Although the name pretty much says it all, the German automaker Audi has created a special edition Audi TT to coincide with the release of Forza Motorsport 3, the XBox’s latest racing simulator which has already raced to the top of the sales charts. The limited edition TT will wear the Forza Motorsport logo, but what is even more significant about the special TT is that the car comes with a hidden bonus, in the trunk owners will find an Xbox Elite 120GB as well as a copy of the video game Forza Motorsport 3.
Microsoft and the video game’s producers, Turn 10, promise that the third installment of Forza is more than just point a to point b racing and has offers something in store for every kind of automotive enthusiast. Anticipating everyone from racers to drifters, Forza 3 has everything from Le Mans prototype and GT racecars competing wheel to wheel on the circuit as well as highly modified tuner cars that want nothing more than to burn rubber while goin sideways down winding togue mountain passes. But before you get to excited about the special edition TT, you ought to know that Audi only plans on producing 20 examples and that they will each be priced at around $37,000. Now that’s quite a premium to be paying for an XBox 360, not that the turbocharged all wheel drive TT isn’t worth it.
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Audi has combined for the first time in a model the start-stop system and the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission. This application will be used for the first time in the Audi A3 1.6 TDI with 105 hp and the 1.4 TFSI with 125 hp.
Thanks to this new technology the Audi A3 TDI will have a fuel economy if 56.00 US mpg and the TFSI version of 44.38 US mpg.
The start-stop system turns the engine off as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop; the engine stays off as long as the driver depresses the brake pedal. As soon as the driver removes their foot from the brake pedal, start-stop turns the engine back on – quietly, conveniently and quickly.
Press release after the jump.
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The German automaker Audi has just revealed details about an aluminum prototype lightweight A5 Coupe that uses the same space frame architecture that is used in the Audi R8 super car and TT sports coupe. Audi’s goal is to improve the overall performance of the midsize coupe by reducing its curb weight, by 242 lbs to be exact. When Audi’s engineers reduce the mass of the A5 coupe, they allow the engine to to breathe easier, the brakes to work less and the suspension to be tuned more precisely; making the four ringed luxury car a better all around performance machine.
The prototype Audi A5 is based on the steel bodied production car, replacing the bulkier design with the bespoke aluminum Audi Space Frame that reduces the weight of the prototype from 3,130 lbs to 2,888 lbs. While it’s currently powered by a 2.0 Liter TFSI four cylinder that makes 211 HP, in the interest of weight and economy, the lightweight chassis would make a great candidate for the foundation of a very nice future super car from the 100 year old four ringed automaker.
With all the current talk of Audi RS5s in America in the near future, it looks like this prototype is a test mule for a 450 HP V8 powered 2011 RS5. Not only would the lightweight construction make the future RS5 an even better handling machine, but hopefully Audi’s power train engineers have sorted out the new A5’s transaxle layout so that the engine can sit a bit further back in the body. Just imagining an aluminum Audi RS5 with its blistered fenders and gills in the front bumper only hint subtly at the beast that would lie beneath. Another interesting fact about an aluminum bodied FSI V8 sports car would have over twice the horsepower, so an aluminum B segment RennSport would have twice asa much potential to push around all that weight.
Press release after the jump.
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If earlier today Audi showed us the Spider version of the R8 V10 version, now is time to see how an electric R8 would work. The new E-tron concept is powered by a purely electric drive system made up of four motors – two at the front and two more at the rear axle. The total output of this electric drive system is 313 HP and 3,319.03 lb-ft of torque, meaning that the car can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1. Who ever said that electric can’t be fun?
Even if it is based on the R8 super car, the E-tron concept features an unique and distinctive design, like a trapezoidal single-frame grille, two large air intakes, special headlamps that adjust the light depending on weather conditions and a large 19 inch wheel and tire combination. The concept has a weight of only 3,527.40 lb, with 58% of the weight pressing down of the rear axle.
The E-Tron’s top speed is limited to 124.27 MPH, as the amount of energy required by the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed. The range in the NECD combined cycle is approximately 154 miles. This impressive value is made possible by the integrated concept: technology specially configured for the electric drive system combined with state-of-the-art battery technology. The battery block has a total energy content of roughly 53 kilowatt hours, with the usable portion thereof restricted to 42.4 kWh in the interest of service life. In order to keep such high tech equipment from over heating, Audi uses liquid cooling for the batteries.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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It’s finally official: the long waited and highly anticipated Audi R8 Spider has made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As previously reported, the drop top R8 will only be available with the 5.2 Liter FSI V10 connected to Audi’s patented quattro all wheel drive system. Sales in Europe will begin in the first quarter of 2010 and retail starting at $227,000. Details for the U.S. market version will be announced at a later date.
The 5.2 Liter FSI V10 in the R8 Spider delivers a maximum output of 525 HP at 8,000 RPM and has a rather high compression ratio of 12.5:1 in order to get the most out of the high revving naturally aspirated power plant. With a weight of only 3,792 pounds, the R8 Spider is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4.1 seconds; go from 0 to 125 MPH in a little over 12.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 194.49 MPH, all while consuming 15.79 MPG in the manual transmission version, or 16.92 MPG in the R-tronic variant.
The all new Audi R8 Spider is being offered with a cloth top that weighs only 66.14 pounds; chosen as a solution by Audi to keep the rag top’s total weight and center of gravity lower in the vehicle. The electro hydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, and operates even while driving at speeds of up to 31.07 MPH.
Audi will offer the unit in three different colors, while the car will be available with eleven different paint options, with metallic and pearl effect finishes standard. Like all of Audi’s luxurious convertibles, the reinforced windshield frame is covered with anodized aluminum.
Press release after the jump.
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After revealing the A5 Sportback back in July, Audi comes today with details on its hotter brother the S5 version. It will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales to begin in the spring of 2010 at a base price of 57,900 euros.
The S5 Sportback is powered by a 3,0 liter V6 engine that delivers 333 hp and a peak torque of 324.53 lb.-ft. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds and can hit a top speed limited to 155 mph, all this with an average fuel consumption of 24.25 mpg.
The sportier version of the A5 Sportback comes with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive are standard equipment, sport differential, 18-inch aluminum wheels and electrically adjustable S sports seats covered with Silk Nappa leather on the interior.
Press release after the jump.
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As elegant as a coupe, as practical as an Avant - this is how it can be described the new Audi A5 Sportback in short words. The car was revealed today when the company is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The car is already on sale, and prices in Germany will begin at 33,650 euros.
When will go on sale the A5 Sportcak will be offered with a choice of three gasoline and three TDI engines, with three more engines to follow by mid-2010. All models are equipped with a recuperation system that recovers energy during braking and deceleration and stores it temporarily in the battery.
The gasoline line-up includes: the 2-liter TFSI with 180 hp or 211 hp and the 3.2-liter V6 with 265 hp. Diesel line-up includes: 2.0 TDI produces 170 hp, 190 hp 2.7-liter TDI and 3.0 TDI 240 hp.
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Audi revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show the most powerful TT version ever: the TT-RS, in both coupe and Roadster versions. Sales of the Audi TT RS begin in March; deliveries are scheduled to begin this summer.
The RS model distinguishes itself from the rest of the TT line with larger front air vents, twin-spoked alloy wheels, a fixed wing at the back and a new rear diffuser.
Under the hood Audi placed a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with direct gasoline injection that produces 340 bhp and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. The TT RS Coupé makes the 0 to 100 km/h sprint (0 to 62 mph) in 4.6 seconds, and the Roadster needs a tenth of a second longer. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), but Audi offers an option to raise the limit to 280 km/h (174 mph).
The five-cylinder unit marks Audi’s return to the odd numbered engine. This is important for Audi because it’s had a long tradition of five-cylinders in performance cars. It dates back to 1976 when Ferdinand Piëch developed the unit for the 5000 series, that was later used in the rally-dominating Quattro cars of the 80s.
Press release after the jump
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Audi unveiled the all-new Q5 in China at the Beijing Auto Show, a SUV that combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure-time and family use.
The dimensions alone indicate that this is a SUV of all-new proportions. Measuring 4.63 meters (15.19 feet) long and 1.88 meters (6.17 feet) wide, the Audi Q5 is just 1.65 meters (5.41 feet) high – making it sportier than any of its competitors. What’s more, this SUV sets another benchmark in its class with a low drag coefficient of 0.33.
The Audi Q5 is rolling off the production line in three engine variants – one gasoline engine and two TDI units. All of the engines are direct-injection models with a turbocharger – characterized by outstanding performance, hefty propulsive power and cultivated running while at the same time offering impressive fuel efficiency.
The 2.0 TFSI has been entirely redesigned. The high torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) is available at 1,500 rpm and remains constant up to 4,200 rpm, with performance peaking at 155 kW (211 hp). The Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 222 km/h (137.94 mph). On average, the vehicle consumes just 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (27.67 mpg).
Drawing on four cylinders and two liters of displacement as well, the 2.0 TDI is superbly refined thanks to a new common-rail fuel injection system; like the gasoline engine, it has two balancing shafts. With 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) (between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm), this diesel engine delivers strong propulsive power at an outstanding 125 kW (170 hp). Average consumption of just 6.7 liters per 100 km (35.11 mpg) is proof of Audi’s successful efficiency strategy. The two-liter TDI catapults the Audi Q5 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 9.5 seconds, peaking at a top speed of 204 km/h (126.76 mph).
The most powerful engine in the line-up is the 3.0 TDI. This V6 diesel engine delivers a gratifying 176 kW (240 hp), with 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque available between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm. With outstanding power flow and cultivated sound, it takes the Audi Q5 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.5 seconds, accelerating to a top speed of 225 km/h (139.81 mph). On average, the three-liter engine consumes 7.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (30.55 mpg).
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408 hp, Daytona Gray custom color, matt rolls on 21-inch wheels of 7 twin-spoke design - this is how can be resume the Audi Q5 custom concept unveiled today at the 28th Wörthersee Tour.
The concept is powered by a 3.0 TFSI V6 engine that now delivers 408 hp (up from the standard 333 hp). The sprint from 0 to 60 mph it is made in just 4,4 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph.
Press release after the jump.
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