2012 Audi A6 Avant TDI Diesel - First Drive Review

Redesigned for 2012, Audi’s A6 lineup is halfway back to full strength with the introduction of the Avant station wagon. The high-powered S6 and RS 6 versions still are waiting in the wings—as is a hybrid model designed mostly with our market in mind, even if U.S. availability is as-yet unconfirmed—but already this is an impressive family of vehicles. In Europe, though, where a diesel-powered station wagon is the stereotypical executive car, the Avant is the most critical of all A6s.

Audi just made the executive-wagon segment a lot more interesting, with a twin-turbocharged variation of its 3.0-liter TDI turning out 313 hp and an even more impressive 479 lb-ft of torque. Not only is it a powerful mill, but this diesel also has attitude. Many oil burners are impressive in their power delivery and massive torque but lack soul. The 3.0-liter TDI, on the other hand, fires up with an impressive growl, and the sound gets better as you push it through the gears. Its voice is reminiscent of an old-fashioned V-8’s, a sound that is clearly audible inside and out. Think we’re crazy? Wait until you hear how Audi did it: The company stuffed an extremely durable speaker into the exhaust system that allows it to alter the engine note. It can even be adjusted on the move.

Going Right to Ludicrous Speed

Driving the A6 Avant is even better than listening to it. The all-wheel-drive chassis copes well with the TDI’s grunt. The rear differential distributes power for maximum agility, and it takes a heavy misstep to throw the Avant off course. The car should need just 5.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Top speed is a governed 155 mph, a speed the Avant reaches with ease. On unlimited stretches of autobahn, the twin-turbo TDI’s sheer grunt at velocities of 130 mph and above is remarkable.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q3/2012_audi_a6_avant_tdi_diesel-first_drive_review

New Audi A1 Street View Advertisement

The campaign was created to further the 'Big idea condensed' campaign that ran last year for the Audi A1 in print and posters. But to take it into Cinema. After making the longest ad in it's history Audi have now made their shortest. Five condensed 10 second commercials. Created by BBH.

Car and Driver: 2012 Audi A5 / S5 - Car News

The Audi A5 coupe and cabriolet, as well as their powerful S5 derivatives, are among the most beautiful cars on the road today, and they still look fresh more than four years after their debut. Yet it’s time for a mid-cycle face lift that freshens not only the cars’ styling, but also their technology.

Unfortunately, in this renewal, the S5 coupe gets a new engine. The previous 354-hp, naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V-8 goes away, making room for the 333-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 already found in the S5 cabrio. Torque stands pat at 325 lb-ft. This swap comes as no surprise, and will improve fuel economy significantly. While the supercharged six is a great engine, we will miss the marvelous sound of the V-8.

A splendid 211-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder remains the base engine in the A5, which is fine with us. For those who lament the passing of the V-8–powered S5, Audi offers special consolation with the upcoming RS5. This model—on sale in Europe already—is powered by a thoroughly reworked version of the 4.2-liter V-8 producing an awesome 450 hp. We hear that the RS5 will arrive in the U.S. in early 2012. Meanwhile, the S5 receives an upgraded Quattro all-wheel-drive system with a crown-gear center differential that allows for variable torque splits.

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Other markets, of course, get a wider range of choices. Gas options for overseas A5s include a detuned version of the supercharged V-6 rated at 272 hp and an entry-level 1.8-liter turbo four with 170 horses. There are no less than four turbo-diesels: a 177-hp, 2.0-liter four and three 3.0-liter V-6s. One six makes 204 hp, another 245, and the third is said to be a “clean diesel” version—and here we thought these were all clean diesels—although its power output remains undisclosed. We also miss out on the A5 and S5 Sportbacks, the beautiful hatchback derivatives, although their big brother, the A7, is sold here.

Look, and Then Only Touch Lightly

Which brings us to styling: The most obvious changes include a reshaped grille and new headlights with updated internals. Also new: the fog lights, the lower air intakes, and the taillights. The infotainment system is upgraded and now features fewer keys but more functions, and the steering wheel, column stalks, wood or aluminum trim, and obligatory chrome décor are all new to the A5/S5 line.

Is it enough to being the pair into the present? Stylistically, we’re not sure the competition from BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz had caught up to begin with. We’d call that a nice head start to a pretty successful update.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q2/2012_audi_a5_s5-car_news

Chicago Audi

GreenCarReports.com - 2011 Audi A3

Given the premium positioning of the 2011 Audi A3 compact hatchback, you won't be cross-shopping it against mass-market Asian brands. But as a refined, versatile German import, the A3 offers both brand cachet and a feature few other compacts have: a fuel-efficient clean diesel TDI engine.

The A3 TDI is rated at 30 mpg city, 42 mpg highway, with a combined 34-mpg rating that is likely lower than what owners will actually achieve. Its 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter diesel four is paired with an excellent S-tronic six-speed automated manual transmission, reprogrammed specifically for the TDI's low speeds and prodigious torque.

At the other end of the gas-mileage graph is the A3 Quattro, one of the few all-wheel-drive compact hatchbacks that doesn't say Subaru on the back. It is rated at 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, for a relatively dismal combined 24 mpg. If you want all-wheel-drive, by the way, you have to get the 200-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline engine and S-tronic gearbox.

In between those two extremes are the front-wheel-drive A3s with the gasoline engine, either with the S-tronic automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox. The performance of the diesel and gasoline engines is remarkably similar, though the diesel pulls while the turbo gas engine revs.

The A3 is now an old car, due for replacement within a couple of years, so the styling is hardly cutting edge. The big alloy wheels give it a nice stance, and the lines are timeless for a five-door hatch (the only body style). The A3 still looks good; it's just not crisp any longer.

The 2011 Audi A3 is as comfortable and stable at speed on the highway as it is crisp and direct pottering around town. If you add the magnetic suspension option, the ride quality improves from stiff to supple. The electric power steering lacks feedback, though.

The A3's interior shows its age far less than the styling. It's simple, well-made, and surprisingly intuitive. Interior room isn't the biggest in the class, and the black interior doesn't add much of an open feel, but the materials are first-rate and feel luxurious in a car this small.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/review/1062121_2011-audi-a3

Audi Dealers

Audi e-tron Spyder Diesel Plug-In Hybrid Turns Up At Le Mans

In recent years at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race there is an event called the Le Mans vers le Futur that takes place before the actual race in which a number of vehicles showcasing future automotive technology takes to the famous Circuit de la Sarthe for a couple of demonstration laps.

Last year we saw the R8 e-tron supercar take to the track and this year another Audi e-tron has made its presence felt at Le Mans, the seductively stylish e-tron Spyder concept car first revealed at the 2010 Paris Auto Show.

As its name suggests, there’s an electrified drivetrain under the pretty mix of sheet metal and carbon fiber. This particular e-tron concept packs an advanced diesel-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which the automaker says is good for a fuel economy of about 107 mpg on the European combined cycle.

The setup consists of a 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel engine rated at 300 horsepower driving the rear wheels and two electric motors rated at 63 kW (85) each that drive the front wheels. A lithium-ion battery, located in the front section of the car, stores up to 9.1 kWh of energy. With 400 volts of three-phase alternating current, the battery takes about one hour to charge up at an electrical outlet.

Despite all the technology, the whole thing weighs in at around 3,200 pounds. This relatively light curb weight (for a hybrid) was achieved thanks to an aluminum body built around Audi’s spaceframe principle. A number of elements are also made of carbon fiber to help shed further weight.

According to Audi, the e-tron Spyder will do 31 miles on electricity alone, although in this mode top speed is limited to a paltry 37 mph. With all systems go, however, the concept car will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.4 seconds and easily reach a limited top speed of 155 mph. The estimated driving range is 620 miles, though this is with a mix of spirited and conservative driving.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1061452_audi-e-tron-spyder-diesel-plug-in-hybrid-turns-up-at-le-mans

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