2008 Audi TT Convertible

Audi recently released images of its chopped-top TT roadster. The roadster's numbers are little different from the coupe's; Audi's 3.2-liter, 250-hp V-6 will make an appearance, along with a 2.0-liter TFSI turbo direct-injection four-cylinder. Like the coupe, the roadster is both longer (by 5.4 inches), wider (by 3.1 inches), and taller (by 0.3 inches) than its predecessor. Wheelbase increases as well, by 1.8 inches. Reinforced side sills and a-pillars are unique to the drop-top.

Like the coupe, the four-cylinder roadster is front-wheel drive only, while the V-6 comes exclusively with all-wheel drive. An electric wind deflector will be available; Europeans will see both a power and a manual convertible top, but we'll only get the powered version.

By all accounts, the new Audi TT is everything the last one wasn't: a soulful, chunky little squirt of a car with the personality to match its carved-from-a-block-of-Bau's-Haus looks. We can but hope that the roadster version won't be any different.

More...

Read More...

2008 Audi S3

We like to dream every so often. Which is a good thing, because our dreams of the Audi S3 coming to port here in the U.S. will, most likely, never become reality. We don’t, after all, get the 3-door version of the A3 on which the S3 is based. But what those lucky Europeans get is an all-wheel-drive, 265-horsepower hot hatch capable of hitting 62 mph in 5.7 seconds. The S3 uses a much revised, strengthened version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine found in the Volkswagen GTI, the Audi A3, and myriad other VW/Audi products, with much of the power boost (up from 200 horsepower) coming from a larger turbo and new intercooler. Audi also claims that the S3’s peak torque output of 258 lb-ft remains constant from 2500 to 5000 rpm.

To show off this newfound aggressiveness, the S3 gets 18-inch wheels, aluminum side mirrors, and a new front fascia with larger air intakes. Inside, the pedals, shift knob, and air vents are all aluminum, and Audi has added sport seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel similar to the one found in the new TT. The base price, in Germany, is 35,150 Euros ($44,799).

More...

Read More...

2008 Audi RS4 Sedan and Cabriolet

The Audi RS 4, as you may know, is Audi's Toyota Corolla-sized sedan with a 420-horsepower V-8 shoved under the hood. Obviously, it's a recipe for a big grin - especially as its chassis is easily up to the task of handling all that power.

That monster motor will now make it into the A4 Cabriolet for the 2008 model year. All other RS 4-specific touches remain - including the nineteen-inch tires, enormous brakes (14.4 inches front, 12.8 inches rear), six-speed manual transmission, and Quatrro four-wheel drive.

Pricing and equipment haven't been announced yet, but with the top down, drivers listening to the spectacular sounds coming from the 8000-rpm V-8 in the open air won't care about either. The only problem with the RS 4 Cabriolet? Audi is only bringing 350 of them to our shores.

The hottest RS 4 variant of them all - the RS 4 Avant station-wagon - isn't coming to the U.S. Perhaps as a consolation prize, 2008 sedans receive Sirius satellite radio and Bluetooth as standard equipment. Additionally, two new option packages have been announced for the 2008 RS 4 sedan: The $750 Titanium package turns the front grille, side window moldings, interior headliner and interior trim black - and the wheels titanium. For $3800, the Executive package inserts crimson red leather seat centers and door panels alongside black leather side bolsters and headrests. The seats and floor mats get red piping, and the shift boot and steering wheel get red stitching. Piano black interior trim rounds out the package.

First the sedan and now the convertible. As they say, two out of three ain't bad. But we're still hoping Audi brings us the wagon.

More...

Read More...

2008 Audi Roadjet

Audi has confirmed that the Roadjet concept shown at the 2006 Detroit auto show will be sold in Europe soon, but stateside sales are unlikely. In the U.S., expect to see the Q5, a crossover that's more SUV-like, which will better suit American tastes. The Q5 will share its underpinnings with the A4 and Roadjet, but will be taller and more rugged.

The Roadjet is a high-riding hatchback/wagon/SUV sized between the A4 (on which it is based) and the A6. A 3.2-liter V-6, amped up to 300 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, drives all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG transmission. Audi claims a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds.

While the concept car's exterior looks ready for production today, we'd expect the interior to see some changes. In the show car, there are four individual seats in two rows, plus, in the third row, a centrally located center seat that slides forward and back; alternately, a rear-facing child seat or a center console can be installed in the space. Audi's MMI Multimedia Interface is enlarged to 10 inches and incorporated into the gauge cluster. Rear-seat riders each get their own, smaller MMI screens. In place of sun visors, the windshield's opacity can be controlled electronically. The rear load floor powers up and back to ease loading. The rear-seat console features a built-in espresso maker, for those long stretches between Starbucks.

More...

Read More...

2008 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

The newest addition to Audi's Q7 luxury SUV is an oil burner. The 3.0-liter V-6 TDI develops 233 bhp - a specific output higher than many gas engines. More importantly, it generates 369 lb-ft of torque at a superlow 1750 rpm, which will help make quick stoplight getaways.

The V-6 debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show in the A8 sedan, and was the first production diesel to use piezo fuel injectors. These injectors allow the TDI's computer to inject diesel fuel directly into the combustion chamber at pressures of up to 23,500 psi. Their quick reaction time and precise metering allows up to five injections to happen for each power stroke, enabling more precise combustion, smoother running, and a less clattery engine note.

The TDI-equipped Q7 can travel more than 600 miles on a single tank of diesel, though that range would likely decrease significantly when traveling at the SUV's commendable top speed of 134 mph. Remember when sports cars could barely clear the 130-mph mark?

A six speed automatic transmission will help the Q7 sprint to 60 mph in about nine seconds, and keep fuel consumption to almost 30 mpg when cruising at that speed. Who needs a Hemi?

More...

Read More...

2008 Audi Q5

Audi will follow up its Q7 SUV with the smaller, sportier Q5, which is set to debut in September. Although you might expect the Q5 to be twinned with VW's compact crossover, the Tiguan, it will instead be related mechanically to the next Audi A4. That platform's north-south engine layout will allow Audi to offer a full range of V-6 engines (and even a V-8). Audi's current Quattro all-wheel-drive system will be standard when the Q5 arrives but will undergo significant revisions the following year. The upgraded Quattro will be lighter and more fuel efficient, and it will feature a variable, on-demand torque split. Unlike the Q7, the Q5 does without a third row of seats. Cargo capacity behind the rear seats is said to be about 18 cubic feet. Audi will position the Q5 half a notch above the BMW X3 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLK (which debuts at about the same time), so we expect a price premium of about five percent over the X3 and the GLK. We'll see VW/Audi's ubiquitous 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four and 3.2-liter direct-injection V-6. The most powerful version will get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, which will deliver 330 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. But even that model won't be the top dog for long if the proposed Q5S is approved. It would get 400 hp and massive, angular fender flares inspired by those on the original Audi Coupe Quattro.

More...

Read More...

Audi A5

Haven’t you driven the Audi A5 before?

We have, but only in S5 guise, and not on UK roads. Back in April we drove the 354bhp V8 but that was Audi’s attempt to steal a little limelight from the BMW M3; now we’ve got behind the wheel of the 3.0-litre diesel.

Audi hasn’t been in the big coupe game for 11 years, not since the S2 went out of production in 1996. Now it’s back, and with an all-new platform – dubbed MLP.

Is that the modular longitudinal platform we’ve been hearing about?

It is, although MLP is less of a mouthful. Audi believes that in order to compete successfully as a premium manufacturer it needs some driving credibility; the MLP is supposed to herald a change in dynamic philosophy at Ingolstadt. The front axle has been moved 120mm further forward, extending the wheelbase and moving the engine back in the chassis.

The A5 is our first chance to try the new platform that will be the basis for the next A4, Q5, A7 and many more. It’s all part of Audi’s plan to sell 1.5 million cars by 2015. The company is on target, too, with sales up sixfold from 1991 to 2006, and up 20 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2007.

Does the Audi A5's new platform mean rear-wheel drive then?

Not a chance – some things never change. On the lowlier models front-wheel drive is standard, though the 3.0-litre diesel comes with Quattro as standard to handle the torque. Conversely, the 2.7 diesel won’t come with four-wheel drive at all.

When it is available the Quattro system splits torque 40:60 front to rear, as we first saw on the RS4. As usual this means great all-weather traction and little chance to spin the A5’s wheels.

So is the interior also a mix of something old and something new?

Yes. Audi have set the standard over the past decade and the A5 is nothing new. It’s still impeccably built, but it also looks modern and classy with a gorgeous sweep of aluminium around the dials and sat-nav screen.

The optional sports seats are great though lacking a little side support. In the back there are only two perches, and that’s what they really are. There’s only room for two and it’s a little cramped and claustrophobic. Then again, every coupe in the class is like that.

Is it really the most beautiful car Walter de’ Silva has ever designed?

Apparently so, but maybe he no longer likes the look of the Alfa Romeo 156, and nor is the A5 as stunning as the 2003 Nuvolari concept on which it is based.

However, on the move the A5 looks stunning and very modern. And with its LED daytime running lights ablaze, there are few more aggressive-looking cars that can appear in your rear-view mirror. The LEDs ape the R8's and are so bright you only know which is which once it has passed you.

With an all-new platform what’s it like from behind the wheel?

Very good, and a decent step forward for Audi. Our car came with the optional £950 Sport pack, which means uprated, lowered and stiffened suspension. Ten-spoke 18-inch wheels (17s are standard) complete the package, but even on these the car looks under-wheeled. Nevertheless, it rides well, and a lot better than the equivalent (and run-flat equipped) BMW 3-series Coupe.

The engine is a little noisier than BMW’s 3.0-litre straight six diesel but it’s also more powerful. The Three has 368lb ft at 1750rpm but the Audi has the same from 1500-3000rpm. Its 237bhp also pips the BMW by six ponies.

Price-wise the BMW is cheaper at £32,220 to the Audi’s £33,430. Add the Sport pack and it comes level with the M-Sport equipped 3-series which is £34,775.

What else should I know about the car?

Audi’s target customer is ‘masculine and wealthy’, according to the marketing bumf, but the A5 feels like it was designed for the more deadly of the species. The steering, gearbox and clutch move about with very little effort and unless you’re driving spiritedly it feels little different from an A3. The BMW on the other hand has a heavy clutch, weighty steering and a notchy gearbox, and feels not only like a car designed for a man, but a proper driver’s car as well.

Go for the Audi and you’ll also lose out at the pumps; 39.3mpg and 191g/km versus the BMW’s 43.5mpg and 174g/km.

Verdict

Audi wants to shift 8000 A5s in the UK next year, the first full year of production. That should be no problem for them; the car drives well, looks great and at last provides a credible alternative to the BMW 3-series coupe. It’s no more compromised than its rivals, the Audi brand is incredibly strong and it is a worthy rival to Munich’s offering.

Just don’t expect to see too many 3.0-litre diesels on the streets; the majority of sales are expected to come from the forthcoming 1.8T petrol and an as-yet-unannounced 2.0-litre diesel.

Need to know: Audi A5

How much?	£33,430
On sale in the UK	2007
Engine	2967cc, 24V, V6, 237bhp, 368lb ft
Transmission	Six-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel drive
Performance	0-62mph 5.9secs, 155mph limited, 39.2mpg, 191g/km
How heavy/made of?	1610kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)?	4630/1854/1372
Other models in the range:	4.2 V8
Or try a...	BMW 3-series Coupe,Mercedes-Benz CLK Coupe,

More...

Read More...

Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

Is this 4.2-litre diesel Q7 just playing another part in the Audi master plan for world dominance?

When you’ve spent a gazillion euros developing the world’s most powerful V8 diesel engine it would seem economic suicide not to use it in as many models as possible. This, and the fact sales of the Q7 have far exceeded Audi’s wildest forecasts, makes the two appear a perfect match. Taking into consideration the phenomenal success the Q7 has had (88,000 units to date worldwide since launch thirteen months ago) during a trend of unfounded villification against all SUVs, it make you wonder what Audi know that all the other car manufacturers don’t.

What’s wrong with the current 3.0-litre TDI in the Q7?

Absolutely nothing, but it’s all about choice. As good as all the other engine options are - the aforementioned 3.0 TDI, and the petrol 3.6 FSI and 4.2 FSI - this 4.2-litre V8 diesel is the most compelling powerplant currently available in the line-up. And given the choice, wouldn’t you want your two tonne off-roader to swagger around with 326bhp, and 560lb ft of torque, enough turbo-blown muscle to bolt to 60mph in a smidgen over six seconds and post a 146mph top speed? Exactly. And it’s quieter than a slipper-shod church mouse tiptoeing across a shag pile carpet. Add the intuitive six-speed automatic gearbox and Quattro 4WD system into the equation, and you end up with a flagship SUV, fuelled from the black handled pump, which truly believes it is a petrol driven sports coupe.

All that power means it can’t be that economical… can it?

Granted, it is not the most fuel efficient or ecologically friendly diesel on the market but by being a little less enthusiastic with the right foot it will average 25mpg. Even though this particular engine is right up at the cutting edge of diesel technology, it still spews out 294grams of CO2 from its twin cannon-like exhaust pipes. Mayor Ken and all of his tree-hugging pals really won’t thank you for driving it through the heart of the capital, but then again if you’ve spent £50,000 on this premium SUV will you care what a load of lentil-eating cyclist think?

Is it just another four-wheel gin palace offering the off-road ability of a flip-flop?

It still wouldn’t be our first choice to enter the Paris Dakar Rally in, and Land Rover or Jeep won’t losing any sleep over it’s off-road abilities, but if in the unlikely event any Q7 owners did venture a little further afield than their gravel driveways, they might be surprised at how well it can handle itself. Despite its massive girth the Q7 rides on a proven four-wheel drive system, there’s air-suspension, which can be raised to limit expensive bodyshop repairs, and more importantly the biggest dollop of V8 diesel torque ready and willing to try and pull it out of a not-to-sticky situation.

Any thing else I should know about?

The Q7 flagship comes with an exclusive Bang&Olufsen sound system option. It may set you back the best part of three grand but worth every penny just to watch the acoustic tweeter lenses rise gracefully up from either side of the dashboard. The radio/CD/satnav system took two years to develop and replicates near concert-like pitch. It’s even wired up so the noise quality changes automatically to compensate for ambient road and wind noise. Otherwise it’s the same plush leather and wood Q7 cabin – excellent ergonomics, fine build quality and so-so packaging.

Verdict

Audi may have turned up more than fashionably late to the SUV party but this formidable V8-powered diesel Q7 is bound to impress the remaining guests. Powerful, smooth and – relatively speaking of course – delivering decent fuel economy, it effectively steals the headlines from its competitors. But every party has to end. Will Audi wake up with the mother of all hangovers when the festivities wind down? We think not - this V8 diesel could manage to keep the guests entertained far longer than any of their other German rivals.

Need to Know: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

How much?	£50,090
On sale in the UK:	June 2007
Engine:	4134cc biturbo V8, 326bhp @ 3750 rpm, 560lb ft @ 1800 - 2500rpm
Transmission:	6-speed automatic, full-time four wheel drive
Performance:	6.4sec 0-62mph, 146mph, 25.4mpg, 294g/km
How heavy/made of?	2450kg/steel
How big? (length/ width/ height in mm)?	5086/1983/1697
Other models in the range:	3.6 FSI, 4.2 FSI and 3.0 TDI
Or try a...	Mercedes Benz GL-Class 420CDI, BMW X5 3.0d, Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8

More...

Read More...

Audi S5

Have I missed something? How can we be reading about an S5 when we haven't even had an A5?

Because Audi knew BMW was going to launch its M3 this spring and wanted to spoil the Munich firm's thunder. So it decided to launch both the A5 and its hot 354bhp S5 spin-off at the same time. The £39,725 S5 isn't so much a rival for the 414bhp M3 though, as a rival for the £35,670 twin-turbo 335i. But there are bound to be a few potential buyers prepared to pay a few thousand extra for the M3. And a few more prepared to pay even more - probably more than £50k - for the Audi RS5 when that turns up in 2009.

But what exactly is an A5?

It's a 3-series coupe rival with a new-to-Audi swoopy design language. But it's also so much more because underneath those coke-bottle hips is Audi's new MLB chassis. MLB stands for modular longitudinal chassis and it's the architecture that will underpin the Q5 off-roader and A7 coupe as well as the replacements for the A4, A6 and A8.

What's so special about it?

Audi has stuck to its longitudinal engine layout - the same layout that has been criticised for making Audis feel nose heavy. But one of the key differences is that the front diff is now mounted ahead of the clutch. Another is the longer wheelbase. Together they reduce the front overhang and improve weight distribution to an ideal 50:50 split. Other changes include a steering column mounted lower in the chassis for better steering feel.

But does it all work?

Yes. Compared with rivals' racks (and with the honourable exception of the RS4), Audi steering feel has been foggier than a spring dawn. But with the S5, the inertia has gone; things happen just off the straight ahead position, and turn-in is a little prompter and a lot more communicative. And there is absolutely no kicking and tugging no matter how cratered the road and how crazy the pace. Unwinding lock is no longer a kick and rush affair, the helm does not stiffen up momentarily during quick lane changes, and precision has improved hugely.

And it's one quick car. The S5 runs the latest version of the familiar 4.2-litre V8, equipped with FSI direct injection. This boosts peak power to 354bhp at 7000rpm, with maximum torque of 325lb ft kicking in at 3500rpm. Sixty takes just 5.1sec, although the push in the back feels more refined than frenetic.

For now, power is sent to all four wheels by a manual six-speeder. A six-speed auto arrives early next year, a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch 'box won't come to market before 2010. But the manual transmission provides a decent start. First is short enough even for the most extreme hairpins, second slurps up the short connecting stretches, third unleashes the car vigorously onto more open terrain, and fourth is just perfect for blasts on high visibility straights.

What's it like inside?

The S5 cockpit is Audi at its finest, so you get top quality, top materials and top ergonomics in one attractively styled package. MMI (Audi's take on iDrive) is still the pace-setter in terms of secondary controls, but the centre console is getting more and more crowded, and we certainly don't need any more chrome bezels and bling bits either.

Turning to the rear, those upright and oddly-shaped back seats may look uncomfortable, but they're actually okay for the broad-shouldered, even if headroom isn't generous. Accessing them isn't easy though. If you travel three or four up most of the time, it's best to wait another year for the new S4 saloon. With 455 litres of lugagge space - and that's before any folding manouevre - the new coupe's boot almost matches the outgoing saloon's for space.

Leaving the fantasy S5 aside, what's the A5 range got to offer?

Much like BMW's 3-series coupe, the A5 comes in various flavours from very mild upwards. Bottom of the ladder is the £30,175 2.7TDi. It's front-wheel drive, like all A5s for now, comes only with Audi's Multitronic CVT gearbox, takes 7.6sec to reach 62mph and delivers 42.1mpg. The bigger 3.0TDi costs £33,410 and cracks 62mph in just 5.9sec but gives away 3mpg. And for petrol fans, there's the 3.2FSi - £33,205, CVT-only, 33mpg and 6.1sec.

Verdict

Would I buy an S5? Yes. It's a pretty car and a convincing grand tourer. The new suspension hugely improves ride quality, the steering feels alive, and four-wheel drive gives the Audi a real-world edge over its rear-drive rivals.

The transformation of Audi ride and handling shows that the MLB approach is a confident step in the right direction. With this flexible chassis as a foundation, it's no surprise Audi talks of dominating the premium world.

More...

Read More...