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Thursday, January 20, 2011

2012 Audi A4

A definite release date has not been announced for the 2012 Audi A4. However, it will probably make its debut in the fall of 2011 - September or October are the two most likely months.

As always, many rumors have been swirling around about changes to the 2012 Audi A4’s body style. A mid-cycle update wouldn’t be surprising for this vehicle, so drivers should be on the lookout for a slightly revamped A4 for 2012.

In terms of performance, the 2012 Audi A4 should excel just as its predecessors have. Primarily, the A4 is prized for its responsiveness and for its exceptional handling. An optional 8-speed automatic transmission was introduced with the 2011 model year and should enhance the A4’s performance. When it comes to reliability, a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance is included with the A4.

One free maintenance appointment has been included with past A4s, and should be offered with the 2012 model as well; the same is true of the 12-year rust warranty. Resale values for Audi A4s have always been great, so the 2012 A4 is sure to be a worthwhile investment.

The Audi A4 has always excelled in terms of safety; the 2012 Audi A4 is sure to continue that tradition. Impeccable crash test scores have always been par for the course with the A4 and should keep safety-conscious drivers happy. A huge range of airbags are included in the A4, including side head curtain airbags, front and front-seat side airbags and even rear-seat side airbags. Additional safety features that you can expect with the 2012 Audi A4 include traction control, stability control and antilock brakes.

2012 Audi A7 Sportback

The 2012 A7 follows the pattern set by the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Porsche Panamera and the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo. It is a four-door, but with its swooping roofline and hatchback rear end, its shape resembles a coupe more than sedan.

While European buyers will get the choice of gasoline or diesel V6 engines, Americans will be offered only the 3.0-liter, twin-cam gasoline V6 with a Lysholm-screw, positive-displacement supercharger nestled in the vee.

It’s a lovely device, with double overhead camshafts driven by cam chains set at the back of the block and in front of the flywheel, and ancillary belt drives at the front. Cam timing is variably adjusted to increase low-end torque. It produces 296 hp at 5250 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 2900 rpm, which is enough to achieve an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, zero-to-60 mph acceleration in 5.5 seconds and a combined mileage rating of 28 mpg.

The Audi A7 is a formidable device, capable of generating enough lateral grip to make your head swim, but little steering feedback. No matter. Opt for the S-line package with lower ride height and 19-inch rims, and there’s a newfound positivity to the handling. Even better is the 20-inch rim option, with Yokohama Advan tires. I race an old Aston Martin on these tires and can vouch for their outrageous grip and sensitivity. Exactly how those tires and the increased wheel size conspire to benefit the ride is difficult to pinpoint, but we can say that with the S-line option, 20-inch wheels and Yokohamas, the A7 transforms from a supreme road burner into a serious performance machine. The electronic steering should take some credit for this newfound agility, and Audi is proud of the strides it has made in this area.

The U.S. market will get the A7 in late Spring. Prices have yet to be finalized, but the base MSRP is expected to be just under $70,000. Definitely worth waiting for.

2012 Audi A6

Audi has unveiled its mid-range 2012 A6 sedan, and as we learned from advanced photos, it follows closely in the mold of its big brother, the A8. As the range-topping sedan is a pretty piece, that's not a bad thing, but Audi seems to be channeling BMW's old "One sausage, three sizes" design mantra of decades ago. In this case, that means a massive single-frame grille, available LED headlamps (as shown), and a relatively simple and unadorned profile that lends the A6 a premium look that will likely wear well over the years.

The new A6 will be available globally with two gas engines and three TDI diesel powerplants, as well as a front-wheel drive-only hybrid model. The most powerful gasoline-fed model will be the 3.0-liter TFSI Quattro, packing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic automatic.

No word yet on U.S. availability or pricing, but we'll have more news on the hybrid model shortly, so stay tuned. While you're waiting, check out our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

2012 Audi A2

The Audi A2 is set to make a comeback by 2012. The 2nd generation A2 will get rid of the expensive spaceframe assembly of its older sibling and give way for the more conventional monocoque made of steel similar to the A1.

The decision by the German car manufacturer will make the price of the new A2 competitive against the products of rival brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Audi has not released details about the styling lines of the upcoming A2 but had hinted that it will borrow elements from its predecessor with a high one-box design and narrow tracks.

Rupert Stadler, Audi chairman, also disclosed that the electric drivetrain is top priority and they are also considering implementing the range extender similar to that of the A1 e-tron for the upcoming A2.

2012 Audi RS3

The RS 3 arrives with a unique front fascia, sporting larger air inlets to keep the car’s engine and brakes cool. The overall look isn’t radically different from the standard A3, but the changes are enough to let you no this isn’t just any ordinary hatchback.

Beneath the RS 3′s hood resides the same 2.5L turbocharged five-cylinder used in the TT RS. Power is rated at 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, but the RS 3 Sportback still returns a respectable 25.85mpg.

That power is routed through Audi’s seven-speed S tronic gearbox, arriving at all four wheels via Quattro all-wheel drive. The RS 3′s performance is brisk, with the sprint from 0-62 taking just 4.6 seconds. The RS 3 Sportback tops out at 155mph.

In addition to the new engine, the RS 3 also sports plenty of suspension tweaks, including a one inch lower ride height and a wider track. The hatch’s brakes have also been upgraded.

2012 Audi E1 City Car

Audi engineers and designers have been given the green light to produce the E1 – a super-efficient small car that, at least in spirit, replaces the discontinued, slow-selling A2 city car. The unnamed Audi would go up against the new Ford Ka and the Fiat 500, and we’ve received renderings of the upcoming Audi E1 city car based on the Volkswagen Up! concept car.

Audi’s new small car is reportedly capable of 95 mpg and fewer than 100 g/km, which would put the car in the lowest possible tax brackets in Europe. Engines are speculated to be a pair of two-cylinder, 600cc turbocharged units, one powered by diesel and the other by unleaded. An all-electric version has already been given the go-ahead as well.

We expect the E1 city car to be front-wheel-drive and front-engined, unlike the smaller Smart ForTwo. Like the Smart ForTwo, the Audi E1 will feature a 2+1 layout that will seat two adults in the front, and room for luggage and a child in the rear.

Initially, sales in North America aren’t very likely, though Audi might test the waters in Canada – a market prone to purchase small cars – and then import the car to the United States. But this is all unconfirmed speculation.

2012 Audi A1 Convertible

The Audi A1 is based on the Metroproject Quattro that debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. The A1 hard top is scheduled as a 2011 model and is scheduled to enter production before the release of the convertible the following year. So how might the A1 Convertible look? Our artist put together an illustration of what to expect.

A1 used hybrid powertrains — with electric motors providing Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive — but the production version will likely use conventional drivetrains. Power for the MINI-fighting drop top could come from a wide range of small engines at Audi’s disposal thanks in part to VW. One possible engine derivative is the TSI engine range found in the Golf GT Sport. That means a turbo and supercharged 1.4L, good for either 140 or 170 horsepower. A 150 horsepower 1.8L turbo unit and a 102 horsepower 1.6L are expected to round out the gas engine offerings.

Also possible are the several versions of Audi’s 1.4L TFSI engine. If so, the base model would likely put out 120 horsepower. Performance oriented S1 and RS1 models are believed to be in the works, generating 180 and 220 horsepower, respectively. Audi’s DSG dual-clutch transmission will at least be optional on A1 models. In true European style, the A1 cabrio will also likely offer two version of the company’s 2.0L TDI, producing 140 and 170 horsepower respectively.

There are also reports that Audi is readying an S1 version of the A1 convertible, which will likely use the same 261 horsepower engine found in the S3.Also worth noting is the expectation for the A1 to feature automatic engine stop/start and brake energy regeneration, improving overall fuel economy by about 15 percent, regardless which engine(s) it receives.

The A1 is expected to hit the European market shortly after its Geneva debut, but U.S. sales are still in question. However, the latest photos were sourced from a Los Angeles photo shoot, but it remains to be seen if that has any bearing on where the A1 will be sold. Audi has reportedly set a sales target between 100,000 and 120,000 units annually.