18:55
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Audi unveiled the Sportback concept at the 2009 NAIAS today. With systematic refinements to the brand's characteristic design elements, the five-door model offers a glimpse at the Audi's future design vocabulary.
The Sportback concept - which measures 4950mm long, 1930mm wide and 1400mm high - features a pronounced coupé-like silhouette and a large rear hatch, providing access to a 500-liter trunk. According to Audi, the vehicle is 'boldly progressive for the luxury class'.
Check ou
t the gallery below for
more images of the Sportback, and be sure to read our 2009 Detroit Auto Show Highlights for more details on the five-door luxury concept.
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Audi Sportback concept - Detroit 2009
Photo Gallery: Audi Sportback concept
10:04
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Audi is aiming towards Lamborghini territory with the presentation of a top-of-the-line R8 model that's equipped with what else, but the Gallardo's 5.2-liter FSI engine. Just to keep the family balance, in the R8 the V10 powerhouse churns out 525HP at 8,000 rpm and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm in European-spec form. That's compared to the latest Gallardo LP560-4's 560HP. According to the German firm, the R8 V10's mid-engine design provides an ideal axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent.
When equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro goes from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.9 seconds. In the version with the sequentially shifting R tronic it reaches 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in another 8.1 seconds. As for the car's top speed, the R8 5.2 FSI won't stop until it reaches 316 km/h (196 mph). Not that any potential buyers will actually care, but the R8 V10 with R tronic gets by on an average of 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg).
The car comes equipped with Audi's magnetic ride system which adapts the characteristics of the suspension in milliseconds to the nature of the road surface and to the driving style as standard. Deceleration is provided by eight brake pistons at the front and four at the rear grasp the brake disks, which are ventilated and perforated. The brake disks on the front axle have a diameter of 380 millimeters (15 in); the rear discs span 356 millimeters (14 in). Optionally, there's also a ceramic brake system available.
On the outside, the R8 V10 is distinguished by a few subtle styling changes such as the chrome finish grille, the all-LED headlights, the new rear bumper that incorporates a different diffuser and two large exhaust pipes, and the 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels. Tire sizes are 235/35 front and 295/30 rear. Other unique details include the accentuated sideblades and the matt aluminum exhaust grilles at the rear windows.
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of €142,400 or with the current exchange rates, $183,700.
13:57
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Just as BMW unveiled the new 1-series convertible, Audi has now chopped the top on its A3, transforming the car into a four-seat cabriolet. The new car sports a fabric roof - as does its chief competitor - claimed to blend in with the 'authentic idea of open-top driving'.
The exterior design of
the Cabriolet retains the basic form of the A3 hatchback, featuring the familiar grille and high shoulderline, but the front end design has evolved to include new headlamp units featuring seven LEDs and a lower bumper section, nearly identical to that of the A4. Measuring 4,238mm in length, 1,765mm in width, 1,424mm in height and with a 2,578mm wheelbase, the A3 Cabriolet retains the proportions of the hatchback and its windscreen angle as well. From the rear, the Cabriolet has adapted the taillamp design of the larger A5 coupé.
Structural rigidity is enhanced through extensive use of hot-formed steel, including in the twin roll hoops aft of the rear seats. Weight savings and interior space were also a priority in the design. The fabric roof, which can raise or lower in nine seconds, includes a large heated glass rear window and folds up in a Z-pattern for space savings. It can be specified as a semi-automatic or fully automatic 'acoustic' top and comes in three colors: black, blue or red.
Power will be supplied by a range of four-cylinder engines, two petrol and two diesel, when the car goes on sale in Germany from February 2008.
Source: cardesignnews
13:35
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Following the Cross Coupe concept unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show and the Roadjet estate-crossover from Detroit last year is this new crossover concept from Audi.
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12:54
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Audi's latest Metroproject Quattro design study, which debuted this morning at the Tokyo Motor Show, pays homage to Japan's flair for miniaturization and provides clues to the look and packaging of a future Audi sub-compact production car (read A1
).
The design study seeks to combine the premium quality, innovation and design progressiveness for which the Audi range is renowned into a vehicle that occupies less than four meters of road space. The concept has also been engineered for efficiency, with a hybrid powertrain. As such, it is able to derive its power solely from its 1.4-liter petrol engine, purely from its electric motor or through a combination of the two; their interplay controlled by the highly intelligent on-board management system.
Inside, there are four individual seats and an innovative Audi mobile hand-held device offering mobile telephony, MP3 and video playback and GPS navigation. The driver is able to input sat-nav destinations and control in-car functions such as heating before even leaving home.
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Audi Metroproject Quattro - Tokyo 2007
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11:31
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Audi has completely revamped its A4, making it a sportier contender to compete with rivals such as BMW's 3 Series. Visually, it appears the company have succeeded in giving the car a more focussed and the purposeful road stance. The exterior des
ign of the new A4 make it appear both tauter and dynamic with sportier proportions than the previous model, as we'd predicted with the Roadjet concept. The front body overhang has been drastically shortened and the hood and wheelbase are both longer 
than before.
Inside, the workmanship is typical of Audi quality. With an overall length of 4.7 meters, Audi claims this iteration will offer its occupants ample space in an interior full of light. The controls can be backed by the extra refinement of innovative assistance and multimedia systems.
In the driveline, the differential has changed places with the clutch making it possible to move the front axle forward by 154 millimeters. Audi wants to ensure that the new A4 will be the sportiest saloon in the midsize car category: agile, light and precise to control. Power will be sourced from a choice of five engines, their power outputs ranging from 143bhp to 265bhp. Various transmissions will also be available: a six-speed manual gearbox, tiptronic automatic transmission and a multitronic continuously variable transmission.
Related stories:
Design Review: Audi Roadjet
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08:13
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Audi's newest TT Roadster has gone under the knife and been transformed into the Clubsport, a bespoke 'design study' that harkens back to the 1950s Porsche Speedster.
The TT Clubsport's styling elements make it appear to have come straight out of an aftermarket tuning house. Its short, pilarless wraparound windshield barely protrudes from the body and shorter rollover bars keep the profile low. There is no roof.
At the front, the domin
ating grille is more prominent than that of the production roadster and no longer houses Audi's badge or a number plate surround. The corporate chrome rings now adorn the top of the hood, and on either side of the grille are huge chrome mesh-covered air vents to feed cold air to the engine.
From the side, smaller wing mirrors appear to have been stolen from Audi's Nuvolari concept and the doors are devoid of handles, emphasizing the taut shoulder line. More pronounced rocker panels flow into bulging wheel arches housing 20-inch wheels similar to those found on Audi's RS4, while the exhaust outlets within the rear bumper evoke the automaker's sportier offerings.
Audi is currently displaying the car at the 26th Worthersee tuner show in Austria to guage public reaction. There is no word yet on whether it will actually reach production.
Source: cardesignnews
06:50
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Photos of Audi's third coupe in 12 months have been released prior to next week's Geneva Motor Show, when it will be officially unveiled. Aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz CLK and BMW 3 Seri
es Coupe, the Audi A5 is a four-seat coupe based on a new platform - not just a hardtop A4 Cabriolet.
The A5 combines the sweeping lower side-feature from the
TT and A6, and softer version of the shoulder theme from the R8. The DLO has a hint of Mercedes-Benz, with a break at the rear rather than the traditional Audi flowing line. A wide range of engines producing between 170 and 265PS will be available from launch, including diesel options. Though a 344PS S5 has also been announced, we will be crossing our fingers for an RS5 with bigger arches and wider stance to complement the bold bodyside character line.
Related stories:
Audi R8 - Paris Motor Show 2006
Audi TT - New York Auto Show 2006
Audi Nuvolari quattro concept - Geneva 2003
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04:13
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Following the launch of the new TT earlier this year comes its open sibling, the TT Roadster. Continuing to rebuke the trend for folding hard-tops despite even Mazda providing such an option on the MX-5, the TT Roadster perseveres with a cloth roof instead. Not only saving weight, this also means no visual mass protruding over the belt-line, though like its predecessor the roof adopts a more abrupt profile when raised than the
fluidity of the coupe's profile.
Engine options remain the same, with a 3.2-liter V6 putting 250PS through all four wheels or a 200PS powering only the front axle, both available with the excellent DSG transmission that pre-selects the next gear. Another innovation shared with the coupe is the ingenious magnetic ride whereby the viscosity of the dampers varies with the electric current.
Dimensions for the Audi TT Roadster are: length 4178mm (+137), width 1842mm (+78), height 1358mm (+8).
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Mazda MX-5 Roadster - British Motor Show 2006
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03:57
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Audi has unveiled the new R8 supercar, closely based on the Le Mans concept that was shown three years ago in Frankfurt. The two-seat car uses a shortened version of the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, and is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 using FSI technology first introduced by the A2.
Like the now-obsolete small car the R8 is also constructed of an aluminum space-frame, 
keeping weight down to 1360kg. This combines with 420PS to give a 0-60 time of 4.6s. Sales start early next year priced from US$132,000. Key dimensions are: length 4431mm, width 1904mm, height 1249mm.
Related Stories:
Design Review: Audi Le Mans concept
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01:31
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Audi has relea
sed pictures of the n
ew S3 that completes the A3 line-up. Though the company is pitched as a BMW rival, the latest S3 appears to pick up where the Lancia Delta Integrale Evolution II left off in 1993, both having rally-bred predecessors, turbocharged 2-liter engines with four-wheel drive, and 0-60 times of 5.7s. However, at 265 PS, the S3 produces 50PS more than the Integrale due to 20% greater pressure from the turbocharger.
Outside, the car has new 18" rims and sits 25mm lower, emphasised by a deep body kit. Interior changes include bucket-seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel and piano-black inlays, a popular option also used by the new Opel Corsa and Mercedes-Benz CLS. Despite the tie-in of the larger A8 with Bang & Olufsen, the S3 sticks with an impressive Bose sound system. Prices of the Audi S3 in Germany start from $45,000.
Source: cardesignnews
06:09
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Though the R8 was launched at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, Audi has now created a design study to showcase its new LeMans-winning V12 TDI.
Changes to the show car delve much deeper than just a shoehorned V12 diesel into a standard R8 engine bay. Finished in a matte silver hue, the concept has larger louvered air intakes nestled in the sides of the bumper, a trait continued in the rear outlets. The tailpipes are cleanly integrated into that element instead of protruding from purpose-built openings in the rear bumper, as on the production model.
Inside, the V12 TDI concept is distinguishable by its steering wheel-mounted red start/stop buttton, additional aluminum and carbon fiber elements, and racing-style sports seats.
Be sure to check out our Detroit Auto Show Highlights for more information and unique hi-res images.
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Audi R8 V12 TDI concept - Detroit 2008
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20:38
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Audi has chosen the Beijing Motor Show to unveil its new mid-sized Q5 SUV.
The newcomer's exterior design is a thoroughly orthodox development of current Audi themes: a mix of Avant and Q7 ideas housed in a deeper body section than one is used to seeing. The rear relates most strongly to the Q7, with its full-width powered tailgate design, where the tail lamps open with the tailgate and auxiliary lamps in the bumper house t
he mandatory lamp functions. The front end is a deeper version of the A4 face with yet another variation on the LED running lamps motif acting as the key DRG identifier for the new model.
The basic interior uses common hardware from the A4 but houses it in a unique IP design that is a reversal of the A4/A6 theme where the center stack links to the driver's binnacle: here it links to the passenger side of the IP. The sliding rear seat features a seatback split into three sections, with a recline function and simple one-fold action to extend the load bay.
source: cardesignnews
11:27
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Audi's A6 models have been given a freshened appearance, bringing the car in line with the rest of the Audi range. The new A6 bears strong resemblance to the A4 model in the revised front and rear treatment, gaining the single-frame grille and taillamps akin to those of the smaller car, which taper inward on the sedan.
Redesigned elements on the face include bumpers, air vents and fog lights as well as the optional six LED xenon daytime running lights. An
aluminum-colored molding traversing the 
sides emphasizes the A6's contours. At 4.93 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, and 1.46 meters high, the car retains its predecessor's proportions. A lip on the trunk, integrated chrome strip on the bumper, broad diffuser and straight exhaust pipes all feature in the revamped rear end.
The interior has also been reworked, with new higher-resolution graphics on the IP and a new frame to accentuate the multifunction display. Chrome trim, including on the spokes of the steering wheel, and inlays available in either aluminum look or various woods enhance the cabin. L-shaped headrests improve the driver's rearward visibility and a two-seat rear bench can also be specified.
Source: cardesignnews
18:55
Cars Infomation
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Audi unveiled the Sportback concept at the 2009 NAIAS today. With systematic refinements to the brand's characteristic design elements, the five-door model offers a glimpse at the Audi's future design vocabulary. 
t the gallery below for
more images of the Sportback, and be sure to read our 2009 Detroit Auto Show Highlights for more details on the five-door luxury concept.
