Autoblog

Audi is intent on leaving no niche unfilled and the word from Inside Line is that the automaker is planning to unveil a cabrio variant of its A5 and S5 coupes. The convertible versions of the A5 and S5 won't be fitted with the folding hardtops that have become de rigueur among its luxury competitors, so expect a similar soft-top system to that found on the A4/S4/RS4 cabrio and TT roadster. Power will be provided by either the 265-hp, 3.2-liter V6 or the 354-hp 4.2-liter V8 found in the A5 and S5, respectively. Expect the new cabrios to debut later this year or early next, with sales beginning in the spring of 2009.

[Source: Inside Line]

We reported exactly one year ago today that an Audi A5 convertible was in the works. Word's out now that the upcoming drop-top will be manufactured in Neckarsulm, a city in northern Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The Audi RS 4 will be the new A5 vert's assembly line buddy at this plant.

The new topless Audi will most likely be fitted with the 3.2-liter FSI V6, which will square up the car nicely with the BMW 328i convertible. However, when the rumored 354-hp V8 S5 convertible shows up, it will go head-to-head with the twin-turbo six-cylinder 300-hp BMW 335i convertible. Unlike the Bimmers with their folding hardtops, the Audi convertibles will have electric soft-tops to save weight (and cost, no doubt). The A5 convertible isn't expected to debut until January 2009 at the Detroit Auto Show, and we've already got our hotel rooms booked (just kidding, we're so not that organized).

[Source: Automobilwoche via eGMCarTech]

click either image for high-res galleries

We touched on Abt Sportsline's range of upgrades for the current VW and Audi offerings during last year's Essen Motor Show. Unfortunately, we only had drab-looking photos back then, and frankly, the dark backgrounds didn't do much to liven up the looks of the cars.

Since then, Abt has seen fit to produce complete photo sets that show off the company's modifications far better than the earlier images. The available mods are spelled out here, but in both cases, Abt can transform the A4 or A5 with a subtle body kit (especially when compared to some other tuners), new wheels, a sport suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a variety of power upgrades. In a perfect world where we could have the Euro-spec diesels, we'd happily opt for the Abt-tuned 3.0 TDI. In both cars, it packs 300 horsepower and a stout 442 lb-ft of torque. Yeah, we could get around just fine with that. Check out the new photos in the galleries below.

[Source: Abt Sportsline]

The Audi Club of North America puts out a publication aptly titled the Quattro Quarterly that gives Audi owners the inside skinny on everything from future products to how to swap bigger brakes into their B5 S4. One of our intrepid readers, Kevin, sent us a few scans of the QQ's latest issue, where it outlines Audi's product plans for the next five years. While some of it has already been confirmed, other interesting factoids, including the future of the R8, RS-TT and the development of an R4, have long been rumored on these very pages. Follow the jump for the full breakdown on what Audi has in store, but be aware that we're handing out grains of salt below the fold.

click above imge for more high-res pics of the Audi Metroproject quattro Concept

Even though the A3 hasn't been the sales success that Audi execs had hoped for, the automaker's CEO, Rupert Stadler, is considering bring the smaller A1 to market here in the U.S. Times and tastes change, and Audi figures that when production of the A1 begins towards the end of 2009, sales in North America could be feasible.

In addition to the A1, Audi has plans to become all things to all people, including new variations of the A4, plus the introduction of the Q5 CUV and the A7, a four-door coupe currently under development.

[Source: Autoweek]

The VAG 1.8-liter turbocharged inline four was a staple of Audi and VW's product lineup for close to over a decade, but with the addition of the two-liter turbo'd engine a couple years back, it quickly lost its place as the defacto work horse for both brands. However, Audi determined that with a few tweaks, primarily the addition of a direct-injection system, they could revive the erstwhile mill in a move to appeal to consumption-conscious consumers.

They've fitted the TFSI 1.8T to the new A5, making it the cheapest way to get into Audi's newest hotness. Before, a base A5, sporting the 3.2-liter FSI V6 would set you back just over £33,000. When the A5 1.8 TFSI (mit manual) goes on sale, European buyers will be able to get behind the wheel of the Teutonic coupe for over £6,000 less -- and they aren't going to skimp on features either. Buyers abroad will be able to get Milano leather, tri-zone climate control, parking sensors, and an electromechanical parking brake, all standard.

For all the details, Audi's full press release is posted after the jump.

Click the image above for more hi-res pics.

Audi has finally released U.S. pricing on its new A5 and S5, and those of you looking to get into Audi's newest hotness can do so for the bargain price of $39,900. That's where the base A5 model will start, complete with a six-speed manual, while the S5, sporting the same stick will begin at $50,500. Throw in the six-speed Triptronic auto 'box and both prices swell by another $1,300. Naturally, both models come with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, while the A5 finds motivation from the 265 HP 3.2-liter FSI V6 and the S5 gets going under the power of the 354 HP 4.2-liter FSI V8.

You can check out all the options in the press release after the jump, and expect the manual equipped S5s to arrive at dealers in November, while the A5, A5 automatic and S5 automatic will be available in spring of '08.

[Source: Audi]

We found a couple great Fifth Gear videos for you from the new season, so we decided to put both into one post. First (above), Vicky Butler-Henderson pits two of the hottest luxury sport coupes, the all-new Audi S5 and the BMW 335i. These two vehicles show just how far the sport coupe market has come in the past few years, and Vicky took both to the track to see which vehicle was quicker. The rear-drive Bimmer had it all over the S5 in the handling department while also weighing a few hundred pounds less, but the S5 used its over 50HP advantage courtesy of its brute-force V8 engine to even the score. Click play above to see who won the time trial by a minuscule .6 seconds.

Hit the jump to view the second Fifth Gear video, and see what could be a teaser of the Veyron cabrio.

[Source: YouTube]

With both Audi and Apple's minimalist design ethos, it was simply a matter of time before they joined forces and offered a way to integrate the new iPhone across the four-ringed lineup. Any Audi model equipped with Bluetooth will allow the iPhone to be paired with the vehicle, giving users the ability to make and receive hands-free phone calls, as well as providing a signal strength indicator, assigning specific names to numbers (Work, Home, etc.) and allowing access to call lists.

On the music front, the addition of the Audi Music Interface will give the vehicles MMI system direct control of all the iPod capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to navigate everything from playlists to albums. The AMI is available as an optional extra on the A5, A6, A8 and Q7, although we'd expect the full line of Audi vehicles to allow integration sooner rather than later.

[Source: Audi]

click above image for photo gallery

The A5 is Audi's latest salvo in its battle to rule the luxury automotive landscape, and the German automaker is putting its technical might behind the launch. The A5 was launched in June in Europe, and now two all-new six cylinder engines are under the svelte coupe's bonnet. Audi's 3.2L engine isn't all-new, but direct injection and variable lift control have been updated to produce an impressive 265 hp. The 3.2L will be available in the U.S. at launch this fall.

In Europe, oil-burning engines are necessary to compete in any significant segment, and Audi is packing its common-rail fuel injected 2.7L turbo-diesel under the A5's hood. The engine produces 190 hp, which is enough grunt to get the diesel A5 to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds. It also returns 35.3 mpg! As is the case with all euro diesel powerplants, U.S. customers likely won't be able to check that option for a while, if ever.

[Source: Audi]