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Latest Audi News from Audi Cork

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• Audi Cork launch ebay shop

  Cork, March 20th, 2012 – Neil Casey , Parts and Accessories manager has announced today the launch of Audi Cork's new ebay shop. This shop will feature exclusive deals on genuine Audi parts and accessories and will be developed over the coming months.
  We welcome all guests to check it out today
  Check out our new Ebay shop

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• Audi is Number 1 premium brand in Ireland

  3,400 Audi vehicles sold in Ireland in 2011 resulting in a 23% year-on-year increase
  
  We at Audi Ireland are delighted to announce total sales figures of 3,400 units for 2011, cementing our position as the country’s most popular premium brand for the third consecutive year. This figure represents a significant year-on-year increase of 23%.
  
  We believe that especially at these times, savvy Irish customers recognise the ideal mix of benchmark premium products, leading efficiency, and an unrivalled value and quality proposition that only Audi can provide.
  

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• Audi A7 and Audi Q7 Win 2012 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Awards

  The Audi A7 claims top honors in Luxury On-Road category -- The Audi Q7 tops all competitors in Family Vehicle category -- Winners judged by elite and recreational U.S. athletes
  CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Audi A7 and the Audi Q7 won their respective categories in the 2012 Active Lifestyle of the Year Awards, which stands as the only competition of its kind in the U.S. to combine the opinions of automotive journalists and elite athletes.
  
  Both Audi models were among the 32 finalists for recognition in the eighth-annual ALV program. The Audi A7 won as the best Luxury On-Road vehicle, while the Audi Q7 won in the best Family vehicle category.
  
  The competition, held this year in Chandler, Ariz., involved seven categories overall with each grouping of finalists assessed by a jury panel made up of at least 10 elite and local athletes and journalists. The juries assessed the cars in each category on overall design, engine power, fuel efficiency and cargo capability. The goal of the jurors is to reward cars best suited for the needs of a sports lifestyle, such as stowing bicycles, kayaks or golf clubs.
  
  "While ALV is technically a car-of-the-year competition, it's also an impromptu focus group," explained program co-founder, Nina Russin. "Our objective is to widen the pipeline between the people who plan, design and engineer new cars and the consumers who ultimately buy and drive them. At previous programs athletes including professional football players, elite runners, swimmers and triathletes have interacted with vehicle designers and product specialists."
  
  ABOUT THE AUDI A7
  
  Audi has broken new ground with the A7, combining the emotional appeal of a coupe with the prestige of a sedan and the functionality of a wagon. The innovative, five-door design of the newest Audi entry sits atop a sporty, lightweight chassis and is partnered with a highly efficient supercharged V6, latest generation quattro® all-wheel drive and the latest advanced driver assistance and multimedia systems to define a new benchmark for the premium segment.
  
  ABOUT THE AUDI Q7 TDI
  
  The seven-passenger 2012 Audi Q7 highlights the brand attention to details through a host of features that exceed driver and passenger expectations for functionality and comfort. The premier luxury SUV in the Audi lineup provides impressive carlike handling and functional utility for every day driving. The 3.0-liter common-rail injection V6 clean diesel engine in the Audi Q7 TDI generates 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
  

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• Audi is number 1 premium brand in Ireland - 24th Oct 2011

  By Nick Webb
  
  
  Sunday October 23 2011
  
  There have been extraordinary changes at the top level of Irish corporate life since the bottom fell out of the world -- nowhere more so than in the underground car parks of the country's biggest companies.
  
  Mercs and BMWs have just been replaced by Audi as the wheels of choice for the executives of the country and are now the top-selling premium car in the country. In the year to October, Audi had sold 3,318 cars against BMW's 3,277 cars and Mercedes's 1,915 cars.
  
  Audi, which is under the Volkswagen umbrella, has seen sales rise 22 per cent this year as the premium market rose 12 per cent, according to VW Ireland boss Simon Elliott.
  
  "All of the VW group brands in Ireland -- VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW commercial vehicles are ahead of 2010. As a group we now get 23 per cent market share," according to Elliott. "Next year the market will likely be lower than this year mainly as a result of the removal of the scrappage scheme."
  
  While the car industry is racked with fears over the impact of the dreaded '13' plate that will come in in 2013, consumers have their own problems trying to get bank loans to buy new cars.
  
  The exit of major players from the car finance market has opened the door to new entrants. VW's own bank is rapidly hoovering up new business and is lending €100m to car-buyers this year.
  
  
  

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• Better engines for Audi A5 upgrades 2012

  Audi claims that its new generation Audi A5 and S5 Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet models are more fuel efficient. The model three ranges come with CO2 emission reductions of up to 22 per cent thanks to new engines and additional efficiency measures. Entry price for the new A5 and S5 models start from €39,335, that’s virtually the same price as the 2.0 TFSI model that it replaces.
  
  The entry level 1.8-litre TFSI petrol engine powered model, which will be available across the ranges, has been completely redesigned. It features new control of the engine valves, improved engine management, fuel injection, turbo-charging and changes to the exhaust manifold. The engine power in this models has been increased from 160bhp to 170bhp. This car replaces the 180bhp version of the four-cylinder 2.0-litre TFSI engine, and in the A5 Coupe combines 17.6km/litre (49.6mpg) economy potential with a 21 per cent reduction in CO2 output to 134g/km.
  
  For the bigger selling TDI versions, Audi has called on the current diesel line up in the newly launched A6 model. A 2.0TDI version with 177bhp available in manual and automatic transmissions is available across the three variants.
  
  In addition two V6 diesel engine options are available. Audi claims that the 3.0 TDI with 204bhp is the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder unit in its class. In the A5 Coupé with multitronic, it consumes on average 4.9 litres of fuel/100km or gives 20.4 km/litre and emits just 129 grams CO2 per km. The second variant of the 3.0 TDI produces 245bhp. The Sportback and Cabriolet models will be available in an entry level 2.0TDI offering with 143bhp from early 2012.
  
  The top models in the series, the S5 as Sportback, Coupé and Cabriolet, have also been refreshed. All S5 models, including the Coupé, are now equipped with the 3.0 TFSI V6 engine that produces 333bhp.
  
  Compared to the 4.2-liter V8 it replaces in the Coupé, Audi claims that the supercharged V6 consumes on average 20 per cent less fuel per 100 kilometres. Average fuel consumption is just 12.3km/litre (8.1 l/100km) while performance remains impressive.
  
  The S5 Coupé can power to 100 km/h from rest in 4.9 seconds, a 0.2-second improvement over its V8-powered predecessor, on the way to a governed 250km/h top speed.
  
  The Xenon lights with LED daytime running lights, the A5’s signature iconic design feature have been altered to reflect a new Audi look. In addition to this there are exterior and interior styling updates, infotainment technology advances and chassis modifications.
  

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• Audi sees Irish sales jump

  Carmaker Audi saw sales rise by 22.4 per cent in Ireland during the first six months of 2011, according to its latest results.
  
  Overall, the Audi group increased revenue in the first half of 2011 by 22.5 per cent to €21.5 billion from €17.6 billion.
  
  "Despite the economic downturn and instability which has affected consumer confidence, we continue to surge ahead and grow the business in Ireland, due to the right mix of industry benchmark quality matched with the right value proposition," said Audi's director for Ireland, Andrew Doyle.
  
  Group operating profit rose by 90.9 percent to €2.5 billion as against €1.3 billion for the first six months of 2010.
  
  Audi achieved a new record with 652,970 deliveries of its cars worldwide in the first half of 2011, compared to 554,864 deliveries for the same period a year earlier.
  
  The group sold around 1,092,400 cars of the Audi brand in 2010.
  
  Last year the company posted revenue of €35.4 billion and an operating profit of €3.3 billion in 2010
  

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• Audi Reports Best-Ever July Sales in the U.S., Marking the Seventh Straight Record-Setting Month for 2011

  Audi sales highlights – July 2011
  
  •New company record set in July with to 9,146 vehicles sold, topping the previous record of 7,974 vehicles sold in July 2001.
  •Audi sales in the U.S. grew 15.6% to 65,055 luxury vehicles sold from January 2011 through July 2011.
  •Seven models within Audi lineup post YOY gains.
  •Sales mix of the most premium models in the lineup (Audi A8, A7, A6, Q7) jumped to 32%, versus 18% in the same period last year.
  
  
  Audi A6, A7 and A8 July sales and news notes
  
  •Strong initial sales for the all-new 2012 A6 with 1,014 vehicles sold.
  •2012 Audi A7 sustains momentum with 709 vehicles sold.
  •Audi A8 sales increase 275% YOY to 450 vehicles sold; YTD A8 sales up 597.7% to 3,300 vehicles sold.
  
  
  Audi A3 and Audi Q7 July sales and news notes
  
  •Audi Q7 sales in July up 31.2% YOY and up 39.7% YTD, compared to 2010.
  •TDI clean diesel technology represented 54% of total A3 sales for July and 36% of total Q7 sales for July.
  
  
  Audi R8 and TT July sales and news notes
  
  •Audi R8 posted strong sales gains with an increase of 57.7% YOY to 82 vehicles sold in July; R8 sales up 128% YTD with 682 vehicles sold in 2011 through July.
  •Audi TT sales increased 7.2% from the same period last year to 178 vehicles sold in July 2011.
  
  
  Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes
  
  •July CPO sales set fifth consecutive monthly record with 3,506 vehicles sold.
  •Audi CPO sales up around 26.8% versus 2010, the previous best July on record.
  •A4 models continue to make up the majority of the sales volume

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• Audi sales increase by 17.7% worldwide

  German carmaker Audi AG (AUDVF.PK: News ) Thursday said its worldwide sales in the first six months increased 17.7 percent, reflecting a strong performance in European markets.
  The company said it delivered over 652,950 cars to customers worldwide in the first half of the year. Demand for its SUV models rose significantly, while the Audi A1 and A8 brought additional growth, the company added.
  Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI said in a statement, "We are also optimistic about the coming months. Even though the second half is traditionally weaker, we will be launching high-volume models specifically important to European markets, the new A6 Avant and the Audi Q3."
  For the six-month period, total sales in Europe grew 13.5 percent to about 382,850 cars, with the main drivers of growth being Audi A1 and A8. In Europe, sales of Audi's large SUV gained 23.5 percent over the same period last year.
  The company said it sold a total of 125,091 cars in Germany, up 15.7 percent from the prior-year period. In the US, sales improved 15.4 percent to 55,909 cars in the first half.
  
  In China, Audi sold 140,699 cars during the period, up 28 percent from last year and substantially more than in its German home market, the company noted.
  Audi added that India is becoming an increasingly important market for the brand, with unit sales of 2,802 cars, an increase of 100.1 percent.
  "In China mobility is happening top-down. That society's elite has long been driving full-size cars; the new, affluent middle class is now discovering smaller premium vehicles. In India, mobility is taking shape in the lower segments; the premium market for larger vehicles is now growing continuously. We have decided to introduce our new Audi Q3 in India to support that development," Schwarzenbauer stated.
  
  In Frankfurt's XETRA, Audi shares are currently trading up 0.57 percent
  

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• Audi A8 3.0 TDI: Styling, luxury and performance

  Super luxury cars are mostly perceived as those that are driven by chauffeurs and not by their owners. Naturally , their development revolves round the rear passenger seat and utmost care is taken as regards the comfort of those who occupy that seat. But what if that extremely successful businessman also happens to be a youngster who craves for the kicks and thrill of driving fast and powerful cars without compromising either on the luxury or and status? Audi have the answer. The A8. In the 3.0 TDI version. A few months ago we drove the fantabulous A8 4.2 and described its excellence against the competition. This month , we bring you the A8 for the modern-day businessman , who loves to drive more than being driven around!
  
  There is no gainsaying that Audi have raised the standard when it comes to styling. The Ingolstadt-based manufacturers have set a new benchmark that is years ahead of the times. The full LED headlamps that bear testimony to the fact that this car comes with the four-ring badge , the big , chrome-lined grille , the completely black top with a panoramic sunroof , broad shoulders and a sharp tail make for a design that will appeal to one and all. It has got enough aggression and a bold stance without taking anything away from its luxury saloon character.
  
  Get inside the A8 and there is absolutely nothing that will give you a cause for complaint. Ample room at the front as well as the rear makes sure that you sit in the lap of luxury while driving yourself or while being driven. And the best part is that even with that much of room in the cabin , the car doesn’t feel huge while driving. It wraps around you so well that you don’t feel that you are driving such a big saloon. The power footrest at the rear is a highlight that ensures utmost comfort while doing long hauls. Recline the seat , stretch your legs and go for that much-needed power nap. Plush seats with massager , 10-inch LCDs for entertaining the passengers , individual climate controls and similar features make sure that your journey is nothing short of first class. This car has a cabin that pampers you so much that you wouldn’t feel like getting out of it!
  
  Obviously , all this is perfect for one who is going to be driven around by the chauffeur. What about the enthusiast who loves to drive himself? For him , the real fun is packed under the bonnet of this German wonder. A 3.0-litre diesel motor sits in there. Peak of power 250 PS at 4 , 000 rpm is excellent. However , what excited us most was the stupendous torque kicking in at 1 , 500 rpm and making its presence felt all the way up until 3 , 000. It’s 550 Nm of highly exhilarating experience. With the pedal floored you are guaranteed to sink your back deep into the seat. The A8 is truly quick with naught to hundred being achieved in 7.39 seconds.
  
  Apart from the torque and the decent amount of power on offer , what contributes to the really quick acceleration time is the lightweight aluminium body of the A8. The eight-speed transmission with dual clutch shifts through the cogs in fractions of seconds , making it an absolutely seamless experience. This very transmission also helps return a decent fuel-efficiency of eight km per litre within the City and 11 kpl by shifting up in the highest possible gear and keeping the revs as low as possible. This kind of efficiency and a 90-litre fuel tank ensure a range of almost 800 km before re-fuelling is required. Now , wouldn’t you call that phenomenal range?
  
  The gearing of the A8 is quite tall in general , which makes it possible for the car to cruise at a little over the idling rpm and still do speeds in three-digit figures in the eighth gear on the highway. Adding a lot of character to the handling of the A8 is the amazingly well sorted chassis along with the suspension offered in three modes – auto , comfort and dynamic. However , what contributes the most is Audi’s trademark Quattro system that offers intelligent four-wheel grip. Other electronic aids like ESP , EBD , ABS , etc , add enough safety to the drive.
  
  To us , the A8 makes a lot of sense in every way. Its styling and design , which we look at first , are in a class apart. The luxury and comfort of the cabin are exceptional in every aspect. Its performance is so athletic that you would rather be in the driver’s seat than in the passenger’s. And then there are safety features in this car that would make it the safest thing around.
  
  The Audi A8 is the best in class with its price tag too. No need to look elsewhere , well-heeled businessmen , luxury with performance is right here!
  

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• Audi A7: A great looking car

  This is undoubtedly the most handsome Audi i have driven. Long , wide and low and styled with smooth and clean lines akin to master strokes in a painting. The front end carries the Audi family design and is quite well proportioned. The LED daytime running lights make it look chic and the bright Xenon light comes handy while driving in poor visibility conditions or at night. Like most modern Audis , there is no moderation to the use of LED lights. You’ll find them in the rear end as well. This is because they offer brighter light during daytime , consume less energy , are long lasting and look really cool.
  
  The side profile of the car can make even hardened auto journalists go weak in their knees. It resembles some of the iconic super cars of the 1970s. The long bonnet , sweeping roof-line and the sharply chopped off rear end make it look like a sporty coupé , until you notice that it has four doors. The car is based on the new A6 platform , with an overall length of 4 , 969 mm and width of 1 , 911 mm , but is just 1 , 420 mm tall owing to the alluring coupé-style roof-line. We drove the ‘S line’ variant that adds boxier front air intakes , adding to the car’s aggressive styling. The design is of a car the vice-president of an IT firm would fantasise about.
  
  Now that we’ve harped enough on the car’s good looks , let’s shed some light on facts. As mentioned earlier , the A7 uses a stretched version of the lightweight MLB platform already doing service in the new A6 , which allows engines to be mounted further back in the chassis than before. And since I was attentive during my high school physics classes , I understand that this position of the engine would give the car better stability. But it’s not just a dressed-up A6. It also relies heavily on the luxurious A8 and hence has a good 20 per cent of its body made of aluminium , including elements of the doors , the bonnet and the tailgate. Most of the remaining parts are made of comparatively less expensive steel. Specific sections have been reinforced with panels of varying thickness , ensuring strength in the event of a collision. The lightweight construction is also applied to the suspension with die-cast aluminium being used at the front suspension strut mounts. The control arms , pivot bearings and wheel carriers also have aluminium components to reduce weight.
  
  Audi have 11 colour options on offer for the A7 in India , which include not less than three different hues of black and the same number of greys , probably targeting the ‘dark knight’ in you. We got the Impala beige with pearl effect , which is a good option for our environment. As you get inside the car , you get surrounded by opulence despite the seemingly simple design of the interior. There are hoards of instruments and buttons that are aesthetically laid out , easy to reach and simple to operate. The high central console gives the car a sporty , cockpit-like feeling and the material used in the cabin is , as is usual for Audi , stunning. The small touch pad on it is a great ‘touch’. There are over a dozen of aluminium and wood trim options that could be considered an industry benchmark.
  
  Our top-of-the-line ‘S line’ featured the Bang & Olufsen music system , which needs no introduction. The compact tower-shaped speakers and the 6.5-inch infotainment screen slide out in a sleek motion. The screen also offers the Drive Select options and aids parking using the rear camera. Then you get the optional four-zone automatic air-conditioning , wherein the air distribution , temperature and blower speed can be adjusted individually for the front seat occupants. True to what was said in the press note , ‘the optional ambient lighting provides an emotion arousing orchestration of light’. I couldn’t have put it better. The driver also gets the head-up display , which projects a virtual image of the speedometer inside the windscreen and anti-glare inside rear-view mirror. It can be configured , though , to display particular data that may be more important.
  
  The sporty seats offer ample support and the bucket seat-like grooves hold you securely in position. They also have air vents to heat or cool the seats. There is enough legroom in the rear of this sportback , but the coupé-inspired drooping roof restricts the luxury of headroom , though it should not be too much of a bother for an Indian of average build. The boot is huge with 535 litres of storage space and , as in a notchback , the whole tailgate opens up like a giant’s yawn.
  
  The A7 currently has just one engine option in India – the three-litre TDI with quattro. And I think it makes sense for Audi to launch this oil-burner in India as it makes for a more practical option and will account for a major chunk of the A7’s sales. Expect a petrol engine option – 3.0 TFSI , early in 2012. The sportback is powered by a 2 , 967-cc V6 diesel motor that can spin out 245 PS of power and a fantastic 500 Nm of torque without breaking into a sweat. There are two aspects that make this motor entertaining – the optimum flowing in between 1 , 400-3 , 250 rpm and the seven-speed S-tronic transmission with Audi’s dual clutch technology. This transmission makes a gear change possible in just 0.2 of a second without interrupting the power flow and our kick-down figures uphold its efficiency. Moreover , it reduces fuel consumption compared to a traditional auto-box. You can even shift into the manual mode if you prefer to shift gears yourself.
  
  With the Quattro with sports differential driving the rear wheels , the A7 handles every bend as if on carving skis by ensuring that the individual rear wheels are able to receive different amount of drive torque. The ride quality is pretty good thanks to the Trapezoidal link , twin-tube , gas-filled shock-absorbers. It is not as agile as an A4 and drives like a big sedan. One can also select the preferred drive mode from Comfort , Dynamic , Auto and Individual. If the going gets too rough , the Comfort mode comes in handy. Having said that , I preferred the Dynamic mode , which made the steering more engaging and the ride sharper. The handling and specifically the steering feel is the highlight of this Audi. The sportback goes exactly where you point it and the 18-inch 255/45 wheels make sure they do not slacken the grip.
  
  The 3.0 TDI is not a beast like Audi’s 4.2-litre diesel monster , but it’s no slouch either and has more than sufficient torque to surge ahead if you add weight to the accelerator pedal. Naught-to-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds is proof enough of the engine’s capability. Then you have the option of the Start-Stop system , which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emission by switching off the engine when the car is stationary. For instance , when the driver brings the car to a halt at a traffic signal , engages the neutral gear and takes his foot off the clutch pedal , the system shuts down the engine. There’s more for Green Peace activists. It’s also got an energy recovery system that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during phases when the car is braking. When the car accelerates again , the battery directs the temporarily stored energy back into the vehicle. This relieves the load on the alternator and thereby saves fuel. And the world is a greener place.
  
  What the A7 sportback tries to do is break away from the obvious. It isn’t , in the proper sense of the term , a sedan or a coupé nor an estate. But it manages to combines the highlights of all the three and emerges as an attractive and unique option. The A7 sportback inspires passion like a piece of art , yet is muscular and strongly mechanical. But its beauty lies in its simplicity. It looks neat without any forced light reflectors or bold lines , is aerodynamic and comes without unnecessary gimmicks. Precisely what you would expect of a German sports car. It gives you almost all the luxuries of an A8 and is fun and more nimble to drive. And if you are still cribbing about rear headroom , then go for an A8.
  

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• Audi's Q3 is a car for our times

  One of the most aggressive-looking beasts of that era when we lost the run of ourselves was the Audi Q7 SUV. I didn't much like it and it probably suffered from being such an overblown element of those blinging times.
  
  However that was then, and while a few of the beasts can still be spotted roaming among the ghost estates, its far more palatable baby sisters are on the way. Already, we have seen the Q5 but even that was fairly large.
  
  Now the real patter of little feet can be heard as the Q3 is arriving in the autumn to assuage the the public's healthier appetite for smaller crossovers as the sales of the big SUVs hopefully will continue their terminal decline -- in the cities, anyway. There is also a Q1 coming, which will directly compete with the Mini Countryman.
  
  The all new Q3 is Audi's first foray into the premium A SUV segment and orders will begin at the end of August. The Q3 will have the distinction of being the first Audi SUV to offer the efficiency-focused option of a 54mpg front-wheel-drive variant. Inquiries are being accepted now at Audi Ireland's dealer network, with first deliveries beginning in late October.
  
  While pricing for the Q3 starts at €33,850, it cost a massive extra €800 in the awful dealer-related charges to get the road price of €34,650 for the 2.0TDI 140 SE version, which is expected to account for the majority of orders.
  
  Four engines will initially be available, including two petrol models, all combining direct fuel injection with turbo charging and all backed up by start-stop and energy-recuperation systems.
  
  A quattro version will come early in 2012. With emissions of just 133g/km, the 2.0 TDI 140 variant is in tax band B, qualifying the purchaser for annual road tax of just €156.
  
  From a design perspective, the new Audi Q3 is said to have been built "to break the mould". With a long, broad body, coupe-like roof line and smooth, sweeping lines, it deliberately avoids the traditional 'boxy' look of an SUV.
  
  And with its low lean-forward stance and muscular, flared wheel arches, the Q3 goes for a sporty character, yet it remains instantly recognisable as an Audi.
  
  Audi claims that there will be seating for up to five adults but my experience is that that is usually four and a bit. The company says the boot space offered in the Q3 (460 litres) is superior to that of all its main competitors.
  
  Externally, the SE version includes 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminium roof rails and rear parking sensors, and inside dual-zone climate control, a concert audio system with 6.5-inch retractable colour display screen, Bluetooth interface, Audi Music Interface (iPod connection) and multifunction leather steering wheel.
  
  The Q3 will also come equipped with navigation preparation, enabling customers to 'activate' navigation retrospectively by purchasing an SD card if required.
  
  For a premium of €3,300 above SE versions, the new Audi Q3 can be upgraded to the S line specification, which includes 18-inch alloy wheels, S-line exterior and interior styling enhancements and xenon headlamps, with LED daytime running lamps and LED rear tail lights.
  
  I have been getting bored with the crossover breed, except for superb cars like the Skoda Yeti. Audi's offering in the premium sector could just get me interested again.
  
  

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• A Day In The Life of An Audi A7 Driver: Day 3

  
  As I have established in the first two days which I will affectionately refer to as the honeymoon stage, the 2012 Audi A7 is absolute visual splendor on wheels. However, for day 3, it was all about capability and technology.
  
  I think one of the most surprising treats in this car is the highway MPG. The EPA estimate is 28 MPG; it may not sound like a lot, but for a 3.0 TFSI Quattro with 310 horses that’s quite a bit. Although the EPA estimates it at 28, my calculations for the first two days were 31.5 MPG. Amazing!
  
  I’ve made some references to the references to the amazing BOSE surround sound system that the A7 comes equipped with. It sounded like Michael Jackson was in the car with me hee-heeing! This prompted me to indulge myself in my curious nature, so I searched for each and every single speaker that was in the car. I counted 15. The best part is that I had to search for them. Why is that so good? Often times in car these days, you can see the speakers wherever they are. Most car interiors aren’t designed in a way where the speakers and their positioning have an organic flow to the design of the overall interior. The A7 does, and it adds to that visual splendor and makes an eye-gazing experience that is unobtrusive to the eye.
  
  Here’s some more fun that comes as a result from sitting in the captain’s chair. When you sit in that captain’s chair, you are at the helm. With the help of the voice-activated Google Earth, you are in control of your destinations. It’s very easy to use and the best part is that you don’t have to repeat yourself to attempt to use it. On the dashboard MMI screen, you are able to view full 3D graphics to provide visual assistance in helping you get to your destination.
  
  I will be sure to use that tomorrow when I take my beautiful lent Audi A7 to a scenic drive along the Napa Valley there are lots of windy roads there. We will also cover the rear torque and the way that it handles.
  
  
  
  

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• A Day In The Life of An Audi A7 Driver: Day 2

  It’s day number two of being one of who lives the life of an Audi A7. I must say, this is a life I can definitely see myself getting used to…
  
  All eyes were on me where ever I went. The car demanded the attention of everyone who came within its sights. Men lusted after the A7, and women wanted to get to know the driver. It was the other side of being that prominent figure who sits in the captain’s chair that I mentioned yesterday. The driver’s seat in the 2012 Audi A7 Sportback is more than of a mere driver’s seat, it is a captain’s chair. In that chair the captain has the control to jump from light speed to warp speed, and that is what being a captain is about.
  
  Normally waking up in the morning and facing a morning commute to work is a grueling task, nonetheless one that has to be done to pay the bills. Not today, I woke up late but I knew I was going to be on time. It was going to be warp speed on everything. The A7 is so fast, it inspires you to move faster… It’s definitely working for me.
  
  It was a phenomenal feeling to possess more control over when you get to work despite slow or pessimistic drivers in the Bay Area commute. The A7 knew no corner it couldn’t hug, and no space it couldn’t warp through. Audi’s advanced Quattro (All Wheel Drive system) should be a legal requirement in every car. The brakes stop on a perfect 10, it was a good thing too because a 'perfect ten' happened to mouth hello with a gorgeous smile.
  
  The BOSE system made me feel like I wasn’t just listening to the music, but that I was in it. My mom, dad, brother and sister rode in the A7 and they started to get tears in their eyes when they realized I would have to give it back on Tuesday. So did I.
  
  On the way home from work, there was a stop off at a black tie event to say hello and show my face, however the A7 clearly stole all of my thunder.
  
  It did take me a bit longer to get home, but not because of the A7. It was my desire to find narrower, more windy roads to use her skills on. It’s a thing of beauty; I have never felt more responsive steering in any car.
  
  My good friends, Efrain and Alex, who were my first passengers in the A7 are still in awe. Efrain said that the car made me a better driver. I must say I’m forced to agree. That may happen for anyone who sits in this captain’s chair.
  
  Stay tuned for day three; it’s time for some road trips and a look at the navigation system and the voice activated help.
  
  
  
  
  
  Check out the amazing Audi A7

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• A Day In The Life of An Audi A7 Driver: Day 1

  From the moment she first arrived, I knew that this was the beginning of a love affair.
  
  The gentleman who dropped her off showed me some of the basics… Then I climbed inside; it was love at first seating. Beauty is thy 2012 Audi A7 Sportback, courtesy of the good folks at Audi.
  
  The exterior color; a Dakota grey metallic, the interior colors; a velvet beige with dark carpeting. The interior and exterior styling of this car were quickly making it a force to be reckoned with, and I hadn’t even started the engine yet.
  
  When I say it was love at first seating, I mean it. To sit in the driver’s seat of this powerful performance sedan was transforming. It was like sitting in the captain’s chair, the captains of industry, style, fashion, automotive expertise, and those who have taste that is not in their mouth. I truly felt different in a variety of ways just from being behind the wheel of this car. We live in a society where materialistic attributes are of value. This is the one time I have to say, that’s okay! I don’t mind that because this car deserves all of the oogles and dropped jaws of awe that it received. It’s just simply nice to look at, and even nicer to drive.
  
  My first destination was off to San Francisco by way of San Rafael. Anyone who is familiar with Northern California will know that San Rafael sits at the heart of the beautiful and refined community of Marin County. Down the 101 South, I was headed. It seemed fitting that I take this path with such a beautiful car as I would be crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to get to city. It was a guys night, drinks and dinner at cool spot with beautiful women to gaze upon. The A7 was stealing their thunder.
  
  En route to the city, the very first song I listened to was You Wanna Be Starting Something by Michael Jackson, it sounded phenomenal on the BOSE surround system inside the car. Wow!
  
  Once I was in the city, the A7 weaved seamlessly through traffic. Not once was I able to feel the switching of gears. If you want to take off in this vehicle, just tap the gas… Believe me, it will give you no problem and you won’t feel a thing… Okay, small lie, you’ll feel excited!
  
  My friends loved the car and are begging to drive it; I had to let them know… I’m the jealous type, I don’t share my women.
  
  Everyone I have taken for a ride in the car so far loves it, and there have been a lot with a lot more to come. They all either want to buy one, want me to buy one, or want to drive it, or all of the above. The general consensus spread over a dozen people is that it’s a phenomenal car!
  
  This concludes Day 1 of the Life of An Audi A7 Driver. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at how my morning commute is with the A7, more on how it handles on curves (so far perfectly), the Google Earth technology and just a lot more driving.
  
  
  
  
  Check out the amazing Audi A7

• 

• Audi leading the way in premium segment in Cork county

  6 month registration figures released just yesterday by Motorcheck clearly show that Audi is the premium brand of choice for Cork motorists.
  Audi now hold 3.4% market share in Cork county compared to BMW at just 3% and Mercedes 1.5%.
  The superb value and fantastic range of models available in the Audi range account for this fantastic growth which is mirrored worldwide.
  Audi Cork are proud to be part of this success story and will continue to offer the Cork motorist unrivalled value and service.

• 

• Audi Sets Record for Best June U.S. Sales; Best All-Time Sales of Any Quarter in Brand's History

  June 2011 sales of 10,051 rose 16.9% above June 2010 sales
  
  Consumer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A7 ran strong again in June
  
  -- Clean diesel sales mix hit 46% for the Audi A3 TDI and 34% for the Q7 TDI
  HERNDON, Va., July 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi today reported its sixth-straight record-setting month for 2011 with the best June U.S. sales in company history.
  
  Last month, demand for Audi luxury vehicles increased 16.9% to 10,051 vehicles sold, from 8,601 vehicles sold in June 2010, marking the fourth-best month in Audi of America history. The results not only helped the luxury automaker achieve the best all-time sales of any quarter in the U.S. market, but also marked the third consecutive month with more than 10,000 units sold.
  
  The strong June 2011 results were buoyed by a significant buyer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A7, with 772 vehicles sold, as consumers respond to the stylish, technologically advanced vehicle featuring the Audi first-to-market Google Earth navigation system. The Audi's A8 flagship sedan also performed favorably in June 2011, with 482 vehicles sold, a 731% increase over the same period in 2010.
  
  In June 2011, Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases with five of its models: the Audi A4, the Audi A8, the Audi Q7, the Audi R8 and the Audi TT. Through the first six months of this year, Audi has enjoyed more than a 15% increase over the U.S. record-setting pace from 2010.
  
  Consumers continued to respond favorably to the brand's clean diesel technology as the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model accounted for 46% of the sales mix in the lineup.
  
  Demand for the popular Audi Q7 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle remained strong with a sales increase of 28.4% year-over-year, and the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model accounting for 34% of the sales mix.
  
  The Audi R8 supercar series also enjoyed a significant sales increase of 208.6% year-over-year to 108 vehicles sold in June 2011. The sporty Audi TT coupe and roadster also performed well, with sales increasing 8.8% over the same period last year to 186 vehicles sold.
  
  "Consumers are sending a strong signal that Audi holds a desirable position within the high-end sector of the luxury car market due to our exceptionally engineered models," said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. "All indications continue to point toward 2011 winding up as one of the best years Audi has ever enjoyed in the U.S. market."
  
  Audi sales highlights – June 2011
  
  •June 2011 marks a series of record achievements: June sales rank as the best-ever June sales in Audi of America history; sixth-consecutive month of record-setting achievements, best all-time sales of any quarter in the U.S. market; and third consecutive month with more than 10,000 units sold.
  •Five models within Audi lineup post YOY gains.
  •Audi sales increase 16.9% YOY increase compared to June 2010, marking the fourth-best month in Audi of America history.
  
  
  Audi A8 and A7 June sales and news notes
  
  •Audi A8 sales sustain momentum with a sales increase of 731% YOY to 482 vehicles sold.
  •All-new 2012 Audi A7 continues strong debut sales with 772 vehicles sold.
  
  
  Audi A3 and Audi Q7 June sales and news notes
  
  •TDI clean diesel technology represented 46% of total A3 sales for June and 34% of total Q7 sales for June.
  •Audi Q7 sales in June up 28.4% and up 41.2% year-to-date, compared to 2010.
  
  
  Audi R8 and TT June sales and news notes
  
  •Audi R8 sales increase by 208.6% in June 2011 and 142.9% year-to-date, from same period in 2010.
  •Audi TT post strong sales with an 8.8% increase YOY to 186 vehicles sold in June 2011.
  
  
  Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes
  
  •June sales eclipse monthly sales record previously set in April 2011; marks all-time record for second quarter and first half of the year results.
  •A4 continues to drive sales volume and represents 57% of the sales mix for June

• 

• Audi A6: A big gun to tackle the big guns

  From a local perspective, the Audi A6 has to be the most underrated weapon in the German brand’s arsenal. Somehow it’s never managed to capture the imagination, nor match the sales, of its arch-rivals: BMW’s athletic 5-Series or the rather more conservative Mercedes-Benz E-class. Could this latest, all-new A6 be the one with the ordinance to make an impact? By DEON SCHOEMAN.
  The South African car market doesn’t always follow international trends – and why should it? In a country almost devoid of accessible, affordable and reliable public transport, the role of a car is more iconic than practical.
  
  We tend to treat our cars like beloved family members, rather than mere appliances of convenience – completely understandable, given what it costs to own one, and how reliant we are on them.
  
  But some typically South African motoring phenomena are more difficult to rationalise than others. Take estate cars, for instance.
  
  They may be hugely popular in Europe, but generally fail dismally on the sales charts here. Stigmatised as mom’s taxis and station wagons, sleek estates are mostly eschewed in favour of more macho, more imposing SUVs.
  The medium car segment is another case in point. In many first-world markets, the likes of the Mazda6, Honda Accord, VW Passat, Ford Mondeo and Citroën C5, to mention but a few, are high-volume sellers.
  In SA, the situation is quite the opposite. Yes, there was a time when medium-sized cars represented the motoring mainstream here too – a time when Toyota’s Cressida and then the Camry attracted more than 1,000 buyers every month.
  But that was 25 years ago. In the early 1980s, BMW changed the local landscape forever with the introduction of the first-generation 3-Series – a car that promised prestige in a compact and relatively affordable package.
  Prestige is also what attracted buyers like moths to a candle – buyers who would normally have purchased larger cars from more mainstream brands like Ford, Mazda and Volkswagen.
  Today, the 3-Series remains a strong seller, but it has been joined by a host of other marques and models, most notably the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Audi A4. It took a long time before the motoring public acknowledged the Four Rings as a worthy member of that clan, though ...
  Which bring us to the A6. The nameplate has been around since the mid-1990s, and has graced some fairly advanced, even avant-garde sheet metal during the past 15 years.
  But while the A6 has played a vital role in the ascendance of the Four Rings to full-blown luxury brand status, it just hasn’t been able to shoulder its way into the premium medium car segment here. By comparison, the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-class families have flourished.
  
  Audi is hoping to change that status quo with the all-new A6 – a sedan that in many ways reflects the state of the Audi passenger car art. In fact, it’s easier and more relevant to describe the A6 as a junior A8.
  In visual terms, it shares the bigger car’s smooth, muscle-rippling lines, albeit in scaled-down form, while the extended bonnet ends almost abruptly in the bold, almost vertically positioned single-frame grille.
  A short front overhang, large wheels and powerful haunches express a certain dynamic intent and aggression that is new to the A6 badge. However, signature elements such as the LED daytime running lights, that gaping grille, a fairly narrow glass aperture and a powerful shoulder line all confirm the sedan’s Audi identity.
  The car looks sleeker, leaner and more athletic than its somewhat bloated predecessor. The trim and tailored look manages to exude both sportiness and sophistication. If anything, it extends the vocabulary of Audi’s by-now-familiar design language.
  Certainly, the proportions of the new A6 are more balanced and cohesive than any of its stablemates, and succeed in disguising the substantial size of the sedan. An innovative hybrid construction that combines lightweight steel and aluminium, also allows the new A6 to shed up to 80kg compared to its predecessor.
  The lower mass, together with the car’s aerodynamic shape, extended wheelbase and wide tracks, suggest a certain dynamic integrity and driver involvement that adds to its overall appeal.
  
  The local model range, unveiled to the media this week during a two-day driving event on the Garden Route between Port Elizabeth and George, will consist of three models – two turbodiesels and a supercharged A6 petrol.
  The two diesels share essentially the same 3.0-litre V6 engine, but in differing states of tune: buyers get to choose between a 150kW and a 180kW version. Torque peaks come to 400Nm and 500Nm respectively.
  The sole petrol variant sources its supercharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol directly from the S4, and more recently the Q7 family. Credited with 220kW and 440Nm, it’s a latest-generation design that has no problem hauling around the A6’s big, beefy body
  The 150kW turbodiesel is the only front-wheel drive variant here, and also the only one to employ a multitronic gearbox – a variation on the CVT theme, but using a chain instead of a belt.
  The 180kW TDI and the 220kW TFSI engines both deliver their urge via quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox. For my money, the 180kW turbodiesel is the pick of the crop, here: it has seemingly limitless urge, leaps off the line with the enthusiasm of a sports car and finds a satisfying compromise between taut control and comfort.
  
  On the narrow, twisty country road that links the N2 to the sleepy hamlet of Hankey, the A6 always felt more compact and more wieldy than its 4.95m bulk suggested. Quattro delivered on the grip and tenacity up front, while the V6 engine felt unstoppable.
  
  As expected, the A6 interior combines upmarket finishes and comprehensive appointments with efficient ergonomics and extensive safety features. The new, lighter wood finishes offered as an option add to the car’s younger, more contemporary character.
  The cockpit layout and design draws its inspiration from the A7 Sportback and the A8, and includes a bright, high-resolution LCD display, combined with Audi’s MMI control interface.
  
  Options include hard-drive based navigation, a heads-up display and B&O sound, while a 530-litre boot offers ample luggage space.
  
  Is the new Audi A6 good enough to truly rival the latest 5-Series and E-class? And will buyers embrace its considerable talents with the necessary vigour and enthusiasm? That’s difficult to predict.
  However, there is no doubt that this is the finest A6 Audi has ever produced: A car that scores high marks in almost every category, and that has the best chance yet of firing a telling salvo of its own.
  

• 

• Audi A4 Sets New Production Benchmark: 5 Million Units

  As Audi continues to bolster its sales momentum both in the U.S. and internationally, the automaker announced it had reached a major new production landmark. When a 2011 Audi A4 Avant 3.0 TDI quattro recently came down the line in Ingolstadt, Germany, it marked the 5 millionth A4 to be produced since the car was first launched in 1994.
  
  Said Peter Kössler, Ingolstadt plant manager: “The A4 success story at this production plant is impressive evidence of the performance that the Ingolstadt team is capable of. As the assembly lines become more and more complex, the task can only be handled with lean processes and the motivation of a high-performance team—just like we have at Audi.”
  
  The feat also is impressive evidence of the ongoing strength of the A4 lineup, which in the U.S. currently includes the sophisticated A4 Sedan, versatile A4 Avant and high-powered S4 Sedan. (In select global markets, the automaker also offers the A4 allroad quattro and S4 Avant.) This range of models ensures there’s an A4 to meet nearly any customers’ needs, especially if those needs include Audi’s hallmark mix of power, efficiency and style.
  
  For example, the 2011 A4 Sedan holsters one of Audi’s advanced FSI turbocharged I4 engines featuring technologies like direct injection, variable valve timing and the automaker’s innovative valvelift system. Leveraging this power package, the 2.0-liter engine makes a responsive 211 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, which can propel the sculpted A4 from 0-60 mph in just 6.4 seconds—yet still deliver EPA-certified fuel-efficiency ratings of up to 21 mpg city/31 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.
  
  In turn, the A4 has helped propel Audi to a continuing string of sales records. The automaker attained its highest annual U.S. sales ever in 2010, breaking the six-figure threshold for the first time by attracting 101,629 new customers last year. Audi then followed up on this achievement with more monthly sales records through the early months of 2011.
  
  And don’t expect that kind of momentum to falter, for either Audi or the A4. Said Frank Dreves, a member of AUDI AG’s Board of Management for Production: “This is another major milestone in Audi’s history. All versions of the A4 are efficient, elegant and enjoy outstanding success in their class. Our highly motivated team and our effective Audi production system will keep this model on course for continued success in the future.”
  
  

• 

• Audi wins 2011 Le Mans !

  Audi pulled off a pole-to-chequered flag victory at the 79th running of the Le Mans 24-hour race on Sunday, the first time a car has gone from the front of the grid to finish first at the La Sarthe circuit since 2003, with the German André Lotterer bringing the No2 Audi home 13 seconds ahead of Simon Pagenaud in the No9 Peugeot.
  
  It was also a memorable and historic win for Britain's Leena Gade, chief race engineer of Lotterer's car, who became the first woman in the role to win the 24-hours.
  
  The winning car defeated a concerted effort from rivals Peugeot as the last Audi on track after two huge crashes removed its sister cars from contention before midnight on Saturday.
  
  It was a remarkable victory for the team's new R18, which has run competitively only once before and was the German marque's 10th win here since 2000, putting it ahead of Ferrari and behind only Porsche in Le Mans victories. But sadly there was to be no fairytale finish for local hero Henri Pescarolo, who's very entry in the race was remarkable in itself.
  
  France's Benoît Tréluyer had qualified the No2 Audi on pole and led from the off at 3pm on Saturday. A clean start saw Britain's Allan McNish soon pushing to make up places from fifth in his diesel-engined Audi and inside an hour he was making a move for the lead under the Dunlop Bridge and entering the Forest Esses. In doing so there was contact with the slower Ferrari 458 of Anthony Beltoise, which was being lapped, that skewered McNish into the tyre barriers, a huge impact that saw the car disintegrate and end up inverted on the wall.
  
  Silence descended on the circuit but fortunately McNish emerged unscathed and was later given the all clear after hospital check-ups.
  
  "It was a very big accident," he said. "Everybody realised that but I was able to climb out of the car myself. The first thing I knew I was spinning towards the wall. After that I was along for the ride." Fully recovered, McNish is keen to move on: "I'm fully focused on the next race at Imola," he said.
  
  A moved and relieved Audi racing boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said afterwards: "He went off very quickly, but luckily [he] managed to get out of the car unharmed. To see that the cars are so strong is good, but that's not the way we like to demonstrate it."
  
  It was a fine testament to the safety cage of the driver's cockpit and the newly-imposed rear fin designed to stop cars taking off when leaving the track at high speed. Features for which Dr Ullrich would have cause to again be grateful, several hours later.
  
  After the incident the race was yellow-flagged for just over an hour before settling down for some extended running during which the pattern of strategy emerged. Audi were stopping after 11 laps for fuel with Peugeot coming in on 12 – the opposing teams making different calculations on speed and fuel economy. Simply, it meant the Audis would have to run faster to make up for more stops over the 24 hours.
  
  As darkness fell it seemed Audi's tactics were proving superior, with the leader staying just ahead even as the extra pitstops played out. Then in the 11th hour of the race Mike Rockenfeller, winner of last year's race and driving the No1 car, was hit by Robert Kaufmann's No71 AF Corse Ferrari 458, when he appeared not to see the approaching prototype and moved over on him at the Mulsanne Kink.
  
  Rockenfeller veered left straight into the barrier. His Audi did not flip, as it is designed to do, but dissipated the energy of the crash, disintegrating on impact. Silence descended again but Ullrich soon reported that the driver had climbed from the cockpit intact and was unharmed. It left only the Tréluyer car in the race being chased down by three fully functional Peugeots after almost two and half hours running behind the safety cars.
  
  Pagenaud closed the gap and by the 14th hour had taken the leadafter another safety-car period. It was to change hands between the two teams, both on track and in the pits throughout the night, until Audi ran their car on the same tyres for five stints in the twentieth hour of racing, a gamble but one that saved time in the stop and gave them a slender lead to defend.
  
  Meanwhile, during these final hours, as the diesel-powered manufacturers fought one another, the Pescarolo team, which is based at La Sarthe, had manoeuvred their car into sixth place to lead the petrol-driven prototypes.
  
  In only October of last year Pescarolo's team was in liquidation and his long career as a driver and team-owner in motorsport looked to be over. The team's assets were purchased at sale for €400,000 (£350,000) by fellow team owners Jacques Nicolet, of Oak Racing, and Joël Rivière of Prestige Racing. The pair promptly handed the keys back to Henri and told him to return to the track.
  
  The late light showers tested the leaders, especially Lotterer who was tasked with keeping the Audi ahead at the end, while never much more than 30 seconds ahead of the chasing Pagenaud.
  
  
  It went to the wire, the two leaders making their final stops together – Audi had to take new tyres because of a slow puncture and could not afford any mistake in the changeover and they managed it perfectly amid high tension – and Lotterer came out 7.8 seconds ahead of Pagenaud and 36 minutes later he took the flag to end what had been an extraordinary race.
  
  It was an historic one too for Gade, one of the three British chief race engineers from Progressive Motorsport in charge of each of the factory Audis. She is the first woman to have won the race in the role, a feat made doubly impressive in a sport that is still overwhelmingly male. "After the other two went out the primary concern was for Allan and Rocky," she said. "When there is only one car left you have to carry the flag. We were lucky we didn't have problems.
  
  "We had to drive as hard as we could to the end of the race." Unsurprisingly there were tears at the chequered flag for the determined 35-year-old: "I still can't believe what's happened," she said.
  
  The huge win, not least from the perspective of proving the design safety of his cars, left Ullrich in tears on the podium and the Peugeot team taking second, third, fourth (and fifth with the privateer Oreca), proving their cars reliable but having to return to their garage and consider just what it is they have to do to beat Audi at this ultimate sportscar race.
  
  The LPM2 class was won by the Zytek-Nissan of Greaves Motorsport. GTE Pro won the No73 works Corvette coming in two-and-half minutes ahead of the No51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 and in GTE Am, another Corvette of Labre Competition took the honours.
  
  Check out the final minutes of this great win!

• 

• Audi unveils R8 GT Spyder ahead of IAA debut

  Audi has unveiled a limited-edition, open-top version of the mid-engine R8, called the GT Spyder.
  The two-seater will debut at this year's IAA in Frankfurt, just ahead of a European sales launch and will cost 207,800 euros in Germany. As with the R8 GT coupe, the R8 GT Spyder will be assembled in a run of just 333 cars at Audi's Neckarsulm manufacturing plant in Germany.
  
  It draws heavily on the earlier R8 GT coupe, sharing elements of its styling, lightweight construction and mechanical package.
  At the heart of the new Audi is a powered-up version of the standard R8 Spyder's 5.2-liter V10 engine producing 552 hp. The car uses a standard six-speed sequential-manual gearbox with paddle-shift capability and a viscous-coupling all-wheel-drive system set up to provide a nominal rear-wheel-drive bias.
  Audi claims that the R8 GT Spyder can reach 62 mph (100 kph) in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 197 mph.
  With select carbon-fiber body panels, a lightened interior and carbon-ceramic brakes helping to reduce curb weight over the standard R8 5.2 FSI quattro Spyder, the R8 GT Spyder is claimed to reach 62 mph (100 kilometers per hour) in just 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 197 mph.
  Setting the car apart from its standard sibling is an updated aerodynamics package aimed at increasing high-speed downforce. Included is a dual-lip front splitter, a redesigned diffuser element, round chrome exhaust pipes and darkened taillight lenses.
  An electrically operated fabric roof opens in 20 seconds and at speeds up to 30 mph, stowing behind the cabin underneath a carbon-fiber cover. A deep well beneath the hood at the front provides space for luggage, with Audi claiming the car offers up to 100 liters of storage space.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 

• The Audi A7 is beautiful. In person, I think it gives even the Aston Martin Rapide a run for its money

  The Audi A7 is beautiful. In person, I think it gives even the Aston Martin Rapide a run for its money in the looks department, and that's really saying something. Yet the A7's beauty isn't only skin-deep. The A7 is also more fun to drive than many smaller cars offered by Audi. It steers like a much smaller car, responsive and nimble. Although the engine is only 3 liters, it is fitted with a supercharger and, thus, develops plenty of power. It feels quick about town and on the freeway. The interior is spacious, but the A7 is strictly a 4-seater. Instead of a bench seat, the rear seating consists of two individual buckets. Overall, I loved it! The one we drove was $66,000 and seems like quite a bargain to me. –Paul Hagger
  
  The A7 is another beautiful design from Audi. It's a sleek and elegant car that is also sporty and dynamic. Although the A7 is a big car, Audi has succeeded in making it agile and responsive, causing it to feel much smaller than it is. The 3.0 TFSI supercharged engine has great power on tap, and the 8-speed automatic transmission does an amazing job of keeping you in the power whenever you need it. It also gets great mileage: 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway. The interior is elegant yet sporty, with lots of dark, satin-finish wood. But it also seems as if the designers are trying a little too hard, with so many different shapes and angles. The instrument cluster has a 3-D design, with the largest dials floating and angled toward the driver and other gauges on different planes. –Mike Meredith
  
  I never would have thought any company could pull off a big, sexy hatchback, but Audi has done just that with the new A7. Similar to the Mercedes CLS, the A7 carries through the lines of a coupe, looking a bit like an A5 from certain angles. But it doesn't just look good; performance is impressive, too. For such a large car, the A7 is agile, with light steering and impressive grip. Power is good, too. The interior is comfortable; however, my rear-seat passengers found the low-slung body difficult to climb in and out of, especially in tight parking spaces. One of the coolest new features is the integration of Google Earth into the navigation system, making it much easier to identify your location and destination. If this is the next generation of Audi, it would appear the company is continuing to head in the right direction.
  

• 

• Audi Quattro system in action - See this video !

  
  There has been much confusion about Audi Quattro system.
  It is essentially a 4 wheel drive system designed to offer you improved stability and increased safety.
  
  
  
  
  Check out this video demonstrating Audi Quattro

• 

• A1 adds prestige to small-car segment

  
  Manufacturers of prestige cars are now entering markets they previously would not have considered.
  
  The latest segment to be infiltrated by the premium vehicle makers is the small city car.
  
  It is a move that was started by Volvo with the C30 and has been followed by BMW, Audi and Lexus. Mercedes-Benz has also announced its intention to re-introduce the A-Class model.
  
  The BMW 1 Series and the Audi A1 have been instant hits, bringing new buyers to the brands, so it is not surprising they are looking at spawning more variants.
  
  The first to react was Audi with the launch of the A1 Sport in Melbourne last week.
  
  Until now the small, premium sports market has been left exclusively to Mini with its Cooper S Chilli, a car that has sold well worldwide.
  
  While Audi may be the first to provide some competition for the Mini, it certainly won't be the last. BMW, which owns Mini, will release its 1 Series M sports model next month and you can bet that when Mercedes-Benz relaunches its A-Class, probably some time next year, a sports model will be part of the mix.
  
  The A1 Sport is based on its top-spec A1 Ambition but offers more standard features, a more powerful engine, sports suspension and S-Line body kit.
  
  At the heart of this sports model is the exceptional dual-charged 1.4-litre TFSI engine that pumps out a healthy 136kW.
  
  It is matched to Audi's seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission (there is no manual option offered), the same combination offered in Volkwagen's Polo GTi.
  
  While the TFSI engine will entertain most drivers it is also very efficient, consuming just 5.9L/100km, which corresponds to CO{-2} emissions of just 139g/km.
  
  But for those who are looking for real economy I suggest you wait for the 1.6-litre turbodiesel, which Audi says will be shown at the International Motor Show in Melbourne next month and go on sale toward the end of the year.
  
  The diesel variant, which will come with the option of a manual gearbox or seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission, will be one of the most economical cars on the market, with a claimed a fuel consumption of 3.8L/100km for the auto variant.
  
  And it will have the same price tag as the petrol model, giving it a starting price of about $30,000 plus on-road costs.
  
  Audi chose Moorabbin airport in Victoria as the venue to show off the attributes of the new Sport model, setting up a slalom course, a drag strip and a racing circuit on the runway.
  
  The organisers then pitted a group of motoring journalists against each other in competition.
  
  So what did I learn?
  
  That I am an average performer on the slalom track, have quick reflexes but accelerate slowly on the drag strip and proved one of the slowest around the circuit.
  
  I also learnt that it was really easy to squeal the wheels, which at least makes it sound like you are driving fast.
  
  Finally, I discovered that in the right circumstances the little A1 can be a lot of fun.
  
  With a supercharger and turbocharger working in unison there was no sign of lag, even when pushing the engine somewhere toward its limit, and the dual-clutch transmission is also superb.
  
  Even on the "racetrack" you only needed to put it in Sport mode and leave it to do its own thing.
  
  Though the transmission has a manual option, either via the gear lever or optional steering wheel paddles, the transmission was generally more intuitive and quicker reacting left to its own devices.
  
  The suspension on the A1 Sport is firmer than on the standard model. On the track this made the car extremely predictable but I am not sure it will provide the type of ride a prestige car buyer will enjoy driving between work and home each day.
  
  We did have an opportunity to drive the car in an urban environment but unfortunately we spent most of that time caught in a Melbourne traffic jam, so we hardly got to test the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh gears, never mind anything else.
  
  What it did give us was a chance to do was to admire the quality, build and finish of the interior and enjoy the comfortable leather seats and the car's features.
  
  While it may have a starting price of $42,500 (you can lift that considerably if you start ticking the vast options list) plus on-road costs, this is a car that comes with many extras found on much more expensive Audi models.
  
  There will be small hot hatches that can match it in performance, the $28,990 VW Polo GTi for one, but I am not sure that any others combine performance with a prestige feel as well.
  
  The Mini now has a competitor and it is one that could cause it some pain in the sales race.
  
  

• 

• Le Mans 24 Hour - Audi complete qualifying sweep

  Frenchman Benoit Treluyer seized pole position for the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race as holders Audi swept the front row of the grid.
  Treluyer made sure of the top slot for the number two Audi, co-driven by Marcel Faessler and Andre Lotterer, with a best time of three minutes 25.738 seconds.
  The pole was the first at Le Mans for the German manufacturer since 2006.
  The number one Audi driven by Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Mike Rockenfeller will start alongside on the grid.
  
  
  
  

• 

• Production of new Audi Q3 begins today !

  The official start of production for the Audi Q3 has begun. Starting today, the compact SUV with the four rings will be built at the SEAT factory in Martorell, located in Spain’s Catalonia region.
  Approximately 100,000 Q3 units are slated to leave the three-shift assembly line each year. Audi and SEAT together have invested around €330 million in infrastructure and ultra-modern production facilities.
  “The Q3 production is an example of how we are making use of synergies within the Group,” stresses Frank Dreves, Board Member for Production at AUDI AG. “The Martorell factory is an extremely productive facility with a highly skilled workforce, and one that meets the exacting quality standards of our brand. The Q3 definitely gets the Audi seal of approval.”
  The decision to build the Audi Q3 in Spain signals the Ingolstadt-based carmaker’s intention to continue its course of growth while also pursuing a strategy of internationalization. In choosing Martorell as the new production site, Audi is also taking on an important social responsibility, for both the region and the workforce.
  The Company provides approximately 1,500 jobs at the plant, including 700 newly created positions.
  The Company has created the optimum conditions for the latest offspring in its broad product line-up: A new body shop featuring 450 state-of-the-art robots was erected especially for the Q3 on a site measuring 30,000 square meters (322,917 sq. ft). In use for the first time at the body shop is the so-called “roof bell,” an innovative development from the Audi Toolmaking Shop in Ingolstadt. A robot grabs the roof and aligns it precisely while a second robot has the roof bell ready for the following roof of the next body.
  Thanks to its systematic lightweight design, the basic version of the Audi Q3 weighs less than 1,500 kilograms (3,306.93 lb). Its engine hood and the wrap-around hatchback with integrated tail lights are made of aluminum. A number of ultra-high-strength steels are employed in the rigid, safe passenger cell.
  “A big thank you to all the employees who have been involved in the Q3 project over the past years,” says SEAT Board Member for Production Wolfram Thomas. “The new model is another example of the trust that the Volkswagen Group and AUDI AG in particular have placed in SEAT. The Q3 represents the SEAT employees’ excellent preparation and premium-carmaking skills,” Thomas stresses.
  With the Q3, the brand with the four rings is entering into a new segment. Advance sales for Europe will begin in June. Market launch is scheduled to take place in the fourth quarter of this year. Around 100,000 units are expected to make their way to customers in the first full production year, 2012. In Germany, sales of the Q3 will begin at a base price of €29,900. Plans are in place to build the sporty compact in China, specifically for the local market, in a second phase.
  The SEAT factory in Martorell was built in 1993. It employs over 10,000 staff. The Audi Q3 is the first model built in Martorell by the Ingolstadt-based company
  
  First photos of the amazing new Audi Q3

• 

• 40 Years of Vorsprung durch Technik !

  ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is 40 years young in 2011, and the sentiment in the famous motto – which translates as ‘advancement through technology’ – encapsulates the Audi philosophy just as perfectly now as it did way back in 1971.
  In that year the famous slogan made its debut in a German publicity campaign. It was first used by Audi in its UK advertising in 1983, and at a time when the origins of the nascent brand weren’t widely known here, London-based advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) is credited with realising its potential as a means of emphasising German quality and engineering integrity.
  Today, it is not only indelibly linked to the brand, but also one of very few ‘foreign’ phrases to have become firmly ingrained in British popular culture. It can be heard in everything from tracks by Blur and U2 to films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
  The classic BBH television ad which gave birth to this star of screen and sound bite made the link between the now iconic Audi quattro and the permanent all-wheel-drive system that made it more agile on the road than a glider in the air.
  But the phrase is rooted in the pioneering innovations and technical leadership the brand was already synonymous with long before this point.
  The newly-formed Audi NSU range was so impressively diverse – it included rear-engined, air-cooled NSU 2- and 4-cylinder cars, front-wheel-drive Audi models with 4-cylinder water-cooled engines, the lightweight Audi 100 and the aerodynamically wedge-shaped and rotary-engined Ro 80 – that a unifying brand claim was needed to epitomise what all models had in common. ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ united the new range and summed up the brand‘s philosophy in one.
  The Audi range of today, and tomorrow, is just as deserving of the phrase. It spans virtually every category from city-friendly sub-compact hatchback, via leading edge saloons and Avants, steamlined Sportbacks and agile SUVs through to the world renowned R8 super car. All 32 models in the current line-up are characterised by advanced technology, be it in the construction process as in the lightweight aluminium and steel hybrid-bodied TT or all-aluminium R8, in remarkable engines such as the award-winning 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI or in innovative features such as all-LED lighting, head-up displays, MMI with Google mapping functionality and in-car WLAN internet connectivity.
  
  Check the best Audi advert ever !

• 

• Fantastic New Audi A6 wins "Eyeson Design" award

  - Redesigned luxury sedan ‘Best Production Car Design’ recognition
  - Audi has won four EyesOn Design awards in the past three years
  - The new Audi A6 will reach U.S. showrooms by Fall 2011
  
  
  For the fourth time in the past three years, an Audi model has won a prestigious EyesOn Design Award recognizing the best of automotive design displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
  
  This year the panel of judges recognized the redesigned Audi A6 as the “Best Production Vehicle” design displayed at the Detroit show, which ranks among the world’s premier automotive exhibitions.
  
  “This is strong feedback that we have done our homework," Achim Badstuebner, head of exterior design for AUDI AG, said in accepting the EyesOn Design trophy.
  
  Audi has received four EyesOn Design Awards over the past three years.In 2010, EyesOn Design judges gave the same award to the new Audi A8 luxury flagship sedan, which went on sale in the U.S. in late November 2010. The production car design award went to the Audi R8 V10 in 2009 and that year’s award for “Best Concept Vehicle” design went to the Audi Sportback Concept, which was shown in Detroit in 2009 and provided significant style cues to the sleek lines seen in the all-new Audi A7 due to arrive this Spring.
  
  The design of the new Audi A6, which goes on sale in the U.S. this fall as a 2012 model, embodies athleticism and elegance. The sedan is 16.14 ft. long and 6.14 ft. wide, but just 4.79 ft. high – sporty proportions that are unrivaled by the competition. The long engine hood, the low, sweeping roofline and the prominent lines on the flanks create a dynamic overall appearance. Optional LED headlights emphasize the striking expression at the front.
  The roomy interior of the new Audi A6 echoes the sinewy style of the exterior. The salient element is the “wrap-around” – an inlay encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger.
  
  The elegantly curved dash panel places the driver at the center of the interior.
  Every detail of the interior is a testament to the care that Audi invests in carmaking. All materials, including an innovative layered-wood veneer, have been selected and crafted with the utmost care. As an option, the front seats can be equipped with ventilation and massage functions. Classy ambient lighting in the lighting package provides small points of light throughout the interior.
  
  Much of the body of the new Audi A6 consists of aluminum and high-tech steels, rendering it exceedingly light, stiff and safe. State-of-the art design methods and materials ensure extremely low interior noise levels.
  

• 

• New Audi A6 has style and substance !

  The new Audi A6 went on sale here recently, and I had the opportunity last week to give one a full Irish week-long test, writes Padraic Deane.
  
  With serious competitors in this segment such as the new BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (to name just two), I was anxious to see how the new seventh-generation A6 acquitted itself against such rivals.
  
  As with the 5-Series and the E-Class, the biggest selling versions of the new A6 will be the diesels, with the four-cylinder 177bhp 2.0 TDi the major volume model. And so we selected it with a manual gearbox. This entry-level model retails for €43,300 on-the-road, which is about similar to the 5-Series and a couple of grand more than the entry level E-Class.
  
  The new A6 has been redesigned from the ground up with the benefit of the brand’s most advanced weight saving construction techniques, engine efficiency measures, chassis developments and in-car technological innovations.
  
  Standard equipment on the new A6 includes metallic paint, 17” 10 spoke alloy wheels, climate control, driver information centre on a 7” colour screen, front and rear parking sensors, exterior chrome package, Audi drive select, leather upholstry, Audi Bluetooth interface and an electric lunber support.
  
  My test car had a further €10,218 of extras. This included the following bigger priced items: MMI navigation (€2,239), Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, electrically adjustable seats with drivers memory (€1,343), special metallic paint - black pearl effect (€1,316), four zone climate control (€901) and 18' 5 V spoke design alloy wheels (€830).
  
  I found the standard specification is good, so I could happily have done without any of the above extras. However, in this segment many buyers like a automatic transmission, but this option is not currently available with the 2.0 diesel models on the Audi price list. The multitronic gearbox can be specified if opting for the 3.0 litre V6 diesel versions.
  
  Another essential now in this class is to qualify for Band B CO2 emissions. With the entry level diesel model at 129g/km, the A6 does this with much to spare, delivering €156p/a road tax. In this ballpark, it also performs well with a 0 to 100Km/h (62mph) in 8.7 seconds, but it trails the 5-Series with a time of 7.2 seconds. That said, the new A6 is a good performer, and one has the option of moving up to the 3.0 V6s which are noticeably quicker, as one would expect.
  
  On the other side of the balance sheet, the new A6 returns up to a very credible 57.6mpg for a combined cycle.
  
  This has been helped by the weight having been kept in check through its considerable aluminium body content and steel composite construction, and this is despite enhanced equipment levels.
  
  Aluminium and high-tech steels makes-up practically all of the completely reworked body of the new A6 except for the steel roof. This ensures a body shell some 30 kilograms lighter than its predecessor yet with increased rigidity and strength. Combining the two materials enables the A6 2.0 TDI to weigh less, and that works in favour of agility, economy and emissions control.
  
  It was really easy to adjust the steering and great supportive seat to get the optimum driving position. And the interior of the new A6 oozes quality throughout. The eye-level controls and switches are well laid-out and don't distract attention from driving. But in this regard, I'm not a fan of the location of the MMI controller (in this and rival models) which is located behind the gear-lever as it draws your concentration away from the road.
  
  The steering is light, nimble and direct with the suspension contributing to a good balance of control and ride comfort. In my test car, the 2.0 litre TDI was refined, with little engine, wind or road noise penetrating into the cabin. It performed very well with the six-speed manual transmission smooth and direct.
  
  The standard fit Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system will allow drivers to fine-tune the car’s responses as desired via the MMI screen, and in front-wheel-drive models the latest electronic stability programme with electronic limited slip differential will imperceptibly boost agility and subtly maintain order during challenging driving.
  
  Five responsive and highly efficient engines were available at the recent launch here in Ireland. In addition to the 2.0-litre TDI 177bhp in my test car, the new A6 engine line-up includes the aforementioned 3.0-litre TDI 20 bhp, the 3.0-litre TDI 245bhp, the 2.8FSI 204bhp and 3.0-litre TFSI 300bhp units. Audi says all make use of advanced direct injection technology for the leanest possible fuel burn rate, and work in conjunction with important technologies from Audi’s modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system, the energy recovery system and the innovative thermal management concept.
  
  As a result, fuel economy has improved by almost 20 per cent compared to the previous model, pushing the A6 to the front line of the class in this discipline.
  
  The new A6 is a very spacious car. No complaints about headroom or legroom anywhere in the A6. The luggage compartment is also large with split/folding rear seatbacks as standard.
  
  The Euro NCAP hasn’t performed crash-tests of the new A6 yet, but expect a five-star overall rating when it does. It is very well specified with standard active and passive safety features.
  
  The new A6 2.0 litre TDi performed well over the course of the week long test. It is very roomy, oozes quality throughout, and is a really nice car to drive.
  
  But you really want to know how it compares with the 5-Series and E-Class, don't you? Well it is not quite as dynamic looking or driving as the Beemer and it does not carry as much classic elegance or prestige as the Merc, but it has a combination of qualities that puts it in the front row in this class. It is loaded with technology substance and packs a 'reserved' style, which really means you need to check it out for yourself.
  
  Check the best Audi advert ever !

• 

• Audi sets record for best May U.S. sales; third-best month in brand’s history

  Audi today reported its fifth-consecutive record-setting month for 2011 with the best May U.S. sales in company history. Last month, demand for Audi luxury vehicles increased 13.6% to 10,457 vehicles sold, from 9,205 vehicles sold in May 2010, marking the third-best month in Audi of America history.
  
  The strong May 2011 results were buoyed by a significant buyer response to the all-new 2012 Audi A7, with 812 vehicles sold, as consumers respond to the stylish, technologically advanced vehicle featuring the Audi first-to-market Google Earth navigation system. The Audi A8 flagship sedan also performed favorably in May 2011, with 495 vehicles sold, a 661.5% increase over the same period in 2010.
  
  In May 2011, Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases with seven of its models: the Audi A3, the Audi A4, the Audi A8, the Audi Q5, the Audi Q7, the Audi R8 and the Audi TT.
  
  Consumers continued to show preferences for the brand’s clean diesel technology. Sales of the fuel-efficient A3 models increased 33.9% year-over-year to 664 vehicles sold, with the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model accounting for 55% of the sales mix in the lineup. Demand for the popular Audi Q7 full-size luxury sport-utility vehicle remained strong with a sales increase of 26.9% year-over-year, with the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel model accounting for 40% of the sales mix.
  
  The Audi R8 supercar series also enjoyed a significant sales increase of 135.7% year-over-year to 99 vehicles sold in May 2011. The sporty Audi TT coupe and roadster also performed well, with sales increasing 30.2% over the same period last year to 220 vehicles sold.
  
  “Audi continues to make measurable gains in the high-end sector of the luxury car market in the U.S. Our current models are the most technologically-advanced vehicles Audi has ever produced and our progressive luxury positioning continues to set Audi apart from its competitors,” said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. “Audi is on track to capture the leadership position in the U.S. luxury market.”
  
  Audi models have already earned significant awards in the U.S., including the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award to the 2011 Audi A8, four category winners in the Strategic Vision 2010 Total Value Index and the EyesOn Design “Best Production Vehicle” awarded to the 2012 Audi A6, which is scheduled to arrive this fall.
  
  Audi sales highlights – May 2011
  • May 2011 ranks as the best-ever May sales in Audi of America history; also represents fifth-consecutive month of record-setting achievements.
  • Seven models within Audi lineup post YOY gains.
  • Audi sales increase 13.6% YOY compared to May 2010, marking the third-best month in Audi of America history.
  
  Audi A8 and A7 May sales and news notes
  • Audi A8 sales sustain momentum with a sales increase of 661.5% YOY to 495 vehicles sold.
  • All-new 2012 Audi A7 continues strong debut sales with 812 vehicles sold.
  
  Audi A3 and Audi Q7 May sales and news notes
  • Audi A3 sales in May up 33.9% and up 15.8% year-to-date, compared to 2010.
  • Audi Q7 sales in May up 26.9% and up 44.4% year-to-date, compared to 2010.
  • TDI clean diesel technology represented 55% of total A3 sales for May and 40% of total Q7 sales for May.
  
  Audi R8 and TT May sales and news notes
  • Audi R8 sales increase by 135.7% in May 2011 and 132.1% year-to-date, from same period in 2010.
  • Audi TT post strong sales with a 30.2% increase YOY to 220 vehicles sold in May 2011.
  Audi Certified Pre-Owned sales and news notes
  • Certified Pre-Owned sales of 3,470 vehicles mark the fourth consecutive month of sales records for Audi CPO.
  • May 2011 CPO sales represent 33.7% YOY gain from 2,596 vehicles a year earlier.
  • CPO sales increased 39.3% YTD compared with the same period last year.
  
  ABOUT AUDI
  Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technology

• 

• Audi wins International Engine of the Year Award 2011 for 2.5-liter TFSI

  A jury of 76 motoring journalists from around the world has voted the Audi 2.5-liter TFSI as the “International Engine of the Year 2011” in the 2-liter to 2.5-liter category. This engine therefore retains the award that it won last year.
  •Best engine in 2-liter to 2.5-liter category for second year in a row
  •Seventh category award win in a row for Audi TFSI technology
  The 2.5-liter unit fitted to the Audi RS 3 Sportback and TT RS Coupé and Roadster features both turbocharging and FSI direct gasoline injection technology, two of Audi’s core technologies. With a displacement of 2,480 cubic centimeters, this engine produces 250 kW (340 hp) between 5,400 and 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) from 1,600 to 5,300 rpm.
  
  
  
  International Engine of the Year jury members said of the 2.5-liter engine: “This is certainly the best turbocharged engine in recent years. Torque, power, and great sound – this engine has it all! It is a powerful, visceral reminder of the original quattro rally racing engine that put Audi on the map.”
  
  Developed by quattro GmbH, the Audi TT RS Coupé can sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds (Roadster: 4.4 seconds) and both the Coupè and Roadster have an optional top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).
  
  Audi now offers the same engine that powers the two TT RS models in the RS 3 Sportback. It takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) – a best-in-class performance figure. Its governed top speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
  
  This is the seventh category win in a row at the International Engine of the Year Awards for Audi TFSI technology. Between 2005 and 2009, the Audi 2.0-liter TFSI engine has won the award in the 1.8 to 2.0-liter category.
  

• 

• The Audi A1 is celebrating its fifth title of the year

  The Audi has scored yet again at the prestigious 2011 Fleet World Honours
  The A1’s Best Small Car Fleet World award joins the prestigious Car of the Year and Supermini of the Year awards from What Car? magazine, Best Small Hatchback from Parkers New Car Awards and Best Luxury Small Car from the CarBuyer Awards.
  This car can be viewed and test driven today at Audi Cork
  

• 

• The best Audi Advert ever !

  Check the best Audi advert ever !

• 

• Audi A6 beats BMW and Mercedes in Auto Express challange !

  A new arrival has barged its 
way into the corporate car park, and Audi’s latest A6 has one objective 
– to secure class honours in a sector 
traditionally dominated by its German rivals. So has it got what it takes?
  To find out, we grabbed the keys to 
the biggest-selling variant in the range. Entry-level diesels are the staple diet 
of go-getting executives across the 
land, as their desirable badges and 
low emissions provide car park kudos 
without any Benefit In Kind drawbacks.
  The A6 2.0 TDI is expected to account for 75 per cent of sales and, of those, 
the majority will be in SE trim – so that’s what we decided to put through the wringer for its first group test. Up 
against it is a pair of intimidating rivals.
  The BMW 520d needs no introduction. It stormed to the top of the class last 
year thanks to its low emissions, strong performance and engaging dynamics. It has the edge over the A6 on price, but 
is closely matched in other respects.
  Watching over this squabble is the elder statesman of the executive sector. The Mercedes E-Class hit the office car park scene in 2009 and is already the 
oldest model in our line-up. Can it 
spring a surprise to beat the BMW, 
or will the Audi steal the show?
  After a string of near misses, Audi is hoping to take the top step of the podium with its new A6. The luxury A8 and A7 premium hatch have both been second-placed finishers in Auto Express road tests in recent weeks, so does this car succeed where its stablemates have failed?
  Depending upon the spec of your A6, the exterior will provoke mixed reactions. The first example we saw was finished in silver and wore optional alloys, and it looked great. In contrast, our test car was painted a more sombre shade and sported standard wheels, and it barely merited a second glance
  Either way, the A6 follows the firm’s tried-and-tested approach, looking like a miniature A8 or big A4, depending on your point of view. The trademark trapezoidal grille and LED daytime running lamps give it a purposeful appearance, but we think the rear end is a bit bland for a car in this class.
  Interior quality is typically first-rate. The A6 cabin borrows heavily from its larger stablemates, with the firm’s beautifully clear and simple instruments, plus intuitive MMI control system, taking centre stage. High-grade plastics, reassuringly solid switchgear and classy aluminium trim ensure the new A6 has the premium edge over its rivals. In SE spec, you’ll also find plenty of kit, including Bluetooth and leather, while the display screen for the standard-fit sat-nav emerges electronically from the dash, as it does in the A7 and A8.
  The driving position provides plenty of adjustability, and from behind the wheel the A6 feels much more compact than the gigantic 5-Series. Despite this, there is more space in the back than in either rival. The boot also measures in at 530 litres, which places the load area directly between the bigger Mercedes’ and smaller BMW’s.
  Interior space and quality are both traditional A6 strengths, but where the newcomer really needs to score is on the road. The rear-wheel-drive BMW has set the dynamic standard in this class for years, and also boasts some of the cleanest engines around. Has the Audi got what it takes to compete?
  A quick check of the tax discs is enough to ascertain that the firm has caught up when it comes to efficiency. The new 2.0-litre model emits 129g/km of CO2, which places the A6 in precisely the same tax bracket as its blue propeller rival, and ahead of the dirtier Mercedes.
  Stop-start technology, brake-energy recuperation and lightweight construction all help to keep emissions in check. The 175bhp A6 is punchy, too, with 380Nm of torque from only 1,750rpm. Although the BMW produces more power and the Mercedes boasts superior torque, the A6 doesn’t feel outgunned.
  At our track the Audi covered 0-60mph in nine seconds flat –that’s nine-tenths slower than the BMW – but its performance during our in-gear tests was far stronger. Here, it out-accelerated the more powerful 520d in every discipline. That low-down punch is allied to supreme refinement, and the A6 proved the quietest and most comfortable car here at motorway cruising speeds, making it a more restful long-distance companion than the 520d and a match for the Mercedes.
  This is partly down to the spec of our test machine. Standard SE models do without the sporty suspension set-up fitted to more costly S line variants, and while the ordinary alloys do nothing
  for the car’s styling, you reap the rewards on the move as the Audi copes with big bumps and smaller ruts more effectively than its rivals.
  Purists will argue that the BMW’s rear-drive chassis is more engaging, and they have a point. The A6 doesn’t provide much feedback through the well weighted steering, and the light gearshift lacks the mechanical feel of the 5-Series. Yet on dual carriageways, the Audi makes a better fist of things.
  Through bends you will discover tightly controlled body roll and huge grip, although the A6 is neither as communicative nor as much fun as the 520d. And on uneven roads you can detect steering wheel squirm when you nail the throttle exiting slow corners, as the front tyres fight for grip. This isn’t something you’ll experience in the car’s rear-wheel-drive rivals, but the impression
  is still of a thoroughly composed and very capable saloon.
  The firm has also improved the Drive Select system, so the changes the different modes make to the steering are more subtle than in previous Audis we have tested. This gives the set-up a more sophisticated feel.
  With understated looks, a classy cabin and polished dynamics, the new A6 will give BMW plenty to think about – and that’s before you consider its 39.5mpg fuel return. This underlines the success of the car’s lightweight construction – and Audi deserves a pat on the back. The A6 has gone from also-ran to class contender in one fell swoop
  
  
  
  Check out the Auto Express Review

• 

• Audi Pulls Off A 20% Sales Increase For The Month Of January

  S. sales of 7,812 Audi cars and SUVs, which accounted for a 20% overall increase from January 2010. The previous January sales record for Audi in the U.S. was the 6,510 vehicles sold in 2010.
  
  The strong January 2011 results followed the best year that the luxury brand has seen in the U.S. as sales surpassed 100,000 for the first time to finish the full year at 101,629 vehicles. The 8.6% share that Audi held in overall U.S. imported luxury vehicle sales at the end of 2010 also set a record for the brand.
  
  Audi models have already earned significant awards in the U.S., including the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award to the 2011 Audi A8, four category winners in the Strategic Vision 2010 Total Value Index and the EyesOn Design “Best Production Vehicle” awarded to the Audi A6, which is scheduled to arrive this Fall.
  
  In January 2011, Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases exceeding 50% with five of its models: the Audi A3, Audi A8, Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and the Audi R8.
  
  Sales of the 2011 Audi A8 flagship model, introduced in late November, jumped 765.4% from a year earlier as consumers continue to respond favorably to the most technologically advanced vehicle Audi has ever produced.
  
  January 2011 Audi A3 sales climbed 52.8% from a year earlier as consumers continued to demand the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model, the 2010 Green Car of the Year. Audi Q5 crossover sales continued to show the strong momentum built throughout 2010 by posting a 50.9% gain from January 2010 sales. The Audi Q7 full-size luxury crossover sales also showed a nearly 60% rise from January 2010.
  
  “Consumers sent a strong signal that Audi is a brand on the rise,” said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. “Our intent is to make 2011 another pacesetting year.”
  
  
  

• 

• The Audi TT Named Coupe of The Year

  The Audi TT has topped the Coupe category for the fifth consecutive time at the What Car? Awards. The judges felt that the Audi TT is "better than it has ever been" thanks to its new turbocharged 2.0 TFSI engine, which develops 211PS for exhilarating performance.
  The panel also praised the Audi TT's handling, commenting that it comes in to its own when cornering: "The strong grip and body control means it changes direction like a housefly, while the responses from the steering, throttle and brakes are razor-sharp. This is a sports car with real finesse."
  
  

• 

• 2010 was a brilliant year for Audi

  Following on from the economic difficulties of 2009 many critics were expecting difficult years for the majority of manufacturers.
  However Audi managed to escape from the mire; experiencing its best ever sales year to date and producing more cars than ever as a result.
  The German manufacturer built 1,148,791 cars in 2010 – a 23.4 per cent improvement on 2009 volumes and Audi credited its new models for that achievement.
  
  One of the new crop is the Audi A1 sub-compact hatchback – the first premium compact car on the market.
  Despite having been on the market for just a couple of months, the A1 has been widely well received – selling out of its 2010 production run even before it had been released – and has also been the subject of critical acclaim, scooping one of the most prestigious motor awards in the UK when it was voted as the What Car? Car of the Year in January.
  Editor-in-chief at What Car?, Steve Fowler said: “If ever there has been a car that has hit the nail squarely and firmly on the head, the Audi A1 is it. It’s the right car at the right time: a car that combines desirability and ability alongside frugal financials – the perfect combination.”
  Audi hasn’t rested on its laurels however and especially not with the A1 as it looks to expand the current range for the premium compact hatchback.
  Order books have recently opened for the most powerful engine set-up in the A1 range with a new 185PS 1.4-litre TFSI dual-charged unit added to the line-up.
  Utilising a supercharger at low-end revs and then a turbocharger at high-end revs, the new A1 derivative is capable of clearing 0-62mph in just 6.9 seconds with a top-speed of 141mph.
  The new engine expands the current range to four as it joins the 1.2-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre TFSI options and like its smaller siblings it too delivers minimal CO2 emissions and excellent fuel consumption figures that are the best yet for the A1 at 139g/km of CO2 and 47.9mpg.
  Audi is also testing an A1 quattro at the moment in Canada.
  Whilst the initial trial has been commissioned as a birthday celebration of the Quattro all-wheel drive system – currently in its 30th year – the results of the trial could result in a Quattro enabled A1 in the near future.
  

• 

• Audi remains European No. 1 luxury brand -Latest News 17th Jan

  Audi defended its top spot in luxury-auto sales in Europe last year while BMW AG's main brand captured second place from Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz as premium-car demand revived.
  New registrations for BMWs rose 6.5 percent last year to 609,196, the fastest pace among the three brands, exceeding Mercedes' 586,146, while Audi stayed on top with sales of 623,536, according to data from industry association ACEA.
  In December, Audi deliveries climbed 16 percent, beating BMW's 7.3 percent gain and 4.2 percent for Mercedes.
  Luxury-car sales benefited as buyers gained confidence in the economic outlook and companies used improved earnings to restock corporate fleets. Demand plunged in 2009 as customers opted for cheaper and more fuel-efficient cars that were backed by government subsidies. Most incentives ended last year.
  Audi aims to dethrone BMW as the global luxury champion by 2015.
  “The recovery of the premium segment in 2010, after the damaging effects from the incentives and a revival of the corporate fleet market, looks set to continue this year,” said Philippe Barrier, an analyst at Societe Generale in Paris. “The key market in Europe is Germany. We expect a recovery there next year and that will be very important for BMW, Daimler and Audi.”
  Mercedes decline
  BMW deliveries were boosted by the revamped 5-series sedan, while Audi was helped by the new A7 Sportback and A1 compact.
  Mercedes saw registrations decline 0.1 percent as its S- and E-class sedans lifted sales mostly outside of Europe and as buyers waited for the introduction of the new C-class sedan. It was Mercedes' second consecutive decline in Europe.
  While the region is still a major market for premium cars, its importance is declining compared with emerging markets in Asia, said Tim Schuldt, a Frankfurt-based analyst at Equinet AG.
  “Europe is still the bread-and-butter market where the premium carmakers generate their volume, but it's not where growth and margins are coming from,” Schuldt said. “There are a lot of lower-end cars in the product mix, while in a market like China people typically go for the XXL deluxe S class.”
  Overall European new-car registrations declined 4.9 percent to 13.8 million, ACEA data showed.
  Jaguar Land Rover's full-year sales gained 9.2 percent to 94,035 and deliveries at Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus division declined 10 percent to 17,857. Volkswagen's Bentley and BMW's Rolls-Royce units weren't listed separately by ACEA

• 

• Budget 2011 - Scrappage Extended

  Budget 2011, Yesterday Minister for finance Mr Brian Lenihan announced the continuation of the car scrappage scheme for the first six months of 2011. The remission on VRT is slightly lower at €1250 however this is good news for the Irish motorist with the government actively encouraging Irish people to buy low co2 emmission cars. Many of the cars in the Audi range are in categories A or B therefore will comply with this scheme. We have designed unique offers for scrappage customers, why not call us today and see just how affordable a new Audi can be

• 

• AUDI UNVEIL NEW CAR

  Audi have entered new territory with the unveiling of their latest sportscar they hope will see them continue to dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
  The R18 marks the first time the factory Audi team has developed a 'closed' cockpit car, as bitter rivals Peugeot have used since they returned to sportscar racing in 2007.
  Commenting on the new design, Allan McNish said: "I tested the R18 for the first time at the end of last month, which was essentially the coupe's initial roll-out combined with its maiden test.
  "After racing an 'open' Audi sportscar since 2000, it was a renewed experience for me to again drive a sportscar with a roof.
  "Audi has done a great job with the design - the front certainly looks very aggressive - and I'm sure we have a contender for race honours."
  Since first competing in Le Mans in 1999 Audi have racked up nine wins in 12 attempts, and for the third time this year the German manufacturing giant achieved its third one-two-three finish.
  Other new developments on the car include a smaller engine, a 3.7-litre V6, as the rulemakers have sought a substantial reduction in power, a six-speed transmission and identically-sized front and rear wheels to allow a more balanced weight distribution.
  The R18's racing debut is planned for the Spa-Francorchamps Six Hours on May 8 following a Le Mans test session on April 24 ahead of the event itself on June 11-12.
  
  

• 

• Audi breaks 2008 sales record already in November

  December 8, 2010
  
  Source: Audi of America
  
  · Around 1,003,900 cars sold worldwide in first eleven months
  · Board Member for Sales Schwarzenbauer: “Germany again set to win head-to-head race with China”
  · Schwarzenbauer on Chinese growth market: “Expect real boom to still be ahead of us”
  
  AUDI AG has already broken its sales record from 2008 in the first eleven months of this year. Between January and November the brand sold around 1,003,900 cars, beating the sales figures of the previous best year in the company’s history (1,003,469). Compared with the same period of the crisis-hit year of 2009, sales figures were up 15.3 percent. This upturn was driven by high growth rates in China and the brand’s growing success in the United States. Meanwhile demand in Germany is picking up again, too.
  
  “The number of orders received in Germany continues to rise, especially in the important fleet customer market. At the same time the Audi A1 is generating plenty of interest among our private customers,” commented Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG . “Despite the high growth of recent months in China, Germany will once again win the head-to-head race among our biggest markets in 2010.”
  
  In AUDI AG’s home market Germany, the sales figures rose by 1.0 percent in November to 22,055 units; over the first eleven months of the year the Company sold 205,207 cars there (down 2.9 percent). Schwarzenbauer stated that December will help Audi to finish the year strongly thanks to the high number of orders received in recent weeks.
  
  In China, the company exceeded the mark of 200,000 cars for the first time ever. Thanks to 50 percent growth compared with the prior-year period, Audi sold 209,752 premium cars there in the first eleven months. In November Audi delivered 17,692 cars, an increase of 7.2 percent. “We expect that the real boom in China is still ahead of us”, Schwarzenbauer said. “Here at Audi we are preparing for a significant rise in demand next year, too.”
  
  In Europe, the brand confirmed its position as premium market leader over the eleven-month period. In Western Europe unit sales between January and November rose by 3 percent to around 562,800 units, and in November some 47,800 customers bought a new car from the Ingolstadt carmaker (down 3.7 percent). In Eastern Europe, Audi posted a growth rate of 39.1 percent in November, taking it to 3,050 units; the grand total there for the year to date was 32,700 units (up 15.1 percent).
  
  The brand’s popularity also continues to grow in the U.S. market. In what is now the second-biggest car market in the world, Audi’s sales figures climbed 37.5 percent in November; cumulatively, the Ingolstadt-based company has therefore sold 91,083 premium cars there since January, an improvement of 23.6 percent on the prior-year period. Audi of America has set itself the target for the full year of breaking the barrier of 100,000 cars sold for the first time ever.
  
  

• 

• Unique Audi lights are ‘one' in a million this Christmas

  Striking illuminations may be the norm at this time of year, but as the spectacular light clusters marking out the latest Audi sports car ably demonstrate, distinctiveness is for life and not just for Christmas where Vorsprung durch Technik is concerned.
  
  The uniquely shaped LED daytime running lights belong to the Audi R18, the all-new sports prototype created to campaign in the Le Mans 24 Hours marathon in 2011, and to hopefully secure the brand its tenth victory in the gruelling endurance classic. Their design isn't simply a flight of fancy by Audi light designers - each light forms the shape of a "1", which is intended to inspire associations with one of the first iterations of the Audi brand logo dating back to 1922.
  
  The daytime running lights form part of the Audi R18's new all-LED headlamp units, which not only provide an exceptional breadth and intensity of illumination but also operate considerably more efficiently than conventional units, reducing the draw on the alternator and consequently cutting fuel usage even further. Developed through close cooperation between Audi Sport and the Technical Development (TE) division of Audi AG, these latest generation units will be prepared for future use in Audi production vehicles.
  
  
  

• 

• Five stars for Audi A1 in Euro NCAP crash test

  Euro NCAP has tested the passive crash safety of the new Audi A1 and awarded it the top score of five stars.
  
  The results for adult protection in a frontal, rear or side collision, as well as for child safety and pedestrian protection, place the new Audi A1 among the safest vehicles in its category.
  
  The passive vehicle safety of the new Audi model in the subcompact class was thoroughly tested by Euro NCAP. The consortium is made up of international representatives of European transport ministries, automobile associations, insurers and consumer protection organizations, and performs comprehensive studies of the crash performance of new cars.
  
  Euro NCAP’s demanding test requirements far exceed the standards of European lawmakers. The testers gave the A1 scores for adult occupant protection in frontal, rear and side impact collisions that easily earned the vehicle the top rating of five stars. The very good scores for child occupant protection underscore the excellent results.
  
  

• 

• Audi aims to be luxury EV leader; plug-in hybrid due in 2014

  The limited-edition battery-powered e-tron version of the R8 supercar, pictured, will launch in 2012.
  INGOLSTADT, Germany – Audi has big plans for its electric vehicle business.
  "By 2020, we want to be the leading premium seller of electric vehicles," Franciscus van Meel, Audi's manager for electric mobility strategy, said at a recent technical workshop at the company's headquarters here.
  "We will successively bring out a variety of hybrid models and electric vehicles, such as our first plug-in hybrid in 2014," he said, without sharing more details on the plug-in hybrid.
  Audi's alternative powertrain plan includes: full-hybrid versions of the A8 upper-premium sedan and Q5 SUV, both due in late 2011; a hybrid A6 that is likely to arrive in 2012; plus a range of high-priced electric cars starting with the limited-edition battery-powered e-tron version of the R8 supercar in 2012.
  Audi set up the e-tron division to develop and produce EVs. The brand's electric-car approach is different from that of rival BMW AG, which is developing the smaller so-called Megacity Vehicle designed for urban commuting. The Megacity Vehicle is due to launch in 2013.
  "Today we're assuming that our sales of Audi e-tron electric cars will rise to a six-figure volume by 2020," van Meel said.
  By 2020, Audi wants to increase the efficiency of its internal combustion engines by 30 percent and wants 5 percent of the brand's lineup to be electric, Michael Dick, Audi's board member for technology, said earlier this year.
  To help it meet that goal, Audi recently opened a 65 million euro (about $89 million), 14,000-square-meter electric-drive development and test center at its headquarters. It plans to hire 840 people to help develop electric powertrains and batteries.
  Audi parent Volkswagen AG wants the group to be No. 1 in hybrid and electric cars before the end of the decade, increasing its EV market share to 3 percent of its forecast global sales of 10 million vehicles by 2018.
  Globally, VW Group plans to launch a full-electric version of its Up minicar, the E-Up, E-Golf and E-Jetta in 2013.
  
  
  

• 

• Dont get caught out in the Ice and Snow- Audi Quattro system - How It Works!

  AUDI QUATTRO SYSTEM - HOW IT WORKS!
  
  FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
  Front wheel drive allows the car to be pulled which increases the amount of tractive force it can transmit to the road compared to rear-wheel drive. The weight of the engine and other assemblies rests on the front axle and thus increases traction to the driving wheels. If they start to lose traction, the front-wheel drive vehicle understeers and tends to continue straight ahead although the front wheels are turned. This is a relatively mild effect that the driver can normally control by simply lifting their foot off the accelerator.
  Traction aids such as ASR and EDL are fitted as standard on all Audi front-wheel drive vehicles. Additionally the ESP Electronic Stability Programme greatly enhances what is already a high level of safety.
  REAR WHEEL DRIVE
  The vehicle is pushed along by the driven rear wheels. As an initial situation, this is fundamentally less stable than with front- or all-wheel drive. If the driven wheels spin, the rear-wheel drive vehicle tends to oversteer and its tail may then slide sideways.
  To guard against this situation arising, which the driver may find fairly difficult to control, the corrective action of traction aid systems and electronic stability programmes takes effect quite early. The vehicle can be kept moving safely, but traction is reduced by the need to apply the brakes at individual wheels, so that driving the vehicle becomes less pleasant.
  
  QUATTRO PERMANENT ALL WHEEL DRIVE
  Permanent all-wheel drive offers an unusually high level of active safety. In terms of tractive force, acceleration and hill-climbing ability on a poor surface it is unbeatable. By distributing the power input from the engine between two axles, higher lateral locating forces can be absorbed when cornering. This enhances lateral acceleration and at the same time ensures the highest possible level of safety.
  
  BETTER TRACTION WITH QUATTRO
  
  Example 1: Ideal driving conditions
  If more traction is required – when towing a trailer, for example – quattro offers real advantages by offering greater tractive force in proportion to the vehicle’s weight.
  
  Example 2: Only 50 percent grip
  In conditions where tyres experience reduced grip – as on a wet road – the advantages of quattro immediately become apparent. Whenever one wheel loses traction the others can compensate, so the car remains stable and continues to grip the road.
  
  Example 3: Only the front wheels have grip
  quattro continually adjusts to road conditions to permanently distribute power between the front and rear wheels precisely where and when required. It means the vehicle stays responsive even if only one axle has enough grip. By contrast, if front- or rear-wheel drive vehicles lose grip at the driven axle, they can no longer transmit the engine’s power onto the road.
  
  THE SELF LOCKING CENTRE DIFFERENTIAL
  The self locking centre differential sits at the heart of quattro on models with the engine positioned lengthwise along the car’s centreline, such as the Audi A4, A6, A8, Q5 and Q7.
  
  Operating entirely mechanically, it continually reacts to road conditions and responds to any differences in the rotational speeds between the wheels. This ensures more power is always transmitted to the wheels with a better grip.
  
  In addition, the Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) can act when needed to prevent the wheels from spinning. Excess power at one wheel is diverted to the other wheels that have more grip, maintaining traction in virtually every situation.
  
  AWARDS
  In 2010, readers of “Auto Bild allrad”* voted two Audi models the “all-wheel drive car of the year”: the Audi A4 quattro and the Audi A8 quattro. This was the fi fth time in succession that the prestigious award went to Audi. A vote that clearly proves one thing: quattro technology today is stronger and more innovative than ever before.
  
  

• 

• ON A ROAD TRIP WITH THE AUDI Q7

  AudiWorld Editor Kris Hansen and contributing photographer Rob Clifford recently drove from Vermont to Braselton Georgia for the 13th Petit Le Mans. Here is the recap of that trip, and the amazing vehicle that they drove.
  
  13 states. 1200 miles. 16 and a half hours driving time. 5 Red Bull energy shots. 3 cups of coffee. 2 bathroom stops and driver changes. 2 drivers. 1 car. And most impressively, ONE stop for fuel. You read that correctly.
  
  First off, the car: 2010 Audi Q7 TDI quattro. There could not possibly be a more appropriate vehicle available in the USA for making such a trip, especially given that we were going to watch Audi run the Petit Le Mans, which incidentally is 1000 miles, or 10 hours (which ever comes first). Obviously it would take us considerably longer than 10 hours to cover the distance, but it didn’t go unnoticed that we were covering roughly the same distance as Audi’s amazing crew of racing drivers! In essence, we were staging our own endurance event prior to the real deal in Georgia.
  At first glance, the Q7 TDI seems to be too big, too tall when compared to a smaller sedan or Avant. But once you settle in, and adapt to the car, you realize, it’s just right. No, it’s not too wide to fit in normal parking spaces. The turning circle is in real life about the same as an A4. Yes, really. It made the turn into the AudiWorld headquarters easier than a B5 A4 does. It’s tall, but it fit into our low overhead garage just fine, lengthwise too, which honestly was a big surprise. In other words, it’s not exactly as huge as it seems. Yet, inside, there is a huge amount of space. It’s wide enough that 2 large men don’t smash their elbows together fighting for the center arm rest. It’s long enough that front seat occupants don’t need to move forward to accommodate back seat passengers, even when the back seats are moved forward to allow the 3rd row seats to fold up. And did we mention that you can still bring things along for the trip, even with the 3rd row of seats upright? Amazing!
  
  Then there are the Q7’s driving manners. Again, it does take a few miles to get used to the higher seating position of the Q7, but at no point does it feel unstable or tipsy, just tall. Once comfortable, you discover that the Q7 doesn’t mind being driven aggressively. Much like the rest of the Audi line with ESP, the Q7 will understeer more dramatically when the ESP is turned on, and is much more neutral feeling when it’s turned off. This is of course because when driven correctly, a quattro car will always want to drift the rear end a little bit, and ESP tries really hard to prevent that. The Q7 TDI also responds very well to generous applications of power at or just after the apex of the turn, which helps the car finish the corner. For its size, the Q7 is a very satisfying car to drive if driven correctly in the big Audi way. You can’t force it, you have to let the car do things at its pace.
  
  But the real reason we chose this car of course, is the engine. The Q7 TDI uses Audi’s robust 3.0 liter turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine. As mentioned in our A3 TDI writeup, we have a very soft spot for diesel engines, and this example is no exception. We LOVED the 3.0 TDI in the Q7 immensely. We feel that without a doubt this is the perfect marriage of car and engine. It’s been a few years since we’ve driven the 4.2 FSI gasoline powered Q7, and we’ve yet to sample the 3.0TFSI version, but we found the 3.0 TDI Q7 was pure joy to drive. With 406 lb/ft available basically immediately off idle, and petering off to 225hp, never is the driver left wanting power. Even though the Q7 weighs in at 5512lbs, the TDI engine moves the car with incredible ease. Acceleration is brisk, not necessarily fast at 7.5 seconds in the run from 0 to 60, but once at speed, the car accelerates briskly, and overtakes slower cars with ease. Even loaded up with all of our gear and supplies for Petit Le Mans, the car never even noticed the weight.
  This brings us to the actual road trip. We loaded the car up with all of our photo gear, laptops, chairs, tent, coolers full of water and food and other drinks, clothes for a couple of days and various weather conditions (remembering last year’s absolutely horrid weather, we weren’t going to be without some wet weather gear!). Stopping at the fuel pump just before departing, and filling the tank to the absolute max, we reset all of the #2 trip computers so we could track our trip accurately. We also programmed the exact route into the NAV system so we could monitor our ETA and miles traveled and remaining at all times, and hit the road.
  
  Our first impression of the Q7 as a road trip car was impressive. There is a ridiculous amount of room in the front seats. The front door pockets are huge, so huge in fact that it can swallow a 2 liter soda bottle and a bag of chips quite easily. Passengers can slide the seat back and recline into a very comfortable position for sleeping. The Q7 rides very well even with the 20 inch wheels and massive tires. Expansion joints and rough pavement do not phase this car in the least. Its long wheelbase gives it a very stable feel. At cruising speeds, the Q7 is incredibly quiet, and smooth. Miles are devoured by this car in such a way that long trips are just simply easy.
  
  As we drove south through New York, we started encountering some weather. Signs on the Tappan Zee Bridge indicated high winds, and they weren’t lying. The Q7 rides high enough that it’s more susceptible to winds, and we certainly felt the wind on this bridge. It was spooky, but the car remained composed while we made constant steering adjustments to compensate for the gusting.
  
  More or less around this point we encountered the leading edge of a massive rain storm that blanketed the whole east coast at that time. With the wipers on their “auto” setting, the car perfectly sped up and slowed down the wipers as needed based on the amount of rain that was hitting the windshield. Auto wipers are one of those modern advancements in automotive engineering that you never knew how much you needed them till you had them. One less thing to think about on a 17 hour drive is very nice. As the miles went by, the rain increased in its intensity. Somewhere around Pennsylvania, it was raining incredibly hard, and there were signs warning of standing water on the roadway. The wide 275 cross section tires did tend to float up a little in some of the deeper pools, but again, the car recovered very well from a potentially very dangerous situation by simply easing off of the accelerator.
  
  We ended up driving through this heavy rain all the way to our fuel stop in West Virginia. Part of the problem with the Q7’s fuel range is even if you don’t have to stop for fuel, you will have to stop for restrooms eventually. At around 11pm, 8 hours after we departed Vermont, we had to stop for a break. The car thought it had around 80 miles left in the tank, at around 530 miles of driving. The fuel light had not yet lit up. We filled the tank with diesel for the one and only time on the way to Braselton, and switched drivers.
  
  Just over the border into South Carolina, bladder fatigue struck for a second time. Rob peeled us off for a break, and we switched drivers again. At this point, we realized based on the NAV, we were on target to make the 7:30 photo meeting. We were making unbelievably good time, thanks no doubt to the lack of having to stop for fuel.
  
  Since we wanted to get to Road Atlanta in time to make the meeting, we decided to increase the average speed, even at the cost of lowering the economy. Turns out, it really didn’t make much of a difference, maybe 1 or 2 mpg to up the speed a bit. Once we got to Braselton, the fuel light had been on for quite a while. When it first illuminated, the trip computer thought we had around 60 miles in the tank. Comparatively, the NAV said we had around 50 miles to go. The decision was made to not stop, knowing that there was a fuel station immediately at the exit we were taking. Ultimately, we made it all the way to Road Atlanta, with around 5 miles left in the tank according to the trip computer, and the car was running just fine.
  We were late for the photo meeting, so we decided not to go, and went to fill up the car, get some ice, and head back into the track to get a good parking place in the Esses. Every drop of 25.5 gallons of diesel went in to the 26 gallon tank, and we had covered over 580 miles on this second leg of the trip. That works out to less than 23mpg, but, it’s still impressive considering the size of the car, the massive tires, cruise control usage, and the fact that we had the AC, heated seats, lights, wipers, radio, and other various items charging in the 12v sockets throughout the car. Also consider that we were fighting rain and wind much of the way.
  
  When Audi ran their own Mileage Marathon, they were able to get over 28mpg with the Q7 TDI repeatedly (and that’s what they use to claim the 600 mile range with the Q7). There are some important things to keep in mind regarding that feat. First, the cars were equipped with low rolling resistance tires, much narrower and lighter than the huge monsters that were on our Q7. Second, the average speeds they ran were more around 50mph for the trip. We averaged 64mph, and obviously the extra pushing hurt our overall economy somewhat. Thirdly, we ran the cruise control most of the time. I don’t know if the Marathon drivers did, but I do know that the cruise control in the Q7 cares less about consumption than it does maintaining exactly the speed that the driver prescribes. On the return trip to Vermont we played a little with some efficiency techniques, and we were able to increase our miles per gallon a bit. Using a very light foot on the pedal, not accelerating aggressively, maintaining the accelerator position on hills even if we slowed down, speeding up on down hills gradually, all the while watching the instant MPG readout to keep it above 30 at all times. In fact, it was somewhat easy on the highways.
  
  Another thing our Q7 didn’t have was the adaptive air suspension. What that meant was, our car sat way up in the air, further hindering ultimate mileage. If we had the air suspension, we could have lowered the car down as far as it can go, which would have helped make it a bit more slippery and probably gained us a few MPG.
  
  On the return trip, we did have to fill up in Connecticut which gave us our first taste of diesel frustration. We stopped at 2 stations that didn’t even have diesel pumps, then found one that was out of diesel. Finally the 3rd station had diesel, and we were happy. But it was mildly frustrating to find truth to the rumor that diesel can be hard to find, especially on the parkways in CT and NY, which do not allow trucks.
  
  A few things to watch out for with diesel pumps, there are 3 kinds of diesel nozzles. There is only one that fits in the Q7 filler with ease, and it’s the larger size car nozzle. The nozzle that is used in the large truck tanks has a flange on the end, and it will not fit in the Q7 filler. The Q7 is wisely fitted with a safety feature that will prevent a gasoline pump nozzle from being inserted, to keep gasoline from being loaded in accidentally. Unfortunately, there are diesel pumps out there which for some reason have the same size nozzle as a gasoline pump. The owner’s manual suggests a technique for inserting these smaller nozzles to engage the trip for the filler safety door, which involves rotating it in a certain way. We struggled with this a few times, and eventually got it to work. It would be nice if there was an easier way to bypass this safety measure.
  
  All in all, with everything working against us for ultimate fuel mileage, the Q7 TDI was flat out amazing. We drove it as we’d normally drive, and we achieved amazingly good mileage for the type of vehicle. If we’re honest, part of the reason for the mileage was simply because we enjoyed the thrust from the engine too much. It was just too much fun accelerating in the way only a diesel can. We didn’t set out to max the mileage, our only goal was 1 fuel stop on the way down, which we achieved. We were delighted with that result, and overall the Q7 TDI could not have been any better for this trip.
  
  As an aside, after the Georgia trip, we drove the Q7 TDI for our daily routine for 3 days. We dropped the kids off at school, ran errands, and got the kids from after school activities. With this kind of driving, we averaged 29mpg over the course of 3 days. Honestly, that was with a little trying, and more gentle acceleration, but nevertheless, it was incredibly impressive for a vehicle of this type. And, the car was still amazingly comfortable and easy to live with.
  
  Also keep in mind, this was a 2010 model with the 6 speed transmission, we’re looking forward to spending some time with the 2011 version with the 8 speed transmission, which should be even better. We’ll let you know!
  

• 

• Audi invest heavily in the future - 04th Jan 2011

  Audi says it is investing heavily in its future and intends to hire about 1,200 skilled employees in 2011.
  
  The company plans to invest around EUR11.6bn between 2011 and 2015, primarily in new products and technologies, as well as in upgrading its sites. More than EUR5bn is earmarked for the German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
  
  "Innovation requires people," said Thomas Sigi, Member of the AUDI AG Board of Management for Human Resources. "For this reason, we want to hire around 1,200 experts in 2011 who will primarily bolster our electromobility and lightweight construction fields of competence, as well as the implementation of our growth strategy."
  
  During 2010 Audi recruited about 500 experts and 780 trainees who began their vocational training in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
  
  From 2011 to 2015 the company plans to invest about EUR11.6bn in fixed assets, making this the biggest investment program in the company's history.
  
  "With this investment, we are laying the foundation for sustained, profitable growth, and supporting our claim to leadership in the premium car segment," said Axel Strotbek, Board Member for Finance and Organization of AUDI AG.
  
  About 80 percent of all investment - more than EUR9.5bn - will go to developing new products and to technologies of the future such as electric and hybrid drive systems. One example is the Audi R8 e-tron, the first electric sports car from Audi, which the company wants to begin selling in late 2012.
  
  The brand plans to introduce a number of new models in 2011, including the new Audi A6 and the Audi Q5 Hybrid, the first full hybrid from the carmaker. In launching the new Audi Q3, which is manufactured in Martorell, Spain, Audi is occupying the midsize premium SUV segment for the first time.
  
  The foundation for the future is also being laid at the company's German sites: more than EUR5bn is to be invested in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm between 2011 and 2015.
  
  "In addition to our foreign sites, the German sites will also profit greatly from the Audi brand's good worldwide prospects for growth, especially in China," Strotbek said.
  
  

• 

• Audi E-Tron News 4/1/2011

  Audi e-tron
  
  Vehicle type: 2-door electric sports car
  
  Engine: 2 electric motors generating a combined 2,000 lbs.-ft. of torque. The e-tron's range is 155 miles.
  
  What's cool: Think of it as the R8's little brother. The e-tron is smaller than a TT and accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in under 6 seconds. It has an aluminum spaceframe, and the doors, hood and trunk lid are carbon fiber.
  
  Will it be built? Likely. Audi has made no commitment, but it wants e-tron to be to electric vehicles what quattro is to all-wheel drive. That suggests multiple variants in addition to the larger e-tron shown at the Frankfurt auto show, a car Audi has said it will build.
  
  

• 

• Audi A7 Sportback review Audi's new hatchback aims to put the Mercedes CLS in its place. It really is that good.

  Peruse the A7's spec sheet and, behind the sofa, a large, grey pachyderm stirs. Five doors, lifting tailgate, front-wheel drive, check; a trunk snakes gently over your shoulder in search of a currant bun. Look at the A7 photos and you realise that not only is there an elephant in the room, but that Audi has built a hatchback.
  After years of telling the world that only a saloon is stiff enough for sporty German handling, Audi has now 'fessed up that while hatchbacks might be potentially more floppy, people like them. First it was the A5 Sportback, and now this: the new A7.
  Big, high-strength steel side frames and complex bracing around the hatchback retain torsional strength, with cast-aluminium front suspension turrets just like Audi's top-model A8 limo. Doors, bonnet, hatchback and the front wings are hot-formed aluminium.
  The result passes America's fearsome pylon side-impact test, but is stiffer and 15 per cent lighter than the outgoing A6 saloon (the A7's new chassis will underpin the forthcoming A6 replacement).
  While the blurb pitches the A7 as a grand coupé competing with the newly updated Mercedes-Benz CLS, it's both more and less than that. It's also standout lovely in that utterly understated Audi mien . There are even shades of Alfa Romeo's GTV6, Giorgetto Giugiaro's and Alfa Centro Stile's elegant Eighties coupé. Funny that Walter da Silva, VW/Audi's design grand panjandrum, ran Centro Stile at the time.
  The front has the four-ringed corporate curves, but the grille is well handled if not as pretty as the waterfall example on the A6 Allroad. Then there's the side profile that hangs off a single body crease running from headlamp into the LED tail lamps; perfection.
  Inside, the cabin is as fine a statement of the car maker's art as you could find. The driving position is comfortable and comprehensively adjustable, the steering wheel a study in rim thickness and radius, and the materials are out of this world, particularly the new striated wood veneer, which is like a teak boat deck, lovely in both feel and flaws.
  There's generous space for four adults (five at a pinch) and the long, 535-litre boot will carry all their cases. The instrument binnacle contains twin dials on start-up, but once under way Audi crams too much information in there for any clarity.
  It's a strange model mix, with V6 petrol and turbodiesel engines, in two states of tune, with the lower power versions driving the front wheels through a continuously variable Multitronic transmission and the more potent cars getting the seven-speed, twin-clutch DSG gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive. The Multitronic is a sophisticated set-up and capable of giving high miles per gallon.
  The DSG's extra speed and precision makes it the one to go for, albeit at some cost. There's also the option of Audi's crown-wheel differential, which distributes torque between the front and rear axles, and torque vectoring, which uses the friction brakes to prevent wheelspin and distributes torque to the wheels with most grip. Audi's optional sport differential manages the rear wheels across the axle with two multi-plate clutches mounted outside the differential – they deploy to reduce the effects of understeer.
  Most Europeans will opt for the oil burner, even though the petrol V6 is a lovely device; a 3.0-litre, twin-cam with a Lysholm-screw, positive-displacement supercharger nestling in the vee, as used in the S4 sports saloon. It has a memorable exhaust note and its 296bhp and 325lb ft fire this 1.8-ton, 16ft car up the road con brio.
  Not that the 241bhp/369lb ft diesel is anything less than real-world fast, with 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds and a huge well of mid-range acceleration as well as enviable fuel economy that can be edged to almost 47mpg.
  Handling is that strange mix of Audi understeer with a sporting heart. With the engine resting ahead of the front wheels you can feel the weight build up. In the two-wheel-drive models you ease the throttle and the nose points more tightly. On the quattro four-wheel-drive models, you keep your foot in and computers whizz torque around the chassis to achieve the same effect.
  Mechanical grip is sufficient to make your head swim, though there's not a lot of feedback to the driver. Opt for the S line package, however, with a lower ride height and 19in wheel rims, and there's a new-found positivity to the handling. Better still is the 20in rim option, with Yokohama Advan tyres. Electronic steering should take some credit for this agility and while the standard brakes are borderline spongy, the S line anchors are progressive and powerful. For those aiming at the red badge of courage or track days, opt for the carbon ceramic brakes.
  The optional selectable suspension allows comfort, sport and normal modes, but the settings tend to bracket the optimum, especially in comfort – the standard steel set-up is pretty good, and cheaper.
  I really didn't expect to like the A7 as much as I did. I'd imagined that this remorseless and occasionally arrogant German company had simply built a new Ford Mondeo and expected the world to cheer.
  In fact the A7 is charming, sophisticated and damn good looking. The elephant in the room is not that Audi has built a hatchback A6, but that it has built a highly desirable car in its own right. Will someone give this elephant a bun.
  
  
  

• 

• New Audi cars for immediate delivery - No waiting !

  2011 registration cars are now starting to appear everywhere you go and Audi is a popular choice for consumer and business users.
  At Audi Cork we have a pre-empted this surge in new car purchases and pre-ordered many new Audi modles late in 2010 and these are arriving daily, this is excellent news for the purchaser because it ensures that there is no long waiting periods after you have made your decision to purchase. In many cases our customers are enjoying their new car within 24 hours of purchase.
  We are experiencing an insatiable demand for quality used cars and guarantee you that we will not be beaten on any trade in allowance.
  To summarise: our immediate availability of new Audi, our demand for your trade in and unbeatable finance rates make Audi Cork, South Douglas Road the first place you should visit for your 2011 car.

• 

• Audi to engineer next Porsche Cayenne

  MUNICH -- Audi will develop Volkswagen group's Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg and Audi Q7 large SUVs in the future.
  Currently, Porsche has responsibility for engineering the three models, which share the same underpinnings.
  The decision to transfer developement to Audi comes after Porsche was chosen instead of Audi to be the lead developer for large luxury sedans and sports cars within VW group.
  An Audi spokesman confirmed to Automotive News Europe German press reports that Audi will be responsible for developing large SUV model lines within VW. "This decision was made in agreement with all of the brands involved and will create synergies throughout the group to the benefit of both the brand and the customers," the spokesman said.Audi will also develop Porsche's new small SUV, code-named the Cajun, which likely will share its underbody with the Audi Q5.
  VW bosses hope the change will end a conflict over development responsibilities between the Audi and Porsche brands that has been ongoing since VW group announced its plan to integrate Porsche as its 10th brand, according to the Financial Times Deutschland.
  It will be several years before an Audi-engineered Porsche Cayenne reaches showrooms. The second-generation Cayenne went on sale earlier this year. A new-generation Volkswagen Touareg was also introduced this year.
  The next Audi Q7 is due to go on sale in two years and its development is almost complete.
  VW has picked Porsche to develop the group's so-called "modular standard matrix" that will underpin the Porsche Panamera and future Bentleys. It will also be responsible for a sports car platform for front-mid- and rear-mid-engine cars for Porsche, Audi and Lamborghini.
  Audi will continue to have responsibility for developing VW group's so-called "modular longitudinal matrix," which was introduced in 2007 and underpins cars such as the Audi A4, A5 and Q5.
  VW brand is developing the “modular transverse matrix,” which debuts on the Audi A3 in 2012 and will eventually underpin about 40 models and 6 million units annually, including the next VW Golf
  VW is merging Porsche into its brand portfolio after VW acquired 49.9 percent of Porsche's car-making unit after Porsche last year failed in a hostile takeover attempt for VW

• 

• The all new 2011 Audi A6 - Orders now being taken at Audi Cork.

  The all new and much anticipated 2011 Audi A6 is due for launch at the end of March 2011.
  At Audi Cork we want you to be the first to enjoy this superb , award winning car so we are taking orders now.
  Call us now for more details.

• 

• 5.9% Finance now available on new Audi's at Audi Cork

  Great news was announced today by Audi Cork with the introduction of a fixed 5.9% finance rate available on all new Audi cars. We have new cars available ex-stock and we urgently require quality used cars as trade-ins

• 

• Petrol-Electric A3 e-tron concept leads the charge for Audi in Shanghai

  Hybrid based on A3 saloon concept shows another potential future direction for perennially popular Audi compact car
  Audi is set to unveil a stunning technical study – the A3 e-tron concept – in Shanghai. The four-seat notchback saloon integrates the full breadth of the brand’s technological expertise – from the enhanced MMI operating system, to the high-end infotainment system, to the drivetrain. And with its two powerplants and lithium-ion batteries that store enough energy to propel the car on electric power alone for up to 54 km (34 miles), the plug-in hybrid also delivers high fuel efficiency.
  
  Design and body
  The Audi A3 e-tron concept is a four-seat notchback saloon. It measures 4.44 metres long and 1.84 metres wide, but just 1.39 metres high – proportions that underscore its dynamic character.
  
  The styling has all the features of the typical Audi design language. The single-frame grille is integrated into the front end, giving it a sculptured look. Its frame is made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), and the transversely mounted, three-dimensional aluminium louvres emphasise the showcar’s width. The headlights merge with the bevelled upper corners of the single-frame, forming a transition that marks the starting point of the prominent lines of the bonnet.
  
  The headlights represent a new stage of evolution in LED technology, a groundbreaking innovation from Audi. They become broader as they extend outward, and a line underneath makes them seem to float. Above the front spoiler is a full-length air intake, also made of CFRP, framed by a metal clasp. The spoiler features a splitter that increases the downforce on the front wheels.
  
  When viewed from the side, too, the A3 e-tron concept is instantly recognisable as an Audi – with its harmonious proportions, taut, muscular surfaces and a low roof dome with fluid lines flowing into a flat, coupe-like C-pillar. The shoulder area transitions elegantly into the tailgate. Characteristic of Audi design, the greenhouse accounts for one-third of the height, while the sheet metal makes up the remaining two-thirds.
  
  Powerfully flared wings hint at the power of the engine. Two striking lines accentuate the flank: the undercut tornado line beneath the window edge and the dynamic line above the sills. The exterior mirrors, made of aluminium and CFRP, are perched on top of the window-channel strips. The door handles with their brushed-aluminium clasps are recessed flush with the door. When the driver touches them, they power-extend.
  
  The intelligent interplay between surfaces and lines also defines the tail end of the A3 e-tron concept. The broad, flat tail lights are sculptured and culminate in a point on the inside, and the tailgate bears an elegant spoiler edge. The rear apron includes a diffuser insert of CFRP and metal, which in turn surrounds the two large tailpipes for the exhaust system.
  
  Ultra-modern components, design methods and joining techniques keep the body weight low. One example of this are the custom-tailored blanks (panels of various thicknesses) in the floor area. The doors, bonnet and tailgate are made of aluminium. With its high levels of rigidity, the body provides the basis for the saloon’s precise handling, excellent vibrational comfort and low weight – the Audi A3 e-tron concept tips the scales at just 1,720 kg.
  
  Interior
  The interior of the showcar is generously proportioned. The long wheelbase measuring 2.63 metres – a best-in-class figure in the premium compact segment – gives rear passengers generous knee room. The front sport seats with prominent side bolsters are slim and elegant.
  
  The cockpit also gives an impression of lightness and airiness. The horizontal lines emphasise its design and the instrument panel draws the driver in – typical of Audi. Defined in three dimensions, the large trim strip is made of solid aluminium and includes control functions. The high-quality sound system in the doors and on the rear shelf has aluminium trim panels. When the audio system is switched on, they extend a few millimetres, creating a visual accompaniment to the system’s excellent sound.
  
  On the centre console there are four large, round air vents that echo a jet’s design. The air flow is adjusted by pulling and pushing on the centre axis of the vents. The control knobs for the automatic air conditioning system are located in the lower section of the centre console on a raised, dedicated control panel. Visually, they are reminiscent of aeroplane turbines.
  
  Behind the compact, flat-bottomed, three-spoke multifunction steering wheel is an innovative display that makes the individual driving states of the hybrid drive obvious. The tachometer on the instrument cluster has been replaced by a “power meter,” with a needle that indicates the total system output on a scale of 0 to 100 per cent. A second scale is divided into coloured segments. At a glance, the green and orange segments clearly indicate where the A3 e-tron concept is drawing its power – from the electric motor, the combustion engine, or a combination of the two. An additional instrument displays the charge level of the battery.
  
  Between the two large round dials is the large, eight-inch display for the driver information system. This display and the large monitor of the MMI system show the operating states and power flows in the hybrid system in elegant graphics with a three-dimensional effect.
  
  The MMI monitor also displays differentiated consumption and recuperation statistics in easily understandable bar graphs.
  
  The control panel for the MMI multimedia system is located on the centre tunnel console. The interface on its large rotary pushbutton features another novelty – the MMI touch touchpad. This new solution, which makes the already exemplary operation even more intuitive, will soon be introduced in series production. The ultra-thin MMI monitor power-extends upwards out of the instrument panel, another feature taken from the full-size car class.
  
  A UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication standard) module provides full access to the Internet, allowing the car to retrieve online services from Google. Thanks to the WLAN hotspot, passengers can surf and send e-mail to their hearts’ content. iPad holders are installed on the back of the front seat backrests.
  
  A classic notchback saloon, the Audi A3 e-tron concept boasts a large luggage compartment with a volume of 410 litres and a low loading lip.
  
  Drivetrain
  Designed as a plug-in hybrid, the A3 e-tron concept is propelled by two power units – a 211PS 1.4 TFSI four-cylinder engine with turbocharging and petrol direct injection and an electric motor with an output of 27PS. The system provides a combined output of 238PS. Working together, the petrol engine and electric motor accelerate the notchback to 62mph in 6.8 seconds, then on to 144mph. A regulated oil pump, the intelligent Audi thermal management system, a start-stop system and an energy recovery system – technologies from the brand’s modular efficiency platform – all contribute to this high efficiency.
  
  At the heart of the A3 e-tron concept are the lithium-ion batteries located behind the rear seats. With a charge capacity of 12 kWh, they give the notchback a range of up to 34 miles on electric power alone.
  
  The batteries are charged by the energy recovery system when the car is in motion or directly from a household power socket when it is parked. This means that in most cases, the car is entirely emission-free in city driving.
  
  A compact seven-speed S tronic serves as the transmission for the compact plug-in hybrid. It comprises two transmission structures, which are operated by two clutches. Gears are alternately shifted by the two clutches quickly, smoothly and without any perceptible interruption of traction.
  
  The driver can operate the seven-speed S tronic in one automatic mode and one manual mode, using the paddles on the steering wheel to change gears manually. Elegant touch control buttons alongside the handrest on the centre tunnel console allow the driver to select drive positions R, N and D. These are backlit with red light when it gets dark. Drive position P is automatically engaged when the electric parking brake is applied. The launch control system manages the sprint from a dead stop, furnishing explosive turbo power with minimal tyre slip.
  
  Chassis
  Derived from the current RS 3 Sportback, the Audi A3 e-tron concept’s chassis is fully capable of handling the power from the drive system at all times. The four-seater masters any type of corner with speed, stability and composure. Its self-steering response remains essentially neutral all the way up to the handling limits.
  
  The front suspension – a MacPherson construction with a separate axle support – has a track measuring 1,572 millimetres. The rack-and-pinion steering is extremely efficient because its electromechanical drive system requires no energy when driving straight ahead.
  
  The four-link rear suspension with its 1,542-millimetre track is likewise fixed to a subframe. Its control arms are made of high-strength steel and enable the suspension to absorb longitudinal and lateral forces separately. The shock absorbers and coil springs are mounted separately from each other.
  
  The Audi drive select dynamic handling system gives the driver five modes from which to select the characteristics of the engine, power steering and seven-speed S tronic. The modes are comfort, auto, dynamic, individual and efficiency, the last of which is designed for maximum economy.
  
  The imposing light-alloy rims measure 20 inches in diameter. The tyre format is 245/30 at the front and rear. The front brake disks are gripped by four-piston calipers. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has a Sport mode and can be completely deactivated. The parking brake is actuated electromechanically.
  
  
  

• 

• Audi A1 is named Car Buyer’s Best Small Luxury Car 2011

  Premium subcompact hatchback adds to its burgeoning collection of accolades with its third award of the year
  · Car Buyer judges praise the A1 for offering “ big-car luxury in a pint-sized package“ at the inaugural Car Buyer Awards
  · This latest accolade is the Audi A1’s third in 2011
  The Audi A1 has earned another notch on its awards post by being named Best Luxury Small Car of 2011 by Car Buyer’s expert panel of road testers and reviewers (www.carbuyer.co.uk).
  
  Car Buyer praised the A1 for being “unlike any other rival” because it presents “big-car luxury in a pint-sized package. It offers the cheapest route to Audi ownership, yet the driving experience is every bit as rewarding as it is in one of the maker’s more up market – and expensive – models.”
  
  The premium hatch’s “range of peppy engines and well-weighted driving controls” earned acclaim for making the A1 “one of the most capable cruisers in this class.” “What’s more, the Audi A1 feels incredibly well made. Drivers in general tend to agree, with their cars consistently performing well in satisfaction surveys and it has been awarded a maximum five stars for safety in the Euro NCAP test.”
  
  
  

• 

• Audi wants to grow even after reaching 2015 goals

  Audi aims to continue expanding even if it achieves its goal of selling 1.5 million cars a year by 2015 and becoming the world's No. 1 luxury brand.
  
  "Of course we don't want to stop there," Audi CEO Rupert Staler told Automotive News Europe Executive Edition in an interview to be published Tuesday, February 22.
  
  Stadler said Audi has other key targets as part of its strategic roadmap. "Profitability is one of them but not the only important one. Customer satisfaction and quality are other important goals. We want to become the most successful premium brand and this means that all these targets have to be 'premium,'" Stadler said.
  
  Audi urgently needs more production capacity within the next four years to reach the sales goals. Stadler said. "In Hungary we will add an additional capacity of 125.000 units as of 2013. This year the Audi Q3 has its run up in Martorell in Spain with a maximum capacity of 100.000. And we will make a decision on an U.S. facility until 2015."
  
  Stadler said China will be Audi's top market with Germany as number two and volume increasing in the United States. "I think that our volume in the U.S. market can grow 50 percent over the next five years and that we can reach 200.000 units per year after 2015."
  
  The UK will be Audi's fourth-largest market, followed by Italy at number five, Stadler said
  
  
  
  

• 

• Audi Pulls Off A 20% Sales Increase For The Month Of January

  S. sales of 7,812 Audi cars and SUVs, which accounted for a 20% overall increase from January 2010. The previous January sales record for Audi in the U.S. was the 6,510 vehicles sold in 2010.
  
  The strong January 2011 results followed the best year that the luxury brand has seen in the U.S. as sales surpassed 100,000 for the first time to finish the full year at 101,629 vehicles. The 8.6% share that Audi held in overall U.S. imported luxury vehicle sales at the end of 2010 also set a record for the brand.
  
  Audi models have already earned significant awards in the U.S., including the Edmunds.com Technology Breakthrough Award to the 2011 Audi A8, four category winners in the Strategic Vision 2010 Total Value Index and the EyesOn Design “Best Production Vehicle” awarded to the Audi A6, which is scheduled to arrive this Fall.
  
  In January 2011, Audi recorded year-over-year sales increases exceeding 50% with five of its models: the Audi A3, Audi A8, Audi Q5, Audi Q7 and the Audi R8.
  
  Sales of the 2011 Audi A8 flagship model, introduced in late November, jumped 765.4% from a year earlier as consumers continue to respond favorably to the most technologically advanced vehicle Audi has ever produced.
  
  January 2011 Audi A3 sales climbed 52.8% from a year earlier as consumers continued to demand the Audi A3 TDI clean diesel model, the 2010 Green Car of the Year. Audi Q5 crossover sales continued to show the strong momentum built throughout 2010 by posting a 50.9% gain from January 2010 sales. The Audi Q7 full-size luxury crossover sales also showed a nearly 60% rise from January 2010.
  
  “Consumers sent a strong signal that Audi is a brand on the rise,” said Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. “Our intent is to make 2011 another pacesetting year.”
  
  
  

• 

• The Audi A1 Named 2011 Car of The Year

  The new Audi A1 scooped the top honour at the prestigious What Car? Awards last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London's Park Lane.
  The judges were full of admiration for the premium subcompact hatchback, which "comes across as every inch a bespoke premium product" and "oozes quality everywhere you look and from everything you touch - you won't find better at this price."
  
  Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of What Car?, explained: "The Audi A1 is a brilliant car: brilliantly targeted and brilliantly executed. More and more buyers are looking for smaller, more efficient cars, but with all the luxury trappings of much larger cars. That's exactly what Audi has given them - a super-stylish, high quality small car that's affordable and great fun, too."
  
  Peter Schwarzenbauer, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG, accepted the award and said: "Our buyers can have great confidence in the A1 now that it has been voted the best by the respected What Car? experts who we know are exceptionally thorough in their testing. We know this is right up there among the very hardest awards to win from a car title anywhere in the world."
  
  The Audi A1 is "top of the pile in so many ways"
  
  The Audi A1 has also clinched the Best Supermini title for 2011. Having been voted by What Car? readers as the Most Exciting Car of 2010 at last year's awards, the A1 has fulfilled its promise in the eyes of the judges.
  
  Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK said: "It's an incredible honour for the A1 to win three What Car? awards in its debut year. We were naturally thrilled when it won the Most Exciting Car of the Year award in 2010, but for it to win the Supermini category and then the Car of the Year award overall in 2011 is extraordinary."
  
  
  

• 

• Audi scores a hat-trick of business awards!

  Audi Q5 is named BusinessCar’s Small 4x4 of the year for the second year in a row
  A3 scoops Lower Medium Car of the year title for the third time since 2007
  Audi R8 successfully defends its 2010 Sporting Car of the year crown
  Audi has picked up a trio of BusinessCar Awards thanks to category wins for the Audi Q5, A3 and R8. The Audi Q5 topped the Small 4x4 category at the Fleet publication’s annual awards for the second consecutive time. The A3 also clinched the Lower Medium Car of the year accolade for the third time in five years, while the R8 retained its Sporting Car of the year title.
  
  Audi Q5 is hard to beat
  The Audi Q5 holds on to its title of Small 4x4 of the Year for the second successive year. Paul Barker, Editor of BusinessCar, explained that the Audi Q5 is “a cost-effective yet extremely appealing model” for the fleet market. Barker continued: “In a tough segment, the Q5’s repeated success shows its quality, and business car fleets are obviously as impressed as we are.”
  
  A3 is a Fleet favourite
  The A3 has also confirmed its status as a stalwart of the BusinessCar Awards by scooping the title of Lower Medium Car of the year. Barker said: “The Audi A3 has proved to be a consistent fleet favourite, combining premium brand image with low running costs and emissions to offer a great business car proposition, which means it’s no surprise that the readers of BusinessCar have picked the A3 as their favourite lower medium model in 2011.”
  
  R8 is a class act
  The R8 may not spring to mind as a natural Fleet car, but 147 R8s were registered as fleet purchases in 2010. BusinessCar readers were taken with its high-performance credentials and voted it Sporting Car of the year. Paul Barker explained: “Though Audi’s R8 is far from a typical business car, it’s a sign of how far the Audi brand has come that it’s judged as the most appealing sporting model across the whole industry. The looks, performance and badge appeal make for a winning combination in this most desirable of segments.”
  
  Iain Carmichael, Head of Fleet Sales at Audi UK, said: “Winning three BusinessCar awards marks a really great start to the year for Audi, and the fact that the Q5 and R8 have replicated their successes from 2010 by picking up their second wins in a row only adds more icing to the cake. The BusinessCar awards are really important to us because it’s the people who buy and run our fleet cars who vote for them. They are a genuine affirmation of the calibre of our model range and its competitiveness at all levels in the fleet sector.”
  

• 

• Audi is Number 1 Premium Brand in Cork County !

  Figures just released today confirm that Audi is the Number 1 selling premium brand marquee in Cork holding 9th position overall and 3.4% market share as compared with BMW in 11th position with a share equal to 3.2% and Mercedes in 15th position. We at Audi Cork are very proud of this performance and will continue to offer superb deals on new Audi for the remainder of the year. We urgently need quality used cars of all makes as trade-ins and we offer finance packages from 5.9% apr fixed.
  Check the best Audi advert ever !

• 

• Yet another award for the Audi A1- May 2011

  The Audi A1 topped the Small Hatchback category at the first ever Honest Awards, which were held last night (19 May) in London by motoring website honestjohn.co.uk.
  
  The A1 claimed its latest crown by being the most searched for small hatchback on the Honest John website between 1 April 2010 and 1 April 2011.
  
  Neysan Vahdat, Product Manager for the A1 said: “The A1 has had an incredible year so far, five awards from the motoring press and sales way ahead of expectations. Winning the most searched for Small Hatchback category, especially from a trusted website like Honest John, reinforces that customers are as excited about the car as we are.”
  
  The A1’s Small Hatchback award from Honest John joins the prestigious Car of the Year and Supermini of the Year awards from What Car? magazine, the Best Small Car Fleet World award, Best Small Hatchback from Parkers New Car Awards and Best Luxury Small Car from the CarBuyer Awards.
  

• 

• The all new Audi A6 Avant - Coming soon to Audi Cork

  Check out these photo's of the all new Audi A6 Avant due to our showrooms in coming months.
  For more details please contact us.
  Great deals assured

• 

• Audi A8 3.0 TDI: Styling, luxury and performance

  Super luxury cars are mostly perceived as those that are driven by chauffeurs and not by their owners. Naturally , their development revolves round the rear passenger seat and utmost care is taken as regards the comfort of those who occupy that seat. But what if that extremely successful businessman also happens to be a youngster who craves for the kicks and thrill of driving fast and powerful cars without compromising either on the luxury or and status? Audi have the answer. The A8. In the 3.0 TDI version. A few months ago we drove the fantabulous A8 4.2 and described its excellence against the competition. This month , we bring you the A8 for the modern-day businessman , who loves to drive more than being driven around!
  
  There is no gainsaying that Audi have raised the standard when it comes to styling. The Ingolstadt-based manufacturers have set a new benchmark that is years ahead of the times. The full LED headlamps that bear testimony to the fact that this car comes with the four-ring badge , the big , chrome-lined grille , the completely black top with a panoramic sunroof , broad shoulders and a sharp tail make for a design that will appeal to one and all. It has got enough aggression and a bold stance without taking anything away from its luxury saloon character.
  
  Get inside the A8 and there is absolutely nothing that will give you a cause for complaint. Ample room at the front as well as the rear makes sure that you sit in the lap of luxury while driving yourself or while being driven. And the best part is that even with that much of room in the cabin , the car doesn’t feel huge while driving. It wraps around you so well that you don’t feel that you are driving such a big saloon. The power footrest at the rear is a highlight that ensures utmost comfort while doing long hauls. Recline the seat , stretch your legs and go for that much-needed power nap. Plush seats with massager , 10-inch LCDs for entertaining the passengers , individual climate controls and similar features make sure that your journey is nothing short of first class. This car has a cabin that pampers you so much that you wouldn’t feel like getting out of it!
  
  Obviously , all this is perfect for one who is going to be driven around by the chauffeur. What about the enthusiast who loves to drive himself? For him , the real fun is packed under the bonnet of this German wonder. A 3.0-litre diesel motor sits in there. Peak of power 250 PS at 4 , 000 rpm is excellent. However , what excited us most was the stupendous torque kicking in at 1 , 500 rpm and making its presence felt all the way up until 3 , 000. It’s 550 Nm of highly exhilarating experience. With the pedal floored you are guaranteed to sink your back deep into the seat. The A8 is truly quick with naught to hundred being achieved in 7.39 seconds.
  
  Apart from the torque and the decent amount of power on offer , what contributes to the really quick acceleration time is the lightweight aluminium body of the A8. The eight-speed transmission with dual clutch shifts through the cogs in fractions of seconds , making it an absolutely seamless experience. This very transmission also helps return a decent fuel-efficiency of eight km per litre within the City and 11 kpl by shifting up in the highest possible gear and keeping the revs as low as possible. This kind of efficiency and a 90-litre fuel tank ensure a range of almost 800 km before re-fuelling is required. Now , wouldn’t you call that phenomenal range?
  
  The gearing of the A8 is quite tall in general , which makes it possible for the car to cruise at a little over the idling rpm and still do speeds in three-digit figures in the eighth gear on the highway. Adding a lot of character to the handling of the A8 is the amazingly well sorted chassis along with the suspension offered in three modes – auto , comfort and dynamic. However , what contributes the most is Audi’s trademark Quattro system that offers intelligent four-wheel grip. Other electronic aids like ESP , EBD , ABS , etc , add enough safety to the drive.
  
  To us , the A8 makes a lot of sense in every way. Its styling and design , which we look at first , are in a class apart. The luxury and comfort of the cabin are exceptional in every aspect. Its performance is so athletic that you would rather be in the driver’s seat than in the passenger’s. And then there are safety features in this car that would make it the safest thing around.
  
  At Rs 76.5 lakh (ex-showroom , Pune for the standard version) the Audi A8 is the best in class with its price tag too. No need to look elsewhere , well-heeled businessmen , luxury with performance is right here!
  

• 

• Audi Q3 - First drive !

  This may be hard to believe, but Audi says that by next year it will sell 42 different models. It's a strategy that assumes that you can please all of the people all of the time, as long as you give them enough choices.
  The newest member of the family to roll out of the Ingolstadt sausage factory is the 2012 Audi Q3, a compact crossover. Pinching parts from any number of other Audis, it's designed to sit below the Q5 in the lineup and do battle with the soon-to-be launched BMW X1, not to mention the newly updated VW Tiguan.
  Audi reckons it can convince a 100,000 Europeans a year to buy a Q3, as they tend to like their vehicles on the smaller side. It has no such confidence in the U.S., though, as it has no plans to sell any Q3s here unless dealers are besieged by angry, would-be buyers. So in other words, it's not headed here anytime soon.
  So What Will the Euros Get?
  The 2012 Audi Q3 will launch with four different engine options, all of which are transversely mounted and boast 2.0 liters, turbocharging, direct injection and stop-start technology. The TFSI gasoline engines boast 168 and 200 horsepower, respectively, while the TDI turbodiesels offer up 138 and 175 hp.
  The 200-hp gas engine is shared with the new, U.S.-bound 2012 VW Tiguan and it's not without merit, but the TDI feels better suited to the Q3's relaxed gait. The diesel gives away 25 hp but counters with an extra 59 pound-feet of torque that's available from just 1,750 rpm. It consumes less fuel, too, and it's hardly bereft of refinement. For the record Audi reckons the 2.0 TDI Quattro is good for zero to 62 mph in 8.2 seconds, versus 6.9 seconds for the 2.0 TFSI, but in the midrange the diesel's torque will claw back lost ground.
  Being Europe and all, stick-shift gearboxes will be offered alongside the seven-speed S tronic (DSG) double-clutch system. The latter comes complete with paddle shifters and is likely to be a popular choice, although some of the low-speed shifts are surprisingly jerky. On the most powerful gas and diesel models, the clutch disengages automatically while coasting to reduce fuel consumption.
  Not a Cushy Crossover
  The 2012 Audi Q3 features MacPherson struts in front and a multilink suspension setup in the rear that gives the compact crossover a respectable 6.7 inches of ground clearance. A front-wheel-drive Q3 will be offered in Europe, but most are expected to feature Quattro four-wheel drive.
  A hydraulic multiplate clutch distributes the power to the front and rear wheels as needed and works in conjunction with the ESP system and an electronic differential lock to brake individual wheels if they lose traction. The Q3's built for negotiating muddy roads, not Moab, but its strengths would not be dismissed in the Snowbelt.
  Reil believes that the Q series models' high center of gravity makes them unworthy of the RS badge.
  In the distinctly sunnier climes of Zurich, Switzerland, where we tested the car, the Q3's ride proved somewhat enigmatic. Electronic damping is an option, but in anything less than Comfort mode, the ride is unnecessarily firm. For the same reason, we'd also advise against the S line suspension pack that introduces stiffer spring and damper rates and a 0.8-inch (20mm) reduction in ride height. The Q3 isn't a sports car, so it shouldn't ride like one.
  Its overall handling could best be described as capable rather than inspired. There's little body roll and plenty of grip, but while the speed-dependent electromechanical steering is direct, there's not much road feel coming through. As crossovers go, it's acceptable; just don't expect an A3 in drag.
  Testing the "RS"
  Audi threw a bit of a surprise on the launch by taking along a couple of 2.5-liter, five-cylinder Q3s. Using a detuned version of the RS3's turbo engine, it offers a still-hefty 305 hp and sounds tremendous.
  The prototypes were running on the S line suspension, but Quattro GmbH boss Stefan Reil reckoned that his company would overhaul both the suspension and the exhaust system before the high-performance Q3 hits the streets in a couple of years.
  It will be built by Reil's performance division but it won't be badged as an RS. Reil believes that the Q series models' high center of gravity makes them unworthy of the RS badge. Then again, BMW said the same thing about its X Series SUVs for a long time, too.
  Typical Audi Styling
  There is absolutely nothing shocking about the Q3's styling. In contrast to the cartoonish Land Rover Evoque and the macho posturing of the X1, the Q3 is a hymn to the virtues of sensible, understated design. No one will take offense and no one will post it on their bedroom wall. Audi talks of a "coupelike roof line," which is stretching it a bit, but it's certainly more of a jacked-up hatchback than a genuine SUV.
  The most interesting angle is from the front, where the latest Audi grille is framed by two scowling eyes that give the car a distinctive face. This effect is exaggerated at dusk when the daytime running lights look almost sinister. There are more LEDs at the rear, and they're described as the noses of two antelopes facing each other. Seriously.
  Audi has always done a neat job of positioning its models, and the Q3 is no exception. At 172.6 inches long, the Q3 is 9.6 inches shorter than a Q5 and 27.6 inches shorter than the gargantuan Q7. It's a little narrower, too, but only 2.6 inches lower than the Q5 as Audi seeks to maintain the high-set driving position.
  Same Goes for the Inside
  The 2012 Audi Q3's cabin is superb. Anyone familiar with any other Audi will immediately feel a common sense of purpose. Canted slightly toward the driver, the fascia is a paragon of good taste and ergonomic efficiency. Plunder the options list and you can spec any number of niceties, including the hugely effective navigation system that employs Google Earth imagery, while subtle "mood lighting" emanates an impression of luxury and calm.
  We once met the man responsible for the haptic quality of Audi's switchgear, and while he may not have been a threat to Jay Leno as a raconteur, it was hard to argue with his work. Fondle an air-conditioning switch in a modern Audi and you understand the value of graphing the damping force of a plastic knob. Thankfully the man's work filtered down to the Q3.
  The Q3 is not only beautifully made; it's also surprisingly spacious. Two 6-footers can ride in tandem in genuine comfort. There is considerably more space here than you'll find in an A3. Anyone expecting a trunk to match will be disappointed, though. With the seats in place, there are 16.2 cubic feet of space, compared with 19.1 cubic feet for the Q5.
  
  Should Do Well, in Europe at Least
  The compact SUV sector is the fastest-growing area of the European market, and it's hard not to imagine the Q3 also succeeding in other parts of the world. It might not have the bravado of the new Range Rover Evoque, but it has a solid blend of competence and desirability.
  
  For now Audi says it has no plans to sell the Q3 in the U.S. Then again, it always says that about cars it's not sure about. Better to let BMW test the waters with its X1 instead. Rest assured, if the X1 does well, the 2012 Audi Q3 won't be too far behind.
  

• 

• Audi Scoops Two Auto Express New Car Awards For 2011

  MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – Aug 4, 2011: Audi earned a pair of awards – one for the new A6 Saloon and one for the A1 – at the prestigious Auto Express New Car Awards at Woburn Safari Park last night (2 August).
  
  The all-new A6 was named Best Executive Saloon by the panel of Auto Express judges, marking the first award for the new generation model, while the already highly-decorated A1 topped the Best Premium Supermini class.
  
  Graham Hope, Acting Editor of Auto Express, explained “The new A6 has wasted no time in demonstrating its abilities, having seen off a whole host of talented and desirable rivals to secure class honours in this competitive sector. The car’s stunning cabin, excellent engines and sharp dynamics set a benchmark for other to beat.”
  
  Amy Wand, Audi UK’s Product Manager for the A6 Saloon, said “We’re delighted that the A6 Saloon has picked up its first award so soon after its launch, reinforcing the fact that it really sets the benchmark in its class for luxury and refinement. With such a wealth of innovative technology – which was long-reserved for the premium D segment – combined with advancements in lightweight construction and engine efficiency, the A6 has remained true to our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy, proving exactly why it is the class best-seller in Europe.”
  
  Top marks for the Audi A1
  ‘Best Supermini’ is the latest in the premium sub-compact hatchback’s haul of ten awards this year in the UK alone. Hope commented: “It’s top marks for the Audi A1, which scoops this year’s premium supermini prize. With its winning blend of style, refinement and top-notch quality, the A1 is a cut above the competition.”
  
  Neysan Vahdat, A1 Product Manager at Audi UK, said “The A1 is having a stunning first year, and has proved its wide-ranging appeal with this Best Supermini award from Auto Express. We wanted to bring a subcompact hatchback to market that was as uncompromisingly ‘Audi’ as our customers would expect in every way – from its performance to its styling and build quality – and it seems that customers and journalists are still as excited about it as we are.”
  
  The Auto Express New Car accolade joins the A1’s What Car? Car of the Year 2011 title, awards from Fleet News Magazine, Fleet World Magazine, Business Car Magazine, CarBuyer.co.uk, parkers.co.uk, honestjohn.co.uk, and a British Insurance vehicle Security Award (BIVSA).
  

• 

• Audi Q3 A smart, tidy package

  ROAD TEST AUDI Q3 2.0 TDI QUATTRO S-TRONIC S: THE SUV’S OBITUARISTS need to think again. They might say it was the mobile epitome of economic excess, now destined for the scrapheap through a combination of emission-based taxes and more sensible purchases, but the reality is somewhat different.
  
  
  
  It’s true the large SUV market has all but disappeared, but that’s if you only take a Eurocentric view of the world. Elsewhere the SUV is alive and thriving. Even here, where the three-letter acronym has become something of a motoring slur, a host of models with SUV DNA have slipped on to the market cloaked in terms like “crossover”, “soft-roader” and “activity vehicle”. The reality is that they are being purchased by people who like the rugged looks of the SUV but not its brash scale, its costs or its connotations.
  
  But according to figures presented by Audi, while the overall car market has been beaten down by recession, in percentage terms the SUV share of the market has grown from 8 per cent in 2009 to 9.9 per cent so far this year. And it’s not just because of the continued fondness for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. While it and other of the smaller SUV-styled hatchbacks made up a whopping 80.5 per cent of the SUV market this year, the share of the market held by the larger behemoths has grown from 4 per cent in 2009 to 9.4 per cent. It seems we still harbour a strong affinity with the off-roader.
  
  Audi has been remiss of late in not offering anything to compete in the booming hatchback-SUV market. Its Q5, designed under the guidance of Dubliner David Caffrey, has sold relatively well here, but the real focus of interest is in a premium alternative for those with A4 or BMW 3-Series money to spend. These buyers admit to harbouring an admiration for the likes of the Qashqai and Ford Kuga but can’t shed their premium-badge prejudice.
  
  The Q3 is in reality a chunky hatchback. You only really realise this when you take it into its natural habitat: the shopping-centre car park. Sat alongside the great and good of the public’s metal, it suddenly looks a lot less SUV and a lot more supermini on steroids. The roofline doesn’t tower above the rest; nor does it swallow up parking spots like an angry ogre.
  
  Yet its proportions and styling wholeheartedly reflect Audi’s Q range of SUVs, only through the wrong end of the binoculars. This means that, despite its average height, it’s got decent ground clearance for its size. In terms of space it’s very much the family hatchback, with better legroom in the back than its BMW counterpart the X1 and a good-sized boot, but neither sets new standards for Tardis-like roominess.
  
  The interior is on a par with the rest of the Audi range; smart and sleek with premium appeal. Audi had a bit of a quality revolution several years ago, suddenly realising that interiors matter. Given that it’s the most visible and physical manifestation of the car to its owner and passengers, you need to get this right. There’s a feeling of quality about the interior trim. It’s the template that its German counterparts should attempt to match. While the bigger BMWs and Mercedes have that air of quality inside, the smaller variants – and direct rivals to this car – just don’t match up.
  
  One great feature that deserves praise is the decision to prepare all Q3s for satnav, which means you simply have to purchase the SD cards with the maps for €265 and away you go. Finally a car firm has come up with an affordable in-car alternative to portable satnavs. Two engines are offered: a 2-litre petrol, in either 170bhp or 211bhp, and a 2-litre diesel, with 143bhp or 177bhp. The lower-powered diesel only comes in manual and front-wheel drive but carries a motor-tax charge of just €156 (at the moment). On the other hand the 177bhp diesel only comes in Quattro with Audi’s automatic transmission and carries a €447 annual motor-tax bill. All the petrols are Quattro four-wheel drive. A Quattro version of the 143bhp diesel with either manual or automatic transmission will arrive next spring, and that is arguably going to be the strong seller.
  
  Our test car was the 177bhp diesel with Quattro and S-Tronic automatic, and for its size the 177bhp is more than ample. The S-Tronic is also very smooth, although when you engage the semi-automatic mode it has a tendency to leave you a little to your own devices and will hold a gear for longer than you might wish. It would also benefit from steering-wheel paddles.
  
  The Quattro system works a charm, as one would expect from an Audi that has built a great deal of heritage on the back of its four-wheel-drive system. For those worried about the snow, it’s a great alternative to the family saloon. Unfortunately it simply doesn’t handle as sharply or offer as much driver engagement as its BMW counterpart. The X1 feels more sporty and vibrant than the deadpan steering feel and responsiveness of the Q3. This car is more in line with the Range Rover Evoque in this regard.
  
  The Q3 is a smart, tidy package, even if it lacks a little of the dynamism and handling sharpness of BMW’s X1 or the eye-catching beauty of the Range Rover Evoque. Yet it does come across as a much better-finished car than either of those two. It should be said that our test car was loaded with nearly €7,000 of extras, many of which I never really noticed, such as the €757 side-lane assist system. At that price I’d be quite happy to keep the money and turn my head to look out of the side window when I’m changing lanes. For my money I’d be opting for the 143bhp Quattro diesel with a few added extras including the admirably affordable satnav system.
  
  If you’re all about the look then the Evoque offers far more appeal, and if you treasure your driving fun on the way to work then the X1 will probably be more your style, but for solid, quality performance that feels properly premium, the Q3 is best choice.
  

• 

• Audi Q3 A smart, tidy package

  ROAD TEST AUDI Q3 2.0 TDI QUATTRO S-TRONIC S: THE SUV’S OBITUARISTS need to think again. They might say it was the mobile epitome of economic excess, now destined for the scrapheap through a combination of emission-based taxes and more sensible purchases, but the reality is somewhat different.
  
  
  
  It’s true the large SUV market has all but disappeared, but that’s if you only take a Eurocentric view of the world. Elsewhere the SUV is alive and thriving. Even here, where the three-letter acronym has become something of a motoring slur, a host of models with SUV DNA have slipped on to the market cloaked in terms like “crossover”, “soft-roader” and “activity vehicle”. The reality is that they are being purchased by people who like the rugged looks of the SUV but not its brash scale, its costs or its connotations.
  
  But according to figures presented by Audi, while the overall car market has been beaten down by recession, in percentage terms the SUV share of the market has grown from 8 per cent in 2009 to 9.9 per cent so far this year. And it’s not just because of the continued fondness for the likes of the Nissan Qashqai. While it and other of the smaller SUV-styled hatchbacks made up a whopping 80.5 per cent of the SUV market this year, the share of the market held by the larger behemoths has grown from 4 per cent in 2009 to 9.4 per cent. It seems we still harbour a strong affinity with the off-roader.
  
  Audi has been remiss of late in not offering anything to compete in the booming hatchback-SUV market. Its Q5, designed under the guidance of Dubliner David Caffrey, has sold relatively well here, but the real focus of interest is in a premium alternative for those with A4 or BMW 3-Series money to spend. These buyers admit to harbouring an admiration for the likes of the Qashqai and Ford Kuga but can’t shed their premium-badge prejudice.
  
  The Q3 is in reality a chunky hatchback. You only really realise this when you take it into its natural habitat: the shopping-centre car park. Sat alongside the great and good of the public’s metal, it suddenly looks a lot less SUV and a lot more supermini on steroids. The roofline doesn’t tower above the rest; nor does it swallow up parking spots like an angry ogre.
  
  Yet its proportions and styling wholeheartedly reflect Audi’s Q range of SUVs, only through the wrong end of the binoculars. This means that, despite its average height, it’s got decent ground clearance for its size. In terms of space it’s very much the family hatchback, with better legroom in the back than its BMW counterpart the X1 and a good-sized boot, but neither sets new standards for Tardis-like roominess.
  
  The interior is on a par with the rest of the Audi range; smart and sleek with premium appeal. Audi had a bit of a quality revolution several years ago, suddenly realising that interiors matter. Given that it’s the most visible and physical manifestation of the car to its owner and passengers, you need to get this right. There’s a feeling of quality about the interior trim. It’s the template that its German counterparts should attempt to match. While the bigger BMWs and Mercedes have that air of quality inside, the smaller variants – and direct rivals to this car – just don’t match up.
  
  One great feature that deserves praise is the decision to prepare all Q3s for satnav, which means you simply have to purchase the SD cards with the maps for €265 and away you go. Finally a car firm has come up with an affordable in-car alternative to portable satnavs. Two engines are offered: a 2-litre petrol, in either 170bhp or 211bhp, and a 2-litre diesel, with 143bhp or 177bhp. The lower-powered diesel only comes in manual and front-wheel drive but carries a motor-tax charge of just €156 (at the moment). On the other hand the 177bhp diesel only comes in Quattro with Audi’s automatic transmission and carries a €447 annual motor-tax bill. All the petrols are Quattro four-wheel drive. A Quattro version of the 143bhp diesel with either manual or automatic transmission will arrive next spring, and that is arguably going to be the strong seller.
  
  Our test car was the 177bhp diesel with Quattro and S-Tronic automatic, and for its size the 177bhp is more than ample. The S-Tronic is also very smooth, although when you engage the semi-automatic mode it has a tendency to leave you a little to your own devices and will hold a gear for longer than you might wish. It would also benefit from steering-wheel paddles.
  
  The Quattro system works a charm, as one would expect from an Audi that has built a great deal of heritage on the back of its four-wheel-drive system. For those worried about the snow, it’s a great alternative to the family saloon. Unfortunately it simply doesn’t handle as sharply or offer as much driver engagement as its BMW counterpart. The X1 feels more sporty and vibrant than the deadpan steering feel and responsiveness of the Q3. This car is more in line with the Range Rover Evoque in this regard.
  
  The Q3 is a smart, tidy package, even if it lacks a little of the dynamism and handling sharpness of BMW’s X1 or the eye-catching beauty of the Range Rover Evoque. Yet it does come across as a much better-finished car than either of those two. It should be said that our test car was loaded with nearly €7,000 of extras, many of which I never really noticed, such as the €757 side-lane assist system. At that price I’d be quite happy to keep the money and turn my head to look out of the side window when I’m changing lanes. For my money I’d be opting for the 143bhp Quattro diesel with a few added extras including the admirably affordable satnav system.
  
  If you’re all about the look then the Evoque offers far more appeal, and if you treasure your driving fun on the way to work then the X1 will probably be more your style, but for solid, quality performance that feels properly premium, the Q3 is best choice.
  

• 

• Audi Q3 earns five starts in the Euro NCAP test

  Euro NCAP, the standard in European safety ratings has tested the new Audi Q3 and has decided to award the little SUV with the maximum five-star rating.
  
  The agency said that results for adult protection in a frontal, rear or side collision, as well as for child safety and pedestrian protection, make the new Audi Q3 among the safest cars in its category.
  
  In the side barrier test, the Q3 scored maximum points, all body areas being well protected. In the more severe side pole test, protection of the chest was adequate and that of other body areas was good.
  
  The Q3 is a premium SUV in a compact-category form. It is sporty, efficient and versatile – an urban vehicle that is equally comfortable on or off the road.
  
  Electronic stability control is standard equipment and met Euro NCAP’s test requirements. A seat-belt reminder is standard for the driver, passenger and rear seats. A speed limitation device is not available for the Q3.
  
  Q3 is built in Spain at Seat’s Martorell factory; Approximately 100,000 Q3 units are slated to leave the three-shift assembly line each year
  

• 

• Audi A1 Sportback - Now available at Audi Cork

  Dublin, January 17th, 2012 – Function meets form. Audi Ireland today announced the launch date and pricing for the new Sportback 5-door version of its hugely successful sub-compact A1 model. Launched initially in 3 door hatchback format in October 2010, the A1 quickly picked up numerous awards and accolades which assisted it in topping the premium A0 segment in 2011 with sales of 420 units. Five-door, five-seat versatility meets exemplary quality, efficiency and technological sophistication in the new A1 Sportback, an even more user-friendly addition to the acclaimed premium sub-compact range that will become available in Ireland at the end of February 2012. Pricing will start at €20,510* OTR and orders can be taken from tomorrow (January 18th)
  
  Maintaining the 3 door hatchbacks innovative, eye catching design, the A1 Sportback is actually six millimetres taller and six millimetres wider, and inside offers slightly more head room and shoulder room as a result. It also makes provision for an extra passenger - up to three can pass through its rear doors and take a seat, each of them protected by a headrest and a full three-point seatbelt. Luggage compartment capacity is on a par with the three-door A1 (best in class) at 270 litres with the backrests of the standard split/folding rear seat in place or 920 litres with the seat folded.
  
  Like its 3 door hatchback sibling, the A1 Sportback is equipped as befitting an Audi premium hatchback. Alloy wheels, air conditioning, front and rear electric windows, latest generation ESP with axle lock differential, remote central locking, chorus radio system with CD player, electric mirrors, split folding rear seats and sports steering wheel are fitted to all versions as standard. For those wishing to personalise their A1, equipment upgrades are available. Sport and S Line versions will be available to order from launch. Sport model additions include larger diameter alloy wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, leather covered steering wheel and a driver’s information system, while S line versions upgrade with extras such as an exclusive S line exterior treatment including 17-inch alloy wheels, S line sports suspension, Xenon lights and leather and sprint cloth combination upholstery.
  
  Several neat touches enable the A1 Sportback to carve out its own unique character in the A1 family. Sportback exclusive 17” alloy wheels, Samoa Orange exterior paint finish and garnet red seat upholstery are available on the Sportback model only. Optionally, Audi will paint the roof line – the roof arch, the roof and the roof spoiler – in one of three contrasting colours.
  
  Audi expect the majority of buyers to select either the petrol 1.2TFSI with 85 bhp or the diesel 1.6TDI with 90 bhp. The 1.2TFSI delivers 85 bhp and 160NM of torque via the 5-speed manual transmission. The same unit offers surprising power with efficiency, 0-100km/h takes just 11.9 seconds yet emissions sit at just 118g. The 90 bhp 1.6-litre TDI is the entry diesel engine option, and via a five-speed manual gearbox or 7 speed S-Tronic uses its impressive 230Nm torque output to power the A1 to 100km/h in 11.6 seconds and on to a 182 km/h top speed, while retaining the potential to achieve 74.3mpg economy with emissions of 99g/km. Diesel customers can upgrade to two further TDI engines with 105 and 143* brake horsepower whilst petrol buyers can upgrade to the powerful 1.4TFSI available with either 125 or 185 horsepower respectively.
  
  When the A1 was initially launched in 2010, it became an overnight success story both in Ireland and in Europe. Key to this success is its exceptional levels of build quality and equipment in a car that is still the first German manufactured premium car to be priced under €20,000. With credit conditions in the banking sector still turbulent, Audi’s innovative finance product, PCP (personal contract plan), has prospered. The Personal Contract Plan (PCP) gives you flexible finance options and the convenience of a guaranteed future value (GFV) for your new Audi. This personal contract plan is based on a hire purchase agreement with a difference. It allows you to use the equity in the future value of your Audi to reduce your monthly payments and avail of a shorter termed agreement. The A1 Sportback is available from just €229 per month on a PCP plan.
  
  Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Ireland commented, “The new Audi A1 Sportback creates a new chapter in the success story of the Audi A1, marrying 5-door, 5-seat practicality with leading fuel efficiency, which highlights our company’s expertise in design and engineering.
  The Audi A1 SB improves our product offering in the A0 segment following a successful launch of the A1 3dr in September 2010. This compact premium vehicle with an entry price of just €19,910 is sporty, youthful and individual, offering four efficient engines and different colour schemes with numerous customisation options for all drivers.”
  
  
  
  

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