2010 Audi R8 e-Tron Review

Audi R8 eTron
Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. Producing 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and

Audi R8 eTron First Details, and Specs

Audi R8 eTron
Audi presents an Audi e-tron technology platform based on the R8 at the most important sports car race of the year. Racing legend
Frank Biela drove the purely electric powered high-performance sports car during the Le Mans vers le futur, a demonstration run for electric vehicles, giving Audi fans at the 24 Hours of Le Mans a peek at the fascinating future sporty electric cars.
Not

Audi R8 looks to Lighten

Audi R8
The Audi R8 V10 was already a great car and now Audi has improved it even more by reducing the weight and boosting the power.
The R8 GT has been given a thinner glass windshield, polycarbonate rear windows and many aluminum body panels have been replaced with carbon fiber. The engineers at Audi went over every part of the R8 looking for ways to reduce weight and they have managed to cut a

2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro - Design

Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
Audi continues to vigorously advance its successful strategy in the high-performance sports car segment. With the R8 the brand has established itself there right from the start – now follows the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. Its ten-cylinder engine churns out 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, which makes for breathtaking performance. With its distinctive design

Luxury Coupe - Audi A5

Audi A5
The Audi A5 is a luxurious coupe manufactured by the German automaker Audi. During March 6 2007, The Audi A5 was brought out at the same time at the Geneva Motor Show and also the Melbourne International Motor Show. Audi has categorized as the grand touring car. It principally competes versus luxury cars specified the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class and the BMW E92 (BMW 3-Series coupe).
The Audi

Super Bowl ads. Ford, Chrysler, & VW oddly missing

We got word that there will be four automakers with ads during the Super Bowl this year. General Motors will have a Chevrolet 60 second spot during the second quarter and Cadillac will be sponsor for the pre and post game shows.

Hyundai and Toyota will both have two spots each. Also announced is a spot from Audi. This marks their first time advertising during a Super Bowl in 20 years. Theirs will be a two minute long spot featuring the Audi R8.

Toyota's ad will more than likely pump up the new Sequoia and Tundra pickup. Though I highly doubt that it will do anything to help the Tundra's image right now.

Cars.com will also have a 30 second spot this year.

Strangely though is the lack of an announcement that Ford or Chrysler will be having spots. There is still time for them to jump on the band wagon, so we'll see where it goes.

I watch the Super Bowl just for the car ads. General Motors has always topped our list of favorites. So as a bonus, we're including our favorite GM spot from the Super Bowl in 06.


Source: Automotive News, Audi.

Essen 2007: ABT Sportsline lineup

German tuner ABT Sportsline has always had an interesting group of packages for German cars. For this years Essen Motor Show they pulled out not one, but five new products for Audi and Volkswagen. Each vehicle received upgrades in each department. New body kits, interior upgrades and of course performance upgrades. Below is a summary of what they had.

ABT AS4

Based on the new Audi A4
Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler 1.8 TFSI w/ Abt Power: 200 hp / 228 lb-ft
1.8 TFSI w/ Abt Power S: 240 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 170 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 200 hp
2.7 TDI w/ Abt Power: 230 hp
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 270 hp / 405 lb-ft
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb-ft

ABT AS5

Based on the Audi A5
Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler
Abt interior accessories
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb ft
0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds

ABT R8

Weight reduction
Abt body kit, carbon fiber side blades and skirts
Abt suspension, brakes, wheels, exhaust
Optional 2-tone finish

ABT Touareg 2

Based on the VW Touareg 2
Abt body kit, level control for air suspension, brakes, wheels, exhaust
2.5 TDI w/ Abt Power: 195 hp
3.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 300 hp / 442 lb-ft
V10 TDI in Abt VS10: 360 hp
4.2 TDI w/ Abt Power R replacement turbo: 500 hp

ABT Tiguan

Abt body kit, suspension, brakes, wheels, muffler
1.4 TSI w/ Abt Power: 200 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power: 170 hp
2.0 TDI w/ Abt Power S: 200 hp

Source: ABT Sportsline

Audi to enter European LeMans series

Here is some exciting news out of Germany. Audi is going to go balls to the wall with their racing effort for 2008. Not only will they compete heavily in the American LeMans Series, and the 24 Hours of LeMans. For 2008 they will also make the jump into the European LeMans series with the R10 TDI. And the DTM series with the newly redesigned Audi A4.

In the European LeMans series, Peugeot has been the class leaders with their 908 HDi, just as how Audi was king of the hill in the American LeMans series LMP2 field. So this should make for some interesting competion with both teams competing more often.

In June, Audi will be going after their sixth victory at the 24 Hours of LeMans, and will enter three R10 TDI race cars. For the American LeMans series, Audi will have two R10s aswell as another pair for the European Series.

For the 2008 DTM series, Audi will again be defending their title as champion. They will again be working with their partner teams from ABT Sportsline, Rosenberg and Pheonix. These teams will campaign eight cars in the series. Customer team Futurecom TME will campaign an additional two cars.

To see Audi and Peugeot go at it head to head on some of Europes greates racetracks will make for some great racing. Unfortunately I doubt we'll get to see much coverage of the series from the Nascar Chan.......I mean SPEED.

Source: Audi

PRESS RELEASE:
Audi with clear commitment to motorsport

• Most extensive factory involvement in company's history


• Race version of the new Audi A4 celebrates debut in DTM


• Entry in the Le Mans Series in Europe planned
  

AUDI AG makes a clear commitment to motorsport for the 2008 season with the most extensive factory involvement in the company's history. In addition to defending the DTM title with the new A4 and the entry of three diesel-powered sportscars in the 24 Hour of Le Mans, Audi Sport plans the continuation of its involvement in the American Le Mans Series and its entry in the Le Mans Series in Europe.

As a result, Audi competes on a factory level in a prospective 30 races and three championships with two different types of car in 2008. The near 460-hp race version of the new Audi A4 celebrates its debut in the DTM. The third generation of the revolutionary R10 TDI diesel sportscar is developed by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

"Without its successes in motorsport, Audi would not be the most sporting and fastest growing brand in the premium segment," stresses Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of AUDI AG. "Everybody at Audi knows just how important motorsport is for the brand. We will continue to concentrate on racing series that bear a close relationship to production and which accelerate the development of our production car range. This is the case with the DTM and the Le Mans sportscars."

Proven driving squad in the DTM
Audi starts the 2008 DTM season as defending champions. The well-proven partner teams of Abt Sportsline, Phoenix and Rosberg enter a total of eight factory cars for Audi. The customer team, Futurecom TME, brings two additional A4 cars to the grid. Audi remains loyal to the motto "Never change a winning team" where its driver squad is concerned: The four latest generation Audi A4 DTM cars are driven by DTM Champion Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen, Timo Scheider and Martin Tomczyk.

Also on board again are youngsters Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller who impressed from the word go and were able to claim podium positions in their debut DTM season.

The identity of their team-mates and the line-up within the Phoenix and Rosberg teams will be revealed following driver evaluations in December. The same applies to Vanina Ickx's successor at Futurecom TME. The occupant of the second seat in this team will again be allocated by the Bavarian-based Audi customer outfit itself.

Three Audi R10 TDI prototypes at Le Mans
Audi Sport also backs proven teams and drivers for its sportscar programme: The entry of the three cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will once again be undertaken by Audi Sport Team Joest, which has already taken five victories for Audi in the French long-distance classic. At the wheel of the three Audi R10 TDI prototypes are the same drivers as in June 2007: Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro/Marco Werner, Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish and Lucas Luhr/Alexandre Prémat/Mike Rockenfeller.

Audi plans to enter two cars in the American Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Series in Europe through Audi Sport North America in the USA and Reinhold Joest's team in Europe. "Stable regulations with the clear positioning of the LM P1 sportscar as top category and good TV marketing in Europe are conditions for Audi's factory involvement in both of the Le Mans series," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.

Lucas Luhr jumps from the DTM to the R10 TDI
Regular drivers for the sportscar project in the 2008 season will be Dindo Capello, Allan McNish, Marco Werner and Lucas Luhr, the latter moving from the DTM to the Audi R10 TDI. Meanwhile Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro, the two longest serving and most experienced Audi factory drivers, compete again with the R10 TDI. Audi also wishes to commit the experienced duo to the brand for the long-term as a result of their unstinting service and loyalty to Audi after their active careers.

Detail-optimised Audi R10 TDI
The Audi R10 TDI is further developed for its third season. The Audi Sport technicians, under the direction of Technical Director Dr Martin Mühlmeier, concentrate on detail improvements to the 650-hp TDI engine and the transmission and aerodynamic areas. The first race for the 2008 model R10 TDI is scheduled to be the 12-hour race at Sebring on 15 March which acts as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Audi Sport Team Joest.

DTM car based on the new Audi A4
Significantly larger than the R10 TDI "facelift" is the step between the old and new Audi A4 in the DTM. Emerging from within the framework of the relatively restrictive DTM regulations is a new car which will have a new outer skin and new aerodynamics. The development started in June 2007 immediately after Audi's latest victory in the 24-hour race at Le Mans. Components of the new A4 DTM, named "R14" internally, have already been tested successfully. The roll-out of the 2008 car will be held before the New Year. An extensive test programme then follows before the first race at the Hockenheimring on 13 April.

"Quite obviously the target in the DTM is to make a successful title defence," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "The new A4 road car is a big step forwards and it had already won many benchmark tests and important awards before its market launch. We will do everything possible to put a race car on the track that will do justice to the production car's reputation."

While Audi goes head-to-head again with Mercedes-Benz in the DTM, the Audi R10 TDI's main opponent will be Peugeot. "We are sure that Peugeot will make a big step forward in its second season and are expecting a hard fight at Le Mans," says Dr Ullrich. "Generally, with such an extensive programme, the 2008 season will be an enormous challenge for Audi Sport. However, Audi has never been shy of a challenge."

European autos have resale edge over domestics

Recent surveys show that the Detroit Big Three are starting to lose footing on their vehicles resale values. Kelly Blue Book is saying that the top five brands with the best overall predicted resale value are Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Acura, and Porsche. The rest of the Top Ten are Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Infiniti, and Audi. Of course, none of these are Big Three domestics. Many of those brands made up the 1o worst picks for resale value for 2008.

Why the big turn? Simple. Over production. The Big Three lean towards overproducing their vehicles. Then they slap on huge discounts and rebates. Those combined with the over abundant supply of Taurus, Impala, and Stratus fleet and rental cars. Helps to absolutely destroy the resale value of those cars.

Volkswagen is the surprise comeback kid on the survey list. They have steadily grown over the last 5 years. Thanks to big boosts in quality, fuel efficiency, European styling, and exceptional value.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

The MTM Audi R888. The cool just got cooler

The Audi R8 is starting to really turn some heads in the tuner world. Here is the latest custom R8 from tuner MTM from Germany. Exterior changes are minimal aside from the rear air scoops and the matte black paint. Under the hood the addition of a super charger more than doubles the stock R8s 420Hp to a downright insane 888. So 888 horsepower with 610 lb ft of torque with Quattro all whee drive. 0-60 in 3 seconds flat, and a top speed of 223 mph. Where do we sign up?

Source: Autoblog.com

Lexus Hybrid vs. Audi Diesel. Who will win the luxury war?

Lexus set out to beat the Germans at their own game by offering the LS600 Hybrid. A luxury car that offers hybrid technology. Mercedes, BMW, & Audi had created the ultra luxury cars with the big V-12s under the hood. So why create a hybrid? Well Audi has responded by offering a new A8L 4.2 TDI. The Lexus offers a 5.0 liter V8 that combines an electric motor that produces an additional 50hp over the gas version.


Auto Express from England recently paired the LS 600 H with the A8. In TDI form the A8L is the UK's most powerful diesel car you can buy. Where did they stack up. Well everything has lined up in favor of the Audi. Most noticeably in the pricing category. The Audi offered a £20,000 difference in price. With good reason too. The Lexus is the most expensive model to ever be offered by Luxury spin off of Toyota. The German marque is as well known for developing diesel power in luxury and sporting cars as Lexus is for its work in the field of hybrids.


Where the Audi has it all over the Lexus is in driveability. The Audi is actually fun to drive. It's responsive, and preforms exceptionally well with it's Quattro all wheel drive. The Lexus on the other hand lacks AWD, and is rather boring to drive.

Audi announces sales record for October

Official Press Release:

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Audi of America, Inc. today announced that sales for the month of October totaled 7,421 vehicles. These figures represent a 15.4% increase over last year’s figures, resulting in the best October ever. To date, Audi has sold 75,900 vehicles in 2007, a 10% increase over the previous year.

Several key markets recorded significant increases, including New York (+24.3%), Miami (+19.8%) and Los Angeles (+22.9%).

Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales also are up for the year. Compared with last year’s figures, October CPO sales came to 2,202 units, an increase of 17%. To date, CPO sales for 2007 are tracking at 21,810, an increase of 5.3%.

In the dream garage: APR Audi R8

I fell in love with the R8 when I worked at Audi. A super car with crisp lines, awesome performance, and lastly was German. This R8 tuned by performance gurus APR was spotted at the SEMA show in the Michelin display. No info was given as to the cars specs and the Internet turns up very little, but this looks like one sweet ride that takes the R8's performance to the next level. Obvious upgrades would have to include computer reprogramming, and exhaust work. Then you find the upgraded 2 piece wheels, Brembo cross drilled rotors and calipers.

Even in stock form the R8 is worthy of being in my dream garage. After watching the latest Top Gear episode with the Stig and Jeremy Clarkson's hoonage of the R8 with Richard Hammond's 911 Carrera S, it makes me want one even more. But the APR edition would take it to a new level.

Audi wins its 4th American LeMans Series.

Dindo Capello (Italy) and Allan McNish (Scotland) recorded Audi’s fourth outright American Le Mans Series victory with the revolutionary near 650 hp R10 TDI in this year’s 12-race series when the 2007 LM P1 champions won an exciting four-hour ALMS finale at Mazda Laguna Seca Reaceway for a second consecutive year.

Their #1 Audi started from fifth on the 30-car grid and averaged 87.755mph around the sweeping 2.238 mile track to finish a mere 0.410secs ahead of the second-placed #7 Porsche after a thrilling, race-long battle with both LM P2 Porsches. It marked the 21st consecutive category win for the revolutionary Audi R10 TDI which remains unbeaten in the LM P1 class since its debut in March 2006.

The "sister” Audi R10 TDI driven by Marco Werner (Germany) and Mike "Rocky” Rockenfeller (Germany), started seventh and went on to finish third overall (2nd LM P1) – 21secs behind the winning Audi. The #2 Audi required a front nose change after contact with another car when running third overall with 90mins to run. Audi’s win marked the German manufacturer’s seventh overall Laguna Seca victory since 2000.

Congratulations to Audi Sport on a superb 2007 season!

Audi Metroproject breaks cover.

Meet the Audi A1 "Metroproject Quattro" unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show. While the full press release has not yet been made available, here is what we can tell.

The A1 appears to be a "Mini Fighter" in size. Styling is crisp to Audi's standards, and definately looks the part with its squat, aggressive, hatchback body. At first glance at an interior shot, it would seem that the engine is mounted in the rear like the VW UP! but it isn't. That's a battery pack back there, with a glass cover showcasing the fact that this little Audi is a hybrid.

Being the fact that is an Audi, of course this concept features Quattro all wheel drive. If Metroproject Quattro does make it to production. The main competition will be the Mini and the new Fiat 500. Combined with all wheel drive and Hybrid tecnologies, this is definately one car to keep an eye open for. Due to a full press release not being available. Please check back for further info on this exciting new Audi.