After debuting the concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi is showing off the Audi Sport Quattro plug-in hybrid as a thanks to its Facebook fans, which now exceeds 100,000. Some speculate that the Quattro will receive the same 700-hp plug-in hybrid powerplant as the Audi R8 V10 Plus — a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s paired with an electric motor and eight-speed tiptronic transmission, and pulls off an astonishing 94.1 mpg. Stay tuned for more info regarding production details.
Tag: Audi
2014 Audi e-tron Spyder [Video]
The Audi e-tron Spyder features what is without a doubt the most advanced and simultaneously the most consistent evolution of the current Audi design language, while also providing initial hints at the design language of future Audi sports cars. It reinterprets the most important design elements that already characterized the previous e-tron concept vehicles. This also ensures the necessary formal differentiation to the purely electric-powered Audi e-tron shown at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show. The two-seater is equipped with a 300-hp twin-turbo V6 TDI at the rear axle and two electric motors producing a total of 64 kW at the front axle. The Audi e-tron Spyder’s low total weight of 3,196 lbs combined with the high-torque TDI and the two electric motors results in respectable performance. The car accelerates to 60 in less than 4.5 seconds, and top speed is electronically governed at 155 mph.
2011 Audi AS8 by ABT
German tuner ABT has released word (and pictures) of the first tuned 2011 Audi A8 we know about, the AS8. ABT freely admits that the new A8 is pretty sporty on its own. Therefore, the AS8 package seeks to “underline” what Audi’s already done in terms of huge, sporting luxo-bargeness. To wit, “[ABT] has not changed the elegant glider into a racing car, but carefully into a confident and sporty automobile.” More photos after the jump…<!–more–>
Naturally, ABT started with a version of the A8 we can’t get here in the States, the diesel. In stock form, Audi’s 4.2-liter TDI V8 produces a healthy 350 horsepower and a yacht-towing 590 pound-feet of torque. In ABT trim however, the sparkless mill churns out 385 hp and a foundation-shifting 649 lb-ft of torque. The car’s 0-60 time falls from the factory’s 5.5 seconds to around five flat. Quite good for a 4,300+ pound oil burner, no?
Of course it would be in very bad form to just hop up the engine and leave the rest of the car stock — how would anyone know you’re driving a tuner? To that end, ABT has gone on and designed a body kit for the AS8. This kit primarily consists of a front spoiler with a splitter, side sills and a rear-end apron enclosing new tail pipes. There’s also a three-piece rear spoiler and 21-inch wheels. We’ve never been totally sold on the looks of the 2011 A8, so while the ABT treatment helps in some respects (the rear looks excellent), it doesn’t help much in others. Specifically the droopy looking sides and over-sized schnoz. But hey, at least they’re trying. Spotted at AutoBlog.
Audi S5 Sportback
First, Audi debuts the A5 Sportback and says that it won’t be coming to America. Then the automaker goes and gives it the S5 treatment and reminds us that, no, it isn’t coming to America. Fine. But now the onslaught of aftermarket S5 Sportback tunings have started, and this first one from Senner Tuning AG is pretty darn hot. We surrender.<!–more–>
Senner starts by upping the output from the S5’s 3.0-liter supercharged V6 to 375 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque – gains of 42 and 41, respectively. A new sport exhaust system was also created specifically for this S5, and it now uses quad-exhaust tips out back. We’d love to hear what this thing sounds like at full throttle, especially since we’ve noted on many occasions that the current supercharged S5 could stand to be a bit more vocal out on the street.
From there, the car is painted in a special diamond black finish, and new 20-inch wheels have been added, wrapped in 245/30-series rubber up front and 295/25 low-profile treads out back. Senner has also fitted different springs and lowered the S5 by about 35 millimeters. The interior gets the standard carbon fiber trim upgrades, and the whole package is super stealth. This, friends, is what jealousy feels like. Be sure to see the Senner S5 for yourself in the gallery below, and hit the jump to read the official press release (translated from German). Spotted over on AutoBlogs.For the full Press Release Click HERE.
Audi RS5 [Photos]
Over the weekend, we got our first look at official images of the new Audi RS5 when a brochure leaked outonto the interwebs, but it didn’t contain any technical details of the latest product from Quattro GmbH. Thankfully, our friends in Ingolstadt have seen fit to drop that information on us this morning, and as we suspected, they have opted to go with an upgraded version of the engine that served so well in the late RS4.
The 4.2-liter V8 remains naturally aspirated, but its breathing has been improved to bring the maximum output up to 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The power peak comes up at 8,250 rpm, just shy of the 8,300 rpm redline, and maximum torque is delivered throughout the range between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The RS5 comes out the factory with the ability to accelerate to 62 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds on the way to a governed top speed of 155 mph. Owners that wish to exceed that speed can have the governor unlocked, enabling a terminal velocity of 174 mph.
As usual with higher performance Audi models, Quattro all-wheel-drive is the order of the day for power distribution. However, unlike other recent applications that have used a Torsen center differential, the RS5 features the first use of a new crown gear differential with electronically controlled clutch pack. The torque split can be varied from the nominal 40:60 front-to-rear to as much as 70 percent front or 85 percent rear. An optional active torque vectoring rear differential is also available to further improve the RS5’s handling. The only available gearbox in the RS5 is a new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission (DCT). Hopefully now that Audi has a high-output DCT, we’ll also see it replace the dreadful R-Tronic unit in the R8 soon.
The RS5 will get its public debut in Geneva next week and goes on sale in Europe this spring for a base price of €77,000 (about $104,000). Sadly, U.S. Audi spokesman Christian Bokich tells Autoblog that there is nothing to announce right now about plans for the RS5 in this market.
Man reportedly gives away his Audi R8 V10 to pair of valets
It isn’t everyday that you see a beautiful black Audi R8 V10 on the road. But it happens. What never happens is a guy driving up to you in an Audi R8 V10 and walking up to you and handing you the keys. For keeps. That was probably true before a couple weeks ago, but we can’t say that is the case anymore. According to New Zealand’s Independent Online, an unknown businessman has literally given the keys to his R8 to a pair of men he had never met before because he had a dream telling him to take the vehicle to Table Mountain in South Africa.
The generous man’s only request was that the two men, who were given the cars because they had drivers licenses, use the German luxury vehicle to help others without wanting anything in return. To make good on their end of the bargain, Fabrice Manganga Mugala and Desire Shima are delivering food to the homeless and needy people. The two have also cut a slit into the hood of the R8 (since the engine is out back) so others can place donation money and messages therein. The slit appears to have been professionally added to the bonnet, and the inscription around the opening reads “a better future for all.” We’re thinking Fabrice and Desire are already reaping the benefits of a better future, and if the two pay it forward as instructed, they won’t be the only ones to win out.
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