Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #156

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Podcasts, Etc., Aston Martin, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Volkswagen

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Editor Chris Paukert has apparently been bitten by the podcasting bug, and he once again joins Shunk and Roth for Episode #156 of the Autoblog Podcast. We dive right in to reminiscence about the recently finished Los Angeles Auto Show. Moving on from there, we talk about Audi's new A7 Sportback and its extreme gorgeousness, as well as the new A8 and all its massive awesomeness. Speaking of awesomeness, Shunk thinks that the $199,950 Aston Martin Rapide is one very attractive four-place supercar. Going to the other end of the spectrum, rumors about Volkswagen's upcoming Jetta replacement gets some head scratches from us before we moved on to prognosticating about a unibody Dodge Dakota replacement. We wrap up a chewy hour-and-forty-five minutes by addressing some of your questions and calling it a night.

Don't forget to check out our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget, and let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

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Autoblog Podcast #156 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A7 confirmed for U.S. and S8 model in the works, but once again, no A5 Sportback

Chris Paukert — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

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

At last week's tony Design Miami reveal of the 2011 A8 luxury cruiser, we were able to corner Johan de Nysschen, Audi's executive vice president in North America, and ask him for some tasty tibits on the brand's upcoming products, including the A8's sexier derivative, the A7.

In addition to giving us the first official confirmation of the A7's existence, de Nysschen revealed that the four-door coupe model will slot in "a little bit below" the new A8 in terms of pricing, just as we expected. Of course, it's worth noting that the 2011 A8 faces a price bump due to substantial increases in content and technology, so when the A7 finally comes to the States, the average model is likely to sticker at around $82,000-$83,000, which de Nysschen says is about the price for a typically equipped 2010 A8 (pricing starts at $74,550 plus delivery).

Based on Audi's new longitudinal modular platform technology, the A7 will be clearly related to the A8 (and the A6 replacement that will follow it), and de Nysschen says that the 2009 Detroit Auto Show Sportback concept car serves as a "very reliable indicator" of what the production model will look like. Judging by recent spy shots from our friends at KGP, that very much appears to be the case. While parts commonality will be "substantial," de Nysschen says that the A7 will not use the full aluminum spaceframe design of the A8, although it will have aluminum elements.

As expected, the A8 will launch Stateside in both standard and long-wheelbase formats, with the latter predicted to make up the lion's share of the volume (the A8L presently accounts for about 80 percent of the model's sales).

We asked De Nysschen about how the two models will interact in the full-size luxury sedan segment, and he noted that:

"This top end segment is characterized by more conservative people, and we need to clearly take lower levels of risk with a flagship model [the A8]. But we recognize too that there is a sizable enough cluster of customers in that same segment who are ready for a more avant-garde design [the A7]. So we will essentially be positioning two cars into the same segment, which means that independently, the volume each attains is not that significant, but when you put them together, it will mean that our share of that segment will grow quite dramatically."

All-in De Nysschen thinks that the A8 will account for about 4,000 to 5,000 sales per year in the U.S., and the less costly A7 could clear 7,000-8,000 additional units.

And what of a high-performance S8 to take on Mercedes-Benz's AMG lineup, or the A5 Sportback? Click through to the jump for more details.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami

Continue reading Audi A7 confirmed for U.S. and S8 model in the works, but once again, no A5 Sportback

Audi A7 confirmed for U.S. and S8 model in the works, but once again, no A5 Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2007: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine on display

Merritt Johnson — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:10:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Technology, Audi

While browsing the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show we discovered Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine in all its 450 hp glory. It was perched on a stand in the Audi booth mated to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and was strategically displayed amongst the S6 and S8 sedans, which it powers. We remembered reading about this engine in the January 2007 issue of SAE's Automotive Engineering International, so we dug it out to give you a rundown of its specifications. The first thing that must be pointed out is that contrary to popular belief, this engine is entirely different from the V10 used by the Lamborghini Gallardo. The Lambo engine was designed for high RPMs, while the S6/S8 V10 was put together for high torque and fuel economy.

The 5.2L V10 is built for two different outputs between the S6 and the S8 applications. The S6 receives a version that puts down 435 hp at 7000 rpm and churns out 398 ft-lbs of torque, while the S8's creates 450 hp at 6800 rpm and also produces 398 ft-lbs of torque. The varying power numbers are achieved through both its exhaust design and tuning, and the differences in output equate to relatively similar power-to-weight ratios for both cars. Follow the jump for a detailed look at the display engine along with Audi's own renderings.

Gallery: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine

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LA 2007: Audi's 5.2L V10 FSI engine on display originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Nov 2007 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Audi S8 facelift

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Sedan, Audi

A couple of weeks ago we reported about the updates Audi was planning for its A8 lineup. Things like the addition of the 2.8L FSI six-cylinder that will be offered (in Europe, at least), more direct steering and a revised air suspension should make the '08 A8 even closer to perfection. Audi is also adding new safety features, like a side-assist system that will alert drivers when a vehicle is in the sedan's blind spots and a lane departure warning system that will keep an eye on lane markers and alert the driver with a vibration in the steering wheel should he or she begin to go astray. Finally, the car is said to quieter than the 2007 edition.

Visually, Audi has updated the single-frame grille, incorporated new lighting in back, added new wheel styles, put turn indicators on the outside mirrors, and will offer a number of new paint finishes. New interior colors and inlays are also on tap. In short, Audi's taking a good thing and making it better. And now we have word that most of those changes will make their way into the freshened S8 as well. With photos and info from Fourtitude, we see an updated S8 that will most likely debut in Frankfurt next month sporting some refined styling touches inside and out as well. Check out the gallery.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Gallery: 2008 Audi S8

Frankfurt Preview: Audi S8 facelift originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Audi S8

Alex Nunez — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:04:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Performance, Audi

Click image for high-res photo gallery

This edition of "In the Autoblog Garage" is brought to you by the letter S and the number 8. Alone, each is just another mundane alphanumeric character. When positioned next to each other on a vehicle bearing Audi's interlocking rings, however, they turn into something very special. The character pair becomes shorthand for 5.2 liters, 10 cylinders, 450 horses, 398 ft.-lbs., 4.9 seconds, 155 miles per hour, and $110,000+ in the case of the Daytona Grey Audi S8 tester that had been deposited in my driveway. Yep, it was going to be a pretty good week.

Gallery: 2007 Audi S8

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In the Autoblog Garage: 2007 Audi S8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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