Category: Audi

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Audi Motor Shows

Frankfurt 2013: Audi nanuk quattro concept

Audi nanuk quattro concept

This crazy looking, crazy sounding concept from Audi is not a tribute to Mork and Mindy. And it’s not a polar bear, either. It’s actually the new R8 in an SUV disguise.

An R8 SUV?! Yes, well, perhaps it may as well have been a polar bear from Ork after all. In concept form Audi has fitted the nanuk with a 5.0 litre V10. See, it is an R8. But the engine’s a diesel. Oh, maybe it’s not an R8, then.

The engine produces 400kW/1000Nm and propels the nanuk to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, on to a top speed of 305km/h. Damn, it really is the next-gen R8, isn’t it!

Riding on adaptive air suspension the driver can adjust the ride height by a factor of 70mm. Hmm, I don’t think the next R8 will be able to do that. This is confusing. Oh, it weighs 1900kg. Holy crap, that’s almost two tonnes!!! There’s no way the next R8 will be that much of a porker.

Speaking of porkers, the nanuk features “integral steering”. It’s a rear-wheel steering set up that’s pretty much been nicked from the next garage over at Porsche. Hey, you’d stuff Porsche gadgets into an R8 for sure. Don’t you think?

Clearly, we don’t know what the hell we’re talking about. But we do know this much, this really is your first proper look at the design direction the new R8 will take. Honest!

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Audi

Audi Sport quattro concept revealed

Audi Sport quattro concept

Wow!

Here is the Audi Sport quattro concept. We knew it was coming, but it’s still amazing to see it in this handful of computer-generated pics.

Based on the 2010 quattro concept we loved so dearly and honouring the Ur-quattro, this 2013 concept model is powered by 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 and a single electric motor placed between engine and transmission. All up there’s 515kW (700hp) and 800Nm for you to play with.

Unusually for Audi in this day and age the concept features an 8-speed tiptronic transmission (ie. not double clutch). There is, of course, a quattro all-wheel drive system sending power to the road. Put it all together and mashing tour right foot will send you to 100km/h in only 3.7 seconds.

Drive like good citizen and you’ll sip fuel at the miserly rate of just 2.5l/100km and emit only 59g/km of nasty stuff from the exhaust. In full electric mode you have up to 100kW/400Nm at your disposal and can travel around 50km on a single charge.

We don’t care too much for the Energy Yellow paint colour, but we do love, absolutely love, the look of this Sport quattro concept. From the front, the back, the side, it doesn’t matter, we cannot get enough of this car. Even the inside looks fantastic.

Practically speaking you can expect to see more of the hexagonal single-frame grille, which Audi says “provides a first glimpse at the future design of the sporty production models”.

We just hope that this concept does become reality and we can’t wait to see more when the car makes an appearance at the Frankfurt show next week.

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Audi

Remember the Audi S1 hot hatch?

Audi S1 prototype

It’s been a long time since we’ve heard anything about the Audi S1, but thankfully Autocar brings us an update thanks to a new series of spy shots.

Best guesses now suggest the S1 will be powered by a version of the Volkswagen Group’s EA888 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, with power expected to be around 220hp (165kW). There’s still speculatiom that a manual gearbox, as well as an S tronic, will be available. And, of course, wearing a S badge means the S1 will also employ an all-wheel drive system.

Predictions for the car’s launch say the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, next March, could be the date. The S1 would be introduced as part of a newly facelifted A1 range.

[Source: Autocar]

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Audi

2014 Audi A8/S8 facelift revealed

Audi S8

Audi has just updated its luxury A8 range, including the S8 sports saloon (pictured above). As we’ve come to expect these days the changes are subtle, but result in a cleaner and more pleasing solution.

The changes are most notable at the front where a new grille and front fascia design lead to revised bonnet styling. Also of note are the new optional Matrix LED headlights, which Audi is very excited about.

Able to work in conjunction with the sat nav system to light up corners before you start turning the Matrix LED lights will be sure to set new trends across the industry that will eventually trickle down to other models.

The refreshed A8 range will arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2014 and will include the S8 for the first time on this platform. Powered by a 4.0 V8 TFSI producing 380kW/650Nm, the S8 can reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds. It will be joined in Australia by a 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI.

Further details can be viewed after the break.

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Audi

Audi TTS competition revealed

Audi TTS competition

Audi has now made 500,000 TTs and to celebrate it is releasing a strictly limited TTS competition model. At first we thought this was going to be pretty good because the press release said it had 220kW on tap. That wuld have given it 20kW more than a regular TTS and we were excited to learn what Audi had done to tweak the engine.

Alas it was a typo on Audi’s part and peak engine power remains at the standard TTS tune of 200kW. So, what we’re left with is a choice between Imola Yellow or Nimbus Gray paint and a snazzy Steel gray leather interior with special stitching and the like. Aside from that it’s pretty standard fare.

Limited to 500 models the TTS competition goes on sale in Europe this October. We just wish it had that extra 20kW!

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Audi

Audi revives Quattro concept with 600hp punch

Audi sport quattro sketch

Details are emerging of a new Audi Quattro concept which is set to revive the axed Quattro concept first shown at Paris in 2010. Out goes the charming 408hp inline five cylinder and in comes a 600hp twin-turbo V8, coupled to a 7-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system.

It’s also rumoured this new concept will be a hybrid featuring a boost of electric power as well. At the moment, though, there’s a lot of speculation going on, but adding the etron moniker to this hero model does make sense.

While these sketches show the new concept looks much like the old one, it’s understood the 2013 version has been repackaged and rides on a longer wheelbase, probably based on the A5 or a shortened RS7 chassis.

We’ve heard this before, of course, but the word is this new concept will make it to full production status, with a limited run to be built at the quattro GmbH Neckarsulm plant. It will be the most expensive road-going Audi ever made.

The concept will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show and we can’t wait to bring you more!

[Source: Autocar]

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Accessories & Tech Audi

Audi releases A3 augmented reality user manual

Audi A3 augmented reality user manual

Audi has announced the release of an augmented reality smartphone app for its new 8V A3 which can be used to replace the traditional user manual. It looks pretty cool, simply point your phone to a feature you want explained and before you know it the app provides you with the info. There’s a brief video for you after the break which shows the app in action.

We’re not entirely convinced the app will work as quickly and as smoothly as shown in the video, but we’ll be happy to be proved wrong. Given this release follows the successful rollout of a similar app for the A1, perhaps this 21st century user manual will be better than we anticipate.

[Via engadget]

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Audi

It makes no sense, but it’s still cool

Audi RS6 Avant

Audi has used its Le Mans winning R18 e-tron quattro to promote the RS6 Avant, which is not a hybrid, not a V6 and not a diesel. And yet, by taking the LMP1 racecar off the track and placing it in situations that are suited to the abilities of the RS6 Avant, they have created a very cool ad indeed.

[Thanks to Steve for the tip]

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Audi Mercedes-Benz Video

Get on the Chris Harris bandwagon

Audi RS6 Avant v Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake

We love fast Euro estates here at AUSmotive. Absolutely love ’em! As it happens so does Chris Harris and he brings us two of the very best in his latest video. It’s the Audi RS6 Avant up against the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG Shooting Brake. Wagon versus wagon. V8 versus V8. And, tellingly, all-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive.

And that’s probably all the introduction you need. The rest is perfect Sunday afternoon fodder.

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Audi

Audi RS6 Avant – Australian pricing & specs

Audi RS6 Avant

Audi Australia has just announced pricing for the 412kW RS6 Avant and you’ll need to fire up your cheque book to the tune of $225,000 plus extras if you’d like to join in the fun. Initial deliveries are due in October.

The previous-gen RS6 was brutal with its acceleration and while this new twin turbo 4.0 litre V8 model is 14kW shy of the old 5.2 litre V10, we think the 3.9 second 0–100km/h time should keep most punters happy. There is the not so small matter of 700Nm of torque ensuring there’s plenty of shove when the right foot gets planted.

There’s plenty of fruit on offer as far as standard equipment is concerned. Things like adaptive air suspension, full LED headlights, digital TV, head-up display and 21″ inch alloys are included, plus a good deal more.

In addition to the base level equipment Audi has compiled four individual packages for buyers to choose from: Dynamic ($4,900), Dynamic Plus ($25,840), Carbon styling ($8,500) and Assistance ($10,375).

You can get the full detail on those option packages, along with more photos and full press material after the break.

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Audi

OFFICIAL: Audi S3 Sportback priced from $59,900

2013 Audi S3 Sportback

As we predicted a bit over a week ago the all-new Audi S3 Sportback will be priced from $59,900 when it goes on sale in Australia this December. That’s more than $11,000 cheaper than the list price of the model it replaces.

Audi’s hand has been forced somewhat by the introduction of more powerful competition from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, both of which were well priced against the old 8P S3 Sportback. In order to compete Audi has had to cut its asking price while still packing the standard car with plenty of equipment:

Audi S3 Sportback – standard equipment for the Australian market

  • Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights
  • MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch
  • Audi parking system plus: park assist, front & rear sensors with rear view camera
  • 18-inch alloy wheels in 5-parallel spoke design
  • ‘S’ specific body kit
  • ‘S’ exhaust system with quad tailpipes
  • ‘S’ sports suspension
  • Sport seats in fine Nappa leather and heating for front seats
  • Audi Music Interface, Bluetooth interface with music streaming
  • Dual-zone climate control with digital display and rear air vents
  • Leather-wrapped, multi-function flat-bottom steering wheel

The Australian spec 8V S3 Sportback will also come standard with a 6-speed S tronic transmission and offers 206kW/380Nm from its 2.0 litre turbocharged engine. Coupled to a Haldex GenV-based quattro all-wheel drive system it can reach 100km/h in 5.0 seconds, while a frugal right foot can yield fuel consumption as low as 6.9l/100km.

Audi Australia will also offer an “S performance package” for an additional $4,990 which includes items such as LED headlights, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Audi magnetic ride and ‘S’ sports seats in fine Nappa leather with diamond stitching.

You can get the full detail from Audi after the break.

UPDATE: Audi Australia has confirmed with us that a 6-speed manual transmission will be available as a no cost option, but it will cost you 0.4s to 100km/h and a few extra bucks at the fuel pump.

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2013 Goodwood FoS in pictures – gallery 1

2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s taken us a while to prepare, but here’s your first instalment in our 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed image gallery. We’ve got more than 260 images in all which will be spread out over three galleries.

Presented in alphabetical order, this selection of photos starts with Alfa Romeo and ends with Lotus. And doesn’t that Alfa Romeo 4C just look sensational!

Stay tuned over the next two days for the remaining galleries to be posted.

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