Showing posts with label Audi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audi. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Audi RS6

The most recent tuning packages we’ve seen from Romeo Ferraris have been for some not-so-fast vehicles like the Abarth 500 and the Smart ForTwo. However, this time around, the Italian tuners have chosen the Audi RS6 to toy around with. The result of their work is a total of 720 HP and a top speed of 205 mph. Now that’s a real Audi RS model! The tuning kit comes in two different engine upgrade stages. Stage one includes an ECU update and installation of two filters, allowing the Audi to get an extra 51hp. Not bad, but Stage two is oh-so-much better. This stage has the tuner optimizing the mapping of the two units (one per bank) and replacing the central component with high-performance metal catalysts combined with two 200-cell.The tuner can then install a new exhaust system if the customer so chooses. The result is an increase of 140 HP to 720hp (up from a standard of 580 HP). In order to manage this impressive update, the tuner is also offering a new Brembo front brake system.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Audi S5

Audi achieved a great success at the expense of the series A5. Although priced at a very high, but it did not dampen the demand to have the A5. With a fairly high level of sales for top-class cars, is proof that Audi is in great demand output wider community. This reason also that made Audi's attempt to issue a new series in the continuing success of the A5 series. Car latest release is called Audi S5.


The top models in the series - the S5 as Sportback, Coupé and Cabriolet - have also been refreshed. All S5 models, including the Coupé, are now equipped with the 3.0 TFSI producing 245 kW (333 hp). Compared to the 4.2-liter V8 it replaces in the Coupé, the supercharged V6 consumes on average 20 percent less fuel per 100 kilometers. Average fuel consumption is just 8.1 liters (29.04 US mpg) while performance remains impressive. The S5 Coupé accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.9 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph).


Visual cues to the updated S models include new lights, modified body details and new crystal-effect paint finishes. Subtle changes can also be found in the interior. The most important technical updates for the Audi S5 are quattro drive with the crown-gear center differential and electromechanical power steering. The special S sport suspension and the standard 18-inch wheels deliver the power to the road.














A price not much different from the A5, the S5 is expected to achieve similar success with its predecessor. This car is reportedly to be launched in 2012. So we wait for the appearance and the excitement of next year.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Audi R8 GT

Audi is one of the carmaker, which until now continues to innovate in producing a classy cars. All the latest series from Audi is always awaited by his fans. In fact, each series issued will have a unique and distinctive to offer. Completion of the previous series became a tradition and innovation are endless. Like the one in this series R8.


Now even more powerful, lighter and faster: Audi presents the Audi R8 GT - a limited-production version of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car. The output of its 5.2-liter V10 has been increased to 412 kW (560 hp); vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100 kilograms (220.46 lb). The Audi R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph).


The R8 high-performance sports car has been a winner from the very beginning. This applies to both the production models, winners of the "World Performance Car" Award in 2008 (R8) and in 2010 (R8 V10), and to the race car, the R8 LMS, which won 23 races in its first season and claimed three championships. The genes of the race version are now coming to the street - in the Audi R8 GT. The exclusive series is limited to 333 units. Each Audi R8 GT has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.


The Audi R8 GT, which Audi sells in Germany for €193,000, comes with an automatic climate control system and power windows, a navigation system with MMI operating logic and a powerful sound system. A 465 watt, ten-channel Bang & Olufsen sound system, a CD changer and the Audi Music Interface are available as options. As always with Audi, the interior shows loving attention to detail. Rich materials spoil the occupants with a fine look and feel.


The ergonomic interior is adorned in sporty black and dark gray. The steering wheel, the headliner, the roof posts, the knee pad, the parking brake lever and the bucket seats are covered with Alcantara accented with contrasting stitching. A synthetic sharkskin-look material that feels slightly rough to the touch is applied to the bulkhead, the door liners, the instrument cowl and the dashboard. The "monoposto" - the arch in the cockpit - is made of matt carbon.

The instrument cluster features white dials with "R8 GT" badges. The newly designed selector lever is made of CFRP and aluminum; the center tunnel and the door liners sport decorative inlays in the body color. The door sills feature trims of matt aluminum decorated with the "R8 GT" logo.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009 model. Audi has since unveiled a third SUV model, the Q3, going on sale in the 3rd quarter of 2011.The Q7 (internally designated Typ 4L) utilizes a modified version of the Volkswagen Group PL71 platform. Previewed by the Audi Pikes Peak quattro concept car, the Q7 is designed more for on-road use, and was not meant for serious off-road use where a transfer case is needed. In an off road test through the Australian outback it fared well for a "soft roader". Although it lacks a low-range transfer case, it has quattro permanent four wheel drive system with a central differential lock, and an adjustable-height air suspension which helps in off road situations.
 

Despite its multiple airbags and safety electronics, such as Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), the Q7 scored only four stars out of five in the Euro NCAP crash test for adult occupant protection. According to Audi, this was caused by a design error, and has since been fixed in cars manufactured after the test which should allegedly lead to five stars. Official tests to prove this remain to be done as of March 2009.

However in the United States, the Q7 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety test for both front and side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Q7 its Top Safety Pick, with Good ratings in all 14 measured categories of the front and side impact test.


Thursday, June 9, 2011

Audi TT

Dynamic design, enthralling performance and exemplary efficiency – the Audi TT Coupe and the TT Roadster are now more attractive than ever. The design of the lightweight bodies made primarily of aluminum and the interior have been revised with great attention to detail, while new technologies lower the fuel consumption of the compact sports car. New to the lineup is a powerful and highly efficient four cylinder: The 2.0 TFSI develops 155 kW (211 hp), but is content with an average fuel consumption of just 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers (35.64 US mpg).

Audi TT
Exterior design
The second generation TT Coupe and the TT Roadster have made a name for themselves as design icons, similar to their predecessors. Awards such as the 2007 “World Car Design of the Year” document this status. A brawny, broad foundation, powerful shoulders and a flat roofline – the two compact sports cars have fascinatingly masculine lines. Their dynamic appearance is now even more expressive than ever.
The most obvious feature at the front of the car is the powerful bumper, which frames the larger air inlets with three-dimensional, sharply drawn out edges. The fog lights are set in chrome rings. Also sporting a new look are the lattice of the single-frame grille in high-gloss black and the optional xenon plus headlights. Twelve white LEDs arranged in a straight line at the lower edge of the headlights serve as the daytime running lights. These together with the wings in the headlight body are classic Audi design features.

The tubular, apparently floating reflectors of the tail lights add visual depth to the rear end of the car. The large tailpipes of the exhaust system – the 2.0 TFSI features a dual exhaust – and the larger, flat black diffuser set additional accents. A spoiler that extends at 120 km/h (74.56 mph) improves downforce.
The upgrades to the TT Coupe and the TT Roadster have added two centimeters (0.79 in) to both cars, which now measure 4,187 millimeters (13.74 ft) in length. The width of 1,842 millimeters (6.04 ft) and the height of 1,352 millimeters (4.44 ft) and 1,357 millimeters (4.45 ft) for the Coupe and Roadster, respectively, remain unchanged. The wheelbase measures 2,468 millimeters (8.10 ft). Four new metallic colors have been added to the TT color range: Scuba Blue, Oolong Gray, Volcano Red and Dakota Gray. Daytona Gray, pearl effect is also available with the S line package.


Body
A key factor for the groundbreaking efficiency and excellent driving dynamics of the TT is the body, which features hybrid Audi Space Frame technology (ASF). Lightweight aluminum is used at the front of the car back to the B-pillar, with steel panels used at the rear. This mix enabled the development engineers to balance the axial loads perfectly and keep the total weight extremely low – prime parameters for dynamic performance.

The TT 1.8 TFSI weighs a mere 1,240 kg (2,733.73 lb), a good 100 kilograms (220.46 lbs) less than its closest competitor. The body of the Coupés weighs only 206 kilograms (454.15 lb), which breaks down to 140 kilograms (308.65 lb) of aluminum (68 percent) and 66 kilograms (145.51 lb) of steel (32 percent). The specific reinforcements in the TT Roadster – steel bulkhead, strongly ribbed sills, A-pillar and windshield frame – result in a 58 to 42 percent split of the two materials.

The ASF bodies of the TT are not only extremely lightweight, they are also very strong and low-vibration, providing the foundation for sporty and precise handling, the quiet ride and the high passive safety. A package of finely tuned retention systems protects the passengers in the event of a crash. The classic cloth top of the TT Roadster is a perfect complement to Audi’s lightweight construction principle. It contributes to a low center of gravity, fits ideally into the design line and takes up little space when folded.
Audi offers the soft top in two variants. The manual version features a central latch for opening and closing the top. An electrohydraulic drive opens the optional fully-automatic top in just 12 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). An additional acoustic mat further improves the already excellent acoustics and thermal insulation.
Interior
The interior of the TT features a sporty design, dynamic elegance and generous amounts of space. The standard sport seats are mounted low and offer a high level of lateral support. The steering wheel is flattened at the bottom. The five round air vents and the arched cowl over the round-dial instruments exude the spirit characteristic of the TT. The ergonomics are logical and the fit and finish is uncompromisingly precise – just like always with Audi. When the ignition is turned, the dials of the speedometer and tachometer briefly run up to the limit before returning to zero.

The designers have added additional gloss to the fine interior. New aluminum-look applications shine on the steering wheel, the center console and in the door liner. Elegant accents are provided by rings, frames and strips in high-gloss black. The aluminum strip above the glove box door is now brushed gray. There are three new interior colors from which to choose – nougat brown, titanium gray and garnet red. The leather seat covers are specially treated to reduce thermal heating by as much as 20 degrees Celsius (68° F) when the TT is parked in the sun.
The TT Coupe and the TT Roadster are sports cars with a high degree of everyday utility. The backs of both rear seats fold down in the 2+2-seater Coupé, expanding the trunk space beneath the long lid from 292 to 700 liters (10.31 – 24.72 cubic ft). The Roadster, which offers 250 liters (8.83 cubic ft) of storage space whether the top is up or down, can also be supplied with the option of a load-through facility.

Drivetrain
Three four-cylinder engines with turbocharging and direct fuel injection are available for both the TT Coupe and the TT Roadster. The two TFSI gasoline engines and the TDI combine sporty performance with groundbreaking efficiency – their fuel consumption figures have been reduced by up to 14 percent. All three engines are coupled with a recuperation system that recovers energy during braking and coasting phases.
New to the lineup is the 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW (211 hp), which replaces the 2.0 TFSI with 147 kW (200 hp) and the 3.2 FSI. With a manual transmission, the two-liter engine accelerates the Coupe from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 245 km/h (152.24 mph). Audi also offers the 2.0 TFSI with an optional drivetrain featuring the six-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The spring from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes only 5.6 s in this configuration.

The Audi valvelift system AVS in the new 2.0 TFSI increases power, torque and efficiency. Equipped with a manual transmission, the TT 2.0 TFSI consumes only 6.6 liters of fuel per 100 km (35.64 US mpg) in the European test cycle. CO2 emissions are an exemplary 154 grams/km (247.84 g/mile). The best value posted by a competitor is 199 g/km (320.26 g/mile). Fuel consumption has improved by 1.1 liters/100 km over the previous model.

The 2.0 TFSI is a winner par excellence, having been named “Engine of the Year” five years in a row by an international jury. Its technology package combines high output with impressive pulling power. A constant 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque are available between 1,600 and 4,200 rpm. The long-stroke engine, which is extremely cultivated thanks to two balance shafts, has been painstakingly optimized for minimal friction.
The Audi valvelift system adjusts the lift of the exhaust valves in two stages depending on need. This reduces flushing losses in the combustion chamber and also ensures that the optimal flow of the exhaust gas is directed to the turbocharger, which in turn ensures that torque is developed quickly.
The combination of turbocharging and direct fuel injection also reduces the combustion chamber temperatures and the resulting tendency to knock. This allows a high compression ratio of 9.6:1, which improves efficiency.
The TT engine lineup includes two other four-cylinder engines besides the new 2.0 TFSI. The 1.8 TFSI, available with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive, delivers 118 kW (160 hp) and 250 Nm of torque (184.39 lb-ft), the latter between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. It launches the Coupe from a standing start to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, with a top speed of 226 km/h (140.43 mph). It consumes just 6.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (36.75 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to only 149 grams of CO2/km (239.79 g/mile). The TT 2.0 TDI remains the only sports car with a diesel engine in its segment, and its efficiency clearly sets the standard. The TT Coupe consumes just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg), which corresponds to only 139 grams of CO2/km (223.70 g/mile). With 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque – the latter available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm – the standard sprint takes 7.5 seconds and acceleration continues until a top speed of 226 km/h (140.43 mph) is reached. The two-liter TDI is mated to a manual transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.

A precisely shifting six-speed manual transmission transfers power to the wheels regardless of the engine. Audi also offers the S tronic dual clutch transmission as an option for the new 2.0 TFSI. This transmission switches between its six gears with virtually no interruption to the supply of power. The high-tech gearbox shifts extremely quickly and comfortably, either fully automatically or manually as the driver desires. Manual shifts can be made using the optional paddles on the steering wheel.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI with the S tronic; it comes standard with the 2.0 TDI. The hydraulic multi-plate clutch, which is mounted on the rear axle in the interest of weight distribution, is electronically controlled. During normal driving, it sends most of the engine’s power to the front wheels, but can quickly transfer up to 100 percent to the rear wheels, if necessary.
The quattro drive provides substantially greater stability, traction and driving enjoyment, and is another unique selling point of the Audi TT in its class.

Chassis
The front suspension features McPherson struts, with aluminum components used to keep the weight of the unsprung masses low. The power steering is direct, sensitive and thanks to its electromechanical drive, highly efficient. The trailing arms of the four-link rear suspension are relatively soft in the interest of comfort. The connections to the three transverse links per wheel, on the other hand, are rigid in order to direct lateral forces into the body with precision.
Available as an option with all variants of the TT is the electronically controlled Audi magnetic ride shock absorber system, another high-tech feature that underscores the unique character of the compact sports car. A fluid containing tiny magnetic particles circulates through the dampers. When a voltage is applied to the magnetic field, the behavior of the particles changes and thus the damping behavior of the fluid changes. A computer fed with input from a bundle of sensors controls the adaptive damping.

The driver can choose between two base characteristics, which are now even more clearly differentiated. In “Normal” mode, the movements of the TT Coupe and the TT Roadster are balanced – equally agile and comfortable. In “Sport” mode, high damping forces largely suppress body roll. The TT is tautly connected to the road, and its setup is highly dynamic.

Another option is available in addition to Audi magnetic ride – the Sport button. The driver can use it to adjust the characteristic of the gas pedal (with manual transmissions), the amount of servo boost for the steering and the engine sound in two stages.
The range of wheels has also been reworked, and now features 14 variants. The TT 1.8 TFSI, the 2.0 TDI and the 2.0 TFSI roll off the assembly line on 17-inch aluminum wheels with size 245/55 tires.
Winter wheels are available in three sizes; the range of summer wheels extends all the way up to 9 J x 19 with size 255/35 tires. Mounted behind the large wheels are powerful brakes with large-diameter discs. The front discs are internally ventilated.

Equipment and trim
All versions of the TT Coupe and TT Roadster come with a rich array of standard equipment. Among the highlights are the “chorus” audio system, a driver information system and – in the TT Coupe– an automatic climate control system. Two navigation systems, a universal cellular phone preparation and the sonorous Bose Surround Sound system are available as options. The optional xenon plus headlights can be combined with a cornering light function.
The onboard computer with efficiency program comes standard in the TT. It displays all of the consumption-relevant data on the central display, and gives the driver tips for efficient driving. The gear-change indicator indicates the proper gear. Another function provides information on which vehicle systems, such as the climate control system, are consuming energy and how that effects fuel consumption.

Customizing fans will find a rich selection available in Color & Trim. It begins with the optional leather upholstery and includes four leather packages, an application package and two S line packages. The S line exterior package focuses on design modifications in the area of the bumpers, the air inlets and the diffuser. The S line sport package features a black interior with many fine details in such places as the steering wheel, the seat covers and the applications. 18-inch wheels and body lowered by 10 millimeters (0.39 in) make the handling even more dynamic.
The updated TT Coupe and the TT Roadster will debut on the German market this summer with only minimal changes in price. The 1.8 TFSI will be available from €30,200.

The Audi TTS and the Audi TT RS
The Audi TTS, both in Coupe and Roadster body styles, combine enthralling sportiness with cultivated comfort. Its two-liter TFSI with the large turbocharger and many additional modifications pumps out 200 kW (272 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque, the latter from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. It accelerates the TTS Coupe with the optional S tronic from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.2 seconds, up to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). With the S tronic, the Coupé consumes an average of only 7.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (30.55 US mpg).
The TTS comes standard with the Audi magnetic ride adaptive shock absorber technology, the Sport button and a high-performance brake system. Visual cues to its identity are provided by the 18-inch wheels with size 245/40 tires and a new grille combined with chrome air inlets. A new color combination – spectral silver/black – is available for the interior.

The dynamic spearhead of the TT model series is the TT RS, which is likewise available as a Coupe or a Roadster. Its turbocharged, inline 5-cylinder engine draws 250 kW (340 hp) of power from 2.5 liters of displacement. 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque are available between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. It nevertheless averages just 9.2 liters of fuel per 100 km (25.57 US mpg).
The TT RS Coupe rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds; quattro GmbH will raise the top speed from 250 to 280 km/h (155.34 to 173.98 mph) upon request. A sound flap in the exhaust system further intensifies the distinctive five-cylinder sound. A manual six-speed transmission with a sportily narrow gearing currently delivers the power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Starting this fall, Audi will also offer the option of the TT RS with a newly developed version of the S tronic that can handle the tremendous torque of the powerful five-cylinder engine. The compact layout of the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission makes it suitable for transverse mounting in combination with the quattro all-wheel drive system.

The TT RS Coupe with the S tronic launches itself from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.4 seconds. The TT RS Roadster requires 0.1 seconds more for this discipline – a bat of an eye less than with the manual transmission. Distinctive design details, 18-inch wheels and an extremely powerful brake system are standard with the TT RS.
[Source: Audi Media Site]

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Audi A8 L

It's only really luxury car with a very super security. How could I not, in terms of interior is very charming, especially the exterior that is more than any sedan type car. Audi with the dinamic has launched a car called the Audi A8 L.

Special Modifications
According to Audi, this sedan specially modified and done by hand by a small shop in Neckarsulm, Germany. Floors and doors added security that makes the car into an anti-bullet resistant. Also there is a safety system, the driver can not use the phone while driving a car.
The body of the Audi A8 which was originally made of aluminum, modified again with the concept of the Audi Space Frame (ASF), which is strengthening with steel anti-bullet who spent 450 hours working. Another distinctive feature of the car wheel axis distance (wheel base) is also more elastic than the standard version. The length of the car itself is 5.27 meters

Machine used, the A8 L Security is a W-12, 6.2 liters, which produced power 368 kW (500 PS) and 625 Nm of torque. Enough for this car to take the increasingly heavy. Weight of the car increases, because some parts of the body, floor and added a layer of steel doors and bullet-proof glass.

NATO Standards
A8 L is also obtained a special certification from the German government ballistics testing facility in Munich for ballistic protection standards VR Class 7 (tested on BRV: Bullet Resistant Vehicle 2009). Testing of the explosion using a standard 2010 Guidelines ERV (ERV: Explosion Resistant Vehicle).

Test Class balisitik VR 7 on the sedan, is the highest level of security that have been done to civilian vehicles. Gazette plate used for cell passenger has met the standard NATO ammunition is very tight.

Integration of various components of the body, forming a security cell sedan include bulletproof steel, aramid fabric, ceramic, aluminum and glass door of a special blend of multiple layers. Bullet-proof steel which is plated to increase the body weight of 720 kg car.


Side of the body is aluminum, but the inside is coated steel, including special aluminum mixture on the floor that can hold a hand grenade explosion. This is not just theory, also also conducted tests using a dummy and then moved at a no damage. Side mirror, front, made specifically, the inside lined to prevent fall apart Polycarbonate is still broken.

There electromechanical opening glass (extra) to the side, the glass can be lowered to get to the bottom. For additional weight of the glass is 300 kg, 360 kg while the door. The door is equipped with a stop, door stops at the specified position.

"Communication Box"
Other security systems is the "communication box" that is placed in the trunk plus a spare battery for the device can still work when the main energy source problematic. Terrible, "communication box" is protected by bullet-proof steel. Explained, if buyers want to ask for extra batteries and fuel tank with higher security, Audi is also ready to enable it.



Another extra is an emergency system with Audi's patented technology. When the driver or rear passenger pressing scalar tamperproof (damaged) and pull the inside door handle, pyrotechnical separate the screws in the hinges to remove the door from the body. The door will fall from the car body with just a little pressure.

Audi R8 Spyder

Audi's V10 supercar, as written by kompas.com, now comes with a retractable roof for open-air thrills. If it’s good enough for the Porsche 911 Turbo, the Lamborghini Gallardo and a range of other supercars, then Audi obviously thinks it’s time its R8 flagship went topless, too.
But unlike many coupes converted to a folding roof layout, the $376,000 (in manual form) R8 Spyder isn’t simply an R8 coupe with the roof lopped off. Rather it’s a complete redesign that builds on the coupe’s aluminium space-frame construction to maintain torsional rigidity (body stiffness).
The front panels including the bonnet and front guards are made from aluminium, while the rear panels starting with the rear haunches and the engine cover that doubles as the roof’s tonneau are moulded from carbon-fibre. The R8 coupe's distinctive side-blade disappears from the Spyder.
Audi R8 Spyder

Bucking the modern trend for folding metal roofs, the R8 Spyder uses a cloth top which is both lighter, simpler and more compact than a metal lid, yet it’s still electrically operated, folds up or down in just 19 seconds and lives above the mid-mounted engine so it robs no luggage or cabin space.
While some world markets will get a V8-powered version of the Spyder, the only version brought to Australia will be the megastar V10 version which uses the engine lifted from the Lamborghini Gallardo.
In R8 Spyder form, that means an engine pushing out 386kW at 8000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 6500rpm, all without the aid of a supercharger or turbocharger. Audi claims 0-100km/h in a neat 4.1 seconds, and it's hard to argue with that from the seat of the pants feel.
The manual gearbox option for the R8 Spyder is a six-speed unit complete with a gated shifter while the six-speed clutchless manual, dubbed R-Tronic (which takes the sticker to a mighty $392,000) is a bit old fashioned in that it still uses a single clutch layout while the rest of the world is rushing to embrace the technically superior twin-clutch arrangement.
But while it might seem last year's news on paper, on the race-track the gearbox works beautifully, matching revs to road speed accurately and doing pretty much exactly as the driver instructs.
Handling and grip via the Quattro all-wheel-drive system helps make the big Audi about as fool-proof as a hyper-car could ever be. There are enormous reserves of traction and plenty of tyre grip to help out and the magnetic ride control can tailor the dynamics from supple-ish to race-track tough.
The soundtrack is pretty amazing, too, with a slightly offbeat idle rising to a roaring top end as the revs approach 8000rpm. Even starting the car is an aural experience with a mighty woomph as the engine catches on the starter and 5.2 litres of air are sucked into the thing every revolution.
Options include ceramic brakes front and rear at a huge $25,422, extra leather trim at $8700, Audi's sportier bucket seats at $9100 and even a kit that includes carbon-fibre inlays for some of the interior trim at a thought-provoking $5720.
Standard gear, meanwhile, runs to the adaptive suspension, a Bang and Olufsen stereo, bluetooth connectivity (including clever microphones built into the driver's seat-belt for phone calls with the roof down) heated seats and full LED headlights.
Supercars are not for everyone, of course, and neither are convertibles with theoretical top speeds around the 300km/h mark. But then, neither are price-tags that, with all the options and on-road costs could easily tip the wrong side of $450,000.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Audi A4

Audi opens up new horizons. The A4 is a sporty car with superb presence on the road; it takes Audi forward into a new dimension on the midsize car market. The engines that power the saloon, both TDI and spark-ignition, in all cases with direct fuel injection, combine effortless power with high efficiency. The dynamic running gear and the use of many technologies taken direct from the large-car category are evidence of the brand’s lead in technical know-how. The new Audi is a new way to drive. It will reach the market at the end of November 2007, at a basic list price of about 26,000 Euros in Germany.


In its design, the new A4 reveals its sporty, progressive character: taut and dynamic in its outlines, it speaks the language of technical perfection. With an overall length of 4.70 metres, the saloon has a substantial, powerful road stance and offers its occupants ample space in an interior full of light. The workmanship is typical of an Audi – quality with no compromises. The controls can be backed by the extra refinement of innovative assistance and multimedia systems. In the safety area, the brand with the four-ring emblem sets new standards: the coordinated action of the airbags and front seat belt force limiters protects the occupants even more effectively.

When compared with the previous model, the A4 has new, sporty proportions. The front body overhang has been drastically shortened; the bonnet and wheelbase are both longer than before. In the driveline, the differential has changed places with the clutch (or torque converter), making it possible to move the front axle forward by 154 millimetres. This innovative solution ensures ideal axle-load distribution. The new A4 is the sportiest saloon in the midsize car category: agile, light and precise to control. Its dynamic suspension is a totally new design, with most of its components made from weight-saving aluminium. The results are impressive: supremely dynamic road behaviour and effortlessly precise handling.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Audi R8

The 2010 Audi R8 is a two-door midengine exotic sports car offered in two trim levels that correspond to engine size: 4.2 Quattro and 5.2 Quattro. Standard equipment on the 4.2 Quattro includes the V8 engine, 19-inch wheels, an active suspension with magnetorheological dampers, a retractable rear spoiler, xenon headlights, LED brake lights and turn signals, carbon-fiber exterior and interior trim, leather and Alcantara upholstery, power-adjustable sport seats, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity and a seven-speaker stereo with a six-CD changer and an iPod interface. The 5.2 Quattro adds the V10 engine, a "hill-holder" feature for the conventional manual transmission, wider intakes and body sills, glossy (rather than flat) black exterior accents, napa leather upholstery with additional leather interior trim, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a navigation system and a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors.
Audi R8
Most of the 5.2 Quattro's accoutrements are available as options on the 4.2 Quattro. Both models are eligible for an Enhanced Leather package that adds leather trim to the dashboard and upper door panels. Body-colored "side blade" exterior styling panels are also available in place of the standard contrasting side blades.
Powertrains and Performance
The R8 4.2 Quattro sports a midmounted 4.2-liter V8 -- clearly visible through the R8's distinctive transparent engine cover -- that churns out 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The 5.2 Quattro boasts a 5.2-liter V10 good for 525 hp and 391 lb-ft. The power flows to all four wheels (56 percent to the rears by default) through either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or Audi's six-speed R tronic automated manual. The latter features a computer-controlled clutch and can be shifted using either the console-mounted shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. R tronic also offers a fully automatic mode.

Audi R8
In performance testing, we hustled a manual-shift R8 from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, dispatching the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds at nearly 111 mph. In the R tronic model, our times increased to 4.6 seconds and 12.8 seconds at 108.4 mph. The 5.2 Quattro trims the 0-60-mph time to a blistering 3.7 seconds. EPA fuel economy ratings for the 4.2 stand at 12 mpg city/19 highway and 15 combined on cars equipped with the conventional manual transmission, while the R tronic is rated at 13/18/15. Somehow the beefier 5.2 manages to be more fuel-efficient at 12/20/15 (manual) and 13/20/16 (R tronic).

Safety
Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, seat-mounted side airbags and knee-protecting airbags. Any R8 owner would do their best to keep from ever deploying those airbags, and the stout brakes should help. In recent testing, a V10-powered R8 managed to stop from 60 mph in an eye-bulging 104 feet.
Interior Design and Special Features
The 2010 Audi R8 has a sleek-looking interior with mostly high-quality materials, although there are a few cheap-feeling bits, such as the hard plastic on the center console and the substandard emergency brake handle. We like the center stack's elegant swoop away from the driver, but this means certain controls require an awkward reach. Also awkward is the race-inspired flat-bottomed steering wheel, which may not telescope out far enough for those with long legs. The seats are superbly contoured for long-distance cruising, but in aggressive driving they could use a touch more lateral support.

Audi claims there's room behind the R8's seats for two golf bags, although your results may vary. There's also a puny 3.5 cubic feet of cargo space in the front trunk, though in practice this less-than-optimally shaped cargo hold can't even swallow that much. Don't plan on stowing more than a duffel bag and some odds and ends.

Driving Impressions
The 2010 Audi R8 rides firmly despite its semi-active magnetic suspension, and road noise is pronounced relative to most other Audis. By exotic-car standards, though, the R8 is remarkably comfortable as a daily driver, and visibility is surprisingly good in all directions. On twisting roads, the R8's preposterous power, quick reflexes and heroic grip conspire to make this 3,600-pound supercar feel almost as nimble as a lightweight roadster. Speaking of power, the V10 adds an appreciable amount as well as a uniquely racy soundtrack, but even the base V8 is one of the best-sounding and most tractable engines we've experienced. We can't recommend the outdated single-clutch R tronic gearbox, though, as its automatic throttle blips on downshifts can't compensate for its cranky upshifts, which manage to be at once sluggish and neck-snapping. The conventional manual transmission, on the other hand, is a joy to operate, featuring an excellent mechanical feel augmented by an audible "click-click" as you row through the exposed metal gates.

http://www.edmunds.com/audi/r8/2010/

Friday, May 13, 2011

Audi A7

Audi A7
Recently, the car manufacturer Audi launched the Audi A7 series which has received positive responses from his fans. Because in addition to type sedan, this car is well suited to the needs for fast car enthusiasts but still elegant.
Behind the wheel, you get a sense that the 310-horsepower supercharged V-6 is almost a perfect analogue for the V-8s of just a few years ago. It pulls like a superlux bullet train, willingly ripping through the gears on its way to a 5.4-second 0-60 mph time. Unfortunately, the fuel economy is also roughly analogous to the V-8s of a few years ago: I observed an average in the mid-16 mpg range over the course of a week, and frequently dipped into the 12-14 mpg range on spirited trips. That's the first of the things I don't particularly like about the A7, but it's one I could live with considering the car's positive traits from a driver's perspective.
Audi A7
There's a lot to like about the A7 from a passenger's perspective, too, including a roomier-than-expected rear seat. It's not a long-wheelbase executive limo sort of roominess, but even those a few inches over six feet have space to relax. Up front, the comfort is almost limitless thanks to the highly adjustable seats, except for one small detail, likely an artifact of side-impact crash requirements: the driver's seat isn't centered on the steering wheel.
With the convenience and the genius of this car, it is hoped all interested persons can quickly change and use the beauty of this car. So the Audi lovers will soon be entertained and enjoy the grandeur and comfort soon.
Audi A7

Audi A7

Audi A7 Interior