2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

2012 Audi R8 V12 TDI

R8 supercar has caused quite a stir with its V8 and V10 gas variants, but Audi thought it would change things around by adding a V12 diesel into the mix for good measure. This R8 concept car deviates wildly from traditional gas-powered sports cars, but with a race-proven turbocharged diesel it might be one of the most promising exotic concept cars ever created.

Power for the concept comes from the automakers race-derived 6.0 liter V12 diesel motor, which was first used in the R10 Le Mans competition car, and is now available in the Audi Q7. The engine produces 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm.

The car sprints to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, according to Audi. Like most German automakers, Audi is probably reporting a very conservative acceleration time for this car.Other highlights of the show car include a glass roof, an increased use of carbon fiber, revised front and rear aprons, and larger air intakes all around.

The car also features all-LED headlights, which are visually very appealing, not to mention very energy efficient and bright. With a color temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, the light emitted resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light.

Earlier reports suggested that Audi would equip the R8 with a diesel engine for the 2009 model year, but the latest word is that the TDI R8 may never make it into production. Audi engineers are reporting that fitting the turbochargers into the allotted space is proving impossible, and the costs associated with making it fit would make it impossible for Audi to ever turn a profit from a TDI R8.

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

2012 Audi S8

The S8 disappeared from Audi’s lineup for the 2010 model year, but the sports sedan looks primed for a 2012 model year revival. Our spy photographers recently spotted the high-performance 2012 S8 undergoing some shakedown testing.

At first glance, this may just look like a blacked-out, 2011 Audi A8. However, all it takes is a quick look at the details of this car to know we’ve just captured the first up-close photos of Audi S8 test vehicle.

This S8 test car is an early development vehicle, so it is not wearing any of the sportier “S” bodywork just yet. What it does have are large brake rotors and calipers along with a quad tip exhaust setup — obvious signs this is no ordinary A8.

The S8 will get the usual upgraded suspension, brakes and powertrain that all “S” models get. Exactly which powertrain the S8 will receive seems to be a mystery so far, with the strongest rumors suggesting that a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 will be under the hood of the 2012 S8.

2011 Audi S1

2011 Audi S1

2011 Audi S1

2011 Audi S1

2011 Audi S1

Aside from letting us know when the S1 will debut, Audi has not yet released any further details on the car, but our spy photographers sent us the first images of an Audi S1 prototype just a few weeks ago.

Set to do battle with cars like the MINI John Cooper Works, Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA and Fiat 500 Abarth, the Audi S1 will likely get a tweaked version of the 1.4-liter supercharged and turbocharged TFSI four-cylinder used in the VW Polo GTi, producing at least 180 horsepower.

Backing the S1′s forced induction engine will be Audi’s latest seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The S1 will be Audi’s only S product not to offer Quattro all-wheel drive, but the hot hatch should still be capable of accelerating from 0-60 in under 6 seconds.It is also expected that the S1 will feature a stiffened suspension set-up with magnetic dampers.

The S1 will look the part thanks to flared wheel arches, 19-inch wheels, a roof-mounted spoiler, a front splitter and daytime LED headlamps like the rest of the Audi line – including LED running lights.As the current-generation A1 won’t be sold in North America, don’t expect to see the hotter S1 on our shores anytime soon. However, Audi has indicated that the second-generation A1 will be sold in the U.S., so here’s to hoping the next S1 also makes the journey.

2011 Audi Q3

2011 Audi Q3

2011 Audi Q3

2011 Audi Q3

2011 Audi Q3

2011 Audi Q3

The next Q3 to be fairly rugged and aggressive in design. It is also easy to see the similar design cues in the front fascia with the bigger Q5.

Expect moderately larger wheels – something in the realm of 18 to 20-inches. The Q3 will essentially fill the role of an upscale and more luxurious VW Tiguan – of which it shares a platform.

The Q3 is set to ride on the same VW chassis that the Golf and Tiguan use. We also hear it will have a Haldex all-wheel drive system instead of the usual Torsen all-wheel drive system found on most other Audi vehicles.

In the U.S. market, the Q3 will likely only be available with a 211 horsepower 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder. However, the supercharged V6 used in the S4 may find its way under the Q3′s hood. A next-generation version of Audi’s dual clutch “S-tronic” manu-matic transmission is also a likely bet.

European Q3 buyers will likely have the option of VW’s 1.4-liter TFSI inline-four engine — tuned to somewhere in the neighborhood of 125-150 horsepower — as well as two turbo-diesels powerplants, one of which may boast as much as 200 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2011 Audi Q5 Hybrid

Audi has officially announced a hybrid version of its Q5 compact SUV. Reports of a hybrid version of the Audi Q5 have been circling the internet rumor mill since 2008.
Audi says the Q5 Hybrid will make its debut in late 2010 – possibly indicating a Los Angeles Auto Show reveal – with sales set to kick off in early 2011. United States sales are a sure bet but it remains to be seen if the Q5 Hybrid will be offered in Europe where diesels still reign supreme.

No technical specs were released for the Q5 Hybrid but it is believed the SUV will employ nickel metal hydride batteries rather than a more advanced – and expensive – lithium-ion batteries. The Q5 Hybrid will be Audi’s first full hybrid model.

Audi still prefers diesel technology to hybrid technology – saying the company is developing “hybrids in order to show people that we are able to do them” – but the Q5 Hybrid should help the German automaker in the U.S. market, both in terms of sales and fuel economy regulations.

2011 Audi R18 TDI

2011 Audi R18 TDI

2011 Audi R18 TDI

2011 Audi R18 TDI

INTRODUCTION:Since its debut in 1999, the brand with the Four Rings has won the world's most important endurance race as many as nine times with the R8, R10 TDI and R15 TDI models. In doing so, Audi has equaled this feat in the race's roll of honor with Ferrari. With the new R18, which was presented at the Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt on the evening of Friday, December 10, 2010, Audi is aiming for its tenth Le Mans success in 2011.

HIGHLIGHTS:The R18's headlights, which are the first to completely consist of LEDs with optimized amount of light, are a technical highlight. The new generation of headlights was developed in close cooperation between Audi Sport and the Technical Development (TE) division of AUDI AG and by using at Le Mans, will be prepared for future use in production vehicles. Audi's light designers had the chance to make their mark on the development as well: The LEDs of the daytime light form the shape of a "1" which is intended to inspire associations with Audi's historic brand logo.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Significantly smaller engines than those used before will be prescribed at Le Mans in 2011 as the rule makers aim to achieve a substantial reduction of engine power. By opting for a 3.7-liter V6 TDI unit, Audi retains the diesel concept that saw its first victorious fielding in 2006. "From our point of view, the TDI continues to be the most efficient technology," says Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport. "There are good reasons why the share of TDI units among Audi's production models is as high as it is."
• Another new development is the six-speed transmission in the R18 which has been specifically modified for use with the smaller engine.With regard to the chassis Audi Sport wants to live up to its promise, expressed in the brand's "Vorsprung durch Technik" tagline. Unlike those of the closed Le Mans prototypes, the carbon fiber monocoque of the R18 does not consist of two halves but features a single-component design. This saves weight and increases stiffness.

DESIGN:The Audi R18 has been designed for progressive electrification, which Audi Sport is planning to drive forward step by step. "But efficiency is always the crucial factor for us," says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "No matter which form of energy recovery we may choose the key aspect for Audi - in motorsport as well as on the production side of the house - is that it provides a true advantage."

2011 Audi Project Kahn Q7

2011 Audi Project Kahn Q7

2011 Audi Project Kahn Q7

2011 Audi Project Kahn Q7

INTRODUCTION:Following on from the hugely successful Project Kahn Range Rover Sport RS600 and the Project Kahn RS300 powered by Cosworth, it was an inevitable progression that the prestige automotive design house, Project Kahn would eventually place their signature stamp on the Audi Q7.

HIGHLIGHTS:The Audi Q7 modifications include features which are unrivalled in today’s market, including to the exterior; Pearl Soft White Paint, 22” KAHN RS-X Wheels, KAHN Wide Arched Body Kit including Vented Front Wings, KAHN Quilted Leather Interior (7 Seats), KAHN Red and Cream Dials, KAHN Aluminum Foot Pedals, KAHN Welcome Lights and Panoramic Glass Roof.

DESIGN:The modified Audi Q7 features: 22-inch KAHN RS-X Wheels, KAHN Wide Arced Body Kit that includes vented front wings, and wears a Pear Soft White paint. The modifications on the interior include a seven-seater quilted leather seating & upholstery, Welcome Lights, Aluminum Foot Pedals, Kahn red and white speedometer, and tachometer. In addition, KAHN added Red and Cream Dials, and a Panoramic Glass Roof.