Autoblog

Audi A8 configurator now online, pricing still to come

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:57:00 EST

2011 Audi A8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has activated the 2011 Audi A8 configurator. but it hasn't appended prices to either the car or the options. Not only will this exercise not cost you anything, it shouldn't require a lot of time: there are but nine exterior color choices, four interior colors, two wheels and fifteen interior package options from which to choose. And since there's no way of shocking yourself with a sticker, why wouldn't you choose everything? Well, almost everything. Audi hasn't included the A8L W12 yet, even though the long wheelbase model is set to go on sale alongside the standard A8 this November. Regardless, customize to your heart's content and look for our full review soon.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Audi A8

[Source: Audi]

Audi A8 configurator now online, pricing still to come originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi confirms A7 Sportback global reveal for Monday

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

2009 Audi Sportback concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The long-awaited production version of the Audi A7 will finally debut on Monday, July 26 at 8:30pm CET - that's 2:30pm Eastern - and you'll be able to watch live on the interwebs at Audi TV. interestingly, Audi has chosen to head over to the hometown of one of its primary rivals for the unveiling. The A7 will be unwrapped at the Pinakothek der Moderne art museum in Munich, just a couple of miles from the world headquarters of BMW.

The A7 is expected to take the form of a large, five-door fastback built on the modular platform shared with the A8 sedan. The styling is expected to be very close to the Sportback concept that we saw at last year's Detroit Auto Show. Unlike BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo, the A7 doesn't have the elevated roofline that adds passenger volume, so it's likely to be tighter inside, but it's also likely to avoid the 5GT's ungainly appearance.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi Sportback Concept

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi confirms A7 Sportback global reveal for Monday

Audi confirms A7 Sportback global reveal for Monday originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Hatchback, Audi, UK, Celebrities

Audi A1 painted by Damien Hirst - Click above for high-res image

Elton John puts on auctions throughout the year for his AIDS foundation. The latest auction fete, held at Elton's manor, included an Audi A1 "spin painted" by British contemporary artist Damien Hirst. The A1 is still so far off that it hasn't even been priced yet, but one hopes the MSRP will be a scant fraction of the £350,000.00 ($527,205 U.S.) that the Hirst-hued model took home. Art may be dead, but apparently it is more expensive than ever...

Gallery: Audi A1 by Damien Hirst

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink

2011 Audi A1 sells for over $525,000 at auction... and it's pink originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi wraps up "The Next Big Thing," not sure if anyone noticed

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Justin Timberlake flogging the Audi A1 in The Next Big Thing - Click above to watch videos after the jump

Audi made an episodic series of short films for the A1 called The Next Big Thing, and it was apparently so big that it didn't fall off the radar, it swallowed the radar whole. For those of you who missed the last four episodes, we're here for you. We're not sure that this was the intended effect of getting Justin Timberlake to promote the A1, nevertheless the A1 is selling so well that Audi is upping production.

Episode three - wherein JT ends up in a bare-chested cage match and a sleeper hold applied by co-star Dania Ramirez - is titled "What was that for?" Coincidence? Return to episodes one and two to refresh, or head straight for the jump and episodes three through six. There's even a making-of video as a bonus. If that's what you call that...

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi wraps up "The Next Big Thing," not sure if anyone noticed

Video: Audi wraps up "The Next Big Thing," not sure if anyone noticed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Timberlake angles for Oscar with episode 2 of Audi A1 series

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Episode 2 of JT, Dania Ramirez and the Audi A1 in The Next Big Thing - Click above to watch video after the jump

You see that look on Justin Timberlake's face? It's called Acting - yes, italicized and with a capital "A" - and you need to get ready to see it like you've never seen it before. Timberlake is bringing his best Stanislavski chops to episode two of Audi's short film series for the A1, The Next Big Thing. There are plenty more chases, guns, and Dania Ramirez to follow up from episode one, and the plot and everything else is getting thick as Vermont maple. So don't waste any more time - follow the jump and check it out.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Video: Timberlake angles for Oscar with episode 2 of Audi A1 series

Video: Timberlake angles for Oscar with episode 2 of Audi A1 series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi S8 leaked? Nope, it's a 'chop

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Audi

With an all-new Audi A8 arriving in the coming months, a higher performance S8 can't be far behind. This particular image originated from a reader on the World Car Fans forum, but it certainly looks plausible. The wheels are straight off the R8 V10 and the front fascia is an evolution of the look we've seen on S and RS models from Audi for the past several years.

Power will no doubt be plentiful, although we don't yet know which engine will power the new model. The previous generation used a 450-horsepower 5.2-liter V10, but the new A8 has already been spec'ed out with a 500 hp 6.3-liter W12.

The S8 will surely have at least that much power, although Audi has been on an engine downsizing kick lately. The latest S4 and S5 cabrio went from a V8 to a supercharged V6. It wouldn't be surprising to see the engineers at quattro GmbH cook up a new boosted V8 with over 500 hp for this and other future high performance Audis.

We expect to see the real S8 arrive by the time of the Paris Motor Show in September, but this reader rendering will have to do for now.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi S8 leaked? Nope, it's a 'chop originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Audi Q7 gets three new V6s, eight-speed transmission in Germany

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:53:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Audi, Diesel, Luxury

2011 Audi Q7 (Germany) - click above for high-res image gallery

Along with blessing us with a revised TT for 2011, the Audi Q7 gets a few choice upgrades in its home market of Germany, including a few new engines and an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The upgraded Q7 doesn't benefit from any new sheetmetal, though Audi has seen fit to put the S4's supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 to good use under the hood of its behemoth SUV. Available in two states of tune, the blown V6 puts out 272 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque in the base version, and the upgraded mill produces the same 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque as its sports sedan sibling.

A new 3.0-liter TDI is also available for the 2011 model year, delivering 240 hp and a more-than-adequate 406 lb-ft of twist from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Not only does the new diesel deliver respectable performance times (0-60 in 7.9 seconds) and above average fuel economy, but the weight of the oilburner has been reduced by 44 pounds.

All revised, German-bound Q7s receive a new eight-speed automatic gearbox based on the outgoing six-speed cog-swapper, with higher ratios and Tiptronic actuation, along with standard Drive and Sport modes. There's no word on whether this transmission is bound for the U.S. market in the near future, but we'd suspect Stateside Q7s will benefit from the new 'box by the end of the year. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Update: An Audi USA spokesman tells Autoblog that the 2011 Q7 V6 TDI will retain its 225 hp / 406 lb-ft rating and launch with the new eight-speed in September. The gasoline V6 TFSI will also be available here in both 272 and 333 hp flavors beginning in November 2010.

Gallery: 2011 Audi Q7 (Germany)

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi Q7 gets three new V6s, eight-speed transmission in Germany

2011 Audi Q7 gets three new V6s, eight-speed transmission in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Promolicious clips of the Audi RS5 meeting its Ur Quattro brother

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Luxury

2011 Audi RS5 promo footage - Click above to watch video after the jump

In what is currently raw footage but what will soon undoubtedly be slickly produced promotional material, the brutalicious 2011 Audi RS5 growls around a track and on various European roads. For a brief spell it even shares the screen with one of its spiritual brethren, the Ur Quattro.

These things don't need lots of explaining - follow the jump for the sight and sounds of two of the finest Audi models ever.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi RS5

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading Video: Promolicious clips of the Audi RS5 meeting its Ur Quattro brother

Video: Promolicious clips of the Audi RS5 meeting its Ur Quattro brother originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans

Chris Paukert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

2011 Audi A1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've just returned from Audi's press conference here at the Geneva Motor Show, where Justin Timberlake has laid claim to one of the first A1 hatchbacks that comes off the line. Funny thing is, even with his undoubtedly massive bank accounts, the pop star won't be able to get one - at least not to park in front of any of his U.S. cribs. That's because Audi has announced that the entertaining-looking three-door isn't headed to the States. Given how the A3 has festered in darkened showroom corners in the American market, we can't exactly blame them for not importing an even smaller hatchback, but somehow we think this Mini Cooper-fighter might just find a market where the frumpier, more conventional A3 has stalled.

Available in Europe with four turbocharged, direct-injected engines (two TDI diesels, two gasoline), the A1 will be available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox with optional paddle shifters. Thanks to standard start-stop and energy recuperation among other fuel-saving tricks, the A1 is estimated to reach between 44 miles-per-U.S.-gallon and 62 mpg on the European Cycle.

Audi is also showing an electrified concept version of the A1 as the latest in its e-tron family. Packing a t-shaped lithium-ion battery and a single-rotor Wankel rotary IC engine(!) along with a few external cues to hint at its extended-range hybrid technology, it also drew more than a few eyeballs.

Interestingly, Audi's press materials (available after the jump) make no mention of the availability of Quattro all-wheel drive. Whether the option will come later remains to be seen, but for now, the A1 picks up where the not-for-U.S. A2 left off.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A1

Gallery: 2011 Audi A1

Photos by Chris Paukert and Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans

Geneva 2010: Audi A1 to hatch jealousy in the eyes of Americans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Audi A8, the Grand Andalusian

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi, First Drives, Luxury

2011 Audi A8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

There was no sign of Sol on the Costa as I nosed the quartz-gray Audi A8 past the guard house and onto the rain-slicked traffic roundabout before heading out on the road.

The long, smooth roadway that connected the estate to the autoroute was the perfect place to get better acquainted with the A8's 372-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 and its 328 pound-feet of torque. Leaving the handsomely designed gear select in Drive allowed the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission to run through the gears at its sole discretion. But with a flick of the steering wheel-mounted paddles (downshift with the left paddle; upshift with the right, just as God intended), I snapped down to third gear to decelerate as I approached the roundabout, the transmission responding instantly with the discipline of a well-trained Doberman, the standard Quattro all-wheel drive easily finding traction despite the rain-slicked tarmac. I merged with traffic, exited the roundabout and accelerated southwest toward Cadiz with the Mediterranean off to my left, popping into view as rain clouds scuttled toward Morocco.

Life in the south of Spain is sweet, and with the 2011 Audi A8 as a guide, it gets sweeter still.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Audi A8

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Audi A8, the Grand Andalusian

First Drive: 2011 Audi A8, the Grand Andalusian originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Space on Playstation Home shows off A1, lets you race E-Tron

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:48:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Toys/Games, Luxury

Audi called "Shotgun" on Playstation Home, and is so far the only automaker to take its case to those gamers with its Audi Space. First came the e-Tron Vertical Run racing game, which has lured more than 700,000 players into running more than a million races.

As of last week, you can also find the Audi A1 showroom, which doesn't have much more going on for it than an actual showroom does, but you can look forward to an A1 game next month as well as more info on the e-Tron. And hey, there's always that Audi Corporate Sound Concept to chill out to in the meantime. Follow the jump for the spiel on Audi Space in Audi's own words.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi Space on Playstation Home shows off A1, lets you race E-Tron

Audi Space on Playstation Home shows off A1, lets you race E-Tron originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Audi R8 Spyder. Y'all ready fo' this?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Videos, Audi, Luxury

2011 Audi R8 Spyder promo film - Click above to watch video

In case you haven't already, Audi wants you to give this angry little mongrel, the 2011 R8 Spyder, a chance. To encourage you to lean in its favor, Audi has put together 91 seconds of rather dramatic footage (and screamin' 5.2-liter V10 audio) to show you what it can do for you, if only you would allow it the opportunity. Not to put too fine a point on it - we're sold.

Follow the jump to check out the vid and decide if it changes your mind - or only makes it up more.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Coupe and Spyder

[Source: Audi via Autoblog UK]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Audi R8 Spyder. Y'all ready fo' this?

Video: 2011 Audi R8 Spyder. Y'all ready fo' this? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: First look at new Audi MMI with Google Earth integration

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Videos, Audi, Luxury

Audi MMI with Google Earth and handwriting input - Click above view the video after the jump

Audi isn't the first to add Google to its in-car information offerings. It is, however, the first to add Google Earth and then tie that in to a suite of mobile tools that will make using your navigation system almost as easy and comprehensive as using your home computer.

In the latest incarnation of Audi's Multimedia Interface (MMI), Google Earth provides a bird's-eye view of the surroundings. Then you can zoom over the landscape, choose a city to investigate and pull up its Wikipedia page. When you know where you want to go, let your finger do the typing on the touchpad to enter your destination. Follow the jump for a video of the system in action. The new A8 just got a little bit sweeter.

[Source: in2itech]

Continue reading Video: First look at new Audi MMI with Google Earth integration

Video: First look at new Audi MMI with Google Earth integration originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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