Categories
Audi

Audi RS4 back on the wagon?

Audi RS4 rendering

The latest RS talk from Audi has centred around the RS5 coupé. However, news is now emerging of a return for the famed RS4 badge. This rendering was published to the carspyshots website quite some time ago and clearly shows an RS4 sedan.

But, according to a recent post on Fourtitude, the RS4 will be Avant only. Given AUSmotive’s love for all things Euro and wagon this makes me a very happy bunny. Unofficially, I had heard the future for the RS4 might not be good, especially following the launch of the RS5.

Although, with BMW offering a sedan version of their all conquering M3 you can’t imagine Audi leaving this niche unexplored; the previous B7 model RS4 was widely acclaimed as the best RS4 yet. So, will the RS4 be back at all? Will it be wagon only? And do we really have to wait until 2013 to discover the answers?

[Source: Fourtitude]

Categories
Audi Motorsports

Do a skid!

Audi DTM donuts

Doing burnouts on public roads is bad, m’kay. Just ask Lewis Hamilton. But burning a bit of rubber on a street that is blocked off and surrounded by advertising hoardings is just fine and dandy. Good thing, then, that a couple of the Audi DTM pilots obliged at last weekend’s 2010 season launch in Wiesbaden, Germany.

Timo Scheider, Oliver Jarvis and Mattias Ekström are the guys behind the wheel and you can check out their handiwork after the break.

[Source: quattroholic]

Categories
Audi

2010 Audi RS5

Audi RS5

The international media launch of the Audi RS5 took place in Spain today and while AUSmotive wasn’t in attendance we can bring you the latest images from Audi’s press archives. There’s 75 of the blighters for you after the break, all accessible as 2000px super size images. An extensive press release from Audi should keep you busy, as well.

In case you needed reminding the RS5 is powered by a naturally aspirated high rev 4.2-litre V8 FSI. The RS5 produces peak power of 331kW (450PS) at 8250rpm, with maximum torque of 430Nm available from 4000-6000rpm. Coupled with a specially reinforced 7-speed S tronic transmission the RS5 is able to accelerate to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. This is the first of Audi’s RS models to be fitted with a double clutch transmission. At this stage, there is still no word on a manual gearbox option.

The RS5 will be available in a total of eight colors: Ibis White, Suzuka Gray, Monza Silver, Misano Red, Sepang Blue, Daytona Gray, Phantom Black and custom blended Panther Black reserved for Audi’s high-performance machines.

Naturally the RS5 features a quattro all-wheel drive system. There’s some new trickery hidden inside the RS5 quattro, too. Including a crown-gear centre differential with torque vectoring and an optional sport differential. You can get more of an insight into those systems through a couple of YouTube clips—available here.

For now, though, feast your eyes on some very tasty images thanks to Audi. When you’re done here check out Top Gear’s coverage of today’s launch.

Categories
Audi

Audi R8 V10 – World Performance Car 2010

Audi R8 V10

In further news from the World Car of the Year awards the Audi R8 V10 has been named 2010’s World Performance Car. The R8 has double dipped with this title after the R8 4.2 V8 was awarded the same honour back in 2008.

The R8 knocked off some very stiff opposition to win this award, too. Joining the Audi in the final three was the Ferrari California and the Porsche 911 GT3.

The V10 powered R8 is fitted with a 5.2 litre direct injection engine, closely related to the powerplant used in the Lamborghini Gallardo. The unit develops and impressive 386kW and the car can reach 100km/h in under four seconds. Readers are invited to send in next week’s lotto numbers to AUSmotive HQ at your earliest convenience.

Categories
Audi

What’s your favourite quattro?

Audi Ur Quattro

As you know, this is year marks the 30th anniversary of Audi’s quattro technology. So what’s been your favourite all-paw Audi over the years? The obvious choice for many would be the original, the Ur Quattro shown above. For me, it would have to be the awesome RS2. That’s the car that piqued my interest in Audi. A station wagon able to keep a McLaren F1 supercar honest from the lights! What’s not to like about that.

This quattro question has also been asked by STIFF magazine. I know, sounds a bit randy, doesn’t it. Anyway, they have put together a list of their top five. Check it out.

Categories
Audi

VIDEO: Unbridled power

Audi RS5

The Audi RS5 created waves in the blogosphere when images were “leaked” back in February. Now, Audi have decided to calm things down a bit with this new video of the RS5. Check it out after the jump.

It’s a long play advertisement, really, and the voiceover guy sounds about as excited as Mark Webber was in his post-race interview at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Categories
Audi

Fade from red to blue

Audi S1 Photoshop

It’s about six weeks now since the Audi A1 was first seen in official images. But speculation over a cooking S1 model has been around for well over 12 months. And here’s some more S1 educated guesswork in the form of a Photoshopped rendering. After the jump you can see a video of how this car was “made”. It’s a fascinating look at some mad PS skillz.

[Source: TopGear]

Categories
Audi Mitsubishi

Winding Road: Audi S4 v Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring

Audi S4 v Mitsubishi Evo MR Touring

The latest issue of Winding Road has what might appear to be an odd comparo, the Audi S4 up against the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR Touring. In an Australian context comparing the Audi S4 and the closest match here, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X, would seem something of an odd couple. After all, before statutory charges and final taxes, the S4 kicks off at $115,000, while the Evo (with dual clutch transmission) starts at $74,390.

On paper, though, comparing the 245kW S4 with the likely nimbler 217kW Evo starts to make a lot more sense. So, would you be better off buying the Evo and pocketing a Golf GTI with the change, or pooling your resources and getting the S4? You’ll need to read the article, of course, for the full run down, but here is a teaser for you:

“Where the Audi whispers soft messages about road an environment, the Evo stands on a ladder and hollers them at you while you’re sleeping.”

Want to hear the killer punch? US pricing on these cars, as tested is US$54,075 for the S4 and US$41,710 for the Evo. That’s around $58,500 compared to $45,200 on current exchange rates. Hmm, apart from reeling in horror at the blood sucking prices we’re paying in this country, you can now see why Winding Road pitted these two cars against each other.

Before you read the article, let us know in the comments section below which car you think will come out on top.

[Source: Winding Road]

Categories
Audi

quattro 101

Audi quattro principle

Audi have recently released a couple of animated clips showcasing their latest quattro technologies. So, if you want to know how all those mechanical bits and pieces work, and why they work, then Audi is ready to send you back to school.

Set aside 10 minutes or so and you’ll find two clips for you after the jump. The clips feature the crown-gear centre differential from the new RS5, as well as explaining torque vectoring, available on the RS5 and also via the sports differential on models such as the S4.

If this sort of stuff turns you on, make sure you follow the links to previous RS5 and S4 articles which give you access to Audi’s press guff on the various technologies discussed in the clips below.

Categories
Audi

Walter drives down memory lane

Walter Rohrl, Audi Quattro

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Audi Quattro motor racing legend Walter Röhrl has stepped behind the wheel of a beautifully maintained 1984 Group B Quattro for the first time in 26 years. Fortunately the stretch of road chosen for this leisurly drive is the Col de Turini, from the Monte Carlo Rally. And, more fortunately, there were cameras there to catch the action.

Take the jump now to see the clip in full.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
Audi Motor Shows

Geneva: Audi Quattro celebrates 30th birthday

Audi Ur Quattro

It was 30 years ago today that Audi launched the Quattro. Dr Ferdinand Piëch, Development Director of the original Quattro, presented the car at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 1980. In his speech he stated, “This is the dawning of all-wheel drive in roadgoing passenger cars.”

Power for the Quattro came from a super sweet inline five cylinder engine that had a character all of its own. By today’s standards the 200bhp headline figure is quite modest. But, three decades ago, having a coupé derived from a family sedan that could accelerate to 100km/h in 7.1 seconds was big news.

So, too, was the addition of all-wheel drive to the world rallying scene where the Quattro left an everlasting legacy by winning the World Rally Championship in 1983 and 1984.

Memories of the Quattro have been revived with the recent launch of the TT RS, featuring a 2.5-litre inline five cylinder that sounds sublime.

For more on the original Quattro check out the AUSmotive past master feature. As well, you can read Audi’s extensive press release below which covers the both the history and future of its quattro technology.

Categories
Audi

VIDEO: Audi RS5 teaser

Audi RS5 video teaser

Another brief video teaser from Audi now, this time featuring the new RS5 coupé. The sound of the 4.2 V8 FSI being driven around an empty racetrack is one well worth listening to. There’s also a cameo appearance from an original Ur Quattro. But more on that later.

Check out the clip after the break.