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

2012 Audi A1 Quattro

There are some special small cars that enthusiasts would kill for, including the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo, the rear-drive Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, and just about any Group B World Rally Championship homologation car, such as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. Here's a potential new classic: the Audi A1 Quattro, priced at the equivalent of more than $55,000 and powered by a 256-hp turbo four. Production is limited to just 333 units. It will be by far the most powerful car in its class, the 208-hp Mini John Cooper Works being a distant second.

One Serious A1

In late 2010, an eight-person team came together to transform the VW Polo–based, front-wheel-drive Audi A1 into an all-wheel-drive high-performance monster. Previously, the A1 lineup was topped by a front-wheel-drive, 185-hp, 1.4-liter version, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as the only available transmission. For the new top-dog A1, the engineers dug deep into the corporate parts bin and came up with the Audi TTS’s EA113 2.0-liter TFSI, MQ350 six-speed manual transmission, Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and rear suspension setup. This A1 offers no dual-clutch option, and it’s perfectly fine that way.

This car, after all, is serious business. We estimate the sprint from 0 to 60 mph will take 5.0 seconds; top speed is a drag-limited 152 mph, the result of aerodynamics tuned for downforce. When you fire it up, the A1 Quattro emits a sonorous hum, which turns aggressive as soon as you hit the throttle. The not-too-light clutch bites aggressively, but the transmission is exceptionally smooth and easy to operate. Punch the throttle and the four tires grab hard.

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

Quick Spin: Refreshed 2013 Audi A4/S4 Driven

Midway through its life cycle, Audi has face lifted its A4 and S4 models to counter the equally refreshed Mercedes-Benz C-class and the all-new BMW 3-series. While the most noticeable A4/S4 changes are cosmetic—read our debut story here—Audi also has made minor tweaks to the chassis and powertrains.



In Europe, where we sampled the new A4, Audi offers four gasoline engines and six diesel engines in the A4 lineup; the U.S. market will continue to receive a far more limited selection of powerplants. While the entry-level 120-hp, 1.8-liter turbo four impresses with its smoothness and torquey character and the diesels continue to be highly coveted, the biggest stride comes in the fitment of the 3.0-liter TFSI engine. This supercharged V-6 replaces the former naturally aspirated 3.2-liter V-6 (which was dropped from the American options sheet for 2010), and is essentially a slightly detuned version of the 333-hp engine found in the S4. It feels nearly as quick as the S4, and the less ostentatious A4 wrapper makes for more-convincing camouflage for speed junkies.

The S4’s exhaust system has been retuned to deliver a sharper note, and the sound can be further enhanced by choosing the “Drive Select” chassis system’s Dynamic mode. We drove the EU-market S4 extensively in southern Europe, and it delivers the same poise and well-balanced ride-and-handling package that helped it vanquish the previous-gen BMW 335i in a comparison test. Unfortunately for Continental-types, it is offered there only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The U.S., however, will continue to have the choice of a six-speed manual.

The refresh also brings a switch from hydraulic to electro-mechanical steering, a technology that carmakers are finally beginning to tune properly. The steering on the A4 is linear and nicely weighted; it feels similar to the steering on the new BMW 3-series, which is to say not overly talkative, but good nonetheless. Other minor updates include recalibrated rear dampers.

The cosmetic changes benefit the A4 and S4 alike. Up front, there are new headlamps with redesigned LED daytime running lights, the grille is restyled, and the front air intakes have been reshaped, and the car now looks more like the newer A6. The taillights now conform to Audi’s latest rear-lighting designs. The interior is upgraded with new materials and décor, and adds the latest MMI system with a touch-sensitive writing pad. The changes apply to the Avant wagon as well—the U.S., however, loses the standard station wagon in favor of the Allroad Quattro. Most Avant lovers should be okay with that: The Allroad is little more than a lifted Avant with plastic appliqués.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2013-audi-a4s4-first-drive-review/?utm_source=feedburner&utm

Audi Set to Release Second-Generation R8 for 2014

When Audi launched the R8, a racecar turned production vehicle in 2006, company execs knew customers would want it. Turns out they were right. The Audi R8 supercar has found 15,537 worldwide owners since its debut in 2006, not including 2011. While the much anticipated second-generation Audi R8 is still a few years off, the German auto maker is already at work making it lighter and faster than its predecessor.

The next Audi R8 is set to be launched into the super-exotic car stratosphere and will target the likes of the Ferrari 458 Scuderia, Porsche 911 GT3, and even its in-house sibling, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera. The R8 will probably have the least trouble catching up to the Gallardo in performance as they both share fundamental components like a lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum monocoque platform, but the Lamborghini will still weigh a little less and have a shorter wheelbase. The next-gen Lamborghini Gallardo is scheduled to be released almost a year before the Audi R8, so you know production of Audi’s supercar is well underway.

Although the Audi R8 is a little longer than other supercars–to accommodate a more spacious cabin–it will continue to utilize a mid-engine layout and four-wheel drive. The predominantly aluminum structure will house your choice of either a 4.2-liter V-8 or a 5.2-liter V-10 engine responsible for 450 or around 550 horsepower, respectively.  Each will be mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and will also have fuel-saving technologies like a sailing function also used by Porsche. Other fuel-saving technologies include automatic stop-start and brake energy recuperation, both of which are expected to contribute to the R8′s fuel economy claim of 25.7 mpg.

We also expect the R8 to spearhead Audi’s new exterior design scheme with similar elements already seen on the upcoming all-electric E-Tron vehicle. The Audi E-Tron already shares many similar structural designs with the R8 coupe and roadster. Pricing and an exact sales date has not been announced yet but stay tuned as more details unfold.

Read more: http://blogs.automotive.com/audi-set-to-release-second-generation-r8-for-2014-78837.html#ixzz1lpgRLTyE

Audi Super Bowl spot casts car headlights as vampire slayer

See the new Audi commercial and find out what happens when an Audi S7 shows up at a party full of vampires.

2012 CES: Audi’s Super Head-Up Display

While the Mercedes-Benz DICE concept at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show previews a super-futuristic cockpit that we found isn’t quite ready for the present, Audi showed off a similar system that seems much closer to reality. Sadly, the head-up display lacks a fancy acronym or portmanteau typical of the German automakers, but we were nonetheless impressed.



Atop the mocked-up dashboard sit three head-up projectors and a reflector screen (in a real car, the windshield serves as that screen). The driver’s display is not visible from the passenger side, and vice versa. A center display is shared and functions much like the infotainment screen in current Audis.

The driver’s display works a lot like the HUDs found in certain GM and BMW products, but with a twist. Instead of showing an image that appears about eight feet in front of the car as in current systems (and as in the other two on two views on this Audi’s demonstration), images are projected between 35 and 100 feet in front of the car. This means that navigation information such as direction arrows are overlaid directly onto the street. Or, like when we saw an arrow on passers-by in the Audi booth, information could end up overlaid on the car in front of you. Still, the large display and far-away focal distance are a big improvement compared to current HUD systems.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/2012-ces-audi%E2%80%99s-super-head-up-display/