Consumer Reports: Buying a 2012 Audi Q5 2.0T Quattro to test proved easy

Any consistent reader of the Consumer Reports blog knows that when buying test cars, we try to do nearly all of the research and interaction with the salesperson(s) online. And while most domestic and Asian brands work well this way, it's harder when buying German cars. Why is this?

What we've found is there are fewer German cars sitting on dealer lots from which to choose. Their purchase procedure often involves buyers spec'ing what they want, and then waiting anywhere from six weeks to multiple months for their car to arrive. Since we want to test cars quickly, we often end up choosing from cars that are on their way to the United States and negotiate the price from there. Given the voluminous options on some German cars (Porsche, in particular), it can be a trying process to find a car that is equipped similarly to its competitors we tested.

But it wasn't a tough process to buy our new Q5. This compact sporty SUV has been popular since it went on sale with the 3.2-liter V6 engine. In our tests, it jumped to the top of its Ratings category, and it has stayed there despite some strong competition.

When Audi dropped in the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, this version of the Q5 became the hot seller. Want a 3.2-liter V6 and its 19 mpg overall fuel economy? You can take your pick from a whole number of them at dealers all over. But if you want a less-expensive, more frugal 2.0T...Well, you have to either wait, wait some more, or get lucky. Which is what happened to us.

Our unclaimed Ibis White Q5 with Cardamom Beige leather was somewhere between the factory and a European port when I started shopping for our test car. Maybe it was the color; maybe it was because it didn't have navigation. But whatever the reason, it was available and I snapped it up. Only two options: Premium Plus package (including Xenon lights, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, and a power tailgate, among other features), plus all-weather floor mats and trunk liner. So far, simple.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/05/just-in-2012-audi-q5-20t-quattro.html

2013 Audi A8 3.0T EPA Numbers: Same as the Outgoing V-8’s

When Audi showed the 2013 A8 3.0T at the Detroit auto show, it claimed the 333-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that replaced the 372-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 would achieve better fuel economy. And what would the gain be? Well, according to the EPA, there isn’t a gain.


The new A8’s V-6 has been rated by the EPA for 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, exactly the same as last year’s car with the 4.2-liter V-8. So what’s the point? Well, Audi says that the six-cylinder should push the A8’s base price from $79,625 closer to the price of entry for BMW’s 7-series, $71,895. On top of that, it’s still more fuel-efficient than the base 740i or S550. Even if the EPA numbers for the six-cylinder aren’t better than the eight’s, we imagine real-world mileage will improve through means of Audi’s stop-start technology.

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• Comparison Test: 2011 Audi A8L vs. 2011 BMW 750Li, 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged
• Comparison Test: 2012 Audi A6 3.0T Quattro vs. 2013 Lexus GS350
• First Drive: 2013 Audi S5 3.0T Coupe

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Audi’s expansion of its flagship lineup creates a hole for V-8 power. The new S8 will get a 520-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, and we imagine that a detuned version of this powerplant could well slot into the price gap left by the 4.2-liter’s departure. The six-cylinder A8 will hit showrooms this summer.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-audi-a8-3-0t-epa-numbers-same-as-the-outgoing-v-8

2012 Audi A1 Sportback First Drive: Two More Doors and a Trick New Four-Cylinder

Audi has added two doors to its A1 hatchback, a car that competes head-on with BMW’s Mini, yet does without any retro touches or excessive cuteness. This five-door derivative is called the A1 Sportback and is significant not only for its styling and added practicality, but also for a new engine that’s available on this car first.

Cylinders: Deactivate!

That unit is a new 1.4-liter TFSI making 140 hp. It features cylinder-deactivation technology, a first in a nonhybrid four-cylinder. Only when needed, all four cylinders work together to move the car forward in a hurry or to provide engine braking; at partial loads, two cylinders are deactivated by pushing zero-lift cam profiles over the valves of cylinders two and three.

Cylinder deactivation is standard on Audi’s and Bentley’s 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8. Those cars get some high technology to go along with it: active engine mounts, which counteract vibration using out-of-phase counter-oscillations, along with a speaker-based noise-cancellation system. When changing between the two modes, extra fuel is injected to smooth out the transition.

With the 1.4 TFSI, Audi does without those active systems because they would be far too expensive for this class. Nevertheless, the engine works great. It is not only powerful and responsive with very little turbo lag, but also fuel-efficient. Cylinder deactivation helps reduce consumption by roughly ten percent, according to Audi. The transition from four- to two-cylinder mode is announced in the instrumentation, which is helpful, as it is virtually undetectable to the driver. We saw indicated fuel consumption in the low-40-mpg range, all the while appreciating the sonorous quality of this utterly enjoyable powerplant. The 1.4-liter will surface in Volkswagen models soon. Continued...

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-audi-a1-sportback-first-drive-review

Audi may announce Ducati purchase next week, sources say

FRANKFURT/MILAN (Reuters) -- Audi plans to announce the acquisition of Ducati next week, having completed a due diligence assessment of the Italian motorcycle maker, two people familiar with the matter said.

Audi encountered no major stumbling blocks when checking Ducati's books, the people said today. The purchase could be announced as early as April 18, the day before VW's annual shareholders' meeting in Hamburg.

One of the sources said that Ducati's main shareholder, Italian buyout firm Investindustrial, agreed to talk with Audi exclusively.

Volkswagen, Audi and Investindustrial declined to comment.

A successful deal would fuel Audi's long-standing rivalry with BMW in superbikes, and add expertise in high-revving light engines to VW's engineering portfolio, which ranges from cars and heavy trucks to ship engines.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera also reported today that an accord between Ducati and Audi was expected to be signed next week, citing no sources.

The paper noted that Audi had the right to negotiate exclusively until April 15, after which Investindustrial was free to talk to other potential buyers.

In 2005, Audi tried to buy Ducati from former owner Texas Pacific Group but was trumped by rival bidder Investindustrial, Corriere della Sera added.

Ducati was founded in 1926, and over the past 60 years it scored 17 manufacturer's World Championship titles, most recently winning the 2011 World Superbike Championship title.

Investindustrial's chairman Andrea Bonomi told The Financial Times in February the firm was looking to sell Ducati.

Last month the paper cited sources as saying the price could be about 850 million euros ($1.1 billion) including 800 million in acquired debt.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120411/COPY01/304119857#ixzz1rvprNuvl

Chicago Audi

New Audi A5 TV advertisement

The charming new film - The Swan - tells the story of how the cutting-edge Audi concept vehicles of the 1920s have progressed into the stunning and aerodynamically efficient cars of today.

A witty take on the classic children's tale - The Ugly Duckling - and featuring the original Danny Kaye song of the same name, the new ad shows an early teardrop-shaped Audi driving through a period Bavarian town.

Designed by the pioneering Audi engineer Paul Jaray, the prototype car was ahead of its time and its idiosyncratic styling was too futuristic for onlookers. Its plight is reflected in the film as we witness the lonesome 'Jaray Audi' scaring the horses, drawing disapproving looks from the townspeople and receiving angry honks from other drivers.

Audi, however, understood the potential of the concept's aerodynamic technology and engineering, and Jaray's influence has been evident in all models from the brand ever since. This is emphasised in the film when the historic car draws up at a lake and sees its reflection in the shape of today's stunning new A5.

Consumer News Just in: 2012 Audi TT Roadster

Picking up our new 2012 Audi TT Roadster on the first over-70 degree day this year in Connecticut is definitely not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Redesigned in 2008 and based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Golf, the TT is in its second-generation--but we haven't yet tested one. While other prestige roadsters, namely the BMW Z4 and Mercedes-Benz SLK, are moving to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the TT has been that way for years. Its 2.0-liter, 211-hp turbocharged four-cylinder is the same engine that we've enjoyed in the VW GTI and Jetta GLI. However, unlike those cars, the TT comes only with a dual-clutch automated manual transmission. You can't get a clutch pedal in a TT unless you go for the rare, full-tilt TT RS with its five-cylinder turbo. That probably reflects buying patterns, but seems something of a shame.

All TTs have Audi's "quattro" all-wheel-drive system. You'd think that makes them great cars in the snow, but TTs also have standard summer performance tires. You'll need to opt for the available all-seasons--or use winter tires--if you live where it snows.

Finding our TT roadster wasn't easy, especially given that there aren't many sitting around dealer's lots. It didn't help that most of them are black on black. (We prefer to test--and photograph--bright-colored cars that will look snappy in the magazine and online.) Our TT was located at and shipped from a Chicago-area dealer to our local dealer, who had to swap out a rare-as-hens-teeth Audi Q5 2.0T allotment to get it. (Audi has been running rather lean on supply as of late.) When this happens, bargaining becomes moot.

Read More: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2012/03/just-in-2012-audi-tt-roadster.html

Next Audi A3 To Offer Diesel, Hybrid, CNG Options Globally

Audi’s newly-revamped A3 will begin hitting European showrooms late this year, with U.S. deliveries set to begin in early 2013.
In addition to a new A3 sedan model, so far shown only as a "Concept," Audi is branching out with new drivetrain options for A3 buyers.

In Europe, consumers will get a new 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine option that’s said to produce just 99 g/km of carbon dioxide, but it’s not likely that engine will make it to this side of the pond.

Instead, U.S. diesel buyers are expected to get an updated version of the existing 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine with a revised cylinder head and new fuel injection system.
The new turbodiesel A3 model will make more horsepower, and will likely deliver improved fuel economy.

Audi’s A3 is often cited as a counter-argument to the claim from automakers that “American’s won’t buy diesels.”

Last year, 55-percent of A3 models sold in the U.S. were TDI variants, which sounds impressive until you factor those 3.608 sales against Audi's total sales of 117,561 units. In other words, the A3 TDI made up just 3 percent of Audi's U.S. sales last year.

Wards Auto says that European A3 buyers will get a compressed natural gas (CNG) version of the A3 in 2013, followed by a hybrid variant in 2014. Audi says that U.S. sales of the CNG version “are being considered,” presumably to offer an upscale alternative to the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1073850_next-audi-a3-to-offer-diesel-hybrid-cng-options-globally