Audi Reveals More Urban Concept Pics Ahead Of Frankfurt Show

It seems that Audi just can't contain itself with its latest concept cars, the two-seater Urban Concepts.

Three weeks ago some spy videos trickled onto the internet showing the camoflaged electric car being driven around in the center of Berlin. The very next day Audi revealed its first sketches of the concept vehicle, and since then we've also had a rather content-light video and further sketches of an open-top version of the car.

Now Audi has teased us further, ahead of the concept's official unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

The new computer-generated images give us a better impression of the concept's styling, which actually looks more radical than the vehicle we first saw in the Berlin videos. As with the sketches, the styling is dominated by the large wheel housings sprouting from each corner of the vehicle, under which sit large 21-inch diameter wheels.

The traditional Audi grille leaves you in no doubt as to what make of car the Urban Concept is, and the large red stripe has echoes of the Audi R8's side air intakes.

In concept, the vehicle isn't dissimilar from the old Messerschmitt bubble cars sold during the 1950s, with a relatively narrow cabin width and a wheel at each corner. However, interior space (and comfort) should be up to typical Audi standards, and to improve the feeling of space the seats are side by side, but offset. The controls have a strong resemblance to the Volkswagen XL1 concept previewed earlier this year.

According to U.K. magazine Autocar, the Urban Concepts use a 15kW electric motor and lithium ion battery pack, and Audi claims a top speed of 62mph, with range of only 37 miles - so the concepts really are meant exclusively for an urban environment.

Read More: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1065530_audi-reveals-more-urban-concept-pics-ahead-of-frankfurt-show

Euro-Only Audi A8 Hybrid for 2012 Revealed, Four-Cylinder and Electric Motor Combine for 245 hp

Audi showed off a seemingly production-ready A8 hybrid “concept” at last year’s Geneva auto show, and now it has announced the production specs for the big Euro-market sedan. The A8 hybrid’s dirty bits are nearly identical to those of the concept, meaning the car will combine a 211-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with a 54-hp electric motor that replaces the eight-speed automatic’s torque converter. Audi claims the A8 hybrid is good for 37 mpg on the Euro combined cycle, and that it can motivate itself to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds.

The four-cylinder and electric motor are good for a combined 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, slightly higher than Audi claimed for the concept. The production A8 hybrid can also accelerate up to 62 mph and travel 1.86 miles on electric power alone, both improvements compared with the 40-mph and 1-mile figures quoted for the concept. As we reported from the A8 hybrid’s Geneva reveal, the car won’t make it to the U.S., despite such natural competitors as the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid and Lexus LS600h. Audi sells the A8 in small volumes here, and there isn’t much justification for sending over an even smaller-volume model such as the hybrid.

Read More: http://blog.caranddriver.com/euro-only-audi-a8-hybrid-for-2012-revealed-four-cylinder-and-electric-motor-combine-for-245-hp/

2012 Audi A7 3.0T Quattro - Comparison Tests

The A7 is what the Porsche Panamera should have been. It certainly looks less improvised, more of-a-piece, and unlike the Porsche’s shotgun marriage of  brand-identity markers to interior dimensional requirements. While the Panamera has sold well, luxury hatchbacks are still rare enough to be an untested novelty, so Audi deserves—and here receives—credit for ditching caution and winging it with a beguiling departure from the routine.

Unlike the Benz, the A7’s intriguing lines only enhance its practicality. Its 1.1-inch advantage in wheelbase widens the rear door openings and opens up legroom for the back passengers. As in the CLS, artistic shaping of the headliner leaves adequate head clearance for six-footers in back, but the A7’s cargo area, accessed through the powered hatch, is 67 percent larger than the CLS’s trunk. Fold the seats using the releases on the seatbacks if you need to haul not just golf clubs but one or two sand traps as well.

The skeletal stiffness in the A7 is amazing despite the gaping hole in the rear body. Without visible crossbracing, you’d expect some flex, some extra flutter through the floor and doors from the harder impacts, but the A7 absorbs it all. Steering column isolation is likewise wondrous.

In the chassis tests, including our new slalom exercise, the A7 takes the pennant, especially on the skidpad, with 0.93 g worth of grip. Audi opted for a lighter steering heft than Mercedes, which helps hasten quick inputs, but suffused it with progressive loading and responsiveness. Neither car threatens a BMW M3 on steering charm, but both supply the satisfaction suggested by their flamboyant designs.

Pitch and roll are likewise thoroughly dampened in the A7—the four suspension/throttle modes are triggered through the data screen—and we judged the ride, though fairly unyielding on the optional 20s and sport suspension, superior overall. The Benz steps more heavily into potholes and with a greater shock through the rafters. Still, over rough surfaces, the Audi booms and slaps its tires more audibly.

Read More: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/comparisons/11q3/2012_audi_a7_3.0t_quattro_vs._2012_mercedes-benz_cls550-comparison_tests/2012_audi_a7_3.0t_quattro_page_3

2011 Audi Urban Concept official teaser video

This is a teaser video for the new 2011 Audi Urban Concept that will be officially revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September. However, you can see the new concept in our exclusive spy shots by following the link below.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1064689_audi-urban-concept-2011-frankfurt-...

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.

You Probably Didn’t Want These Anyway

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

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