Audi of America Inc. has signed an extended lease that will keep the company's headquarters in Auburn Hills for another 10 years.

Jennifer Cortez, Audi of America spokeswoman, confirmed Tuesday the German automaker had signed a new lease for office space in a building on Hamlin Road, just north of M-59, that's now occupied by VW Group's financial affiliate.

The move of Audi's headquarters probably will take place later this year or in early 2006, she said.

The move out of the Volkswagen of America building complex further west on Hamlin will give Audi's approximately 150 employees their own space, she said.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

“You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” goes the old adage. The A8 made a great first impression. We only get these test cars for about a week and must develop impressions rather hastily sometimes. This Audi was still impressing me when I had to give it back.

Stepping into this Audi for the first time was a pleasure. The driver’s compartment is inviting with generous leather seats, classy-looking trim and no apparent excess of knobs, gages and controls. It seems simple and uncomplicated until I turn the key, watch the control screen swing out from the center of the dash and begin to look around. The usual annoying disclaimer comes up on the screen warning against distracted driving. Dominating the center console is a control knob surrounded by buttons with a lesser knob nearby. Five minutes of fiddling, fussing and exploring revealed the basic operations of the 12-speaker Bose sound system with 6-CD changer, access to the climate control and other functions. Not bad for a German system.

Labels: Audi

Second place: Audi S4 Cabriolet, $81,950

If this were a beauty contest, the Audi wins the tiara. Its good looks are backed up by a rock-solid body that's significantly stronger than the sedan to compensate for the chopped top. Nonetheless, like a well-tailored suit, the attractive Audi hides the fact it's the heaviest convertible here at 1,855 kilograms. Hello, Weight Watchers?

No fear. Audi has stuffed into the S4 not only the 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of torque from a 4.2-litre V8 found in larger A6s and A8s, but

also a slick-shifting, six-speed manual transmission (a $1,340 automatic is available).

Mid-range grunt from the naturally aspirated engine is abundant; think NASCAR and you have a pretty good idea what this engine sounds like when whooping through the gears. Then there's standard quattro for optimum traction in all seasons - unavailable on the BMW or Merc. The multi-link suspension front and rear is the Mamma Bear of this trio: firm, but not harsh. The S4's not as large in the back quarters as the CLK, but gangrene won't set in. And there's value here, too. Even with every option checked off, the Audi would still be $27,435 less than the Benz.

Driver's choice: Get the six-speed stick, right?

Bottom line: You'll look mah-vellous, darling.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Porsche, Volkswagen

The Lamborghini "Concept S" design study premiered at this year's Geneva Motorshow as an extreme and spectacular expression of the Lamborghini brand. It was created at the Centro Stile Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese by Luc Donckerwolke, who drew inspiration from the classic single-seater racing cars of the past.

The astonishing amount of public interest at the Geneva Motor Show prompted the decision to build a driveable prototype in order to further gauge potential customer demand.
President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Stephan Winkelmann and the Designer Luc Donckerwolke.

"The "Concept S" represents everything that Lamborghini stands for. It is extreme, uncompromising, and Italian," commented Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "A production decision has not yet been made, though we were encouraged by the positive response to the driveable prototype at both Monterey and Pebble Beach."

Labels: Lamborghini

The redesigned Volkswagen Jetta unseated the Honda Accord as the most popular vehicle on MSN Autos during the second quarter of 2005. Considerably larger than its predecessor, the Jetta features bold, new exterior styling as well as a host of new interior features.

1. Volkswagen Jetta
The Jetta is Volkswagen's compact sedan. First introduced in the mid-'80s as a slightly upscale version of the Rabbit hatchback, the Jetta has become Volkswagen's bestseller in the U.S. The Jetta has been redesigned for 2005, looking bigger and bolder with the new Volkswagen front end. At the rear, taillights are divided into two sections, while the interior focuses on safety and comfort with six airbags and five head restraints.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

As expected in a Passat, active safety also is tantamount to the development of Volkswagens, and the 2006 Passat is no exception and arguably among the leaders in its segments in offering a list of performance items that can help avoid accidents in the first place, including the stability and surefootedness of a precise-handling front-drive sedan, with standard four-wheel disc ABS brakes that are coupled with a sophisticated Engine Braking Assist system.

Another major technical advancement in the new Passat is a standard electromechanical power steering system that can help assist with straight-ahead driving adjustments when necessary—an example of this could be freeway driving through strong crosswinds. All Passats come standard with an Electronic Stabilization Program—an active safety item that is being recognized through independent research to be an increasing vital safety feature – Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Locking (EDL). Of course, later in 2006 all wheel drive comes with 4MOTION.

The new Passat employs an advanced version of the tried-and-true independent McPherson strut architecture. The car’s strut-type axle creates a very desirable direct steering ratio, a high level of transversal axle rigidity and a low tendency to allow body roll on tight turns. The Passat’s precise handling is only one attribute of this front suspension; the design also helps enhance its ride by optimizing springs, separately mounting springs and dampers, improving mounting points for the lower wishbones, and using twin-sleeve shock absorbers. All of these features mean that there’s less noise during varied driving conditions and on multiple surfaces.

Labels: VW

The Volkswagen Passat, the mid-sized car that forever changed the attitude toward owning a “grown up” sedan and wagon, is ready to make the prospect of settling down and driving a responsible family transporter even more desirable.

Significantly, the new Passat’s base engine is upgraded to a sophisticated new four-cylinder engine called the 2.0T. This two-liter is efficient and sporty and uses a turbocharger and an intercooler for cool, higher-density intake air. The 2.0T’s high-end breathing is further enhanced by its four-valves per cylinder. The engine’s overall efficiency begins with an advanced direct-injection fuel delivery system that culminates in 200 horsepower at 5,100 revolutions per minute and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque all the way from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm—an extraordinary torque curve that provides plenty of
pulling power from the low end through the top.

Inside, a simple glance reveals another evolution in Volkswagen’s renowned interior design and simple but unrelenting attention to detail. Residing in a new Passat is again a unique and progressive automotive experience: whether at the wheel or riding in the front or rear, the occupants find a fresh, stylish, modern design that remains strikingly simple with use of top quality materials, attention to comfort, driving and details throughout all models – from the standard trim level that symbolizes Volkswagen’s commitment to value for the money, to the top-levels such as those found in numerous equipment options and stand-alone packages.

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The 2006 version is indeed hitting showrooms, and noteworthy additions include a more powerful 12-cylinder engine, a four-seater package that pampers rear passengers and an optional Active Cruise Control (ACC) system available across the range.

The fact remains that the Phaeton is a wonderful car, which isn’t surprising, because it’s based on the stellar Audi A8 (VW owns Audi).

Fit and finish are superb, and the Phaeton’s imposing — yet understated — presence makes it, arguably, one of the handsomest luxury sedans on the market. High-quality interiors have become a VW strong suit over the past decade and the Phaeton further raises the bar. Leather, wood and chrome coddle occupants, while features, like a slick climate control system and doors that automatically close themselves when left slightly ajar, add to the decadence.

Labels: VW

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