Wow! Audi A5 / S5 - First Official Details

Some great first look details at the upcoming new Audi A5 / S5 sports coupe. Let's just say it's a beautiful thing - both looking and performance!



Audi is launching a fascinating new model series for its entry into a highly emotionally charged segment of the market: the A5 successfully unites the acclaimed Audi design language and thrilling dynamic driving performance, and combines generous refinement with the brand’s characteristic quality and sophistication. Its progressive design gives the new coupé an appearance that is both elegant and dynamic. With its muscular FSI and TDI engines, its entirely newly developed high-precision running gear, and a raft of innovative, luxury-class equipment features, the Audi A5 has been crafted to be a modern grand tourer, a touring coupé in the best tradition.

The Audi S5 is an extra sporty offering to complete the new series. A powerful V8 FSI engine gives the S5 a dynamic edge, which underscores its athletically accentuated design. The A5 and S5 are available to order from 6 March 2007 with the first vehicles due for delivery from June.

The Nuvolari quattro concept car of 2003 gave a first taste of Audi’s vision for a powerful and expertly styled coupé with a high performance potential and a progressive, sophisticated design – a bold step into the future.

Many elements from the Nuvolari have been adopted in the Audi A5. The new coupé is a clear and unique statement of sportiness and elegance. At the same time, the A5 offers a driving experience characterised by exhilarating dynamic performance and excellent comfort over long distances.

With a length of 4.63 m, the Audi A5 clearly belongs to a superior class of coupé. Four comfortable seats and a load volume of 455 litres make this car a comfortable long-distance tourer. The dynamic performance is supplied by FSI and TDI engines with rated power ranging from 125 to 195 kW (170 to 265 bhp). All engines share highly eco-friendly and efficient characteristics.
The engines’ power can be transmitted by either front-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive and a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The running gear developed for the A5 is entirely new and combines agile handling with the utmost driving safety.

The design, quite simply a desirable coupé
For coupé buyers, emotion plays a major role in their choice of car; the most important reason to buy, in the case of a sporty two-door car, is the design. And on that point the Audi A5 genuinely speaks for itself – its design takes Audi’s progressive and stylish design language to new heights. The sporty silhouette, the precisely drawn lines, which gracefully interplay with the powerful surfaces, the expressive front face, and the equally distinctive tail end yield a wholly desirable coupé. “The Audi A5 is the most beautiful car I have ever designed”, says Walter de’Silva, Head of Volkswagen Group Design, with absolute conviction.

Sportiness, elegance and dynamic performance are characteristics common to all of today’s Audi models. Naturally the A5 is particularly rich in these elements of the Audi “genetic code”, and the design makes that immediately clear: the coupé’s proportions, for instance, are characterised by a very wide and low stance, a short front overhang and a long, flowing transition from the C pillar to the tail end.

Lines and surfaces play with light and shadows
An expression of determination characterises the features of the front end: the face bears the hallmark of the new Audi in the form of the single-frame grille, and its right-angled headlights and large air inlets reinforce the architectural impression of breadth in the car’s face-on outline. The same holds true for the rear: the distinct horizontal lines and wide, powerfully styled tail lights, which seem to push outwards, underscore the sporting intent of the A5.

The side line is dominated by the mighty trapezoidal C pillar. This not only emphasises the car’s sporty appeal, but also creates a look reminiscent of the legendary Audi Ur-quattro.

A second stylistic tribute to Audi’s four-wheel drive pioneer model can be found in the marked outline of the wheel arches, with their curving contours drawn into the wide shoulder line. The lines and surfaces of the Audi A5 play with light and shadows, bringing its shape to life and endowing the body with the sculpted intensity that makes Audi design unique.

Audi’s customary devotion to detail is particularly evident in the headlights: their elaborate styling perfectly reflects precision and high-tech engineering. The daytime running lights, comprising a strip of eight LEDs on each side, make the A5’s xenon plus headlights absolutely unmistakeable.

The interior, the luxurious perfection of an Audi
The interior, the interface between person and vehicle, is characterised by ergonomic design and functionality, and equally by the exclusiveness of the materials selected and Audi’s typically superb build quality. An atmosphere in which you feel perfectly at ease, even on long journeys – that is the key feature of the A5 interior.

Making interior design a high-quality tactile experience
The entire cockpit architecture is clearly focused on the driver and brings together the instruments and the centre console to form one unit. The animated shapes, the precision of the workmanship, and the sophisticated design of the controls – these represent a visual delight that is also a joy to touch. The interior design provides a high-quality tactile experience each time you drive the Audi A5. One example of the all-encompassing design approach can be found in the door panel trim, where the controls, inlays, armrest and stowage compartment combine to form one visually harmonious unit.

The instrument panel, with the characteristic droplet-shaped surrounds for the speedometer and rev counter, does feature typical Audi styling elements, but in all its details has been developed as a new design.

The A5 also has the screen of the MMI operating system positioned at an ergonomically perfect high position in the cockpit. A new advanced version of the acclaimed intuitive MMI operating logic makes the wide range of functions easy to understand.

Key with a sharp memory
The new key is another design item that also provides sophisticated functionality. With its soft contours and pleasant surfaces it sits beautifully in the hand. But above all, the innovative key dispenses with the conventional key bit. This is possible because it communicates electronically with the vehicle’s electrical system as soon as it is inserted into the cockpit. It can also store important information, such as the vehicle’s current mileage or warning messages from the Audi A5’s driver information system. The data are always up-to-date and available to allow after-sales staff at a dealership to receive the vehicle for servicing quickly and easily.

The engines, for powerful driving pleasure
A coupé with a distinctly sporty character requires powerful and highly efficient engines. For the Audi A5, power is provided by innovative technologies across the board. All engines supplied for the new model series feature direct fuel injection, for which the petrol engines employ the FSI concept and the diesels are equipped with common rail TDI. This gives all engines a thrilling free-revving character, allowing them to effortlessly unwind their generous torque with optimum energy efficiency. The refined TDI engines with their outstanding sporting talents suit the A5 just as well as the petrol units. Which type to go for is entirely a question of the driver’s personal preference. All of the engines impressively demonstrate that efficiency and driving pleasure are by no means mutually exclusive.

FSI – The high-tech engine with variable valve lift
The top-of-the-range petrol engine in the Audi A5 is a new 3.2-litre FSI with innovative valve gear comprising the Audi valvelift system. This innovation varies the valve lift between two levels. To achieve this, sets of sliding cams are mounted directly on the intake camshafts. These feature two sets of adjacent cam contours for small and large valve lift. Which cam is used to open the intake valves depends on the power demand at any one time.

The effect is an appreciable increase in engine efficiency. The driver benefits from greater power and improved driveability, while enjoying a marked reduction in fuel consumption. At the wheel of an Audi A5 3.2 FSI there is a whole 195 kW (265 bhp) of power output available and a superb torque of 330 Nm in a broad rev band of 3,000 to 5,000 rpm, ensuring blistering acceleration at all times. Within 6.1 seconds the 3.2 FSI quattro with manual six-speed gearbox sprints from 0 to 100 km/h. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h. Despite this thrilling performance potential the car’s fuel consumption is only 8.7 litres per 100 kilometers (3.2 FSI multitronic).

The all-new high-tech four-cylinder unit in the Audi A5 also does full justice to Audi’s reputation for leading engine technology. The 1.8 TFSI, delivering 125 kW (170 bhp), will be available from autumn 2007. It combines turbocharger technology with petrol direct injection and provides a burst of acceleration and pulling power unrivalled in its class from virtually every rev band. Just as it did with its TDI engines, Audi has accomplished a pioneering feat of engineering with its turbocharged petrol units, taking spark-ignition engines to a new dimension in fuel consumption and driveability.

Thanks to a whole raft of technical innovations in the petrol engines, their fuel economy has been significantly improved, thus yielding a marked reduction in CO2 emissions.

TDI – Impressive performance combined with exemplary eco-friendliness
The V6 TDI units from Audi set the standards in their segment. Their copious torque and outstanding fuel economy accompanied by superb refinement mean that they score highly on all counts. In addition to all this, they offer eco-friendly performance that is hard to beat. The TDI engines fitted in the Audi A5, for instance, are equipped with a diesel particulate filter as standard.

The sporty top-of-the-range TDI in the new Audi coupé is the thoroughly revised 3.0-litre engine. It now delivers a power output of 176 kW (240 bhp) and its maximum torque is an immense 500 Nm. But that is not all: with its supreme 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h, the Audi A5 3.0 TDI quattro is one of the sportiest vehicles of its kind. Added to this, it also offers an average fuel consumption of just 7.2 litres per 100 km!

The second TDI engine in the Audi A5 range offers even better fuel economy. The 2.7-litre V6 engine delivers 140 kW (190 bhp) and is an ideal complement to the multitronic gearbox for the comfort-minded coupé driver. Nevertheless, its performance figures are more than impressive: it offers a top speed of 232 km/h with an average fuel economy of 6.7 litres per 100 km. On top of that, its acceleration time of just 7.6 seconds confirms the sporty credentials of this version of the Audi A5.

The Audi A5 2.7 TDI multitronic is equipped with front-wheel drive, while the 3-litre TDI with manual gearbox constantly supplies power to all four wheels. As in numerous other Audi models, the quattro permanent four-wheel drive in the Audi A5 enhances driving dynamics by distributing 40 percent of engine power to the front axle and 60 percent to the rear axle at its basic setting. The system adjusts the power distribution depending on the situation and road surface grip.

Multitronic with eight forward gears and sport mode
In the standard specification, the Audi A5 powertrain features a six-speed manual gearbox with sporty ratios. This gearbox offers uniform short gear lever travel and smooth, easy gear changes.

The continuously variable multitronic automatic gearbox, which offers unparalleled power transmission comfort, is available in conjunction with the 3.2 FSI and the 2.7 TDI engines. At the same time its high efficiency and tall maximum transmission ratio make it very economical on fuel, since it operates in the most efficient range at all times. Whenever the driver prefers a more sporty driving style, the gearbox can be switched to a manual mode with eight set speeds.

The running gear, precise instruments for agile handling
Even when stationary, the Audi A5 makes a dynamic impression: the wide track, large wheels and short overhangs not only characterise its muscular appearance, they also form part of the formula that produces its peerless active driving feel. The Audi A5 coupé defines the new standard in its class for precise steering response, outstanding directional stability and superb agility, while also offering first-class ride comfort.

The Audi engineers have achieved this with a completely new design of running gear: the front wheels are located by a five-link suspension arrangement with upper and lower wishbones. The wishbones are mounted on a subframe, which is firmly bolted to the body for high rigidity. Another completely reengineered component is the rack and pinion steering. It is located in front of the front axle close to the wheel centre line, and enhances the car’s very agile handling by its direct transmission of the steering forces.

Long wheelbase, short overhang
Overall, the front axle is located a long way forward for a longitudinal engine configuration with front- and four-wheel drive. This new vehicle architecture makes it possible to have a long wheelbase with a short front overhang, and to optimise the axle load distribution. These are all additional elements that enhance the supreme handling qualities of the new Audi A5. To accomplish this special design, the engineers used a trick adopted from the Audi A8: the front axle differential is located in front of the clutch.

A key element of the rear running gear is its trapezoidal-link rear suspension with completely new kinematics. It provides a high degree of ride comfort combined with excellent directional stability. At both the front and rear, the main components of the suspension are made of aluminium. The generous dimensions of the brakes are designed to match the car’s high performance ratings. The braking force can be precisely modulated and the kinematics of the new rear suspension significantly reduce the so-called braking dive effect.

The standard electromechanical parking brake, familiar from the A8 and A6, is activated via a button next to the gear lever. The A5 is also available with the option of Audi hold assist: this ensures that the car cannot accidentally roll back after stopping on a hill.

The body, generous and superlatively solid
The Audi A5 is nothing if not generous to its driver and passengers. Its generosity begins with its luxurious spaciousness – not just for the front row. On the rear seats, too, the A5 is a full-size touring car. Likewise, with a luggage compartment volume of 455 litres, there is always space left over for a bit of extra shopping, even on a long tour. The loading width of one metre allows easy stowage of large items of luggage, and even well-filled golf bags will fit widthways into the Audi A5 boot. The rear seat folds in two separate sections, and can be released conveniently from the boot.

The extremely high bodyshell rigidity, typical of an Audi, provides the basis both for the car’s crisp handling and its agreeable feeling of solidness and comfort. In the development of the A5 the engineers have successfully combined supreme sporty performance and agility with outstanding vibrational comfort. Its lightweight body construction was achieved using the latest technologies, such as metal plates with varying wall thicknesses (tailored blanks), combined spot welded and bonded joints, and the use of aluminium, for example, in the front wings.

The smooth surfaces of the additional underbody panel enhance the Audi A5’s inherently good aerodynamics. One small but typical example of the extensive high-precision work carried out in the wind tunnel can be seen in the spoilers moulded into the sides of the tail lights.

The equipment, luxury class high-tech features
Where equipment is concerned, the Audi A5 is characterised by a comprehensive standard specification. This includes 17-inch alloy wheels along with automatic air conditioning, the MMI information and operating system, an audio system with CD player and separate screen, and the automatically opening boot lid. The new comfort key and the electromechanical parking brake are also among the items included in the standard package.

The list of options offers even more luxury class high-tech: Audi adaptive light combines bi-xenon headlights with the dynamic cornering light system and the LED strip of daytime running lights. Keyless access for the doors and boot and keyless engine starting are all features of the advanced key system. The deluxe automatic air conditioning system with three temperature zones allows the passengers to adjust the climate for their individual comfort. The extra-large panoramic tilting roof lends the A5 an especially generous feeling of open space. The Audi parking system advanced features a rearview camera, helping to make tricky parking in cramped multi-storeys easily negotiable.

The infotainment system is a special highlight of the options range. Alongside the navigation system with DVD including MMI, DAB digital radio reception and DVB TV reception, this system also offers pure delight for the ears: the premium sound system for the Audi A5 is supplied by the Danish hi-fi specialist Bang & Olufsen. It comprises 14 speakers, 500 watts of music output, surround sound, active driving noise compensation and, above all, the expertise of a worldwide renowned specialist for high-end audio equipment, making every drive in the Audi A5 a delightful acoustic experience.

Customisation, a made-to-measure coupé
The decision to drive a coupé is always a very emotional one. That makes it all the more important for a coupé to reflect the personal wishes and express the ideas of it owner. If any coupé can fulfil special requests, it is the Audi A5: how about seat side sections in stone blue Valcona leather, accompanied by seat centre sections in star silver leather, with matching interior headlining also in star silver? To go with that, you can add aluminium hologram inlays or maybe rather laurel wood? The customer has the choice: in terms of design variety, the Audi A5 is luxury class in the full sense of the word, with two types of cloth, two leather varieties, the combination of leather and Alcantara, five different inlays and a wide range of interior colour schemes. Above and beyond that, the Audi exclusive programme from quattro GmbH can fulfil virtually every individual wish.

For those looking for an even stronger sporting intent in the A5, the Audi S line offers an extra-dynamic look. The S line exterior package comprises, for example, more distinctive bumpers at the front and rear. The S line sports package includes items such as sports seats, steering wheel and gear lever in perforated leather, black headlining, and special inlays. Even here, there is scope for individual choice between matt aluminium, piano finish black or Vavona wood assam grey. The 18-inch alloy wheels and exclusive paint finishes underscore the look of the S line sports package, while the sports suspension provides a distinct driving feel.



In a league of its own, the Audi S5
The Audi S5 is a unique competitor among high-performance coupés, thanks to its combination of V8 FSI technology and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The eight-cylinder engine with its superb power delivery has worthy counterparts in the specially tuned sports suspension and high-performance brakes. Subtle, but clear design elements inside and out serve to distinguish this coupé as a high performance athlete in a league of its own. The Audi S5 goes on sale with the launch of the Audi A5 series.

Engine and running gear, fascination no figures can express
The figures alone are fascinating enough, but they only hint at the impressive driving experience the S5 offers. The eight-cylinder engine has a rated power output of 260 kW (354 bhp). Its peak torque is 440 Nm, which it already delivers at 3,500 rpm. Within just 5.1 seconds the Audi S5 can sprint to 100 km/h. But no figures can adequately describe the supreme free-revving character, the spontaneous response, the continuous power build-up, or the thrilling sound of this eight-cylinder engine. The V8 naturally derives its enormous power potential from the innovative FSI direct injection technology with high compression and optimum fuel mixture formation.

The six-speed manual gearbox with its very precise guiding of the gear lever and short throw action makes every gear change a pleasure. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive of course provides perfect traction with variable torque distribution from its basic setting of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle. Within a fraction of a second, the dynamic drivetrain system adapts to the current driving conditions and constantly delivers the ideal distribution of drive torque.

The Audi S5’s sports suspension is tuned to enhance the coupé’s performance with particularly dynamic handling. The special high-performance brakes, recognisable by their black painted brake calipers, always ensure precise deceleration. And finally, the ESP electronic stabilisation programme can be deactivated in two stages whenever the driver wishes to exploit the potential of the Audi S5 to the full on a suitable stretch of road.

Design and interiors, sporty aesthetics with clear functionality
While the design of the Audi A5 forms a balanced synthesis of sportiness and elegance, the Audi S5 displays the more vigorous features of a powerfully built athlete: the radiator grille possesses the specific look of an Audi S model – painted in platinum grey and fitted with vertical chrome inlays. The front and rear bumpers have a more pronounced outline and the air inlet grilles are more striking. The aluminium-look exterior mirror housings make an overtly sporty impression, as do the colour-keyed door sill trim and the dual-branch exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. Nevertheless, the model’s sporty attributes always have a functional aspect: for instance, the more pronounced spoiler in the boot lid yields additional aerodynamic downforce.

However, true strength comes from within and the interior design of the Audi A5 thoroughly underscores its athletic character. The sports seats, sports steering wheel, instruments with grey dials and aluminium door sill plates provide a dynamic and refined atmosphere. The programme does, of course, provide ample scope to fulfil individual interior design wishes: the inlays are one example – here the choice is between carbon, aluminium, stainless steel or wood. After all, the Audi S5 should perfectly match its owner’s individual ideas and expectations.

Alongside the coupé’s 18-inch wheels with the new S design and 245/40 R 18 tyres, the standard equipment specification for the S5 features items such as xenon plus headlights with impressive daytime running lights in the form of an LED light strip, or sports seats with electronic adjustment.

[Source: VWVORTEX]

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Audi R8 Featured in Auctions to Benefit the Elton John Aids Foundat

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – The first Audi R8 sports car to be sold in the U.S. will be auctioned off at the 15th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation party to celebrate the Academy Awards. All proceeds will be donated to EJAF to support its work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. This marks the second year in a row Audi has teamed up with the EJAF to auction off a vehicle during the party. Two Audi Q7 models sold for a combined $280,000 last year.

Bidding for the first Audi R8 will start at $100,000. Bids can be placed live by attendees at the viewing party, over the telephone, by proxy, or at anytime between now and the end of the auction at eBay Live Auctions (www.ebayliveauctions.com). The live auction is being conducted that evening by Jamie Niven, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s and is being hosted online by Julian’s Auctions based in West Hollywood. The winning bidder will take delivery in July and have the distinction of owning the first R8 sports car in North America, well before the planned launch in fall of this year. Final pricing for the R8 has not been set for North America, but the comprehensively equipped car being auctioned is expected to retail between $130,000-$150,000 (U.S.).

Audi recently concluded an auction on eBay for a one-day test drive of the all-new R8. The winning bid was for $12,601, all of which is donated to EJAF. On February 24th, the winner and one guest will get to experience the abilities of the R8 on the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, then spend the rest of the day testing the R8 on public roads in the scenic Valley of Fire. They will then have the opportunity to attend the EJAF Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 25th.

The R8 is Audi’s first mid-engine sports car. It incorporates everything Audi knows about motorsport into a production vehicle. With a 420 hp 4.2-liter V8 engine and light weight Audi Space Frame (ASF®) technology, the R8 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.6 seconds. Power is delivered by Audi’s legendary quattro® all-wheel drive system through a six-speed manual transmission, or Audi’s new R tronic sequential gearbox. Even though the two-seat R8 is a highly capable sports car, it’s still an Audi. The passenger cabin is luxuriously appointed, spacious, quiet, and can even fit two golf bags behind the front seats. The R8 will be in dealerships starting in fall of 2007.

About Audi: Audi’s history in America dates to 1969, when the brand was first introduced to the U.S. market. Today, a network of over 260 Audi dealers currently offers a line of premium vehicles that include the Audi A3 compact; the sporty A4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high performance S4 sedan, Avant and Cabriolet models; the high-revving RS 4 sports sedan; the design-leading A6 sedan and Avant; the all-new Audi Q7 performance SUV; and the all-aluminum Audi A8; and the new V10-powered S6 and S8 performance sedans.

About the Elton John AIDS Foundation: Since its establishment in 1992 by Founder and Chairman Sir Elton John, the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has raised over $80 million to support HIV/AIDS prevention and service programs in 55 countries around the globe. Today, EJAF is one of the world’s leading nonprofit HIV/AIDS organizations. EJAF focuses on supporting community-based prevention education programs, harm reduction programs, and direct services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, especially populations with special needs. These efforts include HIV/AIDS-related physical and mental health services, HIV testing and counseling, street outreach and education, food distribution, assisted living services, social service coordination, and community volunteer recruitment and support.

About Sotheby's: Sotheby's is a global company that engages in art auction, private sales and art-related financing activities. The Company operates in 35 countries, with principal salesrooms located in New York and London. The Company also regularly conducts auctions in 13 other salesrooms around the world, including Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Singapore. Sotheby's is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BID.

About Julien’s: From their 2002 beginnings with the sales of entertainment memorabilia in an online partnership between Darren Julien and Sothebys.com, Julien's today continues the focus on auctions of high-end entertainment memorabilia, exciting sales and the development of new markets.

About eBay: eBay is The World's Online Marketplace®, enabling trade on a local, national and international basis. With a diverse and passionate community of individuals and small businesses, eBay offers an online platform where millions of items are traded each day.

[Source: Audi USA]

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Compact model with even better fuel consumption figures

Even more reasons to purchase an Audi today. With gas prices higher, Audi improves fuel (gasoline) consumption!


Audi A3 and A4 now even more efficient
• Audi A3 1.9 TDI e with fuel consumption below 4.5 l/100km takes CO2 emissions below 120 g/km
• A4 2.0 TFSI e demonstrates the potency of turbocharged petrol engines with direct injection by uniting high engine output and low fuel consumption

Audi is expanding the range of its two highest-volume model series with four new, particularly efficient models. The A3, A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e and A4 2.0 TFSI e in saloon or Avant guise are especially efficient in the way they transform fuel into propulsive energy. Audi's competence in the field of direct injection technology provides for powerful propulsion and a high degree of efficiency. Advanced engine technology employing direct fuel injection is the basis for a long range on a single tank of fuel, both with petrol engines, for example the A4 2.0 TFSI e, and with diesel engines, for example the A3 1.9 TDI e.

Further special details of these models enable the customer to make even more efficient use of fuel. A common feature of the four new models is the gearshift indicator. Centrally located in the driver's field of view in the instrument cluster, it indicates when the next gear would be a better choice, analysing the situation according to current engine load and speed. When it comes to fuel consumption, it is especially important that the driver makes full use of the vehicle's potential. The new gearshift indicator supplies valuable additional information for a consumption-orientated driving style.

The A3 has been given higher transmission ratios for 3rd and 5th gears. The Audi A4 models are equipped as standard with a manual gearbox with an additional, high-ratio 6th gear. With various weight reduction measures, for example the aluminium bonnet on the A4, 16" size 205/55 low-rolling-resistance tyres, and various aerodynamic measures such as the rear spoiler from the S line range on the A4 saloon, all the new models give the customer a high everyday usage factor and provide especially economical mobility. The engine electronics have also been tuned to give particularly good fuel consumption.

Thanks to the high torque of the TDI and TFSI engines, drivability, elasticity and comfort are all part of the repertoire of these special Audi A3 and A4 models.

The new Audi A4 2.0 TFSI with the multiple award-winning 2.0-litre TFSI engine generating 125 kW (170 bhp) shows its two faces most plainly. On the one hand it offers high performance, with a top speed of 230 km/h and acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. On the other hand, it has the lowest everyday fuel consumption of the entire range of A4 petrol models: 7.1 litres per 100 km (7.2 for the A4 Avant), making a range of up to 1,000 kilometres possible on a single tank filling.

The combined fuel consumption for the A3 and the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI with 77 kW (105 bhp) and diesel particulate filter as standard is an impressive 4.5 litres per 100 km with CO2 emissions below 120 g/km. This not only places it firmly among the best in its segment, but also means the driver doesn't have to worry about finding a filling station for up to 1,200 km.

In Germany, the basic price, including 19 percent VAT, is 22,600 euros for the A3 1.9 TDI e, 23,500 euros for the Sportback, 29,650 euros for the A4 2.0 TFSI e saloon and 31,300 euros for the Avant. The new, particularly low-consumption models will be available to customers from spring 2007.

Besides the technology employed, the driver's ability also plays a decisive role for economical driving. To give its customers detailed information about how to use fuel efficiently, Audi driving experience is, with immediate effect, relaunching its efficiency training courses. Starting at € 100 per participant, an individual proposal is compiled in direct consultation with groups of interested persons. Eight German cities are available as venues. The course is held using the customers' own vehicles. Vehicle can be provided upon request and at added charge. For further information about the Audi driving experience, please visit www.audi.de/driving.

[Source: Audi USA]

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Audi: Best January in the company's history

Best January in the company's history:
Audi vehicle sales increase by 8.0 percent
• Around 75,150 vehicles handed over to customers worldwide
• Great Britain is the largest export market in January with 9,009 units
• Sales of Audi models in China rise by 32.5 percent

In January 2007, worldwide sales of Audi models rose by 8.0 percent compared to the same month of last year. “Despite difficult background conditions, Audi kept its foot on the throttle during the first month of 2007 and, with around 75,150 models sold, enjoyed the best January in the company’s history”, reported Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. Sales in Western Europe increased by 3.4 percent to 50,600 vehicles.

Audi’s largest export market in January was Great Britain. Here the brand with the four rings reported sales growth of 15.0 percent to 9,009 vehicles sold. China held second place in the rankings. Sales to customers in China (including Hong Kong), where Audi has long been the undisputed market leader in the premium segment, rose by 32.5 percent to 8,461 units.

Sales of Audi models in the USA also rose. A total of 6,399 vehicles were sold, equating to an increase of 5.2 percent compared to January 2006. Audi furthermore posted increases in major markets such as Italy (5,164 units, up 8.1 percent) and France (4,425 units, up 24.1 percent). Sales in Russia rose more than twofold to 850 units (an increase of 104.8 percent).

[Source: Audi USA]

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Audi is the market leader for four-wheel drive in the premium segment!

Audi is the market leader for four-wheel drive in the premium segment:
• One in three Audi models is a quattro
• Proportion of Audi cars with quattro up to historic 33.1 percent
• Launch of the new Audi Q7 accounts for a major share
• Four-wheel drive set to increase further in coming years

One in three Audi models is fitted with quattro four-wheel drive: in 2006 Audi recorded an all-time highest quattro installation rate of 33.1 percent. Having produced a total of 306,318 quattro vehicles in 2006 (2005: 219,288), the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer has now risen to become the market leader for four-wheel drive in the premium segment. Approximately 72% of all Audi vehicles sold in the U.S. have quattro, making the U.S. Audi's largest seller of quattro-equipped vehicles.

According to Audi boss Rupert Stadler: “quattro means more than traction – the word represents emotion, driving safety and performance, it stands for engineering competence and a dynamic spirit. Over 2.3 million quattro models have rolled off the production line at Audi so far – a figure that speaks for itself.”

The launch of the new Audi Q7 played a major role in the rise in the proportion of quattro models by six percentage points compared to the previous year. In total 72,188 of the sports utility vehicles, which are 100-percent four-wheel drive, were produced in 2006. Production of the RS 4 model family was also well up on the previous year at 7,639 units (2005: 569).

“Audi equips a greater proportion of its vehicles with four-wheel drive than any other manufacturer”, said Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales. “That is especially true of our saloons and Avant models. We have the unique selling proposition that all of the models in our current range are available with four-wheel drive.”

quattro – a success story in brief

• The idea: on a car that distributes its power over all four wheels, each wheel can provide a greater lateral force than with just rear- or front-wheel drive; the car has superior traction and cornering.

• In the spring of 1977 the four-wheel drive project was started which had the objective of developing a high-powered sports coupé with permanent four-wheel drive.

• On 3 March 1980 the first Audi quattro took centre stage at the Geneva Motor Show; at the end of the same year the first Audi with four-wheel drive went on sale – and became an instant bestseller.

• From 1982 Audi gradually added a further five vehicles with four-wheel drive to its model range – the Audi 80/90, the Audi Coupé and the Audi 100/200.

• From 1990 the dynamic image Audi had acquired was further enhanced by its S models with their quattro drivetrains.

• The latest generation of quattro four-wheel drive is fitted in the RS 4, the Q7 and the R8. It distributes the engine torque between the front and rear axles at a 40:60 ratio. That means even more agility, with virtually no noticeable effects of power application on steering.

• On the rally track the quattro won four world championship titles between 1982 and 1984.

• Permanent four-wheel drive technology also scored major successes on the racing circuit: the Audi touring car drivers won the most prestigious trophies the USA and Europe had to offer.

• In total Audi has built 2.3 million vehicles with quattro four-wheel drive.

[Source: Audi USA]

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Review: 2007 Audi A4 Convertible

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS 2007

Fabric-top convertibles are not usually known as all-weather vehicles. Yes, they're great for fun in the sun, and can shield occupants from a little rain, but once it gets cold it's time to park for the winter and switch to another vehicle. Right?
Not so with Audi's A4 Cabriolet. With its well-insulated three-layer top and available quattro all-wheel drive system, the A4 Cabrio is useful year-round. I've just finished a week with one, with daytime temperatures varying from highs in the mid-60s (top-down weather for winter!) to the high 30s. While none of that is extreme to anyone in, say, Fargo ND or Prudhoe Bay AK, with the A4 Cabrio's top up at 40 degrees, it's as snug and well-insulated as a sedan. Conversely, when the first-generation A4 Cabrio was introduced in late summer 2002, I drove it in a Southern California heat wave. 100 degrees out? No problem, heat stroke is no fun, put the top up and turn on the air conditioning.



And as always, that top goes up and down automatically at the touch of a button, no manual latching necessary. Structural reinforcements give the A4 Cabrio rigidity on a par with its sedan counterpart, for precise handling and a luxury-car level of refinement. In standard trim, with Audi's 2.0-liter, 200-horsepower FSI direct fuel injection four-cylinder engine and FrontTrak¨ front-wheel drive or quattro¨ all-wheel drive drivetrains or the 3.2-liter, 255-horsepower FSI V6 engine and quattro, it's a fine sport-oriented luxury car. Both engines significant improve upon the previous 1.8T and 3.0 V6 offerings of the past few years. Add the S-Line sport package, with a firmer suspension tuning, plus-one wheels and tires, and sport-look cosmetic upgrades, and the sports quotient is increased. Need more power? Then there's the S4 Cabrio. "S" denotes Audi's high-performance line, and S4 Cabrio means a 340-horse V8 under the hood, driving all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic with "Tiptronic" manual shifting.

When it debuted for the 2003 model year, the A4 Cabrio very successfully filled a void left with the demise of the Audi Cabriolet in 1998. It looked like a two-door version of an A4 sedan with its top replaced by a convertible soft top, but all body panels were subtly different. When the A4 sedan was restyled in 2006, the Cabrio remained unchanged. Now it has been brought up to the latest Audi specification with the "single-frame" grille and revised taillights as highlights.

My 3.2 V6 quattro test car was well-equipped for all-season duty, and not only in the relatively mild climate in which I live. Perhaps the best is the acoustic convertible top, optional with the 3.2 V6 and standard in the S4 Cabrio. Made of new, denser materials, it creates an even quieter and better-insulated top-up interior experience than the already commendable standard top. Add quattro all-weather traction, and there is no reason to keep the A4 Cabrio in the garage for the winter.

APPEARANCE: As with other Audis, the A4 Cabrio's lines are simple and elegant. Top-up or top-down, it is identifiably and Audi thanks to its shape, and of course now the large "single-frame" grille featured across the company's lineup. Strong character lines in the hood and at the shoulders offset the rounded body shape. In planform, the Cabrio is more rounded in front than the sedan. It has two doors to the sedan's four, so all body panels differ just a bit between the two, but there is no doubt that the Cabrio is an A4. Aluminum trim around the outside of the cockpit is a distinctive touch, and the A4 Cabriolet looks as handsome with its top up as with it down. When down, the top completely disappears beneath a hard tonneau.

COMFORT: Inside as out, the A4 Cabrio's styling is clean and simple, with a tasteful geometric design. The anti-glare arch over the instruments continues into the line of the center stack and console, and the round instruments and air vents - five - are accented with aluminum bezels. Aluminum is also found on the door sills. The steering wheel hub now has a representation of the single-frame grille, with the four-ring Audi logo inset. It has a thick leather rim, perfect for a driving grip, and is manually-adjustable for both tilt and reach. Convenient roller-knob auxiliary audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel spokes. Front seats are top-quality, especially the optional leather sports seats in my test car. The rear seat is similar to that of the A4 sedan, and holds two medium-sized adults comfortably. Top-down, wind buffeting is minimal, and can be decreased by a wind deflector unless there are rear passengers, as the deflector covers most of the rear seat. The top is completely power-operated, and goes up or down quickly. The standard top provides excellent insulation when up; the new "acoustic top" is even better. Visibility with the top up is better than average for a convertible. The top folds into the area behind the rear seats, and does take up some trunk space. Still, the A4 Cabrio has more luggage capacity with the top down than most hardtop convertibles.
My test car had the optional navigation system, which moves the CD changer from an in-dash unit to one hidden in the glovebox. With the nav system, there are two slots for SD cards behind the LCD screen, to play MP3 music files. System control is by Audi's MMI system, which is more intuitive than other similar systems if less so than a touch screen.

SAFETY: Extra reinforcement in the door sill area, under the floor, and at the bulkhead between the passenger cabin and trunk gives the A4 Cabrio structural rigidity equivalent to that of the A4 sedan. An extra-strong windshield frame and a rollover-protection system consisting of two bars that pop up from behind the rear seats protect passengers in rollovers; front and front side airbags and strong door beams provide further protection.

RIDE AND HANDLING: The chassis modifications that increase safety also improve the Cabrio's ride comfort and handling precision. There is virtually no cowl shake, even on poorly-paved roads, and newly-upgraded steering allows more feedback from the road. As in the A4 sedan, suspension is fully independent, by Audi's "Four-Link" modified double wishbone system in front and their trapezoidal link rear system. In standard form, it's tuned moderately, in the European luxury-sport manner. The S-Line sport package, as in my test car, gives a firmer spring and shock tuning and 18-inch, 235/40 sports performance tires that probably aren't the best solution for winter driving but work very well in dry or moderately wet conditions. The quattro all-wheel drive system is a proven system that makes optimum use of the power and traction available in all conditions, wet or dry.

PERFORMANCE: Who can argue with more power, particularly with no adverse impact on fuel economy? FSI direct fuel injection, which allows higher compression for improved power and efficiency, and more displacement add up to notable power increases for both the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 3.2-liter V6 engines, which are both 200cc larger than their predecessors. My test car had the V6. With 255 horsepower (at 6500 rpm) and 243 lb-ft of torque (at 3250 rpm) matched to a six-speed torque converter automatic with "Tiptronic" manual-shift mode, it bests the old 3.0-liter V6's 220 hp and 221 lb-ft while returning slightly better gas mileage, with EPA ratings of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. A six-speed automatic transmission also benefits performance and economy. It works well in daily use in "D", and even better for sport driving in manual mode, when it can be shifted by paddles mounted on the steering wheel spokes or a lever on the console. Integration between the engine and transmission electronics results in rev-matching during downshifts, for quicker, smoother shifting.

CONCLUSIONS: A convertible is not merely a summer toy if it's an Audi A4 Cabriolet quattro.

SPECIFICATIONS

2007 Audi A4 Cabriolet 3.2 quattro

Base Price $ 46,950
Price As Tested $ 57,020
Engine Type aluminum alloy dual overhead cam
24-valve V6
Engine Size 3.2 liters / 191 cu. in.
Horsepower 255 @ 6500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 243 @ 3250 rpm
Transmission 6-speed torque converter automatic
with manual shift mode
Wheelbase / Length 104.3 in. / 180.0 in.
Curb Weight 4079 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 16.0
Fuel Capacity 16.6 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires 235/40 ZR18 Conti Sport Contact 2
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc, ABS, EBD, BA,
ESP standard
Suspension, front/rear independent four-link /
independent trapezoidal link
Drivetrain longitudinal front engine,
permanent all-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 19 / 27 / 21
0 to 60 mph 6.9 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
S-Line sport package - includes:
18" alloy wheels and high-performance summer tires
sport suspension, S-line bumpers and badges, brushed
aluminum trim, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel $ 2,500

Audi Navigation Plus $ 2,100
Convenience Package - includes:
Homelink ¨ remote transmitter, auto-dimming mirrors,
memory for mirror and driver's seat adjustments, rain and
light sensor, bi-xenon headlights with adaptive front
lighting system, acoustic convertible roof $ 1,800
Sports seats with Perlnappa leather $ 1,500
Premium Audio Package - includes:
Bose¨Êpremium sound system, Sirius¨ satellite radio $ 1,000
Heated front seats $ 450
Destination Charge $ 720

[Source: The Auto Channel]

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