2014 Audi R8 V10 by ABT Sportsline

ABT Sportsline has recently launched an upgrade package for the 2014 Audi R8 V10.

Specifically, the 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine under the hood has been tuned to produces 600 hp and 550 Nm of torque - an increase of 75 hp and 10 Nm. This allows the sports car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 320 km/h.

To cope with the extra power, the German tuner installed new suspension springs that make for an adequate lowering and an even better road behaviour, along with coilovers.

This R8 is also equipped with several exterior elements made from carbon fiber, such as front skirt and grille, side skirts, rear wing and rear skirt. Other highlights include a weight-optimised exhaust system made of stainless steel and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/35 R19 front and 305/30 R19 rear tires.

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2015 Audi TT-RS could develop 380 hp

Some new details are starting to emerge about the third-generation Audi TT.

According to Car & Driver, the 2015 TT will be based on Volkswagen's MQB platform and have a stylish design that aims to recapture the spirit of the original model which was unveiled at the 1995 Frankfurt Auto Show. The sports car will also reportedly adopt a more traditional cabin with TFT digital instrument panels.

Engine options are expected to include a turbocharged 2.0-liter with 220 hp and 300 hp in the mid-level TTS. The TT-RS could get an upgraded 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine which develops 380 hp - 20 hp higher than the current TT-RS Plus. Both front- and Quattro all-wheel drive will be available.

The coupe will be launched in late 2014, followed by a roadster a year later.

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Audi TT ultra quattro concept revealed

At the upcoming 2013 Wörthersee on May 8, Audi will unveil the TT ultra quattro concept, which combines minimal weight and maximum sportiness.

Based on the TT S quattro, the ultra-lightweight concept is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TFSI turbocharged engine that produces 310 hp and 400 Nm of torque between 1,900 and 5,000 rpm. It weighs only 1,111 kg and has a power-to-weight ratio of 3.6 kg/hp which is on a par with thoroughbred super sports cars. This allows the coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 280 km/h.

In addition, the German carmaker will also present four race cars and eight series-production models in the "Home of quattro", including the RS 6 Avant, RS 7 Sportback, RS 5 Cabriolet, RS Q3, R8 V10 Plus, RS 5 DTM, R8 LMS ultra and R18 e-tron quattro.

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2014 Audi A3 and S3 sedans revealed

German carmaker Audi has taken the wraps off the 2014 A3 and its high-performance version, the S3 sedan, both will go on sale in North America in the first quarter of 2014.

"The Audi A3 will set the new benchmark among entry-level luxury sedans," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. "This A3 line-up redefines the standards of its class in dynamics, efficiency, technology, craftsmanship and performance."

Under the hood, the A3 will be offer with a variety of different engines:

• A 1.4-liter TFSI with 140 hpand 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque
• A 1.8-liter TFSI with 170 hp and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque
• A 2.0-liter TFSI with an undisclosed output
• A 2.0-liter TDI with 150 hp and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque

Meanwhile, the S3 is powered by a high-output 2.0-liter TFSI engine which produces 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The sprint from 0-100 km/h takes 4.9 seconds with the S tronic transmission and 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

According to the German carmaker, the A3 sedan will come to showrooms in Europe late this summer, for a base price of around €25,000.

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2013 Audi RS5 Cabriolet priced from $77,900

Audi has announced pricing details for the 2013 RS5 Cabriolet which starts at $77,900 in the United States.

Set to go on sale next month, the convertible is powered by a 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine that produces 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 430 Nm of torque between 4,000 rpm and 6,000 rpm. Equipped with a seven-speed double-clutch S tronic transmission with launch control and standard quattro all-wheel drive, the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it returns an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city / 22 mpg highway / 18 mpg combined.

Customers looking to achieve superior braking performance can select ceramic brakes for the front rotors, a standalone package priced at $6,000. While driving at speeds of up to 30 mph (48 km/h), the soft top can be opened and closed automatically in 15 seconds and 17 seconds, respectively.

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2014 Audi A4 TDI for the U.S. confirmed

In a recent interview, Audi of America President has confirmed the next generation A4 will get a TDI engine in the United States.

Speaking to Automotive News, Scott Keogh said the company had hinted offering a diesel version of the A4 earlier but "this deep in its life cycle, it didn't make any sense to do all that dramatic re-engineering and re-architecting of the car to basically only have a two-year selling period."

The executive confirmed the 2014 A4 will be powered by a 2.0-liter TDI engine which could produce 184 hp and 380 Nm of torque. In addition, Keogh also revealed the brand was considering the new A4 with a 3-liter TDI engine but Audi decided sales would be too low to justify the investment.

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Audi A3 Sedan will be produced in China

 
According to Autohome, the Audi A3 Sedan will be made in China at the FAW-Volkswagen factory and its production version will debut on April 20 at the 2013 Auto Shanghai.

Set to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLA, the A3 Sedan will use the MQB platform and is expected to measure 4,440 mm long, 1,840 mm wide and 1,390 mm tall. Engine options could include: a 1.2-liter TFSI with 105 hp, a 1.8-liter TFSI with 180 hp and two 2.0-liter TDIs with 150 hp and 184 hp.

Production of Audi's smallest sedan will start sometime in the first half of this year.

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2013 Geneva: Audi RS Q3

The 2014 Audi RS Q3 has officially been introduced today at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

According to the German carmaker, the first RS Q model demonstrates its special status within the Q3 lineup with a number of visual highlights, such as modified bumpers, quattro emblem in the front air intake, revised side skirts and a rear diffuser. There's also a high-gloss black honeycomb front grille, matte aluminum trim and a single elliptical tailpipe. The crossover has also been equipped with high-performance brakes with eight-piston calipers, a 25 mm reduced ride height and standard 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the cabin comes with black Alcantara / leather sport seats, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel and alloy pedals. Other highlights include an RS-specific MMI and driver infotainment system, a revised instrument cluster and aluminum race, piano black or carbon fiber trim. The cargo area has a base capacity of 356 liters and can be increased to 1,261 liters by folding down the split rear seat backs.

Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that develops 310 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to the quattro all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed S tronic transmission, which allows the 1,730 kg car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and hit an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it returns 8.8-liter per 100 km (26.7 mpg US or 32.1 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 206 g/km.

Set to go on sale this fall, the Audi RS Q3 has a starting price of €54,600 in Germany.

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Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid revealed for Geneva

German carmaker Audi has recently announced plans to unveil the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month.

Audi's latest e-tron variant will be powered by a hybrid powertrain which couples a modified 1.4-liter TFSI engine delivering 150 to an electric motor developing an additional 102 hp. The combined system output stands at 204 hp and 350 Nm of torque. The power is transfered to the front wheels via a newly designed e-S tronic six-speed transmission

This allows the five-door hatchback to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 222 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it consumes on average just 1.5-liter per 100 km (188.3 mpg UK or 156.8 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 35 g/km.

The Audi A3 e-tron can be driven with just the combustion engine, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. In pure electric mode, the car can reach a top speed of 130 km/h and has a maximum range of 50 km (31.07 miles).

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2014 Audi RS Q3 officially unveiled

German carmaker Audi has officially unveiled the 2014 RS Q3, ahead of its debut next month at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

The first RS Q model demonstrates its special status within the Q3 lineup with a number of visual highlights, such as new bumpers, quattro emblem in the front air intake, revised side skirts and a high-gloss black honeycomb front grille. There's also matte aluminum trim, a large roof spoiler and a rear diffuser with a single oval tailpipe. Other highlights include high-performance brakes with eight-piston calipers, a 25 mm reduced ride height and standard 19- or optional 20-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, we can see black Alcantara / leather sport seats, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel and alloy pedals. There's also an RS-specific MMI and driver infotainment system, a revised instrument cluster and aluminum race, piano black or carbon fiber trim. In addition, customers can also order a 14-speaker Bose audio system, GPS navigation and a WLAN hotspot.

Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol engine which produces 310 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a standard seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission, allowing the 1,730 kg crossover to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it returns a combined figure of 8.8-liter per 100 km (26.7 mpg US or 32.1 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 206 g/km.

Set to go on sale this fall, the 2014 Audi RS Q3 has a starting price of €54,600 in Germany.

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