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Audi Quattro Concept

Audi and Quattro Autobild is reporting that the four-ringed automaker’s fabulous all-wheel drive system will be excluded from the forthcoming A1 mini car. Quattro tech won’t be added considering that the A1’s design study, the Audi Metroproject Quattro Concept, includes the word “Quattro” in its name. Regardless, while this news might be a problem, on the practical side, the inclusion of AWD means additional weight and cost, something that’s antithetical to the A1’s stated mission.

The A1 will reportedly only be available with one gearbox: a seven speed S-Tronic automatic transmission. Autobild reports that the A1 will be available throughout Europe in August or September of next year, with a sportback version coming online in late 2011 and a cabriolet in early 2012. The S1 will reportedly hit production in February of 2011 with a 1.4-liter TFSI powerplant capable of a very respectable 180 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds. We should know more when the compact runabout is revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Audi

Autoweek and Fourtitude were able to enjoy some seat time in the Audi R8 V12 TDI LeMans concept before its official unveiling in Geneva last week. Their drive was short (about an hour with a 50 mph speed limit imposed by Audi’s boffins), but their time at the airport adjacent to Sebring International Raceway has made an impression.

The crimson beast we saw in Geneva was the same concept that was displayed in Detroit, simply sporting a new paint job, but spending quality time with the R8 V12 TDI revealed a few interesting tidbits about the concept. First, the firewall behind the driver and passenger had to be extended by some six-inches to accommodate the oilburner and although claimed torque output is somewhere in the 737 lb.-ft. range, the few journos asked to take part only got to experience 442 lb.-ft. of twist - a good thing considering that the transmission mated to the engine is an A4 case with modified internals.

While the performance was impressive, the short gearing and shorter redline (not disclosed) seemed to make all that grunt superfluous in first and second, but Audi is expecting the R8 V12 TDI to return around 24 mpg and meet the 2014 Euro 6 emissions standards if, and when, it goes on sale.

While the Autoweek piece only provided the “50/50″ quote in the title, the Fourtitude article is far more entertaining and informative — well worth a read.

[Sources: Autoweek, Fourtitude]

The Audi S5 is a unique competitor among high-performance coupes, thanks to its combination of V8 FSI technology and quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The eight-cylinder engine with its superb power delivery has worthy counterparts in the specially tuned sports suspension and high-performance brakes. Subtle, but clear design elements inside and out serve to distinguish this coupe as a high performance athlete in a league of its own. The Audi S5 goes on sale with the launch of the Audi A5 series.

Engine and running gear: Fascination no figures can express

The figures alone are fascinating enough, but they only hint at the impressive driving experience the S5 offers. The eight-cylinder engine has a rated power output of 260 kW (354 bhp). Its peak torque is 440 Nm, which it already delivers at 3,500 rpm. Within just 5.1 seconds the Audi S5 can sprint to 100 km/h. But no figures can adequately describe the supreme free-revving character, the spontaneous response, the continuous power build-up, or the thrilling sound of this eight-cylinder engine. The V8 naturally derives its enormous power potential from the innovative FSI direct injection technology with high compression and optimum fuel mixture formation.

The six-speed manual gearbox with its very precise guiding of the gear lever and short throw action makes every gear change a pleasure. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive of course provides perfect traction with variable torque distribution from its basic setting of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle. Within a fraction of a second, the dynamic drivetrain system adapts to the current driving conditions and constantly delivers the ideal distribution of drive torque.

The Audi S5’s sports suspension is tuned to enhance the coupe’s performance with particularly dynamic handling. The special high-performance brakes, recognisable by their black painted brake calipers, always ensure precise deceleration. And finally, the ESP electronic stabilisation programme can be deactivated in two stages whenever the driver wishes to exploit the potential of the Audi S5 to the full on a suitable stretch of road.

Design and interiors: Sporty aesthetics with clear functionality

While the design of the Audi A5 forms a balanced synthesis of sportiness and elegance, the Audi S5 displays the more vigorous features of a powerfully built athlete: the radiator grille possesses the specific look of an Audi S model – painted in platinum grey and fitted with vertical chrome inlays. The front and rear bumpers have a more pronounced outline and the air inlet grilles are more striking. The aluminium-look exterior mirror housings make an overtly sporty impression, as do the colour-keyed door sill trim and the dual-branch exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. Nevertheless, the model’s sporty attributes always have a functional aspect: for instance, the more pronounced spoiler in the boot lid yields additional aerodynamic downforce.

However, true strength comes from within and the interior design of the Audi A5 thoroughly underscores its athletic character. The sports seats, sports steering wheel, instruments with grey dials and aluminium door sill plates provide a dynamic and refined atmosphere. The programme does, of course, provide ample scope to fulfil individual interior design wishes: the inlays are one example – here the choice is between carbon, aluminium, stainless steel or wood. After all, the Audi S5 should perfectly match its owner’s individual ideas and expectations.

Alongside the coupe’s 18-inch wheels with the new S design and 245/40 R 18 tyres, the standard equipment specification for the S5 features items such as xenon plus headlights with impressive daytime running lights in the form of an LED light strip, or sports seats with electronic adjustment.

Details info: Description:

Launched as Audi’s alternative to the innovative Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the A2 features an alloy spaceframe onto which are hung the aluminium and advanced composite body panels. Despite the small capacity petrol and diesel engines, the weight conscious construction ensures that performance and fuel economy parameters are exceptional. The latest direct injection petrol version gilds an already acceptable lily.



Audi A2 Hatchback 5d 1.2 PD TDI aut.

Number of seats 4

Engine

Engine code ANY

Engine type Diesel, Front transversal

Number of cylinders 3, In-line

Engine capacity 1191 cm3

Number of valves 6 OHC

Fuel Diesel, Direct injection Diesel

Supercharging Turbo + Intercooler

Bore 76.5 mm

Stroke 86.4 mm

Compression ratio 19.5

Max Power 45 kW (ECE) 4000 rpm

Max torque 140 Nm (rpm) 1800-2400 rpm

Transmission & Drive

Drive front-wheel drive

GearBox 5 Auto

Steering type Mechanic

Brakes & Tyres

Wheels 4.5 J

Front tyres 145/80 R14 T

Rear tyres 145/80 R14 T

Front brakes Ventillated disc

Rear brakes Drum

Suspensions

Front Suspension MacPherson strut, Stabilizer bar

Rear Suspension Torsion beam, Stabilizer bar

Dimensions

Wheelbase 2405 mm

Length 3826 mm

Width 1673 mm

Height 1553 mm

Track (front) 1464 mm

Track (rear) 1419 mm

Curb weight 855 kg

Max. weight 1245 kg

Trunk 350 l -

Fuel tank 21 liter

Performance

Top speed 168 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h 14.9 s

Consumption

In the city 3.6 l/100 km

Out of city 2.7 l/100 km

Average consumption 2.99 l/100 km (ECE)

Details info: Audi A3 Hatchback 3d 1.6 Tiptronic

Number of seats 4

Engine

Engine code APF

Engine type Otto, Front transversal

Number of cylinders 4, In-line

Engine capacity 1595 cm3

Number of valves 8 OHC

Fuel Petrol, Injection by cylinder

Supercharging None

Bore 81.0 mm

Stroke 77.4 mm

Compression ratio 10.3

Max Power 75 kW (ECE) 5600 rpm

Max torque 148 Nm (rpm) 3800 rpm

Transmission & Drive

Drive front-wheel drive

GearBox 6 Auto

Steering type Hydraulic power

Brakes & Tyres

Wheels 6.5Jx16

Front tyres 205/55 R 16

Rear tyres 205/55 R 16

Front brakes Ventillated disc

Rear brakes Disc

Suspensions

Front Suspension MacPherson strut, Stabilizer bar

Rear Suspension Multi-link, Stabilizer bar

Dimensions

Wheelbase 2578 mm

Length 4203 mm

Width 1765 mm

Height 1421 mm

Track (front) 1536 mm

Track (rear) 1517 mm

Curb weight 1255 kg

Max. weight 1815 kg

Trunk 350 l - 1100 l

Fuel tank 55 liter

Performance

Top speed 183 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km/h 12.9 s

Consumption

In the city 10.9 l/100 km

Out of city 5.6 l/100 km

Average consumption 7.6 l/100 km (EU)