 2008 Audi O concept fuses audio equipment with transport and was designed by Ondrej Jirec, a design student from the Czech Republic who is beginning studies at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California in 2008.

The Audi O concept was designed to fuse a powerful and innovative audio system with a stylish and sporty four-seat hatchback. The exterior design uses several Audi trademark styling themes, especially at the front where the square grille sits neatly between the LED headlights. The doors feature glass windows running along the bottom edge which provide an interesting shape to the profile of the car. At the rear of the car the pullout door echoes the design of the squared off Audi grille.

The Audi O concept features a unique audio system which has internet connectivity for downloading music onto the built-in 650 GB hard drive. When parked up a Bluetooth system can connect two or more Audi O cars to play audio over a wider area. The concept is a real treat not just for car lovers but also those who love their tunes and wish they were surrounded by music all the time. It is nice to see more such realistic concept cars that work differently yet will interest the big boys of auto world.

Via: diseno-art

Crash test: Fiat 500 vs. Audi Q7

It seems a couple of bad things happened to the Fiat 500. Firstly the door deformed, which means in an accident it’s going to be difficult to get the driver & passengers out for medical treatment.

The second thing was that the airbag seemed to burst just after the driver was about 1/2 way through his foward thrust. That is, it receives the blow from the driver, and then the entire car is thrust backwards & the steering wheel into the drivers face by the momentum of the Audi Q7.

Other than that, that Fiat 500 is a remarkably tough little beast.

Audi RS6 Sedan to debut at the Paris show in October

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the Audi RS6 Sedan will debut this fall, at the Paris Motor Show, in October. A prototype of the car was caught by German photographers and we can tell that, except the modified tail-lights, the car is pretty much the same with the RS6 Avant. Under the hood, the car will be powered by the same 580 hp V10 twin-turbo FSI direct-injection engine as the Avant (of course, not if MTM ‘messes’ with it).

When 580 hp just won’t do it: 702 hp MTM RS6 Avant

For some of us, a 580 hp car will do it but apparently for others, that just isn’t enough. Because German tuner MTM developed two tuning programs for the Audi RS6 Avant which makes the German wagon even faster than it already is. The ‘entry-level’ package features electronic ECU modifications only which increase the engine’s power output to 656 bhp at 6,180 rpm and 785 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is made in 3.9 seconds and the top speed can be electronically set to 279, 290 or 310 km/h (173, 180 or 192 mph).

However, the really cool package is the other one, which features a stainless steel sxhaust system with throttle control downstream from the catalytic converter and a sports air filter. With these upgrades, the RS6 Avant develops an impressive 702 hp. There are no extra details about this package, because the project is currently under development. The packages cost 3,999 Euros and 9,950 Euros.

On the outside, MTM has fitted the Audi RS6 Avant with a carbon-fiber front spoiler lip, a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, six-piston monoblock brake calipers with slotted brake disks and 21″ MTM bimoto wheels. MTM offers this entire suite of compoents for the RS6 R which includes power-boosted engine, modified breathing, exhaust system, suspension struts and 21-inch wheels for a package price starting from 15,500 EUR.