New proof that BT is more than copper phone lines and Bob Hoskins - today it's launching a GPS security kit for your motor.

Ingeniously dubbed Trackit, BT's new service consists of the wireless fob you see pictured and a series of black boxes that a professional chap/chapette installs in your car.

When a kitted-out car is stolen without the fob in the vicinity - in your pocket, for example - a signal is silently sent to BT. It then passes on satellite coordinates to the cops and you get a text telling you your car is now being driven by a hoodie-wearing nipper.

Labels: Audi

There’s no denying that the Toyota Prius has garnered its fair share of attention. Toyota sells all they can build, while the car’s owners group has become a rather enthusiastic following despite the Prius’ relatively frugal equipment and uninspiring teardrop shaped packaging. Such success begs the question- could technology-driven Audi do a small hybrid just as well, if not better, and in a more stylish package?

The Q7 Hybrid is an interesting prospect, but I think I have an idea for a more frugal offering. It would be one that showcases Audi’s own core competencies and could theoretically be built at a reasonable cost, given it would use an existing platform… that of the A3 5-door.

Should Audi build something like an A3 Hybrid, I for one would be there in line to put down my deposit. Ingolstadt has become quite proficient at being strong in performance like their rivals from Munich, but Audi’s brand identity is synonymous with technology and their well-known motto ‘Vorsprung Durch Technik’ makes the brand more credible in its presentation of a TDI Hybrid laden with technology like all-wheel drive and DSG or even more gluttonous options like Navigation plus or alcantara suede seats. Near as I can tell, such an offering would be right in line with the unique and out-of-the-box thinking target customer Audi has in mind with the A3. It would be a halo car with a conscience.

Labels: Audi

The New Year will see S line sports versions of the Audi A3, A4 and A6 making an even bolder statement of Vorsprung durch Technik through styling upgrades for the A3 and A6, specification improvements for the A4 and the introduction of new S line Special Edition models. All the newcomers in the now even more desirable Audi S line range are available to order now for delivery in early 2006.

- S line versions of A3 and A6 upgraded to include additional exterior sports styling features
- Enhanced specification for S line versions of A4 Saloon and Avant
- New A3 and A4 S line Special Edition models also now available
- S line model prices range from £19,730 OTR to £47,170 OTR

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

The Volvo V70R and the Audi S4 Avant are perfect examples of these dual-purpose machines. At first glance they look like ordinary wagons but closer inspection reveals subtle spoilers, sexy wheels, chunky rocker panels and a splattering of little badges here and there. The Audi has two little red-and-gray S4 tags at either end (and two rather tasteless V-8 patches glued to the fenders) while the V70 just has a pair of chrome Rs and some R indentations on its 17-inch wheels. In isolation, I like the look of the boxy and stealthy V70R, but the Audi is the matinee idol of this pair even if it can't disguise its sporting intent as successfully as the Volvo. The 18-inch wheels pour out of the wheelwells while the quad tailpipes let everyone in your wake know they've been passed by something very serious indeed.

Indeed, the Audi's interior is, by and large, a better place to be than the Volvo's because of its higher-quality materials, more natural ergonomics, and better driving position. The Volvo's interior is bigger, though, particularly in the back where the Audi lacks legroom and the seats are a little too snug for family use.

That said, on-limit driving isn't something you do a lot of in wagons, even if they do have performance pretensions and for most driving situations the Audi's more intimate steering, nicer transmission, and distinctive V-8 growl make it a more enjoyable machine to pilot, while its better quality, higher residual value, sportier seats, and vastly superior ride quality place it firmly ahead of the Volvo in this comparison.

The Volvo's bigger cabin, better on-limit balance, surprising pace, and stealthier appearance just aren't compelling enough reasons to choose it over the Audi, even if it is more than eight grand cheaper. The S4 Avant wins this bout, so now you know where to trade in your minivan.

Labels: Audi

For the new Audi A4 2.0 TFSI the VW & Audi performance tuning company B&B (www.bb-automobiltechnik.de) has put together a program that catapults the standard version’s already powerful 200 horsepower to an explosive 350 horsepower strong machine.
The 5-level engine program starts off with an electronics alteration and a slight increase in boost to enhance the 2.0 liter engine to massive 240 horsepowers and 350 Nm for only 998,- EUR. In the following stages the 2.0 TFSI engine is then successively enhanced to 250, 286, 300 and finally awesome 350hp and 450Nm at the last EVO-R stage. To achieve these performance levels our B&B technicians exchange the standard motor against a completely modified engine with new B&B special pistons, connecting rods, a special cylinder head and a large turbocharger. Extensive changes to the charge air cooling and and the injection system are also undertaken. To further reduce exhaust gas temperature and back pressure a special exhaust system has been developed for the Sport A4 with a large downpipe and a high-performance racing catalyst. Oil temperature is kept at an optimal state in this “hot” engine through the installation of a thermostat-controlled Slim-Line oil cooler. Our extremely powerful Porsche-stomper blasts from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds and the EVO-R stage’s speed limitation doesn’t set in until 260km/h. To secure optimal safety at these extreme speed levels B&B is also offering height adjustable coilover suspension sets in different variations next to exclusive 18” and 19” wheels, 4- and 6-piston brake systems, and a smooth and precise short shift. The Audi A4’s look finally can be spruced up with the newly developed, original and astounding 7-piece body-styling kit.

Labels: Audi

Volkswagen has targeted its Autoeuropa plant in Setubal, Portugal, as the leading candidate to produce VW’s next range of niche vehicles, including a sporty Golf-based coupe due in 2008, according to Automotive News Europe.

Sources say VW officials met in Portugal on 24 November to discuss the project. If chosen, the Autoeuropa plant would add about 50,000 units a year of niche vehicles.

Autoeuropa currently builds the Ford Galaxy, VW Sharan and Seat Alhambra. The Galaxy’s production will end next month, while the future of the Sharan and Alhambra is unclear.

VW already has said it will make 45,000 to 50,000 units a year of the Eos coupe convertible at Autoeuropa. Quality issues have delayed the car’s launch at least two months, VW said.

Labels: VW

Koslowski, 52, went to the dealership in July intending to buy a previous-generation Passat on a friend's recommendation. When she expressed an interest in the newly delivered car, it was unwrapped, test driven, purchased and delivered the next day.

Turns out, it was the first new-generation Passat sold in North America.

“I knew it was an early model. So when I got a surprise call from Len Hunt (then VW of America executive vice president), I thought he was going to tell me I was the first person in New England to buy one,” says Koslowski, a country club caterer who traded in a Pontiac Bonneville. “But he said it's more than that.”

Labels: VW

It was P. Diddy. Now it's just Diddy. It was Jetta GLI. Now it's just GLI. When you're struggling with an identity crisis, less often is more.

Hip Hop impresario Sean “Puffy” Combs, aka Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, is struggling to remain fresh and relevant with a young, fickle audience constantly looking for something new.

The interior is simple, but the surfaces are low-gloss and richly textured for a premium, Teutonic look. The GLI also gets real aluminum trim in place of the fake stuff, and it is used tastefully.

What really sets the GLI apart from the pack is its engine and suspension. It features the stunning 2.0T intercooled and turbocharged gasoline I-4 that is one of the best 4-cyls. on the market.

The suspension also is a treat. Stiffer spring rates and increased diameter roll bars front and rear are added to the Jetta's already competent setup that includes a multilink rear suspension. The result is a very controlled ride at speed and during cornering, but it is not overtly stiff like so many performance-oriented cars costing less than $25,000.

The GLI's cabin is extremely quiet, even at triple-digit speeds, meaning it delivers on its claim of autobahn-bred German engineering, even though it is built in Mexico. Thanks to a black honeycomb mesh grille with a red surround strip, blue-tinted windows, red brake calipers and optional 18-in. wheels, the GLI also manages to look a lot less like a suburban grocery-getter than its Jetta sibling.

Nevertheless, the Jetta and GLI should find their way back into younger buyer's hearts, at least those who can look past the slightly pudgy exterior and appreciate its inner strengths: a great powertrain and fine German engineering.

Labels: VW

The on-line merchandise boutique not only offers an extensive range of items, but for orders placed before 11 December there’s also the option of merchandise packed in a special gift bag.

Shoppers looking for the ultimate automotive gift can choose from the official Lamborghini merchandise collection, which includes products from gloves to bags, models to mugs, posters to polo shirts. Prices range from under £10.00 to over £3,000.00.

And, on selected merchandise ordered on-line before 11 December, a special gift-bag option is available for just £5.00 extra (subject to availability). The perfect Christmas solution for the automotive enthusiast, your chosen gift comes in a black PVC bag with yellow cord and yellow tissue packing, meaning all you have to do is write the Lamborghini gift-tag and put it under the tree.

Labels: Lamborghini

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Instead of making race car noises on your big-wheel, you do it behind the wheel of your real car. All is going well, and you are enjoying life….but then you go and make what could be the biggest mistake of any car enthusiast’s life. You get married.

Yes, that’s right, marriage. Marriage has been the downfall of almost every friend that I know when it comes to their car habit. They’ve gone from driving their Porsches around and being playboys to becoming mini-van or sport-utility vehicle chauffeurs. They’ve sold off their weekend race cars to buy trucks that handily carry the useless things the better half makes you buy from Home Depot.

So what do you do when the better half tells you to get rid of your fun car and buy an SUV? Run to the nearest Chevy dealer and buy a Suburban? I don’t think so. Let’s face it, you want a Suburban as much as you want a hole drilled in your head.

Well, thankfully, the folks over at Audi have come up with a solution to all your problems, the new Audi S4 Avant. The S4 Avant is more true to being a sport utility vehicle than most of the monstrosities I see rolling down the road these days. As much as people do not want to admit it, most sport-utes are just bloated station wagons with big tires and poor gas mileage anyway. Maybe I’m missing something, but where exactly does the sport in “Sport Utility” come from again?

The S4 Avant solves these problems by addressing both the utility needs of a family, along with the sporting needs of a true enthusiast. The S4 Avant seats five people comfortably, has 59 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats folded (or 27.8 cubic feet with them up), does the quarter mile in under 14 seconds, and can still be taken out on a race track for weekend lapping sessions.

Labels: Audi

he 2006 A4 2.0T that recently showed up at our front door was not only a front-driver, it was also equipped with Audi’s multitronic automatic transmission. Optional with the base engine and standard on the V6, multitronic is a sophisticated CVT, or constantly-variable transmission, and is the only automatic offered on non-quattro A4s.

In most ways, the FrontTrak car is no different than its Quattro siblings. The real difference is in the way multitronic operates. Rather than having a conventional gear set, the CVT uses a pair of stepless cones connected by a heavy-duty chain to continuously change the input-to-output ratio.

There are several theoretical advantages to a CVT. Since there are no gears to change, power delivery is uninterrupted, resulting in a smoother riding experience for both driver and passengers. The transmission also keeps the engine in its peak torque range for optimum acceleration and maximum fuel economy.

Starting at $28,840, the 2006 A4 2.0T FrontTrak is among the most affordable Audis. Fully loaded, or test car came in at $35,810, which still keeps it competitive among its European peers. But this A4 is more than just a decent entry-level German sedan; it’s a rolling display of some the most advanced automotive technology available today.

Labels: Audi

Working as a photographer covering motorsports all over the country, I spend a lot of time on the road. Recently I was given the opportunity to use the Fourtitude S4 Cabriolet on one of those trips and I would end up spending two weeks and 3700-miles with the car. Traveling from the Washington, DC area out to Denver, Colorado, then back to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin before heading home would give me a great opportunity to use and evaluate the car.

Labels: Audi

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

In Steely Dan's song "Things I Miss the Most" (2003), the protagonist talks about what he has been doing since his breakup, in lines such as "I lie on the couch 'til suppertime" and "I'm building the Andrea Doria out of balsa wood." The chorus is particularly funny:

The talk.
The sex.
Somebody to trust.
The Audi TT.
The house on the Vineyard.
The house on the gulf coast.
These are the things I miss the most.
Three thoughts come to mind:

1.) The name "Audi TT" just sounds funny in a pop song.

2.) How shallow is this guy for listing that among the things he misses the most?

3.) How shallow are we for sympathizing with the pining for the TT?

If Audi took its great sports car off the market, we would be sad.

Labels: Audi

The new Audi Q7 represents a new superlative in the SUV (Sport Utility Vehicles) segment. It produces the performance of a sports car on the road, while redefining the boundaries of a vehicle in this category off-road. The sporty characteristics of the Audi Q7 are further enhanced by the equipment package “S line sports package plus”: sports suspension, sports seats and cast aluminium wheels up to 21 inches in size turn the performance SUV into an athlete. The
“S line exterior package” is the new sporty custom-made outfit for the Audi Q7 that adds attractive visual touches on the outside. The two equipment packages from quattro GmbH can be ordered separately or together from the middle of 2006. The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro and the Audi Q7 4.2 FSI quattro will be launched in Germany at the start of March 2006.

S line sports package plus
The new “S line sports package plus” for the Audi Q7 from quattro GmbH gives the performance SUV an even more emotional and sporty character. With its dynamic spring/shock absorber settings, the S line sports suspension conveys pure driving pleasure. The vehicle is lowered by 10 millimetres compared with models fitted with the standard suspension. 9Jx20 cast aluminium wheels of 5-spoke design with size 275/45 R 20 tyres give the vehicle its athletic appearance. S line logos on the front left and right wings and on the door sill trims are further distinguishing features of the Audi Q7 S line.

Prices
The “S line sports package plus” costs €5,290 for the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro and €2,980 for the Audi Q7 4.2 FSI quattro. The “S line exterior package” costs €1,900 for both models. A price discount of €200 is offered if the
“S line exterior package” is ordered in conjunction with the "S line sports package plus".

Labels: Audi

The Audi A4 is an excellent vehicle for the privileged teen. Teens who live where the snow falls will appreciate Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel drive. Plus, the Audi A4 is one of the safest vehicles on the market, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The A4 received the IIHS’ “Good" and a "Best Pick” rating, for both the side-impact and frontal offset crash tests. Plus, Audi’s interiors are among the finest in the industry, with premium materials used throughout the passenger compartment. At a base price of just $28,360, the A4 is a bargain for your pampered teen.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi, VW

Labels: Audi

The Audi A4 stands out for its driving pleasure and superior technology, exciting styling and a level of luxury that even satisfies the demands made in the top car class. The 220 bhp (162 kW) 2.0 TFSI engine already used successfully in the special Audi A4 DTM Edition model is now also being offered for the production version of the Audi A4.

Developed by quattro GmbH, this petrol direct injection engine with turbocharger delivers 20 bhp more than the 2.0 TFSI unit already available, and its torque has increased from 280 to 300 Nm. This power unit sees quattro GmbH continuing the tradition of power-enhanced 4-cylinder turbo engines. This increase in horsepower has been achieved by selective modifications such as new pistons, a modified turbocharger and a suitably adapted engine management system.

The Audi A4 2.0 TFSI with 220 bhp engine is distinguished visually from other A4 models by perforated brake discs at the front wheels and black anodised exhaust tailpipes. It can be ordered from early February 2006. The saloon is available starting at €32,000, the Avant at €33,600.

Audi is the first manufacturer in the world to combine petrol direct injection with turbocharging in the spheres of both motor racing and volume production. The 2.0 TFSI’s exceptionally broad torque plateau permits a fuel-efficient driving style on the one hand, and also means that a light press of the accelerator pedal is all that is needed to produce considerable thrust and a spontaneous unleashing of power.

Labels: Audi

Audi’s A6 3.0-litre TDI has won ‘Best Luxury Car over $57,000’ at the annual Australia’s Best Cars awards.
This is the third consecutive year that Audi has won ‘Best Luxury Car’, with the Audi A8 taking top honours in 2003 and 2004.

Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the award is particularly significant as it is the first time that a diesel passenger car has won an Australia’s Best Cars award.

“The country’s top luxury vehicle has an Audi TDI engine. This is very significant for our company as we will continue to introduce new diesel models into Australia in 2006. By the end of next year we will have at least one TDI engine in every major Audi model line from A3 to A8,” Mr Hofmann said.

“Gone are the days when a customer should be concerned about driving a diesel passenger car. With more than 15 years of experience with TDI technology, Audi is leading the way with luxury passenger cars in Australia.

“This award is a clear indication of how the experts view Audi’s A6 with its advanced 3.0-litre TDI engine,” Mr Hofmann said.

According to the Australia’s Best Cars judging panel, the Audi A6 TDI leaves a lasting impression on performance with terrific thrust from low revs and an automatic that masters the diesel's characteristics cleanly and capably.

The other advantage is fuel economy where this Audi has an official combined figure of 8.5litres/ 100km and the company’s effort in A6 design and functionality is laudable. The A6 demands recognition for its safety, security, comfort, ergonomics and build quality. Its space and practicality also are of a high standard, according to the Australia’s Best Car judges.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Lamborghini

Tuning capacity up to 630 bhp /463kW a specially developed aerodynamic package to include bespoke accessories for the Bentley Continental GT .

The British Grand Tourism is equipped with the MANSORY front spoiler, integrated are state of the art fog lamps bordered with sword design elements carried through to the fully chromed air intake grills which add a striking effect. All MANSORY spoiler equipment is so manufactured that no additional mounting or fitting points need to be drilled, utilizing all existing mounting points for simple installation.


The MANSORY redesigned side skirts give the Coupe a longer sleeker appearance and can be ordered with a silver painted or fully chrome embellishment.

The complete redesigned rear skirt incorporates MANSORY’s quad chromium plated stainless steel exclusive over and under exhaust system, which makes an extreme statement of performance and speed coupled with a dominating sound. Also new the very discreet redesigned rear spoiler adapted to the pneumatic series spoiler and the 7 star light alloys which contribute to a sporty appearance, these are available colour coded to your specification or complete chromium plated with 10J X 20 and 275 wide low profile tyres.

Alternatively MANSORY offers a revised air sport suspension system equipped with a performance braking system. The standard production performance level of 560 bhp/412kW can be improved using MANSORY’s electronic engineering package which increases the output to 630 bhp/463kW this will give your Bentley Continental GT performance figures of 0 – 62 mph or 100 km/h in 4.5 secconds going on to a top speed in excess of 327 km/h or 203 mph evolving in a gigantic peak torque of 750 Nm by only 1,600 rpm.

And when it comes to the interior of your new Bentley, MANSORY will leave nothing to the imagination, you can choose from the finest Nappa leather to the sportiest steering and carbon fibre, illuminated MANSORY stainless steel sill plates and polished aluminium foot pedals.

Labels: Bentley

Labels: VW

The Audi S4 Cabriolet is propelled by a 253 kW (344 bhp) eight-cylinder engine. Its maximum power output is in the region of 7,000 rpm. The 4.2-litre engine delivers a hefty 410 Newton-metres of torque to the crankshaft at an engine speed of 3,500 rpm. Thanks to such a superior power flow from the substantial displacement, this naturally aspirated engine acquires an air of supreme confidence.

Its spontaneous response to every movement of the accelerator and its astonishingly free-revving nature are impressive. The deep, sporty sound of the exhaust system is very immediate, but never over-assertive.

The Audi S4 Cabriolet sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in only 5.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, at which point the governor cuts in smoothly.

Surprisingly, the overall length of the eight-cylinder engine is incomparably short at just 464 millimetres. Audi's engine developers achieved this compactness by means of a chain drive for the camshafts and auxiliaries. The weight is also extremely low for an engine with eight cylinders, at only
195 kilograms. This has definite advantages in terms of the car’s weight distribution and road dynamics.

The engine power passes via a precision-shift 6-speed gearbox. The selector mechanism is decoupled, largely preventing vibrations and load-reversal movements from being transmitted to the gear lever.

The optional extra of 6-speed tiptronic with Dynamic Shift Program, an additional Sport program and shift paddles on the steering wheel unites sportiness with the convenience of an automatic transmission. Whether relaxed cruising or open-top driving, the Audi S4 Cabriolet permits both.

Labels: Audi

A triple win for Audi cars, a further triumph for the best advertising: this was how “Auto Zeitung” readers voted in the “Auto Trophy 2005” poll. The Audi A6, A8 and Q7 picked up three of the year’s most coveted awards. The A3 and A4 both finished as runners-up in their categories.

Readers were able to choose from a total of 372 models in 25 categories this year. Journalists at the “Auto Zeitung” magazine, which is published in Cologne, counted more than 90,700 votes.

The Audi A8 picked up 32.9 percent of votes in the luxury class, almost twice as many as the runner-up. The rest of the high-quality field of competitors finished some considerable way behind. This was the A8’s third triumph in a row, following wins in 2003 and 2004.

An even higher percentage of the vote went to the A6, which finished top of the executive class for the second year in a row: 34.4 percent of all voters chose it as their favourite. The runner-up in this category finished almost 15 percentage points behind the A6. The new Q7 was another clear winner, this time in the SUV category, capturing 15.3 percent of the vote even before its market launch.

Audi also scored well in the Image Report. According to 51.2 percent of readers polled, Audi has the best advertising.

The Audi brand has now won the coveted prize of the Auto Trophy 29 times in the 18-year history of these awards.

Labels: Audi

With its discreet badging and subtle body styling, the Audi A3 3.2 V6 encroached on the performance hatchback market like a thief in the night when it hit our market early last year.

Now there's a new rival that not only matches it on the drag strip, but can also rightfully claim to be just as stylish, safe and comfortable — all for R74 000 less! As with the V6, the new A3 2.0 T FSI is available either as a three-door or in the five-door Sportback guise you see here.

Ditching the heavy V6 engine and all-wheel drive hardware for the Golf GTI's 147kW turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot linked only to the front wheels results in a car that's equally swift in most respects.

While not quite as much fun as the GTI in overall terms, the A3 2.0 T Sportback offers a more mature alternative, with performance to even match that of the A3 3.2 V6.

Labels: Audi

The GTI is the third of three cars to trickle into the U.S. that share the same platform from the Volkswagen/Audi juggernaut. First was the wagonlike five-door Audi A3 and then the Jetta GLI sedan.

This GTI rides roughly and clomps over bumps. It also has a raspy exhaust note punctuated by a staccato blast during upshifts, but these traits help to give it a different, more aggressive attitude than its platform-mates', and that's the way we think it should be. The hunkered-down stance and the 225/45R-17 Bridgestone RE040 summer tires helped to pull an impressive 0.90 g on the skidpad and to stop from 70 mph in 162 feet, beating both the A3 and GLI. However, VW says our version will be raised 0.4 inch to improve the ride in our pothole-ridden states, so unfortunately, the GTI may lose some of its performance-oriented edge.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi

Audi is exhibiting its broad model range and a number of attractive new products at the Essen Motor Show from 25 November to 4 December. The new Audi S4 Cabriolet is celebrating its show world premiere on the Audi stand in Hall 3. This dynamic four-seater unites the genes of an open-top sports car with those of an elegant cruiser. The Audi S4 Cabriolet is powered by a 344 bhp (253 kW) eight-cylinder engine which develops a beefy 410 Nm of torque. The Audi S4 Cabriolet sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds, and reaches a top speed of 250 km/h, at which point the governor cuts in smoothly.

Audi is exhibiting its power-enhanced 220 bhp (162 kW) Audi A4 2.0 TFSI for the first time on its stand in Hall 3. Developed by quattro GmbH, the petrol direct injection engine with turbocharger delivers 20 bhp more than the 2.0 TFSI unit already available. The power-enhanced Audi A4 2.0 TFSI can be recognised by perforated brake discs at the front wheels and black anodised exhaust tailpipes.

Another highlight on the Audi stand is the Audi Q7 S line. The equipment package “S line sports package plus” further emphasises the sporty characteristics of the Audi Q7. Sports suspension, sports seats and 21-inch cast aluminium wheels turn the performance SUV into an athlete. The
“S line exterior package” additionally provides visual accents.

The successful S line equipment packages from quattro GmbH will occupy a large area of the stand in Essen. These consist of high-quality, carefully matched components, many of which have been specially developed. This entry into the Audi world of sport will be presented on the stand by vehicles fully equipped with S line packages as well as by attractive individual accessories.

The “Audi exclusive” customisation programme from quattro GmbH offers customers almost unlimited design options. From individual paint finishes to special colour combinations for leather seats and inlays: an A8 L 4.2 TDI quattro will exhibit the wide range of possibilities offered by the customisation programme.

Another highlight on the Audi stand are two successful racing cars: the Audi R8, five times winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours and winner of the American
Le Mans Series, and the A4 DTM, which took Tom Kristensen to third place in this year’s DTM championship.

Labels: Audi

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi, Volkswagen, VW

Volkswagen has turned its Touareg soft-roader into a big, bad mountain fella with a huge six-litre motor and a sporty styling package. But before you get carried away, the W12 won't be coming to South Africa.

Pity.

The guts of it is a 12-cylinder, six-litre bruiser of an engine kicking out a claimed 331kW and 600Nm of torque – enough, VW says, to take it from rest to 100km/h in 5.9sec and on to a (limited) top speed of 250km/h despite its considerable bulk.

It drives via a six-speed, semi-automatic transmission with manual sequential shift and breathes out through quad tailpipes that not only look the part but apparently also sound great

It breathes out through dual pipes that not only look the part but apparently also sound great
.

On the Sport Edition you get a special body kit that adds a roof spoiler, bi-xenon headlights, widened wheel arches and sporty side sills. The rear and side windows are tinted, the bumpers colour-coded and it runs on 20" alloy rims.

The inside is just as cool, with dual-zone air conditioning, a radio/DVD navigation system with a multi-function colour display, sports seats with nappa leather upholstery and flashes of aluminium trim throughout the cabin.

There's also the Touareg W12 Executive, labelled the "subtle alternative" to the new Sport, for those with less sporty desires – which also won't be coming to South Africa.

Labels: VW

The new GTI is a solid and aggressive sports model with a unique automatic manual DSGTM transmission that utilizes direct shifting which essentially automatically depresses clutch-shift points more efficiently and quicker than even a professional driver can. But the GTI today is all purity, and for those who want the unique control of a clutch, the all-new GTI comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission. Top speed is electronically governed at 130 miles per hour in the U.S.

As always, the GTI is based wholly on one of the world’s most popular and enduring models—the Volkswagen Golf. This fifth-generation Golf platform is renowned for its solidity and sophistication that make it one of the best selling models in the world. Built in Wolfsburg, Germany, the home of Volkswagen, the GTI benefits from Volkswagen’s high-tech production process that includes industry-leading robotics in its assembly technology and sequences.

Based on its already solid predecessor, the new GTI records double-digit improvements in its dynamic and tensional rigidity—15 percent and 35 percent, respectively, to be exact. This is partially achieved through the use of more high-strength body panels, Volkswagen world-class design and engineering, and during production, advanced laser-welding systems that require a new-generation of robotics and elaborate laser-driven measuring check points. The result is a dramatic increase in precise laser-welded seams, normally reserved for cars in much higher segments of the market. The net benefit of the Gate’s laser bonding process is a class-leading fit and finish, heightened body strength, crash protection, dialed-in driving dynamics, and reduced interior noise—all key components that set the GTI apart from its hatchback competitors. The heart of the 2006 GTI is Volkswagen’s new and highly regarded 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 200 hp at 5,100 to 6,000 revolutions per minute and 207 ft.-lbs. of torque from 1,800 to 5.000 rpm.

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Volkswagen AG is developing a coupe-style Passat that the automaker hopes will attract Mercedes-Benz customers.

The unnamed four-door coupe, code-named the CC, will be launched in early 2008. It will be assembled at the Emden factory in northern Germany.

VW hopes the coupe will compete against the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

The base Mercedes CLS 500, powered by a 302-hp V-8, is priced at $65,675, including destination, in the United States. A VW executive said the Passat will beat the Mercedes significantly on price.
To hold down costs, VW will use key modules from the Passat sedan and station wagon.

The coupe's base engines will be a 140-hp diesel and a 150-hp gasoline engine, but a range-topping 3.6-liter, 280-hp engine will be available.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Turns out that Royal Motors in San Francisco received two of the A3 3.2
Quattros yesterday. Since I have mine on order, I got to drive one of
these. It didn't have the options I ordered, so I'm going to wait for mine
on its confirmed 12/19 delivery date.

The model I drove had most options including DSG, Tip, Cold Weather, Open
Sky, etc (but no premium package and no navigation).

With their $2k markup, the price is $39k and change.

Attached are photos of the S-Line badging that is on the car plus a side
shot. Sorry for the low-quality images from my Treo 650...

I'm not too impressed with the wheels that they stocked it with, though...
I'll be buying new ones if my car shows up like this.

My driving impressions: the car is VERY quick. Much quicker than my Passat
W8. Obviously this is a much different power to weight ratio, than the
larger chassis of the W8.

The paddle shifters and DSG were smoother than anything I've ever driven. I
drove it on city streets and on a slightly congested freeway, but was able
to get it up to speed, back to zero, and up again. I drove it in sport,
drive, and tiptronic with the paddle shifters. All modes were smooth and
flawless.

The suspension was much stiffer than the 2.0T that I drove when those first
came out, too.

All in all, it has a VERY S-Line feel to it. Very much like my friend's '04
S4 Avant. The seats are stiff, the suspension is very responsive, the
tolerances are tight... Just what I was hoping for!

I'll give you another update when I get my personal car on 12/19.

Labels: Audi

Following hot on the heels of the well-published Tokyo debut for Audi’s V10-powered S8, Ingolstadt plans to continue the momentum with its S-car lineup by showing the new B7 S4 Cabriolet later this week at the Essen Motorshow in Germany, and climaxing with the all-new S6 early in January. With all of the clues and rumors at hand surrounding the S6, below is a report that best indicates what can be expected from the new Audi S6.

World Debut

Expect Audi’s S middleweight to have its official world launch at Detroit, though don’t be surprised if the car turns up at the Los Angeles auto show one week earlier. Audi and sister brand Volkswagen have both been known to make such moves in the past.

Whether or not the S6 will show as sedan, Avant or both remains to be seen. Audi has spread the unveiling of its S and RS cars previously. The RS 4 sedan has been around since March, while an RS 4 Avant could debut up to a year later. Digitally created photos of both S6 sedan and Avant have been created for this article, though there’s not yet been a clear indication on what to expect.

The S6, in its most recent form, was sold as both sedan and Avant in Europe, though it was Avant-only in the United States. While a US launch for the S6 means it’s more than likely coming stateside, specific information on which bodystyles are to be expected are believed to be forthcoming in Audi’s Los Angeles or Detroit presentation.

Labels: Audi

Audi has long maintained that 'beautiful estate cars are called Avant' since securing its position as the market leader in the estate car class in Europe many years ago. This new campaign highlights the company's conviction that the superb Avant concept has a place in the Australian luxury vehicle market for discerning buyers.

General manager - marketing, Javier Degen, says that the Avant concept is expected to find favour in Australia because of its versatility and excellent performance.

Far from a purely rational decision based on vehicle performance, it is well-recognised that the purchase of a new car is a very emotive process. To support the practical advantages of the Avant concept, the Dinnigan/Eales Avant campaign was developed from a desire to emphasise the emotional and lifestyle factors involved in vehicle choice.

“We looked for ways to emotionalise what the Avant concept means. In Europe the Avant is a hugely popular concept and is considered a very contemporary car for active people. The Australian market is currently less-focussed on estate vehicles in favour of SUVs and we wanted to create a campaign that showed a very personal element and was easily identifiable with the lifestyle philosophy of the Audi brand,” Mr Degen said.

Labels: Audi

Twenty-five point seven meters per second. This number kept bouncing around in my head as I playfully blipped the throttle of Audi’s new B7 RS 4. Twenty-five point seven meters per second is precisely the average speed of the RS 4’s 8 pistons as it’s humming along at a stratospheric 8250 RPM. That’s faster than any offering from BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, or Honda. In fact, no other production car has a higher mean piston speed. It even matches the world champion 19,000 RPM Renault RS25 F1 in terms of reciprocating velocity. This engine is no joke and exists solely to prove Audi can build a naturally aspirated engine among the world’s best.

It all started on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Germany’s Hockenheimring during Audi and quattro GmbH’s RS Driver’s Challenge. This world class event is held for owners of Audi’s RS cars to improve driving skills and car control within the confined environment of a Grand Prix racetrack. An RS owner in spirit (but not in reality), I was at Hockenheimring specifically to cover the RS Driver’s Challenge. Much to my delight, Audi elected to bring more than half a dozen new B7 RS 4’s to the event. After seeing an Imola Yellow RS 4 with Audi plates at my hotel the night before, I knew I was going to be spending much of the next day trying to talk my way into the driver’s seat.

I spent the next morning and early afternoon watching B5 RS 4’s, RS6’s, and a small handful of B7 RS 4’s circle around the track. It was very interesting to see the vastly different cars on the track all at the same time. Also entertaining were the B7 RS 4 safety/pace cars which led the first few laps of each session. These were the same specially prepared RS 4’s which I had seen earlier in the year at Le Mans – complete with modified exhaust systems, lowered suspensions and the requisite assortment of flashing lights, stickers, and safety equipment. The baritone bark of the safety cars made the standard production RS 4’s sound almost tame in comparison. As pace cars they are a worthy advertisement for Audi and really show off the beast that lies within. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that the safety cars at 8,000+ RPM’s weren’t some of the sexiest V-8 noises I’ve ever heard.

Labels: Audi

This is, essentially, an air-conditioned racing car. It looks like something Bruce Wayne might knock together in his spare time, and has a brutal 492bhp, V10 engine mounted just behind the driver's head.

Better still, German people oversee its construction which means that, unlike Lamborghinis of the past, it won't spend 90 per cent of its life up on a ramp as a ferrety man in an oil-stained romper suit makes expensive sucking noises with his teeth (although, the tragic payoff is that this also means it looks and feels like a sexed-up Audi inside).

The Gallardo is one of the greatest sports cars in the world right now but, as with just about all the other greatest sports cars in the world, it is a fairly grim prospect on public roads.

Labels: Lamborghini

Pulling a page from the reality television series Big Brother, 23 Volkswagen employees have shacked up near the laid-back California beach town of Malibu . But they aren't there for fun and games.

Times are tough for the German automaker's U.S. operations. Once the biggest of the import brands, Volkswagen of America's sales have slumped sharply since the beginning of the decade. And even the planned profusion of new product due to market next year isn't likely to turn things around, company officials have come to grudgingly concede.

A fundamental problem is that VW has lost touch with the distinctive tastes and needs of American motorists. So the employees camped out in California - including 22 Germans and one American - have been assigned to put their ears to the ground and come back with recommendations that could lead to a new wave of vehicles specifically designed for the huge U.S. marketplace.

Ultimately, the effort is meant to generate "a systematic change in how we view the United States ," said Adrian Hallmark, the new American boss of the VW brand.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Music rendered in unparalleled perfection.

The new Volkswagen Passat: Technical perfection meets customized luxury for a truly relaxed driving experience.
The special Passat Comfort Concept is truly complete when partnered with the unique Dynaudio Sound System.

With the optional Dynaudio audio package, new standards have been set for in-car audio reproduction - the car's interior becomes a listening room, a veritable concert hall.
In the new Passat, driver and all passengers can enjoy music at a completely new quality level: authoritative, lively and natural, at a level of performance that is purely high-end.

Captivating driving experience enhanced by a new generation of in-car entertainment.

Labels: VW

The Audi Nero (Latin for black) concept is an evolution of the 1930s streamlined record-breaking Auto Union racers. The aerodynamic surfaces, covered wheels and low ground clearance create a stealthy modern interpretation of its inspirational ancestors. The carbon black color reflects the LA mood, while its strong silhouette is punctuated with compelling technical details. The aggressive front end is followed by a translucent hood that showcases its powerful engine. The Nero super coupe is an expression of pure power, speed and style that turns any LA night into an adventure.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Okay, we just received some of the first pics of the new S4 25quattro with the ring decals affixed. The cars were just released from port last Friday, so you should be seeing them at the dealerships any day now. Decals are optional, delivered in the car for installation at the request of the owner.

Labels: Audi

It is always the same answer. At the end of an interview with a car designer I ask, "Is there any car you did not design that you would like to have in your portfolio?" "The Audi TT," is the answer. It is a car that is as important to the motor industry as a whole as it is to Audi. For Audi, it emphasises their renaissance as an innovative premium manufacturer, while it gave the industry the courage to be different and realise that the buying public were moving into a very design conscious market place. The brevity of the TT badge suits the minimalist nature of the car and this latest model is pared even further, for what started life as a 2+2 coupe is now available in 'quattro Sport' form as a strict two-seater.

Labels: Audi

The 2.0 TDI engine is characterised by outstanding fuel consumption. With a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.4 litres/100km and a 70-litre tank, the A4 2.0 TDI multitronic is capable of virtually 1,100 kilometres on a single tank of fuel.

Audi’s TDI engines are noted for their performance and vigour and this talented all-rounder is no different, boasting a peak torque figure of 320Nm. In other words, it is the most powerful and dynamic 4-cylinder model in the A4 range to-date.

The engine’s refinement is equally outstanding. The balancing shaft module with two shafts rotating in opposite directions helps to reduce engine vibration to an absolute minimum particularly at high engine speeds, all but eliminating a factor which characterised diesel engines of old.

The advanced multitronic transmission is standard for the new A4 2.0 TDI, and combines the benefits of a manual gearbox with those of a geared automatic transmission. Audi’s 7-step continuously variable transmission boasts smooth but very dynamic acceleration, and is an extremely effective method of transmitting power, yet maximising fuel efficiency.

Labels: Audi

The Veyron is an orgiastic monument of automotive excess. For your million euros, plus local taxes (about $1,172,000 U.S.) you will own not only the most expensive production car in the world, but also the quickest, the fastest and, by a frankly ludicrous margin, the most powerful. You will buy a carbon-fiber monocoque onto which are hung carbon-fiber and aluminum panels. The car is suspended by forged-aluminum wishbones which support the fattest tires ever to be used on a road car, those at the back boasting an astonishing 14.6-inch width.

And which is why the Veyron will always be a thing to admire and respect, rather than to love and cherish. For all its apocalyptic pace and power, if you gave me a decent road and the choice of a Bugatti Veyron or an older and slower-by-far Ferrari F40, I'd take Maranello every time. Cars like that, and, to a slightly lesser extent, the McLaren don't simply put on a show for you to watch, they give you the lead role. I'd always rather be involved rather than spectating.

Too Cool to be Forgotten
But I'm still glad the Veyron exists and am truly in awe of its abilities. Any car that does things no other car has ever done is intrinsically interesting but there's more to the Veyron even than this. It's not just an unbelievably fast and powerful car, it is also an exquisitely engineered car. If you had told me when I was road testing the McLaren F1 that one day someone would create an entirely usable, docile street car with 1,000 hp, I'd have laughed in your face. But they have, it's here, it's called the Bugatti Veyron and I, for one, will never forget it.

Labels: Bugatti

"Herbie, meet Stanley."

That was the message of Volkswagen's recent full-page ad in USA Today, comparing the fictional Love Bug, a car with a mind of its own on the race track, with the real-life Stanley, a VW Touareg with a true mind of its own.

It was Stanford University computer scientists who gave Stanley the smarts to drive itself in the 132-mile Grand Challenge robot race last month, but Volkswagen's corporate pride is understandable, as is the play on its advertising slogan -- "Drivers Wanted (but not required)."

Stanley might have taken home the $2 million prize awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, but four other robotic vehicles also completed the course through the Nevada desert without human intervention or guidance, outstripping the expectations of many observers.

"It's not a victory for a specific institution," said Sebastian Thrun, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab and leader of the Stanford Racing Team. "It was a victory for the field."

Indeed, Thrun's telephone has been ringing regularly ever since, with proposals from defense contractors, entrepreneurs and others with ideas of how to employ autonomous navigation. But so has the phone of William "Red" Whittaker, the Carnegie Mellon University roboticist whose Red Team had the second- and third-place finishers.

"The thing we've got going for us is the success of the Grand Challenge shifted a lot of the belief state," Whittaker said.

In just the past month, a number of government "requests for proposals" have appeared that specify autonomous driving as a requirement.

"There were a lot of great finishes in the Grand Challenge and that shifted a lot of things from intention to action."

Some of that interest is from the military. After all, DARPA, the Pentagon's research and development arm, had sponsored the race to foster innovation in autonomous ground vehicles; the armed forces are facing a mandate to make a third of their vehicles self-driving within the next 10 years.

But Whittaker said the interest in autonomous vehicles is much broader than that, including environmental remediation, mining and agricultural machinery.

Labels: VW

I actually went to Europe and did a side by side comparison between the 1 series hatch (Which will never make it to US) and the Audi A3. I must say from the looks alone department, the BMW designers have a lot to learn from Audi. I like the understated gentleman like demeanor of the Audi. It may not be to everyone's liking, but that is far better than the BMW's garish looks that seems to be to everyone's dislike.

Although I did not to get to drive the two cars, your posts helped solidify my decision to purchase the Audi A3. I am now calling the dealer to place my order. So, thank you.

Labels: The German Car Blog

For their latest commercial, Audi has endeavoured in making one of the most interesting ad spots by the Ingolstadt-based auto company to date. The piece was filmed by Gerhard Kiefer, a twelve-year veteran with Audi who coordinates work for commercials and publicity films and has made no less than 70 TV spots for the company.

Among the spots, the filmmaker suggests there are none that stand out as much in his head as the recent piece made for the Q7. Beginning November 5, the finished product will run in commercial form on European television.

The 40-second film was shot in Iceland and Prague, while the special effects were developed in Paris. Altogether, it took three months from first preparations to finished product.

For the creative staff from the Hamburg-based agency, this was so far the largest challenge yet.

Hans Christian Schwingen, head of marketing communication for Audi comments, "We made points of view possible on the car that one might have not yet thought possible. It is not just an "aha" film, but a "wow" film".

In the film, viewers will be able to essentially sit under water, under a sand runway or under the surface of ice, so that they can look up and see the car from the "quattro perspective".

Labels: Audi

We picked up our A3 in Munich, and true to form, the weather was dreadful with heavy snow impeding much of our progress along the A9 autobahn. Trying to make the most of even a bad situation, we took our time crawling along in heavy traffic to assess the A3’s driving environment. Though this newest A3 is basically Audi’s entry-level offering, there’s not much in the way of cheapo materials or unimaginative styling to give that fact away. Some TT flourishes – console braces and real aluminum appointments – brighten things up appreciably and offer that high-tech look modern Audi interiors are known for.

Our tester had a 6-speed manual transmission and it’s a good one. Whereas past Audi ‘boxes were somewhat notchy and imprecise, the gearbox in the new A3 is anything but. Throws are a bit long for sporty driving, but they are at least accurate and possess a positive and precise feel. Clutch take up is smooth and light, and considering the stop-and-go conditions we encountered in heavy European traffic, such details were very much noted and appreciated.

Unfettered by nasty weather and heavy traffic, the A3 and its new running gear are very much in their element. The 2.0 16v revs like a champ and possesses an aggressive but agreeable growl. We have to report that we found it quite refreshing to discover a 4-cylinder Audi engine with performance and character.

Labels: Audi

When it comes to finding cars which have big, torquey engines, Audi's A8 range is hard to beat. But now the firm has reached new heights. With a massive 650Nm, its 4.2 TDI model's twin-turbocharged V8 diesel has the same pulling power as a Lamborghini Murciélago.

The huge peak is produced very low in the rev range and for longer than its 4.0-litre predecessor - from 1,600rpm up to 3,500rpm. This makes the amazing acceleration even more accessible.

Combined with extra power - up from 275bhp to 321bhp - a weight drop of 15kg and a new six-speed automatic gearbox, the results are sensational. The 0-60mph time is cut from 6.7 to 5.9 seconds, but it's the deep-chested thrust available at any speed and in any gear that impresses most.

Labels: Audi

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

In the looks and image department the old Passat was the car that always hung around in the kitchen at parties but the new car has added some sex appeal to the equation

The Passat's curvy lines and interestingly shaped headlights now convey a more interesting, outgoing image.

As before, one of the Passat's biggest selling points is space. There's an impressive supply of that and the large cabin will easily swallow four rugby players. Cavernous, too, is the 565-litre boot and even that can be expanded by folding the 60/40 split rear seats.

The Passat has emerged from potentially terminal dullness. Its new and striking styling has added a dash of rum and raisin to the vanilla ice-cream. It's still lower on the aspiration meter than other premium German brands but if you can look past the flash and consider the cash it will make a really good buy.

Labels: VW

The Audi RS3 will take the hot hatch brigade by storm and it is expected that this super car will have a power output of about 260kW. Audi insiders say that there will also be a less powerful S3 model.

engine. This unit will be turbocharged and will also feature FSI direct-injection technology and torque will be about 450Nm.

The RS3 will get a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifts and will also have electrically assisted power steering. It will also feature upgraded brakes similar to that of the RS4.

Of course Audi's famous quattro four-wheel drive system will also be standard on the RS3.

The car's exterior will reflect its sporty nature. Like the new A6 and A8 W12 the RS3 will get the new Audi single frame grille which will dominate the nose design. A deep spoiler with large air intakes will finish of the muscular front-end.

Other sporty touches include wide side sills, heavily flared wheelarches and a tailgate spoiler.

Audi will also launch the RS3 in Sportback guise. The Audi A3 Sportback, which is a estate car, will be introduced later this year.

Labels: Audi

Audi is to launch an A4-based coupé in 2007, according to a story in Autocar this week. The range-topping A5, Audi's answer to the M3, will get Audi's 4.2-litre 420bhp V8 and four-wheel drive -- it's effectively a replacement for the quattro. The concept was wheeled out in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show (see link below for pics).

The car will be of unitary construction, made of steel and use mechanical elements from the A4 and larger A6. A full four seats are planned -- it's not a 2+2 -- and it'll be practical, with 400 litres of luggage space. As a comparison, the current Porsche 911 has a luggage volume of 130 litres.

Engines available will include 150bhp naturally aspirated and 197bhp turbocharged 2.-0-litre powerplants, both four-pot motors, plus a 255bhp 3.2-litre V6. There'll be a brace of diesels too. The range-topper will be the RS5.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Audi

Europe’s biggest carmaker, may take a 40 per cent stake in Proton Holdings Bhd’s manufacturing unit, sources said yesterday.
Last week, Mail Money reported that the board of directors of Proton had met to consider the VW offer.

Proton’s chief operating officer Datuk Kisai Rahmat had previously confirmed the meeting took place, but he ddeclined to comment on what was discussed at the meeting.

Mail Money was told that following the board meeting, the Ministry of Finance was briefed late last week, as well as given a snapshot on the findings of an internal audit done on Proton.

Under the deal being proposed by VW, the German carmaker will take a minority stake in Proton’s manufacturing unit, but it will have firm management control.

The deal, if it goes through, should help Proton introduce new models, using VW’s technical expertise as its base.

Labels: Volkswagen

Scrambling to lure customers into its showrooms after a grim sales month in October, Volkswagen of America is subsidizing leases on its two newest vehicles, the redesigned 2006 Passat and Jetta sedans, according to the company's consumer Web site.

The 39-month lease deals require no money down. Monthly payments are $249 on the Jetta and $299 on the Passat. The lease offer runs through Jan. 3. The lease program is a significant departure from VW's traditional sales philosophy.

The move came after VW reported a 21.4 percent year-to-year sales drop in October. It comes in tandem with the announcement by General Motors on Monday of a sweeping "red-tag" sale on many of its 2005 and 2006 models.

Labels: VW

Labels: VW

Good sales and prizes for the Audi Q7 must have whet the management's appetite in Ingolstadt: besides the mid-size Audi Q5, now there's talk of an Audi Q3, a small and sporty SUV based on the Audi A3 (in the picture, Auto Zeitung's rendering).

This is plausibile, because it chimes in with VAG's philosophy: what gets developed for the Golf SUV (2007) will soon get a new dress and 4 rings on the front. Then, a trinity will be completed with the Skoda Yeti (2007 too ?).

Labels: Audi

According to Audi, the Le Mans quattro unveiled in 2003 at the Frankfurt auto show was driven by a 5-liter, twin-turbo V10, with four valves per cylinder and continuously variable valve timing. Like the racing R8, the engine features a direct fuel injection system (FSI). As built for the Le Mans quattro, the 610 bhp engine powered the concept car to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Luca reports Auto Motor und Sport as citing identical numbers for the R8, so it seems that the production engine will be essentially unchanged from the concept car’s.

The normally aspirated version of the V10 powers the Audi S8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo. The S8’s FSI V10 (pictured above) delivers 450 hp, while the 2006 Gallardo version cranks out 520 hp.

Labels: Audi, Lamborghini

The new Audi S4, now in its third generation, is instantly recognisable thanks to a completely new exterior design and a dynamic front end dominated by the brand’s formal design idiom, the single-frame grille. The ‘face’ of the new S4 is further defined by the new S-exclusive grid pattern, large air intakes and newly-styled headlights.

The prominent and high-set shoulder line sculpts the sides of the car with purpose and tension and the tail end, with its new taillight design, also features four oval tailpipes indicating the engine’s enormous potential.

A more powerful rear bumper, fully painted to match body colour, while a discreet rear spoiler, Xenon Plus headlights and aluminium-look door mirrors all add to the S4’s subtle, yet individual appearance.

Audi’s S-models have always been recognised for their outstanding sports potential, says Audi’s Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann.

“S-models represent controllable performance in an understated form, subtly differentiated from their A-model siblings, yet still clearly related. They are sporty, sophisticated and practical sportscars and quattro, in conjunction with suberb power, make these vehicles, ‘the sportscar for everyday use’,” Mr Hofmann said.

The Audi S4 is a market leader in many countries including Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Italy.

Labels: Audi

Mr. Gary Chapman, President of Dnata & Emirates Group Associated Companies and Mr. Thierry Seys, Managing Director of Audi Middle East were present for each of the respective companies.

Mr. Thierry Seys stated “The cooperation with Emirates Airlines will ensure that Emirates staff enjoy the same standards of safety and luxury on the roads of the UAE as they do in the air. We are proud to be appointed official partners of Emirates and look forward to further cooperation in other areas.”

Emirates will have 50 Audi A6 2.4 Avant vehicles with the characteristic Audi single-frame grille in use by end of 2005. The fleet will be used to shuttle pilots and co-pilots to and from the airport.

Mr Gary Chapman commented, “We are delighted to receive the new fleet of vehicles from Audi. The welfare and safety of our staff is important and we feel the Audi fleet fully meets our specifications and compliments our company standards. We look forward to a healthy relationship with Audi.”

The entirely silver-coloured A6 Avant fleet with walnut interior will feature the Emirates logo on the exterior and include Emirates specific equipment which focuses on two main areas: passenger safety, comfort and entertainment. The comprehensive safety concept of the A6 Avant, with the latest-generation ESP, considerably enhanced under steering control and emergency braking function, will be extended for the Emirates fleet cars with airbags for driver, front and back passengers as well as an extensive road emergency and first aid kit. The most convincing evidence of the new A6 generation's passive safety is the fact that the A6 saloon received the highest rating of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP test.

Passengers comfort will further be ensured by heat insulating glass as well as dust and pollen filters. The Emirates entertainment package comprises the Audi MMI system (Multimedia Interface) with CD player and reading light kit. With countless innovations, a high standard of comfort and luxurious equipment, the Audi A6 Avant is poised to fit Emirates requirements in all areas.

The first of the new-generation Audi A6 Avant models is available in the Middle East now.

Labels: Audi

The first thing you notice, aside from the orange paint and custom black wheels, is the new Audi single-frame grille. This makes the RS the first TT with the new family look, and it’s pleasing to our eyes. It also gives Audi product planners a peek at their next TT.

The RS TT takes inspiration from the legendary Audi RS2, RS6 and the most recent RS4.

Aerodynamically, the RS TT impresses with much-needed greater cooling for the brakes. Airflow to the intercoolers for the KKK K26 hybrid turbo­charger is up due to redesigned channels in the front air dam and side sills. The car is 2.75 inches lower than a stock 1.8-liter turbo TT coupe, and ground effects are complemented by the electrically adjustable carbon fiber rear spoiler that reacts automatically to vehicle speed, or manually via an override button. You can lower the RS TT 3.15 inches from stock, but then you must pay for a different wheel/spacing setup.

In keeping with Audi tradition, the interior, created in cooperation with TechArt, is gorgeous, and color-coded to the exterior. It is also comfortable, presenting much lateral support. Alcantara leather is everywhere, making the drive experience just cushy enough.

Labels: Audi

As many upgrades you can do to a car, sometimes replacing your suspension can lead to unwanted results such as diminished ride quality, as well as increased noise, harshness and vibration. Worse yet, a side effect could even be a resulting car that handles even worse than it did stock. In turn, an aftermarket suspension can also provide tremendous benefits in terms of reduced body roll, sharper steering and improved braking. However, as with any modifications, impressions of the results can be highly subjective. While one person may feel that a particularly firm suspension isn’t harsh enough, another may think that their teeth might fall out if the car was driven over rough pavement.

As some of you may be aware, Audi made several changes to the original suspension of the TT shortly after it was introduced in response to several reported incidents in Europe where TTs were swapping ends at high speeds. Not wanting to live through another “Unintended Acceleration” debacle, Audi issued a voluntary recall that included modifications to the suspension, including a one-time option of adding an electronic stability program (ESP) at a cost of $500 as well as an optional rear spoiler.

Labels: Audi

I'm at a toll gate at the foot of Mont Blanc - or Monte Bianco, this being the Italian side - about to leave the autostrada and depart up the heart-stoppingly beautiful and twisty San Berdardino Pass. Ahhhh: here's a policeman in hi-vis vest, about to make a pull.

I crawl past at walking speed. He looks at the Bugatti Veyron, the fastest and by far the most powerful and expensive car ever sold. And at me inside. I look back. He doesn't raise his arm to stop me

Well, his colleagues obviously aren't being particularly vigilant today, because just a couple of minutes earlier I had been coming up his motorway at the far side of 300km/h

Reckless? Insane? This astonishing car argues otherwise. It's actually capable of 400km/h: making 300 is a cinch.

This is a bright, glassy-clear morning. Traffic is light. So here's how it happened. I looked ahead. A clear straight, unbroken barrier on both sides, no vehicles in either lane. I flexed my right foot.

The colossal engine behind me drew breath - a sigh of intake air, a turbo whistle. The mechanical and exhaust noise spooled up like someone was opening the soundproofed door of a giant industrial plant.

Simultaneously the automated transmission was slipping down a couple of gears. That lot took up maybe half a second, the car flexing its muscles, the veins on its forehead popping out. And now it was really charging.

Lear jet on take-off? Doesn't begin to describe the feeling. This was kick-in-the-back acceleration, even at 160km/h. Now 190, 230, 260, 300.

Labels: Bugatti

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi

Audi has announced pricing for the newest addition to the A3 lineup, the 3.2 quattro S-line. The base price for the vehicle, which features a high-power V-6 that takes the A3 from 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, has been listed as $33,980. Audi claims other changes that make this A3 an S-line include sportier styling, optional 18-inch wheels, and a standard 6-speed DSG gearbox.

Labels: Audi

The Audi R8 is the most successful Le Mans prototype ever and is still the world’s only race car to combine direct fuel injection and turbo charging. For its TFSI technology, which initially established itself on the race track and, meanwhile, inspires high-volume production, Audi was honoured yet again: An international panel of experts presented Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport, with the "Race Engine Designer of the Year Award”.

"I’m very proud of this award, which I receive on behalf of my team,” explained Ulrich Baretzky at the presentation in the Royal Air Force Museum in London. "What we achieved with the R8 was genuine team effort.”

In the 77 races contested to date, the Audi R8 scored a total of 61 outright victories, won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) six times in succession. Even more impressive is the reliability of its 3.6 litre twin-turbo V8 power unit: Since making its debut in March 2000 there was not a single engine failure during a race – an achievement, which also impressed the Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium expert panel that consists of high-profile technicians from various facets of motorsport including Formula 1.

Labels: Audi

Model, OTR Price

Q7 3.0 TDI tiptronic Standard, £37,285
Q7 3.0 TDI tiptronic SE, £39,785
Q7 3.0 TDI tiptronic S line, £40,685
Q7 4.2 FSI tiptronic SE, £47,680
Q7 4.2 FSI tiptronic S line, £48,580

(SE trim: standard for V8 models, £2,500 for V6 models) (S line trim: £3,400 for V6 models, £900 for V8 models)

Full technical data for these Q7 models can be found in the Tech Specs section of the password protected Audi Press Web Site audi-press.co.uk, for which journalists can register online.

Labels: Audi

Labels: Lamborghini

The Bentley Continental GT will turn its driver into a de facto spokesmodel, with junkets lurking at every parking lot, gas station and red light. Passers-by insist on sitting in the driver's seat — bouncing with glee once inside, exclaiming, "I'm in a Bentley, I'm in a Bentley!" Fellow motorists shouting questions and compliments ensure that the windows stay down, even in a light drizzle.

Labels: Bentley

At first, the sea of grips, gaffers and publicists seemed oblivious to our silver Passat, but as we pulled away one of the scary union workers chased us down to ask, "Does that car really have an umbrella in the door?"

He's right. It is the car with the umbrella in the door, which is one of the features Volkswagen has been hyping in the Passat's TV ads. In fact, VW has loaded the redesigned 2006 Passat with all kinds of cool features. Literally. Besides the built-in umbrella, this midsize sedan has two cooled storage compartments, one in the glovebox and one in the front center armrest. You know, just in case you need to chill your Toby Keith.

A stiffer suspension and more aggressive tires would help the Passat's performance numbers, but the 2006 Volkswagen Passat isn't a sport sedan. It's a sedan for grown-up drivers who want to have a little fun. Whether hauling around the kids, commuting or outrunning storm clouds, the new Passat provides a functional, fun and fashionable alternative in the sometimes lackluster midsize market.

Labels: VW

Moscow tuning shop Zestline created this modded VW Transporter (no, not like this one), dubbed the Bomber. It’s got a widened track and considerable fascia work, including headlights from a Volvo FH12 big rig. Even without an airbrushed mural depicting the Tale of Tsar Saltan, it’s a pretty rad Russian ride. Really.

Labels: VW

UPDATE:
Read the official letter of VW of America to its American dealers!

Labels: VW

Labels: Audi

- First ever large SUV from Audi available now for UK customer ordering - first deliveries scheduled for late summer 2006
- Five versions in first launch phase powered by 4.2-litre FSI V8 petrol (350PS at 6,800rpm and 440Nm at 3,500rpm) and 3.0 V6 - TDI (233PS at 4,000rpm, 500Nm at 1,750rpm) engines
- OTR prices range from £37,285 to £48,580
- V8 versions equipped to SE specification as standard, SE upgrade £2,500 for V6 versions. S line specification adds £3,400 for V6 models and £900 for V8s.
- Seven-seat configuration and variable height adaptive air suspension fitted as standard across the range

Labels: Audi

New dimensions in driving dynamics coupled with innovative technology – plus exciting styling and a level of equipment that lives up to even luxury-class standards: the new Audi RS 4, the latest high-performance product from quattro GmbH, combines a thoroughbred sports saloon with supreme everyday driving qualities in the premium segment. This car is now available for ordering and costs €69,900. The first RS 4 models will be in dealers’ showrooms by the end of this month.

Numerous technical innovations – many of which originally hail from motorsport – give the new Audi RS 4 its unique class and character. These include the high-revving concept, now being introduced for the first time in a production Audi, innovative FSI technology in conjunction with a V8 and the latest generation of quattro drive. The 420 bhp eight-cylinder engine revs up to a speed of 8,250 rpm. With a displacement of 4,163 cc, the saloon breaks through the magic barrier for production cars of 100 bhp per litre. 90 percent of the total torque is available between 2,250 and 7,600 rpm. The result is excellent pulling power at all times, enabling the driver to drive in a relaxed style without frequent gear changes.

Labels: Audi