Audi’s Timo Scheider has successfully defended the car manufacturer’s title at the DTM touring car racing series at Hockenheim.
The victory means that Audi retain the title for the first time since 1990/91. In addition, the manufacturer can take heart from the fact that with eight pole positions and six victories, the new Audi A4 DTM was the most successful touring car of the year – despite it being the its debut season.
Commenting on the victory, Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of management of Audi AG, said that Timo Scheider was a worthy champion because he had thrilled so many fans this year.
"This triumph in the DTM crowns what has been a successful motorsport year for Audi anyhow, in which – in addition to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – we were able to celebrate the titles in the American Le Mans Series and the European-based Le Mans Series," he said.
Scheider won with a flawless drive in front of 165,000 spectators – despite pressure from rival Paul di Resta. The title is the first of the German’s career.
Written by Cornell Campbell
Audi AG has selected Alcoa to supply forged aluminium wheels with Dura-Bright technology for the new 2009 Audi A6.
The car recently made its debut at the Paris International Motor Show and it is hoped that the technology will enhance the image of the vehicle and make the wheels easy to clean while protecting against corrosion.
Alcoa and Audi have already established a sound working relationship, having pioneered the lightweight aluminium space frame on the original A8.
"It was clear that Audi required a new wheel solution that is durable while retaining a high quality, innovative finish," explained Mike Parnell, vice president and general manager of Alcoa Auto Wheels.
"By staying cleaner longer, Dura-Bright technology wheels enhance a vehicle’s appearance allowing Audi A6 owners to enjoy their vehicle while lowering maintenance efforts."
Dura-Bright technology works by penetrating the surface of the wheel to become an integral part of the aluminium itself. It resists peeling, cracking and corrosion while ensuring a premium finish in keeping with Audi’s vehicle design philosophy.
Used Audi dealers will welcome the new technology.
Written by Ben Todd
A new Audi S4 is to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October and its maker believes it will offer drivers both thrills and thrift.
The new improved six cylinder TFSI engine that the car will have not only decisively outperforms its V8 predecessor but also achieves a 30 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions and 29mpg-plus fuel economy.
The new S4 and S4 Avant will open for order in November with price tags of approximately £36,000 and will reach their first UK customers in the spring of 2009.
Sharing its ‘TFSI’ designation with the six engines in the Audi range that combine single turbo charging with FSI direct injection, the completely new 3.0-litre V6 bucks the trend by using the alternative method of forced induction.
Speed freaks might be keen to learn that the S4 Saloon can go from 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds compared to the outgoing S4′s 5.6 seconds. Its top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph.
Written by Peter Sweden
Audi Sport will for the first time offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use.
The Audi R8 will now be available in a version which has a powerful 500 hp plus GT3 and will be available from autumn 2009.
Factory space to enable the project to succeed will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Gyor.
Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said: "The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sports car and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme."
Dr Ullrich reported that ever since the R8 was unveiled the company has been "inundated" with enquiries about a race version.
He is confident that the Audi R8 will fit the bill for customers looking for a racing sports car equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities.
The first test races in various European racing series have been pencilled in for the 2009 season.
The new Audi A6 range made its international debut this week and promises to provide more visual appeal, refinement, convenience electronics and equipment.
The long-awaited and updated saloon version of the potent ten-cylinder RS 6, incorporates many of the new enhancements, and is at the head of the range priced at £76,160 OTR. Its Avant counterpart, like all Avant versions, carries a premium of £1,570.
The A6 allroad Quattro is one of several cars to benefit from the adaptive air suspension option which will help give it its impressive all-terrain ability.
This car also boasts a subtly updated body with revisions to the single frame grille, the bumpers, the air intakes and the fog lights. The rear of this car hasn’t been neglected either – it has a re-sculpted saloon boot lid, redesigned tail lights and, handily, a new rear diffuser.
A6 S line models have also had a makeover – their envied style is now embellished by higher resolution graphics for the instrument panel, new upholstery materials and additional chrome detailing.
Parking just got easier for drivers of the new Audi A3 Carbiolet, as all models now have the option of coming with a new parallel park assist system.
The technology comprises ultrasonic sensors which can seek out parking spaces, alert the driver to the window of opportunity availability via a Driver Information System (DIS) and then automatically steer the car into the space.
For the privilege of being able to get themselves into a tight spot drivers will have to pay £725 for their Sport and S line versions of the A3 Cabriolet to be fitted with the parallel park assist system, while standard model drivers will have to pay £925 to have DIS and the parallel park assist system installed.
However, standard spec drivers will have alloy wheels, semi-automatic hood operation, air conditioning, powered windows and mirrors and a CD audio system as a matter of course.
Sport and S line models, meanwhile, will come with a fully automatic acoustic hood and wind deflector.
Audis have proved popular in the UK in recent years, and the manufacturer broke the 100,000 sales barrier in 2007.
The entry level Audi A5 coupe is to get a new engine which will make the car go faster and emit less CO2.
A 180PS version of the all-new 2.0-litre TFSI unit will take over from the 1.8 TFSI in the A5 coupe – a further step in an exhaustive engine development programme bringing average CO2 reductions of as much as ten per cent for core Audi models within the past year.
The A5 2.0 TFSI is capable of out-accelerating its predecessor to 62mph by an impressive 0.6 seconds, taking just 7.8 seconds to go the distance, with the capacity to continue to 148mph.
A nine per cent reduction in CO2 emissions has also been achieved by the boffins at Audi.
Over the past year CO2 emissions have been reduced by ten per cent for the A3 hatchback, six per cent for the A4 Saloon and eight per cent for its Avant equivalent.
Scheduled for a UK release in October, the A5 2.0 TFSI (180PS) is priced from £26,710 OTR.
Audi has been accredited as being the UK’s most secure vehicle manufacturer at the 2008 British Insurance Car Security Awards.
The Vorsprung durch Technik brand scooped three category wins as well as winning the overall Manufacturer of the Year Award for producing the highest number of cars which offer a five-star level of security.
Audi’s cause was aided through the implementation of innovations such as Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser technology with interior ultrasonic protection, Thatcham Category 4 locking wheel bolts, anti-tow tilt sensors, visible Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) and extensive marked parts across its range.
"I am delighted that the huge investment we have channelled into protective measures for all our cars has proved its worth yet again in Thatcham," commented Jeremy Hicks, director of Audi UK.
"To be acknowledged as number one for car security for a third consecutive year is an achievement which Audi AG’s security team can take considerable pride in."
Audi’s other wins came in the most secure in compact executive class, S8 best in performance car class and TT Roadster best in Convertible/Roadster class categories.
The Audi TTS has been named as the official car for the 2008 Tourist
Trophy (TT) Motorcycle Races.
This is a double coup since it means that the the new Audi 272PS TTS
will debut in Britain.
Peter Duffy, Audi UK’s head of marketing, commented: "Having been
supporters of the British Super Bike championship in recent years, we’re now delighted to be associated with the Isle of Man TT races and to be able to play an active part in this world famous event.
"The Isle of Man held the very first Tourist Trophy event in Britain and became an integral part of Audi’s heritage in its days with NSU. We look forward to writing the next chapter in our company’s history with the public showing of the new Audi TTS on the island."
The Isle of Man is hosting the 2008 TT races from May 24th until June
6th.
Audi has released details of its new Q5 SUV, which will be on sale before Christmas 2008.
A smaller relative to the Q7, this car has a 2.81 metre wheelbase which means that it comfortably seats five adults and still can be adapted by folding the rear seats to create a second storage area, or even folding the front passenger seat to contain a surfboard within the vehicle.
The Q5 will have three engine variants – one petrol engine and two TDI units. A two-litre 2.0 TFSI produces torque of 350 Nm from 1,500 rpm and has a top speed of 138mph. The two-litre TDI boasts an impressive top speed of 204 km/h – over 125 miles per hour – and the 3.0 TDI can achieve 0 to 62mph in 6.5 seconds. Both the diesel engines also use the seven-speed S tronic shift which can allow for automatic or for the driver to select the gears manually.
If used as a towing vehicle it can pull up to two tons. The ABS and ESP allow for all sorts of tricks, and adjust for road surface. The Q5 can climb an incline of 31 degrees.
It is anticipated that the cost will be around £30,000.
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