Audi Info

Audi A4 Takes on Two BMW M3's

2008-04-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a great video of a tuned 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro taking on both a 2002 and 2005 BMW M3 SMGs.

The details on the cars:
- The 2003 Audi A4 is equipped with an ATP / REVO GTRS Turbo Kit
- The 2002 BMW M3 SMG is a stock
- The 2005 BMW M3 SMG has an Autowerks ECU upgrade (Chip) and both a Super Sprint Exhause and Intake.

In the first of two runs, from 40mph-115mph against the 2005 M3, the Audi catches the M3 and starts pulling ahead at 105mph.

During the second run, the Audi A4 takes the 2002 M3 off the line and lets off the gas slightly. Once the M3 catches the A4 the A4 gets back on the gas and they run pretty tight to one another for the rest of the run.

After the runs, the commentator mentions that for some reason the Audi was only maintain a boost of 21psi rather than the expected 25psi where it would just briefly peak. Definitely some room for improvement there!

Audi Driving Experience (ADE) Finland / Muonio

2008-04-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

Anyone familiar with ADE or the Audi Driving Experience knows how much fun it can be. This is a video from the recent ADE event in Muonio / Finland that was held March 18th through the 21st.

This ADE is purely on a snow track with tons of great drifting activity. Check it out, you will not be disappointed!

2008 Audi RS6 - Promotional Video

2008-03-17T16:56:00.000-07:00

Nice promotional video for the Audi RS6 Avant vehicle. while you may rarely see these on the street, this video -- not in English offers a great up front look at the impressive vehicle.

Enjoy your chance to see the Audi RS6!

2006 Audi A4 vs. Audi S4 (Video)

2008-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Call me crazy, but I am a little surprised at the outcome on this video of a 2006 Audi A4 2.0T vs. an Audi S4. Minimally the Audi A4 must be chipped, but can you believe how close the outcome is?

If not, see for yourself:

2009 Audi A4 Avant Promotional Video

2008-02-19T09:19:00.000-08:00

Great promotional video for the highly anticipated upcoming release of the new 2009 Audi A4 Avant series. In this video you are able to see the following:

1. The entire exterior of the 2009 A4 Avant car as the camera circles the vehicle.
2. The entire interior of the 2009 A4 Avant as the camera zooms from the hatch towards the front.
3. The ease and flexibility of the hatch in the 2009 A4 Avant with the automatic open and closing lift gate.

Enjoy!

Audi RS4 Cabrio Video Review - Up Close and Personal

2007-12-09T18:44:00.000-08:00

Want an up close and personal look at that Audi RS4 Cabriolet / Convertible you have been looking for? Well, now is your chance. AudioClips.net have this 4 minute, 25 second video of the 2008 Audi RS4 Cabio up close and personal. Enjoy the details, hopefully you speak German!

Audi A3 Factory Tour - See yours get built!

2007-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

This is a great 10 minute spot that showed up on YouTube. In the video, you are able to see a tour of the factory for the Audi A3 in Inglostadt, Germany. While the video is in German, the shots are great from the "Audi Shop".

Some of the highlights include assembly, body painting, construction, welding and more. Enjoy the video of the Audi A3 factory in Inglostadt!

Road Test on the Audi S4 by AutoWeek

2007-12-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

A great look at the test drive of the 2007 Audi S4 from AutoWeek. The article mainly delivers a couple of high-level editorial looks at the Audi S4. Was this car really pushed to get the full feel -- does not seem like from the article.

Here are a few excerpts:

The price is far more reasonable compared with the RS, and you still get loads of power, rumbling sound, a great gearbox, great brakes, nice steering, all-wheel-drive traction and sweet chassis tuning. The S4 is beyond fun to toss around; it rewards good drivers, while making average drivers look good. For me, it’s sized just right, too. Truthfully, I’d probably take the new S5 coupe, but if you want a four-door burner that does everything well--and you don’t want to wait a year or so for the next-gen S4--this is your car. Or maybe the Avant would be even better.....

.....The biggest thing you take away after driving it is the impression that Audi knows exactly what it’s doing with its smallest sedan. Everything is dialed in, from its smooth V8, precise six-speed, spot-on suspension tuning and steering response. The engine pulls madly up to the 7000-rpm redline, and the chassis is more than capable of handling all the power. Even with winter tires, our test car whips through corners without breaking a sweat.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Audi TT: Road Test by NZ Herald

2007-06-24T06:25:00.000-07:00

A test drive and road test article on the new Audi TT from the Herald in New Zealand. While this driver definitely has preconceived notions about the Audi TT and its historical stigma, there is no question the author is impressed with the new model. The test model was the 2.0-liter turbo FSI engined Audi TT. While the author suggests you can really be "sporting" with the V6 engine, it is clear that model was not driven.

Here are a few excerpts:

That high-tech Audi Space Frame (ASF) construction pays dividends for the drop-top roadster version. Losing the lid means this car is 58 per cent aluminium instead of the coupe's 69 per cent, but the end result is a car that is almost as fast, despite the extra body strengthening required for a convertible. Our 2.0-litre turbo TT rockets to 100km/h in a remarkable 6.5 seconds, just 0.1 seconds slower than the equivalent TT coupe.....

.....The S-Tronic transmission (aka Direct Shift Gearbox) provides bewilderingly fast gear changes thanks to an automated twin-clutch system that preselects ratios, but even in "manual" the system readily over-rides your ear selections and the robotised clutch can be difficult to manage in parking manoeuvres. But yes, Virginia, you can still have a manual-transmission TT, so you have the choice.....

.....The hood is pretty clever, too. Audi wouldn't dream of giving the TT a big fat bum by adding a folding hard-top into the structure, so the new roadster has a very compact fabric roof. It's beautifully lined and does a magnificent job of insulating the cabin from the world outside when it's raised; when you lower it, a "Z-fold" system stacks the rigid front section of the roof on top of the cloth to form a cover, ensuring that the hood sits completely flush with the body and eliminating the need for a tonneau. Nice.

[Source: NZ Herald]

Audi R8: A Business Car?

2007-06-23T09:57:00.001-07:00

Well, maybe an executive's car. But definitely not a business car. That being said, the Audi R8 will join seven other cars in the Audi lineup including the Audi RS4 at the CCIA Drive & Decide event. If you have an invite -- a great place to get and up close and hands on view of the car.

Here are a few excerpts:

The state-of-the-art aluminium-bodied, mid-engined R8 sports car will be on static display at the Bedfordshire proving ground throughout the three-day Company Car in Action Drive and Decide event, which runs from the 19 th to the 21 st of June.....

.....Highlights available for driving and appraisal will include the 265PS S3 quattro, the TT Coupe 2.0 TFSI S tronic and the Q7 3.0 TDI quattro SE. Firm fleet favourites including the A4 2.0 TDI S line saloon and the A6 2.7 TDI S line saloon with ultra-efficient multitronic continuously variable transmission will also be in attendance.

[Source: Gazzette]

Audi RS4: Test Drive Video from Auto.CZ

2007-06-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a nice demo video of the Audi RS 4 in action at a closed track. In the video you will be able to see the corning aspects of the car, the inside vantage point, an acceleration from dead stop and the sound of both the engine underneath the hood as well as the exhaust.

Enjoy!

Audi S4: Has it caught your eye?

2007-06-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

No questions about it. When someone who knows cars sees and Audi RS4 on the road with its 420-hp V8 FSI engine, heads turn. Here's a review where the author had the opportunity to turn the head of a peace officer!

Here are a few excerpts:

But there is no doubt that Audi wants the S4 to attract attention, if not from the authorities. It's available in colors such as Imola Yellow, Brilliant Red, and a variety of metallic and pearl-effect offerings that stand out from the crowd. Clearly, it's not a machine to fly under the radar......

.....The all-wheel-drive system, when coupled with the smooth six-speed manual, distributes 60 percent of the driving power to the rear wheels, giving a nice balance to the driving feel. The automatic (Tiptronic) version retains a 50/50 torque split.....

.....Likewise, the interior is deceptively simple. Our test vehicle had a black leather interior with dark wood trim highlights and a wraparound style that proved to be more illusion than reality, leaving plenty of shoulder and elbow room for taller drivers instead of swaddling them in a tight cocoon. A nice touch is the hidden storage areas under the front seats. They're a small but accessible place to stash iPods, transponders, hands-free phone accessories, and the like.

[Source: Atlanta Journal-Consitution]

Audi A6: Bourne Ultimatum Appearance!

2007-06-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

The word is out that a 1998 Audi A6 C5 will make an appearance in the upcoming Matt Damon movie. The movie titled, "The Bourne Ultimatum" follows the character Jason Bourne in a spy / CIA thriller that follows "The Bourne Identity" and "The Bourne Supremecy" movies.

Expected in the upcoming movie, the 1995 Audi A6 C5 will make an extended appearance in the movie in a chase scene. In the end, the car will be "parked" nicely as in the below photo.

[Source: IMCDB]

Audi TT: From Beauty to Sports Car

2007-06-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

This author's take on the new 2008 Audi TT is that it is no longer the beautiful icon it once was when it first hit the streets 10 years ago. Gone is that "wow" and "that's a beautiful" car when it drives by. Instead, in its place is what can consider to be a true sports car. Why can't we have both?

Here are a few excerpts:

When it debuted in 1998, the Audi TT’s rounded, minimalist, pushmi-pullyu shape (balanced proportions, no identifiable bumpers) made it an instant icon. The TT’s smooth sheet metal represented a radical departure from Audi’s—and anyone else’s—design language. Although the TT was little more than a Volkswagen Golf under the skin, the four-wheeled objet d’art found plenty of willing buyers who couldn’t have cared less.....

.....Inside, well, thank God. Audi makes the world’s best car interiors, and the TT shows us the master at the top of her game. From its squashed crown steering wheel to its exquisite aluminum glove box latch, the cockpit’s design, shape, texture, materials, fit, and finish represent a huge step up from the first generation. The TT’s enlarged underpinnings also create a longer, wider, less claustrophobic cabin. Twenty seconds behind the wheel and you’ll know why Audi upped the price of admission.....

.....Nor am I buying a new Audi TT. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, looking at the updated model makes me long for some emergency eyewash. The TT’s sticker is also something of a passion killer. Yes, the new TT’s elevated starting prices ($34,800 for the 2.0T, $41,500 for the 3.2) reflect the fact that the coupe is a much more grown-up luxury car than its predecessor. But who asked for a grown-up luxury coupe? These things are supposed to be toys.

[Source: Advocate]

Audi RS4 & Audi R8: Dynos for Your Viewing Pleasure

2007-06-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is an article that many of us have been waiting for. With the Audi RS4 and the R8 sharing very similar powerplants -- the real question is -- which is better? While there is no question that the R8 outperforms the saloon sedan that is the RS4, which Audi vehicle has the best dyno peformance.

The results? The RS4 has a larger torque and mid-range than the R8. However, both are very impressive. Judge for yourself.

Here are a few excerpts:

Anyway, Audi's new R8 shares the RS4's engine, albeit with a couple of small changes. First, it has different intake and exhaust paths due to its mid-engine layout. Then, its dry-sump lubrication system allows the engine to be mounted lower in the chassis, permitting the use of a smaller, and lighter, flywheel.....

.....On the road, the R8's power delivery felt similar to the RS4's - it has a huge amount of torque available at any speed. Unlike the RS4, though, which hits hard at 3000 rpm and stays there, the R8's torque output builds with revs, gradually coming to its peak.....

.....The dyno chart confirms what we felt in the seat of our pants - the RS4 has a bigger torque plateau in the mid-range, where the R8's torque curve rises more slowly. Both engines, however, have torque curves so robust that they would have been unimaginable only a few years ago.

[Source: Automobile]

Audi: Safest Car Manufacturer

2007-06-21T09:42:00.000-07:00

The British Insurance Car Safety Awards handed out the safest car manufacturer award to Audi today. The award goes out to the manufacturer with the safest rating on all vehicle releases over a 12-month period ending in April.

Here are a few excerpts:

Luxury brand picks up top honours in car security awards. Audi was yesterday named as the best manufacturer for car security in the 2007 British Insurance Car Security Awards

[Source: MotorTrader]

Audi A5 & S5: We Can Hardly Wait

2007-06-21T09:28:00.000-07:00

It seems that every time there is an article on the coming Audi A5 and Audi S5 vehicles the wait is too long for the arrival of these vehicles. The first true coupes that Audi has produced in quite some time creates a stir when you look at it. That same stir has been in many of those who have had the opportunity to drive it.

Here are a few excerpts:

As a means of dealing with congested Italian roads, the S5 coupe is hard to beat. A 350-hp V-8 coupled with Quattro all-wheel drive lets us get on the power ludicrously early coming out of corners. And as for straight-line performance, it's headline-grabbing stuff: 0 to 60 mph in about 5.0 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 155 mph, according to Audi.....

.....Well, the A5 certainly looks expensive. Volkswagen Group design boss Walter de'Silva says the A5 is the most beautiful car he's ever styled. It combines Audi's geometrically muscular stance with a dash of Latin whimsy in the form of an undulating character line on the body sides. There are some fantastic details, too, such as the LED daytime running lights that give the A5 an instantly recognizable face (BMW has pulled off much the same trick with its "angel eyes" headlamp surrounds). The A5's headlights also have beautifully sculpted surfaces.....

.....Apart from their flamboyantly curvy sheetmetal, the A5 and the S5 represent a fairly conservative evolution for Audi. The dynamic gains don't seem to reflect the engineering effort that the company has put into the chassis; this isn't a car that will tempt those wedded to a great driving experience. But the S5, while no agile sportster, is a brilliantly executed blunt instrument with which to subdue a raucous Sunday afternoon, Italian-style.

[Source: Automobile]

Audi A2: Audi Thinking Small with 2009 Debut

2007-06-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

With only the "2" and the "6" the only two remaining numbers not used by Audi in the United States, it looks like we are down to just "6". MotorTrend reveals some pictures and numbers about Audi's upcoming 2009 A2 next generation release. The Audi A2 is expected to make an appearance at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.

Here is an excerpt:

Audi management has settled on a strategy of making its 2009 A2 a straightforward subcompact with mass appeal, rather than leftfield, like the Gen I aluminum A2. The 2009 A2 won't have a unique platform, but will use the VW subcompact underpinnings, like the Polo, with gasoline engines ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 liters, plus diesels.The A2 will offer more interior space than a Mini, which will be seen as a key rival if Audi decides to bring it here. While the A2 would be marketed in the U.S. as a premium subcompact, it won't have the sporty handling of the Cooper S.

[Source: MotorTrend]

Audi TT: Coupe Dominates Market Segment

2007-06-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

The folks at AutoExpress had the opportunity to test drive the 2008 Audi TT and their results were quite impressive. So impressive in fact, that they believe that in its price bracket -- the Audi TT represents the best coupe on the market. Their test vehicle was the 2.0-liter version of the car and what they found is consistent with what we have seen. The 2.0T FSI engine seems to outperform the V6 version and with this particular car, the Quattro AWD is barely missed.

Here are a few excerpts:

If the mark of a well designed car is that it still looks fresh even when approaching retirement age, then the TT has to be an all-time great. In fact, so successful was the shape, that car's replacement is fundamentally unchanged. It may be longer and wider, but the basic proportions and profile (high window line, rounded ends and exaggerated wheelarches) are familiar. Only two versions are available at the moment: how to tell them apart? Well, the 2.0T gets a grey front grille and twin pipes on the left, while the V6 has a black grille and exhaust pipes either side. The BMW Z4 battles it closely, as indeed does the Bavarian maker's 3-Series coupe, while the Mazda RX-8 and Alfa Romeo Brera are also rivals.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Audi R8: Mid-Engine is Very Special

2007-06-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Special is a good word to describe this $110k plus vehicle. As of yet, I have not read a single review that is overly critical of the Audi R8. Perhaps that is because many of the drivers feel special to even experience the car. Or, more likely, the 414-hp supercar Audi R8 is really that good. This review is a fun and entertaining read as the auther chooses the form of a "Dear" letter.

Here are a few excerpts:

You steal my pride, R8. I can even forgive your indiscretions, such as riding around with other auto critics. Do you know how many cars they try to juggle at one time? Get it out of your system, and when you finally make that U turn back to me, I'll be waiting.....

.....Freeway entrance ramps became launching pads, as I tried to match the 0-62 mph time of 4.6 seconds. I knew you could reach 125 mph in 14.9 seconds and only the forces of nature could hold you to a top speed of 188 mph. I have no wish to tell anyone the top speed we reached on the smooth open highways near Monroe -- I'm not the kind of guy to rev and tell.....

.....Your Quattro Drive, stability control and carefully tuned suspension help too. They often saved me from myself. As I would whip you around the corner, causing your back end to slide a little too far because you are, literally, more than I should handle, you'd instantly check my aggressiveness, correct my errors and make me feel like Michael Schumacher. You make me a better man and driver.....

.....And there's so much room inside. Even with two big passengers, it was never a tight squeeze. Audi bases its idea of room and comfort by shoulder space. And while some sports cars may feel cramped, your cabin was spacious.

[Source: The Detroit News]

Audi TT: Australian News and Reviews Continue

2007-06-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

With the launch of the Audi TT down under in Australia, the news and reviews continue to come. This time out of SSO.net.

Here are a few excerpts:

The new TT is available in two engine sizes. The four-cylinder turbo engine, with the abbreviation TFSI, outputs 147 kilowatts and takes the car from 0 to 100km in 6.3 seconds. Hang on though as this baby is front-wheel drive only and the torque steer is pronounced but far better than the previous model. The 3.2l V6, however, is all-wheel drive, and it would be dangerous if it wasn’t. The 184kW of power propel the car to 100km in only 5.7 seconds.....

.....The headlamps, grille and chiselled shape of the front bumpers give the new TT a highly aggressive, less feminine look. Instead of being a traditional three-door hatchback, Audi stuck to the slinky coupé shape with big, plumped wheel arches, a style that it has ever so carefully preserved for the second generation. Unlike the current car, you will notice that the new TT doesn’t have a rear spoiler – at least one that’s visible when the car is still. The previous generation’s fixed wing, introduced to reduce rear-end lift at high speed, is longer. It was added in the early days when a number of the early models literally flipped at high speed on German autobahns. The spoiler has been replaced by a hydraulically operated one that raises at 75 mph, akin to the one you might find on a Porsche Boxster or Cayman.

[Source: SSO.net]

Audi: Recommended Luxury Brand in Buying Guide

2007-06-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Audi received strong recommendations as a luxury brand in the mid-year car buying guide at the Post Gazzette. While there was a strong recommendation across the entire brand, focus was placed on the Audi R8, Audi Q7, the Audi A5 & Audi S5 launch as well as the A3 line of vehicles.

Here are a few excerpts:

First, there's the styling -- always fashion forward, always understated, contemporary and ahead of its time. Then there's the interior. Audi's won numerous awards for their interior designs, which feature interesting presentations and top notch materials.....

.....You can start your search with the Audi A3, a luxurious hatchback compact powered by either a 200 horsepower 2.0 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine, or a 250 horsepower 3.2 liter V-6. Quattro all-wheel drive is available on the V-6, and there's also an interesting S-Line package that includes a sports suspension and lots of other sporty goodies. Mileage ranges from 23/32 to 25/32 depending on engine and transmission combination. Prices start at $25,340 to $33,980.....

.....Next year also brings the curvaceous A5 and S5 coupes, which feature either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Both have graceful, voluptuous semi- fastback styling, gorgeous road wheels, and a choice of engines that include a 3.2 liter direct-injected V-6 or a 354 horsepower V-8 in the S5. I expect prices to start in the mid 40,000 range.....

.....You will also want to check out the imposing Q7 luxury crossover. It comes in five-, six- and seven-passenger versions, with standard and premium trim options. You can buy one for about $49,900, and it's powered by a 350 horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 rated at 14 mpg city and 19 highway. A 3.6-liter V-6 (rated 16/20) starts at $39,900.

[Source: Post Gazzette]

Audi RS4: Revisited: Make way for the RS6

2007-06-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

Alas, no worries here. At least through 2008, that is. According to Winding Road the death of the current B7 generation of the Audi RS 4 was greatly over-stated by AutoCar in the UK just 4 days ago. While the Inglostat manufacturer is preparing for the up to 650-hp RS 6, they are not yet ready to call it quits for the RS 4.

That's good news, we can all wait until the B8 version of the RS 4 comes to us -- hopefully for the 2009 model year.

[Source: Winding Road]

Audi Q7: Review of the S-Line from Ireland

2007-06-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Audi Q7 has gotten great remarks from the industry critics with their first venture into the SUV market. This article, by way of Ireland takes a look at the Audi Q7 with its S-Line package and all of the thrills and benefits that it brings. The reviewer in the end is not that fond of the Q7 for its "intimidating" qualities.

Here are a few excerpts:

It’s not as if Audi has a tradition in SUVs. Not compared to makers like Land Rover, or Toyota or Nissan, whose vehicles have long been mainstays in parts of the world where cars have to work hard.....

.....It’s just that, despite its ability, quality, refinement, I didn’t feel comfortable driving the Q7. Maybe because I don’t like intimidating people. And the Q7 is, in my view, styled and designed to intimidate.....

.....Inside, all is luxury and tech. The main two rows of seats were sumptuous, leather and sports-profiled as another extra in the review car. The rearmost pair, though well made, were rather cramped for real people.....

.....The review car had the 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine that is well familiar from a number of applications throughout the VW Group. With 233hp growling under the hood, the accompanying 500Nm of torque offered surging but smooth performance when requested. Given the size and weight of the car, average fuel consumption of around 10 L/100km is quite respectable.

[Source: Slingo Weekender]

Audi S3: Yes, the Audi S3 is here!

2007-06-19T07:45:00.000-07:00

While CARtoday is a couple of days late to the party on the Audi S3 launch in South Africa, we cannot blame them for being excited. (Wheels24 and Motoring articles) The Audi S3 is quite an impressive piece of machinery in somewhat of a hot-hatch version with the most exciting derivative of the 2.0T FSI engine underneath it.

And again, notice the same white S3 as in the previous pictures. Looks like this Audi S3 really did some time on the journalist circuit!

Here are a few excerpts:

The company’s venerable 2,0T FSI engine sits at the heart of the new S3. This much vaunted powerplant (winning categories in the International Engine of the Year Awards for the last three years) combines turbocharging and direct petrol injection to deliver 188 kW at 6 000 r/min and 330 N.m from 2 400r/min to 5 200 r/min.....

.....Audi’s engineers have fettled the standard A3 by fitting a with specially tuned S sports suspension set up. As a result, the springs and dampers are correspondingly firmer the ride drops to 1 522 mm at the front and 1 506 mm at the rear. The new S3 now has a wider track and rolls on a set of model-specific 18-inch alloys.....

.....The interior features cloth/leather combination sports seats, aluminium trim for the air vents and pedals, a digital lap timer integrated into the trip computer, grey instrumentation dials with white needles, a leather-bound flat bottomed sports steering heel and a healthy dose of S3 decals on the door trim and numerous other parts of the cabin.

[Source: CARtoday]