Autoblog

Audi channels its "Ugly Duckling" past to sell 2012 A5

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:55:00 EST

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

Paul Jaray was an Austrian-born engineer who transferred his aerodynamic designs for zeppelins to the smaller canvas of the automobile. His work included vehicles like the Tatra T77 and T87, and cars inspired by his work and patents included the Chrysler Airflow and Ford Zephyr.

Most of his creations weren't exactly pretty, however, as the rebodied Audi concept car above amply demonstrates. A new Audi ad shows how far the brand has come in the looks department by contrasting that streamlined-but-ugly-duckling coupe with the 2012 A5, with a little help from singer Danny Kaye and Hans Christian Andersen. We like the spot quite a bit, but wonder if Audi wouldn't have been better served by having it pitch the aerodynamic beauty of the A7 instead. Follow the jump to check it out.

Continue reading Audi channels its "Ugly Duckling" past to sell 2012 A5

Audi channels its "Ugly Duckling" past to sell 2012 A5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A5 DTM makes us long for tin-tops that can also turn right

Noah Joseph — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Audi, Racing

Touring car racing isn't big in the States, which could be in part due to the popularity of NASCAR. But whatever the reason, it's a bit of a shame, because the cars can be wicked cool. Like the new Audi A5 DTM.

Though powered by the same 460-horsepower V8, the racer internally dubbed R17 is set to replace the long-serving A4 DTM (and the V8 Quattro that preceded it) when the new regulations take effect next season. Then it will line up on grids across Germany alongside the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class DTM Coupe and the fresh M3 DTM entry from BMW in the German touring car series. But while development is still ongoing, we got a good look at the A5 DTM here in Frankfurt.

Follow the jump for the press release, and check out the car in the live gallery for a closer look, because while rumors are afloat of the series potentially making the U-Boat trip across the Atlantic, for the time being this is as close as we're likely to get.

Continue reading Audi A5 DTM makes us long for tin-tops that can also turn right

Audi A5 DTM makes us long for tin-tops that can also turn right originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi prepares to fend off BMW with new A5 DTM

Noah Joseph — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Europe, Audi, Racing

The big news which touring car racing fans were waiting for this weekend came when BMW unveiled its new M3 DTM concept that will spearhead the marque's return to the series next year. But don't think for one minute that returning manufacturers Audi and Mercedes-Benz are about to let their Bavarian rival simply waltz in unchallenged.

Audi, for one, is planning to switch from its current A4 DTM to a new A5-based touring car, previewed in the renderings you see here. Like the stock cars we see racing around American super-speedways, DTM racers are only loosely based on their production counterparts, so the change in body shell - adopting the revised face of the new production A5 - is more aesthetic than anything.

But while the existing DTM drivetrain - consisting of a 460-horsepower V8 and six-speed transmission - is set to carry over largely unchanged, Audi's new racer (internally dubbed R17) is expected to herald some significant changes over the car it replaces, complying to new lower-cost regulations and side-impact stringencies that will see the fuel cells integrated into the carbon-fiber monocoque.

Rival manufacturer Mercedes-Benz, for its part, has yet to announce any prospective changes to its four-door C-Class touring car, but likely will before the start of next season. In the meantime you can check out the renderings of the A5 DTM in our high-res image gallery and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Audi prepares to fend off BMW with new A5 DTM

Audi prepares to fend off BMW with new A5 DTM originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belated April Fools? Audi A5 leans into corners like a motorcycle [w/video]

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Audi

This Audi A5 thinks it's a motorcycle - Click above to watch video after the jump

We recently tried to find all the April Fools-related automotive items that the Internet served up for 2011. We thought we had 'em all... but we may have just found one more to add to the list, courtesy of Spanish-language site Cochesafondo.com.

It reports that Audi is working on a suspension system that allows a car to lean into a turn. It's installed the setup into an A5, prompting a pair of engineers to bring a very stable cup of coffee along for a test ride. Of course, one bump and your lap would be pain soup regardless of the suspension being tested.

Click past the jump to watch the clip. Then sound off in the Comments and let us know if you think this is real or not.

[Source: Youtube via Cocheafondo.com]

Continue reading Belated April Fools? Audi A5 leans into corners like a motorcycle [w/video]

Belated April Fools? Audi A5 leans into corners like a motorcycle [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi won't build you an RS5 Cabrio, but Senner will sell you the next best thing

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Audi

Senner Tuning Audi A5 Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi's full-bore RS5 treatment may only be available in coupe form, but that doesn't mean droptop enthusiasts can't join in on some of the fun. Senner AG, a company known for its Audi upgrades, now offers its RS design package for the A5 Cabriolet, and while it doesn't boast the outrageous power numbers of the RS5, it certainly has the look, with a couple of eccentric one-off touches, to boot.

Starting with an A5 2.0T Cabriolet, Senner has bumped engine output from 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque up to a more palatable 275 hp and 317 lb-ft through the use of sport air filters and ECU recalibration. An all-new exhaust system has also been fitted, as well, giving the A5 a louder, angrier sound - something even the S5 Cabriolet could benefit from.

Visually, Senner has added larger front air intakes similar to those on the RS5, though the A5's foglamps have been kept intact. Filling out the wheel wells are silver-chrome 20-inch wheels, wrapped in low-profile tires (245/30 in front, 295/25 out back), and a new rear diffuser has been added to round off the host of exterior upgrades. The interior has largely been left alone, save the addition of carbon fiber trim throughout the cabin.

Senner's kit retails for a healthy €19,900 (roughly $25k USD), and when added to the €55,000 cost of a new A5 Cabriolet, that brings the whole package to €74,900, or $95,150 USD based on current exchange rates. Scroll through the gallery below to see the handsome Senner A5 from all angles, and hit the jump for the full details in the press release.

Gallery: Senner Tuning Audi A5 Cabriolet

[Source: Senner AG]

Continue reading Audi won't build you an RS5 Cabrio, but Senner will sell you the next best thing

Audi won't build you an RS5 Cabrio, but Senner will sell you the next best thing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Audi A5 is a personal luxury coupe for the modern age

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Audi, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2010 Audi A5 - click above for high-res image gallery

With the introduction of the A5 for 2008, Audi launched itself into a vehicle segment it had never competed in - one which has waned significantly over the past two decades. Not so long ago, the personal luxury coupe was one of the top selling segments in the U.S., but for a wide variety of reasons, the overall sales picture left it behind.

Now you might ask yourself, "How is an A5 in any way similar to the likes of a 1970s-era Chevrolet Monte Carlo or Ford Thunderbird?" At first glance, the A5 is something completely different, but when you dig below the surface, there are more similarities than one might think - particularly when considering the 2.0T model. Except for a few NASCAR-inspired specials, PLCs of the 1970s weren't typically performance machines anyway - they focused more on style and creature comforts. And it's here where the A5 delivers.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A5

Continue reading Review: 2010 Audi A5 is a personal luxury coupe for the modern age

Review: 2010 Audi A5 is a personal luxury coupe for the modern age originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi launching Titanium Package for most models

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Audi, Luxury

Now here's an option box we'd gladly check. Audi will be offering its Titanium Package on A4 (both sedan and Avant), A5 Coupe, S4 and S5 Coupe models for the 2011 model year. Essentially, this removes the bright chrome trim on the grille surround and window treatment, and adds some large, attractive wheels and some sportier interior touches. Hot stuff.

The exact Titanium specs vary from model to model, but they include things like 19-inch RS-style wheels, piano black interior trim, sport suspension and sport seats. Exact pricing hasn't been released just yet, but customers will soon be able to order these sexier Audis from dealerships in the near future, with the first examples hitting the streets in the near future. For the full details on what each Titanium package includes, head over to Fourtitude for the complete listing.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Report: Audi launching Titanium Package for most models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Eight-speed automatic transmission available on A4, A5 and Q5 this fall

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Luxury

2010 Audi A5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The all-new A8 and updated Q7 won't be the only vehicles in Audi's line-up to benefit from the automaker's new eight-speed gearbox. According to dealer order guides released for the 2011 model year, the octo-cog-swapper is set to proliferate throughout the Audi line-up in the next year, with the automaker aiming for around 70% of it U.S. sales volume to come equipped with the new gearbox.

For the 2011 model year, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan and Avant will come packing the eight-speed tranny, along with the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro coupe and cabriolet (the manual six-speed will only be available on the coupe). In addition, the revised Q7, with its new high- and low-output 3.0-liter supercharged V6s (cribbed from the S4 and A6), will replace the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year. Both engines, along with the new 3.0-liter TDI, will come equipped with the eight-speed auto.

Finally, Audi quietly revealed the 2.0 TFSI inline-four-equipped Q5 at the New York Auto Show, and part of the new package will also include the eight-speed 'box.

Sales of the eight-speed automatic-equipped models will begin this fall, each delivering improved fuel economy, quicker downshifts and, thanks to its compact packaging, no additional weight gain over the standard six-speed tiptronic.

Gallery: 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Eight-speed automatic transmission available on A4, A5 and Q5 this fall originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Audi TDI good at a lot of things, but suicide apparently isn't one of them

Chris Shunk — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Diesel

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Killing yourself is a bad idea. And trying to kill yourself by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cracked window of an idling Audi TDI diesel isn't only a bad idea; it's apparently unlikely to get the job done. That's the message we get from the four-ringed automaker's ~~interesting~~ disturbing ad. We aren't clear as to what market this spot aired in (or if it's intended solely for Internet consumption), but the commercial features the Audi A5 and an actor playing part of the dangerously depressed. The man pulls out a hose, feeds it into the A5's exhaust and places the other end into the cracked passenger window. He then turns the car on and waits in vein for the afterlife. The controversial one-minute spot isn't a quick guide to euthanasia but instead Audi is apparently demonstrating (avoided) death by emissions as a way to graphically illustrate just how clean its diesel technology is.

Hit the jump to view this very disturbing, very not-ready-for-U.S.-consumption spot. For the record, we have absolutely no idea whether or not the TDI in the Audi A5 is so clean that you safely can run a hose from the exhaust to the window, let the car idle until it runs out of gas and live to tell about it. In other words, under no circumstances should you try this at home, with or without a clean diesel.

UPDATE: The original video was yanked from YouTube, but we've found another that you can view after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi TDI good at a lot of things, but suicide apparently isn't one of them

Video: Audi TDI good at a lot of things, but suicide apparently isn't one of them originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hofele Design introduces Audi A5/R8 mashup to controversial effect

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Convertible, Coupe, Europe, Audi

Hofele Design R8 Look A5 - click above for high-res image gallery

And by "controversial," we mean "disgusting." Look, the R8 has those side blades because it's a mid-engine car, but Audi felt they still need a place for a set of golf clubs, so they lengthened the cabin so the clubs can be stowed behind the seats. Meaning that the body has a whole lot of extra length in the middle. Rather than go all BMW and start torturing the hell out of the metal, they slapped on some pieces of plastic (fine, carbon fiber) and called it a day, leading to a look that some love and others loathe.

Now, the A5/S5 is a superbly beautiful car. From every angle, the seemingly minimalist design gets better and better. Especially when you run your eyes across the length of its rising and falling center line that runs from the front fenders past the doors only to terminate in the tail lamp. Just about pitch-perfect. Truly, one of the better designs this decade. German tuner Hofele Design (apparently) had but one simple mission: how to destroy it!

The results are self-evident. All those people that are moaning and complaining that their Audi A5 3.2s don't look anything like a R8 V10 can now cease their protests. All two of them. Also, and we know this doesn't need stating but here goes: why would you go through the trouble of mutating your car to the nth degree but then leave on the "A5" and "3.2" badges?

Most people who know Audis (i.e. the very people that might have an outside chance of being impressed by this) would agree that A5 and 3.2 stands for the automaker's worst engine/transmission combination, the slow-revving 3.2-liter V6 that's already been dropped from the new A4 and the numbskull six-speed Tiptronic box that likes to be in sixth gear by 39 mph. So, besides the raw, inharmonious phony aspect of the body kit (nice fake quad pipes) why on earth bother? Especially as the badge on the back says A5 and the one in the grille says S5. That's a rhetorical question, because we all know there's no answer/point. One more thing: the R8 Spyder doesn't even have side blades. And hey, why not another: the camber on the rear wheel's all messed up.

Gallery: Hofele A5 R8

[Source: Hofele Design]

Hofele Design introduces Audi A5/R8 mashup to controversial effect originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)!

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

Audi A3 1.6 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has kicked off its latest efficiency marathon in northern Norway this week with a fleet of A3, A4, A5, Q7 and TT models to demonstrate what they can do in the real world. Leading the pack in terms of minimal fuel consumption is the new A3 1.6 TDI. On the road in Norway in the opening stage, the drivers managed to squeeze out an astounding 78.4 mpg average from the 1.6-liter diesel engine. Next up was the A4 2.0 TDI e sedan, which went an average of 60.3 miles on every gallon (U.S.) of diesel.

In addition to the high efficiency models, Audi also opted to include several high performance models this time around to show that even they can get very good fuel efficiency when driven sedately. The 340-horsepower TT-RS averaged 32.22 mpg, while the utterly absurd Q7 V12 TDI with its 500 horsepower diesel V12 managed a startling 27.03 mpg. That's nearly as good as what we achieved with the V6-powered Q7 TDI on last year's U.S. Mileage Marathon, so it's not too shabby for a big SUV that would probably pull a house off of its foundation

Gallery: Audi Efficiency Marathon A to B

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)!

Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2010 Audi A5 Sportback revealed, not coming Stateside

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

2010 Audi A5 Sportback - Click above for high-res image gallery

After teasing us with a video of the 2010 A5 Sportback, Audi has finally dropped all the details on its all-new mid-size five-door liftback. Building on the curvaceous body work of the A5 coupe and cabrio, the Sportback adds an extra set of doors, along with a tailgate to blend a bit of functionality with its form.

European buyers will be able to pick up a Sportback starting in September with a choice of six engines split evenly between gas and diesel units, all of which come equipped with direct injection. Like the A4, the 2.0-liter TFSI four comes in 180 and 211 hp flavors, along with a choice of Audi's 3.2-liter V6. On the compression ignition side, 2.0-liter inline-four, 2.7-liter V6 and 3.0-liter V6 units will be available, with the 170 hp 2.0-liter TDI rated at 45.2 mpg (US) on the EU combined cycle. The four cylinder engines all get automatic start-stop systems and the top gasoline- and diesel-powered V6s get the requisite quattro all wheel drive. Three additional engines will drop into the lineup in 2010.

This five-door sport hatch segment is quickly getting crowded with the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo, the Acura ZDX, Honda Accord Crosstour and, of course, the upcoming A7 Sportback in 2010. Get all the details in the press release after the break.

Gallery: 2010 Audi A5 Sportback

Continue reading Officially Official: 2010 Audi A5 Sportback revealed, not coming Stateside

Officially Official: 2010 Audi A5 Sportback revealed, not coming Stateside originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reader Spy: Audi A5 Sportback caught under canvas

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Audi

Audi A5 Sportback spy shots - Click above for gallery

Although Audi has said that it won't be bringing the new A5 Sportback to these shores, that didn't stop them from doing exactly that recently. Whether for testing purposes or marketing work, a Sportback was spotted here in Southern California recently and was luckily captured by frequent AB commenter Zamafir. Although the car was covered in camo, Zamafir says he also saw the vehicle in the flesh and offered his thoughts on the car:

I had the chance to poke my head around the A5 sportback this morning, it's a wonderful car. Out of respect for the gentlemen handling it I didn't snap any shots of the car with the camouflage off, but it's very much what you would expect the A4 with an A5 rear superimposed upon it to look like. It's very very cogently penned. All the lines are very crisp, and I honestly prefer the profile from the side to the A5 and the BMW 5 series GT.

Inside the dash is the standard A5 affair with a different sort of trim than I'm used to seeing here in the US, though It's an ingolstadt car so who know if it'll make it over. Kind of a perforated metal look. Most importantly, the rear seats are quite a bit more roomy than I had expected. About on par with the A4. It's hard to tell from the spy shots but there is a reasonable amount of head room in the back thanks to the way the roof liner kind of arches up towards the rear inside. Visibility out the rear windows is a little obscured by their dramatic cut downwards and backwards to facilitate the sloping rear.

Thanks, Zamafir!

Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback spy pics

Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback teaser

Reader Spy: Audi A5 Sportback caught under canvas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Audi to resurrect Ur-Quattro with lightweight twin-turbo A5?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

As far as classic Audi models go, nothing is as iconic as the legendary "Ur-Quattro". The 1985 Audi Quattro was a beast of a car in its day, even if it only had 160 horsepower. When the new Audi S5 hit the roads, the Ingolstadt fanatics over at Fourtitude stacked the two of them up against each other, but if the latest products of the ever-churning rumormill are to be believed, Audi may be cooking one up a successor of their own.

A report from German car magazine Autobild suggests that the lightweight sport-coupe could carry the "A5 quattro sport" designation and pack a 425-horsepower V6, placing it in between the current S5 and the upcoming RS5. Sounds enticing, if a bit far-fetched. But if Audi wants to build another monster coupe, who are we to complain? Sources peg the revival to take to the streets by 2012.

[Source: Autobild via German Car Scene]

Rendered Speculation: Audi to resurrect Ur-Quattro with lightweight twin-turbo A5? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Audi RS5 at the Nurburgring is "b�se" - that's German for "evil"

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Videos, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi RS5 undergoing testing

Audi's RS engines have never failed to deliver aurally. They don't even require you to wring them out -- just turn them on, and your ears and body cavities tingle with the sound and resonance. The Audi RS5 will continue that tradition admirably, if this video of it running The 'Ring is any indication. Based on that note, unless they've tweaked the exhaust from the 4.2-liter V8, it sounds to us like there's a certain V10 lurking in that engine bay. And if that's the case, this car has just made the number one slot on our Every Day Audi wish list. Follow the jump for the symphony. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Gallery: Audi RS5 - spy shots

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi RS5 at the Nurburgring is "b�se" - that's German for "evil"

VIDEO: Audi RS5 at the Nurburgring is "b�se" - that's German for "evil" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Supercars, Audi, Honda, Nissan

Click above for high-res gallery of the Nissan GT-R

Nissan has hit a major home run with its latest Skyline, known as the GT-R here in the States. In fact, the car was knocked so far out of the park that it seems an obvious choice for anyone's Car of the Year. Nissan's latest supercar boasts enough performance to take on the best from the rest of the world regardless of price, making it an amazing value despite costing upwards of $80,000. As such, the new GT-R has been awarded the Car of the Year trophy from Automobile Mag. Who are we to argue?

Other winners of Automobile's year-end awards include Audi's stunning A5 coupe, which takes the award for Design of the Year, though it seems it feels like the A5's already been around for more than a year. Man of the Year goes to Honda's CEO, Takeo Fuki, who's company is now reaping the rewards for staying true to its initial vision of rational, fuel efficient designs after all these years. It's pretty hard to take exception with these choices, though 2009, which is right around the corner, is shaping up to be the year of fuel efficiency. Follow the jump for Automobile Mag's official press release, which has a few extra award winners we didn't mention.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R

[Source: Automobile]

Continue reading Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag

Nissan GT-R named Car of the Year by Automobile Mag originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2008: GGI Tuning to carry Abt, including hot Audi AS5

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:12:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Audi

Click above for high-res gallery of the Abt AS5 available from GGI Tuning

We've talked about Abt Sportsline's sweet range of upgraded VW and Audi offerings before, but now we have some additional good news. As you probably know if you're reading this blog, Abt offers lots of mods for the A4 and A5, including relatively subtle body kits, new wheels, a sport suspension, a freer-flowing exhaust system, and a variety of power upgrades. You really can't go wrong when you start with such good rolling stock, but some tuners manage to botch it anyhow. In the case of the Audi A5, the manufacturer already does a pretty good job with the upragdes when it turns it into an S5, but Abt goes a step or two further with pretty good results.

The Abt AS5 is one hot sports coupe, even in a refrigerator white that might seem uninspring at first glance. The one we saw here at SEMA was actually over at the Hlton. It popped up during one of the afterparties that always makes this such a fun show to attend. In this case it was at the GGI European Tuning bash where the shop was announcing their new distribution deal with the German tuner. GGI European Tuning is already the exclusive North American importer for Carlsson, Hartge and Sportec, but now they can add Abt Sportsline to the marquee. It's already one of our favorite coupes, so knowing it might be easier to get a nicely modded version in the States makes us even happier.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: GGI Tuning to offer At AS5

SEMA 2008: GGI Tuning to carry Abt, including hot Audi AS5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi RS5 spied undisguised in Death Valley

Noah Joseph — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Audi

With the high-strung Audi RS5 looming large on the horizon, an entirely undisguised test mule has been spotted undergoing hot-weather testing in the infamous Death Valley in the southeastern United States. Picking up where the S5 left off, the test mule is wearing a new, more aggressive front end, which is expected to be matched around back by the time the model is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

While these spy shots give us a more accurate picture of what to expect from the M3-rivalling Audi super-coupe visually, there remains much debate and speculation over what will be providing the motivation. The same 4.2-liter V8 from the RS4 remains one solid possibility, with the potential for a power increase to 450 hp. Other reports suggest that, like Audi differentiated the RS6 from the S6, the RS5's V8 could gain a set of turbochargers. Meanwhile, a third possibility involves shoehorning in the V10 from the RS6, with or without the turbos. Which option makes most sense depends on how Audi views the positioning of the RS5: a two-door RS4, or two-door RS6, or a beefed up S5. They all make sense to us and we'll have to wait and see what turns up. Either way, we have a feeling we won't be disappointed.

[Source: TCC]

Spy Shots: Audi RS5 spied undisguised in Death Valley originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Audi S5 Cabrio

Noah Joseph — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Rendered Speculation

With spy shots already out in the open, so to speak, anticipation is running rampant on the upcoming convertible version of the Audi A5/S5 coupe. The cabrio is anticipated to replace the convertible version of the A4, and is tipped to make its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

The photoshop rendering you see above was skillfully executed by Quinty, and gives us a pretty good idea of what the sporty S5 cabrio could look like. While its competitors opt for retractable hard-tops, the convertible A5 and S5 are expected to use a simpler (and lighter-weight) soft-top, surrounded by a chrome strip to class it up a little. Power will likely carry over from the fixed-roof version when the new convertible hits the market early next year.

[Source: Autoblog.nl via CarScoop]

Rendered Speculation: Audi S5 Cabrio originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi expected to introduce A5/S5 cabrio next year

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Audi

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]

Audi expected to introduce A5/S5 cabrio next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 May 2008 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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