ABT Tweaks the New Audi A8 with 385 hp diesel

Though not as an Audi S8 substitute that was expected of ABT, the diesel powered AS8 yet appears to be a promising start for ABT. The 2011 A8 has a 4.2-liter V8 TDI engine. ABT Sportsline used this as the based and tweaked the turbo diesel engine boost the performance output. Because of this performance improvement exercise, the power levels have gained from 350HP to 385HP whereas the torque levels have increased to 880Nm or 649 lb-ft at its peak.

The new Audi comes with styling upgrades. The New Audi A8 comes bundled with a body kit consisting of a front spoiler, side skirt, a somewhat discreet boot lid spoiler, a new rear apron housing a diffuser and the new quad tail pipes. The customer may opt between a 20” or a 21” ABT CR alloy wheels wrapped in sport tires. The A8 also includes a black foil matte.

Autonomous Audi TT-S Receives Retro Color Scheme

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.

2011 Audi R8 GT

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.

Consistent use of lightweight construction: 100 kilograms (220.46 lb) trimmed

The production Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro is already a shining example of the Audi's lightweight construction philosophy. Its aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body weighs only 210 kilograms (462.97 lb). The aluminum body panels are joined to the frame of extruded profiles and cast nodes by means of positive and friction connections. The engine frame is made of ultra lightweight magnesium.

2011 Audi TTS Roadster Details and Pricing

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 Audi 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 Audi 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 Audi 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 Audi 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.

Audi Audio Concept Uses 62 Speakers

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.

New 2011 Audi A7 Sportback

With people growing impatient waiting for the new Audi A7 to be launched, renderings of the car have started being splashed all about quite liberally. Most of everything about the car is known and therefore the task of rendering is not so difficult one.

The A8 and 2012 A7 have been said to hold similar looks. Sportback concept was a preview of the A7 and shown last year at the Detroit Auto Show. The difference between the A8 and A7 is that the A7 would be more oriented towards the luxury segment and functionality wise superior. Debuting in September at the Paris Auto Show and sales starting in spring 2011 the A7 would have the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera, and the Aston Martin Rapide as its close competitors.

Three engines are going to be used to power the Audi A7. A 2.8 Liter FSI and 3.0 Liter TFSI V6s as well as a 4.0 Liter TFSI V8 all three different direct gasoline injection engines. Then there is the diesel version also. This would have a 2.7 Liter V6 and a 3.0 Liter TDI V6 that would either be turbocharged and twin charged versions of the present one. All engines would be mated to a dual clutch, seven speed automatic gearbox and have an all-wheel drive

2012 Audi A3 Rendered

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.