2010 Audi Q7 Quattro Edition
2010 Audi Q7 Quattro Edition
2010 Audi Q7 Quattro EditionAudi presented their latest sport car made for the Autonomous Audi TTS and the high-speed test up Pikes Peak in Colorado.
The new sport car has the Quattro technology and it marks 30 years on the automotive stage.
The Pikes Peak Autonomous Audi TTS is based on the Audi TTS sport-car and has a drive-by-wire throttle, a semiautomatic DSG gearbox and the computing hardware is complex, having two computers: one running safety critical algorithms using Oracle Java Real-Time System (Java RTS) and the other runs vehicle dynamics algorithms.
Touted as a modern take on the Pikes Peak-competing Sport Quattro S1 rally car of the 1980s, the special TT-S has been adorned with the same red, gray, and black stripes of yore. Unlike the 80s, however, an advanced assembly of electronic controls will help propel the TT-S on the route it needs to travel. From 1985-1987, Michele Mouton, Bobby Unser, and Walter Röhrl claimed victories at Pikes Peak with the original Quattro, and if the autonomous TT-S can reel in a time even remotely close to the three rally drivers (Röhrl finished in 10 minutes and 47 seconds in 1987), you can consider us impressed.
Dubbed Shelley, after 1985 Pikes Peak winner Mouton, the TT-S will continue testing before hitting the mountains for its special event in September. Assuming Shelley stays on course, it would be the first vehicle of its kind to clear the 12.4-mile, 156-turn ascent to the 14,110-foot peak.
Right now, if you happen to find yourself in a honkin’ German SUV and you want a great sound system, you’re in luck. Audi will be happy to supply you with a Q7 that boasts a Bang & Olufsen sound system with a dizzying 14 speakers, but that’s child’s play compared to what the Four-Rings are up to with the Institute for Digital Media Technology. The two have partnered to create a special Q7 prototype with 62 speakers, including five woofers and five tweeters. This isn’t some Pimp My Ride exercise, though. Each one of those speakers is individually driven by an advanced computer to create a universal audio sweet spot in the cabin.
IDMT calls the technology wave field synthesis, and the system can individually delay speaker impulses to keep the sound in check. It’s less of a cacophony and more of personalized stereo experience no matter where the listener is sitting inside the vehicle.
The wave field tech has been applied to the Linden Lichtspiele Cinema with an epic 192-speaker system. The only downside is that neither movie companies nor the recording industry are creating material with wave field encoding.
The A3 will get the latest iteration of the MMI control system, which directs a state-of-the-art navigation system with high-resolution map graphics, and a powerful stereo. Voice activation will allow you to keep your eyes on the road. We expect the A3 to be as luxurious as compact cars can possibly get, once again giving it a significant advantage over the Golf.
Body styles will again include the five-door "Sportback" that we’re used to over here as well as the slightly shorter three-door hatch and soft-top cabriolet that are offered in Europe. We love the current A3 cabriolet, which is more compact and more elegant than any of its competing folding-metal-top competitors, and we applaud Audi for choosing to stick with the cloth roof. The cabrio will be launched in late 2013, and while there are currently no plans to bring it or the three-door to the U.S., perhaps Audi will reconsider as premium customers go for smaller and more-efficient cars.
Audi has announced that its upcoming 2011 Audi A8 will be released with the option of a factory-installed wireless Internet hotspot inside the car. The A8 will be the first car worldwide to offer the WLAN option and expect passengers to be able to surf the internet at speeds up to 7.2 Mbit/s wile in motion. All the pilot needs to do is insert a SIM card into the Bluetooth car phone and you are surfing! The WLAN hotspot can connect up to eight Wi-Fi ready devices and even supports WPA2 encryption.
Photo Rendering: Audi R8 GT Spyder by Jon Sibal
The Audi R8 is really hot but the drop top Audi R8 Spyder makes our hearts beat a little faster. Of course, the new Audi R8 GT makes us go crazy, but Jon Sibal wondered what if Audi created a R8 GT Spyder. Well, if they do, it’ll look something like this (at least according to Sibal).
The Audi A8 is the flagship for the brand and while sales of the car itself will be dwarfed by the A4, A3 and, soon, the A1, it plays a crucial role in convincing car-buyers Audi is the right choice for them, whichever model they choose.
Plus the new technologies introduced in the A8 will soon surface elsewhere with the new A1 already earmarked for some of the premier car’s kit.
But for those who are actually looking to buy an A8 rather than bathe in the reflected glory, we can report the new car has undergone some significant improvements to make it an even more compelling choice.
The new A8 will be available in normal and long wheelbase form with a choice of two new petrol and two new diesel engines. They bring increases of between 15 and 22 per cent, reduced CO2 emissions of between 15 and 22 per cent, and improved fuel economy.
A8 3.0 TDI quattro
• This V6 is expected to account for 85 per cent of all cars sold. More powerful than the outgoing model, it has been boosted from 230bhp to 247bhp. CO2 emissions have been reduced from 224g/km to a class-leading 174g/km. Fuel economy is improved from 33.6mpg to a class-leading 42.8mpg. Start-stop technology is now fitted as standard.
A8 4.2 TDI quattro
• It too is more powerful than the outgoing model, its output being increased from 322bhp to a class-leading 345bhp while, CO2 emissions have been reduced from 249g/km to 199g/km. Fuel economy is improved from 30.1mpg to 37.2mpg. It covers 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds.
A8 4.2 FSI quattro
• Again more powerful than the outgoing model it has been taken from 345bhp to 367bhp while CO2 emissions are down from 259g/km to a class-leading 219g/km. Fuel economy is improved from 25.9mpg to a class-leading 29.7mpg.
A8 3.0 TFSI
• This supercharged version will come with 286bhp, a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds, 31mpg and 213g/km of CO2.
All models are mated with a new eight speed Tiptronic transmission.
The two normal wheelbase 4.2-litre models go on sale this month with the 3.0-litre models and long wheelbase versions following later in the year.
We had the opportunity to put the 4.2-litre TDI version through its paces at the launch of its UK spec right-hand drive versions in Le Castellet, in the south of France.
(Follow the link to read Deputy Editor Stuart Milne’s first impressions of the car from the Audi A8 international launch when he had the opportunity to drive the left hand drive versions of the car.)
With prices that range from £54,835 to £66,450 and an options range which can make the final price tag a six figure sum, Audi appreciates its customers can afford the best but don’t necessarily want to put that wealth on show too much.
And for a car which is now wider and longer than luxury saloon rivals; the BMW 7 Series, the Mercedes Benz S-Class and the Jaguar XJ, it manages to conceal its bulk within a very elegant exterior.
The combination of conservative styling and cutting-edge technology, including all LED highlights, is pure Audi.
The new interior follows that theme inside with the new Multi Media Interface integrated discreetly into the dash with the controls sitting just in front of a new gearstick design (described as “yacht style” by Audi, think upside-down golfing wood) which feels very natural to use.
This is where a lot of Audi’s latest batch of the clever stuff comes into play.
The MMI-housed Navigation system works with the transmission and headlights.
This means the gearbox “knows” if there’re a series of corners coming up, the headlights “know” what kind of road you’re on and will vary to suit the location e.g. junction lights at a crossroads, even continental set-up lights when you cross the channel, bringing a new meaning to automatic lights.
And there was indeed a different response depending on whether I was on the winding mountain roads or the motorway. Spooky at first, but if you’ve got the money, something you could soon get used to.
The satnav can also link up with online services including weather reports and Google points of interest. Later this year the technology should be in place to make the car itself a mobile hotspot allowing complete access to the Internet, including Google earth for integration into the mapping.
All models benefit from Audi’s quattro four wheel drive system but the 4.2-litre TDI, which is due to take a smaller but significant proportion of diesel sales than the 3.0-litre, also benefits from the quattro sports differential, previously featured in the S4 quattro, as standard.
In essence it sees pulling power directed to the outer wheel when cornering which increases stability and the potential for quicker acceleration out of bends.
Despite its all-aluminium lighter and stiffer frame, the Audi A8 is still a lot of car and though this feature may not be required for motorway cruisers it certainly made a difference on our twisting route.
As for ride comfort, the standard 4 corner adaptive air suspension helps ensure the comfort levels you’d expect from a luxury saloon with full double glazing and leather keeping occupants comfortable and cosseted.
The new A8 also comes with a new raft of safety devices under the banner of its pre-sense systems, some available as standard but with the option to add further features.
These include improved adaptive cruise control (now with two radars rather than just one), as well as night vision thermal imaging (the camera is concealed within one of the rings of the Audi badge) which can pick out pedestrians ahead and display them on the screen.
This is also a feature in the BMW 7 Series launched and updated to include the 740d last year.
Available in SE and SE Executive trim, the new Audi A8 is the supremely competent car one would expect from the super-efficient German manufacturer’s flagship model.
Its abilities on road, refinement and newly-improved CO2 emissions and fuel economy should put it on any luxury saloon buyer’s shortlist.
At which point it might just come down to brand, and whether Audi has convinced you it is the one for you.
Model tested: A8 4.2 TDI Quattro
On the road price: £63,900
Price range: £54,835 to £66,450
Date tested: May 2010
Road tester: Adrian Higgins
2011 Audi R8 GT Picture
Look for the 560-horsepower 2011 Audi R8 GT to be one of the showstoppers at the 2010 Worthersee Tour here, which kicks off on Wednesday. The R8 GT, which has the Porsche 911 GT3 in the crosshairs, makes its first public appearance at the annual Worthersee event.
The limited-edition version of the R8 was formally unveiled at an exclusive gala in Monte Carlo on May 1. Audi is also showing off a stable of seven special A1 models at the Worthersee Tour, including a "Hot Rod" version with a Daytona Gray paint job and an "extremely low ride height," the automaker said in a statement.
While the R8 GT — decked out in orange exterior paint — is a no-brainer for Audi's Worthersee plans, the automaker noted that "the A1 fits in with the GTI meet because customization has always been a central topic for the Audi fans at the Worthersee."
The A1s have been tweaked with add-on parts, special paint finishes and adhesive films for this appearance, Audi said.
Look for the A1 "Fashion" model in Aubergine, as well as the A1 "Follow Me" in Citrus Yellow with a black checkerboard pattern that takes its inspiration from airport ground control vehicles, said Audi.
Audi's flagship sedan, the A8, will arrive this fall in its newest generation, again offering its signature combination of performance and elegance — with a heavy dose of excellent German automotive engineering.
Also as before, the A8 will come in two sizes, standard length and long wheelbase, with the latter being the kind of vehicle that pampers the rear-seat occupants in luxury and comfort while a chauffer handles the driving duties up front.
The standard-length model will be 202 inches long, while the expanded one will be 207.4 inches long. The extra length shows up in the back seat, mostly in extra legroom.
Audi, the luxury subsidiary of Volkswagen, says the new A8 will introduce “a new era in progressive excellence” and will combine “dynamic exterior and luxurious interior design with sporty driving characteristics, while providing the highest level of comfort and convenience equipment in the segment.”
Audi Q5
2011 order guides are out at Audi dealers, and the important numbers are eight and four. In addition to the updated 2011 Q7 and new-for-2011 A8, some models of the A4, A5, and Q5 will be getting eight-speed transmissions. The guides also confirm a new, turbocharged four-cylinder Q5 model.
Six Gears Versus Eight
The new ZF-sourced eight-speed will be labeled Tiptronic and take the place of Audi’s six-speed unit in Quattro-equipped vehicles with the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This includes the A4 2.0T Quattro sedan and Avant and also the A5 2.0T Quattro coupe and cabriolet. All Q7s—both strengths of supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 as well as the 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel—as well as the A8 and A8L, will get the ZF eight-speed.
Auto-equipped models sticking with either a CVT or the six-speed automatic include the front-wheel-drive A4 and A5, all A6 and S6 models, the S5 coupe, and the 3.2-liter Q5. Other cars currently using dual-clutch automated manuals—S5 cabriolet, A3, TT, etc.—are unaffected.
Q5 Goes Turbo Four
Another interesting tidbit gleaned from the order guide is the appearance of a new Q5 model equipped with a 2.0-liter TFSI engine for 2011. It’s likely the newer 211-hp EA888 engine, which develops 258 lb-ft of torque, and it too will be paired with the eight-speed automatic. With less weight, more torque, and better fuel economy than the 3.2 V-6, we’ve found the 2.0T to be a better match for the A4, and we expect the same to be true with the Q5.
All of the new 2011 models will be on sale this fall.
According to a senior design chief at Audi AG, the next generation A4 will be 330 pounds (150 kilograms) lighter than the current model.
Heinrich Timm (pictured), Audi’s Head of Aluminum and Lightweight Design Center says the company will employ advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to reduce the overall mass of its most popular sedan and cites the many benefits of the cuts, including, but not limited to, increased fuel efficiency and dynamic performance as well as reduced operating costs (related to raw materials).
The rationale sounds good, but can it be done? Timm would know. Since 1982 he has been the pioneering force behind the development of several high tech manufacturing processes that Audi now uses across its range of vehicles, most notably, for the aluminum space frames found in the A8 and R8. Timm and his team have been working to reverse what he calls the “weight spiral” that has occurred in the C-segment over the last several decades. His research has shows that C-segment vehicles (Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, etc) have gained roughly ten percent in weight with each generation..html#ixzz0nlhPG4yJ
Audi plans to reduce the total weight of the future A4 with about 330 pounds to improve performance, ride and consumption.
Although the public still enjoys the current generation, the new A4 already begins to take shape in design workshops of Ingolstadt. Audi plans to make the mid-size luxury sedan unbeatable in the premium segment, offering more than BMW and Mercedes.
So, in order to do that, Audi though of a process of weight reduction for the next Audi A4 generation. The 3 Series’ rival could lose up to 330 lbs, an explicit goal, fixed by Heinrich Timm, Head of the Audi Lightweight Design Centre. Reaching this goal would bring to an improved ride, performance well above the current ones, lower fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
The 330 lbs will be lost by using an aluminum structure, of composite materials such as carbon fiber, and by improving the production methods. The philosophy first experienced on the future A4 will then be borrowed by the entire line-up of the German automaker of Ingolstadt.
