Category: Audi

Your looking at a prototype model of the next-generation Audi A3 which has just been spotted in Argentina. So far details have been pretty fluid on what to expect from the four-ringed Golf. We’ve seen a few sketches, some amateur renderings and even an official concept model. Until now, though, we’ve not seen anything real.

The pic shows a few obvious cosmetic changes to the front end with a revised bonnet, grille and lighting treatments. LED daytime running lights look like they could be moving out of the headlight cluster down where we’ve become accustomed to seeing foglights. Aside from that it’s a clear progression from the A3 we’re seeing on the streets today.

The development model seen above is a three-door and while we have seen three-door A3s kick off the new range in Australia in the past, don’t expect that to be the case third time around. If Australia does get a three-door it’s likely to be the available as an S3 only. It is understood Australia will get the full complement of five-door models.

[Source: Kilometer Magazine]

As you know Audi recently gave their A5 range a bit of a mid-cycle refresh. Of course, the S5 received a similar treatment and for your viewing pleasure here’s 60 plus images for you to check out. Included are all three body styles: coupé, cabriolet and sportback.

All models in the S5 range are now powered by a supercharged 3.0 litre V6, curiously badged as a V6T. The engine is good for 245kW and with a frugal approach can sip fuel as low as 8.1l/100km, so Audi reckon.

We sampled the new V6 in the Audi S4 early last year. It’s a fine engine, lacking only in the induction sound lost from the 4.2 litre V8 that we loved in the S5 coupé.

A recent advertisement for the Audi A6 Avant has raised the ire of Eminem. The rapper claims the Audi spot is too similar to the ‘Imported from Detroit’ ad he made for the Chrysler 200.

Possibly fearing some sort of violent retribution, a statement from the German automaker reads, “Audi has tremendous respect for Eminem and his works, and likewise for the ‘Imported From Detroit’ campaign which was created by Chrysler, and certainly Audi would never wish to insult or harm those parties or their fans and customers.”

Now everyone can live happily ever after following an agreement between Audi and Eminem’s company Eight Mile Style. Details of the settlement haven’t been made public, but Audi will “support the revitalisation of Detroit by contributing to selected social projects.”

The Audi ad has never aired in the United States, but since its launch in mid-May a YouTube copy has registered more than 2.3 million views. You can check out both ads after the break and, yep, the riff in the Audi ad sure does sound like Eminem’s Lose Yourself.

[Source: Automotive News]

The Audi RS4 Avant sits atop our Euro estate wishlist and sightings of this new B8-based model in the Austrian alps have certainly increased our excitement levels. This largely undisguised model is wearing 20″ alloys from the RS5.

Indeed, most of the mechanicals beneath the skin are expected to be sourced from the RS5. That’s including the 4.2 litre V8 as well. Although, we’d very much like a trad 6-speed manual if anyone from Ingolstadt is reading.

Word on the street says we’ll be seeing the RS4 some time in 2012. We can’t wait.

[Source: quattroholic]

Audi Australia has just launched the all-new A6, offering three six cylinder engine choices, with two four pots to follow later this year. List pricing starts at $93,900 for the 150kW 2.8 FSI. If you want some more bite from your A6 then you can opt for the supercharged 3.0 TFSI and its 220kW at a starting cost of $121,500. And if you just want to use a little less fuel then you’ll head straight for the 180kW 3.0 TDI for $116,500.

In truth, all three models offer good fuel consumption numbers for a car of this size. Audi reckon the 2.8 FSI will use 8.0l/100km. The extra 70kW in the 3.0 TFSI comes at the modest increase of 0.2l/100km and the 3.0 TDI sips fuel at the frugal rate of 6.0l/100km. Well, they’re the claims at least. Expect real world numbers to be a little higher than those impressive ratings.

The three initial models released all feature Audi’s S-line bodykit and quattro all-wheel drive. The quattro system features a crowngear centre differential and torque vectoring trickiness as well.

As noted, two new engine choices will be arriving before year’s end, in the form of a 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI. Pics of the 2.8 FSI and 3.0 TDI are available after the break, along with Audi’s press guff.

Audi has given its A5 model range a mid-cycle update with modest tweaks to exterior styling and improved equipment levels. There’s a gallery of images and Audi’s press release for you after the break. Expect to the see the ‘new’ A5 down under early next year.

Last week we brought you word of the new Audi S6 Avant. It was a bit rude of us not to bring you up to speed with the regular A6 Avant first.

To remedy that we’ve assembled a 50-plus strong image gallery, a brief teaser video and some lengthy press release downloads that have more info and details than you can fit in your 1680 litres of cargo space.

Car geeks will be overjoyed by the number of cutaway graphics highlighting the various construction, options and safety equipment fitted to the A6 range.

The party piece of the A6 Avant is its new 230kW biturbo 3.0 litre TDI with a tractor pulling 650Nm of torque. In fact the engine is so new you can’t actually buy it yet. You’ll just have to make to do with a piddly 180kW in your 3.0 TDI until the new unit is released; later this year we expect.

Euro estate chic awaits after the break.

After seeing the new Audi A6 up close in Melbourne recently, it confirmed our thoughts that the mid-large Audi is now quite a smart looking car. It has a presence the A6 has never enjoyed. With our love for Euro wagons well-known it’s little surprise that news of a new S6 Avant being spotted has piqued our attention.

Expected to be powered by a 450hp (335kW) twin-turbo 4.0 litre V8 engine it’s sure to have plenty of grunt for family expeditions. Add a quattro all-wheel drive system and a new 8-speed auto box and it’ll chew highway miles with blissful ease.

We like it. We like it a lot. We think we will like the new RS6 more, though. But that won’t arrive for a few years yet, so the S6 will be a nice stop-gap until then.

[Source: Autoblog | pic: CarPix]

A bit over a week ago we brought word that Audi has signed off on an ‘S’ version of its entry-level Q3 SUV. At the time it seemed odd they would use the 2.5 litre five cylinder engine from the RS3. So, perhaps they are considering a Q3 RS after all?

Reports suggest the power would be down from 340hp to 300hp. Such reports were given a huge nudge in credibility after Swedish site Sportbilen posted video of a test drive in the high-po Q3. Of course, the Q3 RS would feature a quattro all-wheel drive system, as well as a 7-speed S tronic transmission.

They were given an opportunity to drive the car at the presentation of the broader Q3 range. You’ll see and hear the five-pot growl after the break.

[Source: Carscoop]