Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #177 - What's up with the AB Podcast in iTunes?

Dan Roth — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Technology, Acura, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Ferrari, Diesel

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Before we get to this week's show, we wanted to explain what's up with The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes. The short story is that TV Squad, one of our sister sites in the AOL Network, recently received an update that went awry. The result was all of our RSS feeds being replaced with the TV Squad RSS feed. The issue was quickly fixed, but for some reason iTunes isn't recognizing this fact and continues to display the TV Squad podcast as if it were The Autoblog Podcast. We're in contact with people from iTunes who assure us the problem is being worked on, so hang tight.

In the meantime, if you subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast via iTunes, you will not automatically receive this week's episode. The easiest workaround until we get this fixed is to use the link below to download the MP3 file directly and drag it into iTunes. We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience, even though it's not our fault. Send your hate mail to TV Squad.

Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth, and Steven Ewing take on topsy-turvy topics like hybrid Ferraris, the Land Rover LRX, Hyundai's focus-grouping a pickup truck, Toyota's possible hydrogen future, and the OnStar relaunch. There's the Autoblog Garage to start, and we finish with questions for this week's 80-minute installment. See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #177: What? Hybrid Ferraris, FWD Land Rovers, and Hyundai Pickups

In the Autoblog Garage:

Audi A3 TDI
Acura ZDX
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Toyota Tacoma

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth, Steven J. Ewing

Runtime: 1:18:56

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #177 - What's up with the AB Podcast in iTunes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel, Luxury

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

For the third year in a row, Audi will be running an add during the Superbowl. First there was the Godfather parody where the "Old Luxury" dude was put on notice about the R8 (which is a sports car, but who cares). Then last year's really excellent Jason Statham spot called, "Chase." This year things are going to be a bit, well, more rocking.

Ditching the notion of parodying films, Audi is instead employing the talents of the ageless (though quite well aged) rockers in Cheap Trick to promote the A3 TDI. The ad will focus on the diesel A3 being named Green Car Journal's Car of the Year. In it, Cheap Trick will be reinterpreting one of their classics and the spot should sport a, "fun, tongue-in-cheek environmental theme." Any guesses as to which song? We're thinking "He's a Whore." Make the jump to read the press release.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick

Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

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

At the LA Auto Show this morning, the Audi A3 TDI was crowned the 2010 Green Car of the Year, wresting the title away from last year's winner, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Even though three hybrids made this year's list of finalists, the A3's win marks the second year in a row that a TDI diesel car took top honors in the Green Car Journal competition.

The judges selection kind of meshes with AutoblogGreen readers, who overwhelmingly picked the VW Golf TDI from the list of five finalists. The other contenders were the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid (we still don't get why this car beat out the better-selling and nearly identical Ford Fusion Hybrid) and the Toyota Prius.

Each year, Green Car Journal picks the five finalists and then hands over selection duties to celebrity jurors (Jay Leno, Carroll Shelby, and the Sierra Club's Carl Pope, to name a few). During the award ceremony, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said that the five finalists are notable because they are all mainstream vehicles that are available today. They exist because that's what the market is asking for. Whaddya think? Is the A3 TDI this year's rightful Green Car of the Year?

Gallery: Audi A3 TDI - 2010 Green Car of the Year

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat

LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #147

Dan Roth — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Toyota, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #147 of the Autoblog Podcast is ready for your consumption. Chris calls in to Sam and Dan, and the trio bites into a few timely topics. BMW's move to put its turbo 4.4 liter V8 into the M5 is our first subject of conversation, before moving on to more powertrain news with the rumors that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will be a four-cylinder-only affair. Audi's fuel mileage achievement with its A3 TDI is up next, before we go all power crazy and touch on Rhys Millen's mid-engined Genesis Coupe. Wrapping it up, we head to truckville, thinking about what it would mean for Chrysler to make Ram its own nameplate, ponder the new Toyota 4Runner, and finally chat about the new Ford SuperDuty before moving on to some of your excellent questions.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with our survey and in iTunes, as always, drop us a line at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. See you again next week, and if you start to miss your Weblogs Inc. podcasts, there's our friends at Engadget and Joystiq to help get you through the pain.

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #147

Autoblog Podcast #147 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 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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Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950*

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

2010 Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has finally announced pricing for its long-awaited 2010 A3 TDI, and it's just about what we have been expecting. Base price for a standard front-wheel drive model comes in at $29,950 (*plus $825 destination) when equipped with the S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. Naturally, we expect a fully stocked options list that can dramatically raise that starting price rather quickly.

The new A3 TDI will be available in all 50 states from late November carrying a window sticker promoting EPA estimated mileage of 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. For the sake of comparison, the Lexus HS 250h - which Audi singles out as the only real competitor to its diesel-powered hatchback - starts at $34,200 and scores 35 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. Want to know more? Click here to read our review of the 2010 Audi A3 TDI and hit the jump for Audi's official press release.

Gallery: Review: Audi A3 TDI

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950*

Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Hatchback, Audi, New Car Reviews, Diesel

2010 Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi started its big push for clean diesel here in the U.S. market this spring when its big Q7 TDI finally went on sale. While the Q7 TDI is one of the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUVs available anywhere, it's only the beginning for Audi. Assuming that Americans start taking a shine to hot oil, Audi is likely to introduce a whole series of Rudi D's disciples here. So far, however, only one has been announced in addition to the Q7, the compact A3 hatchback.

The A3 is the entry-level model for the four-ringed brand here in the U.S. Until now, it has only been sold with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or 3.2-liter V6 engines running on gasoline. At the Detroit Auto Show, Audi announced that the A3 TDI would go on sale late this year. While the A3 TDI isn't yet available, one was made available to us for five days during a recent trip to Southern California. Find out what it was like after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

Continue reading Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Audi confirms A3 TDI for US launch in late 2009

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Green, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 A3 TDI

Audi has finally confirmed what's been rumored since last fall's cross-country mileage marathon. The A3 TDI is indeed coming to America later this year. A pair of A3s were included in the marathon group and achieved mileage figures that regularly topped 50 mpg. The A3 will use the same 140 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel current motivating the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Getting 40 mpg or more with the A3 TDI shouldn't be difficult in normal driving, and adding the powerful and efficient diesel should help the slow-selling A3 get more of a foothold in the US market. Hit the jump for all the details.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi A3 TDI

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Audi confirms A3 TDI for US launch in late 2009

Detroit 2009: Audi confirms A3 TDI for US launch in late 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro

John Neff — Tue, 20 May 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Audi

Click above for new high-res gallery of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro

We think Audi has concluded a fine trifecta of diesel-powered show vehicles with the introduction of its latest, the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro. First there was the Q7 V12 TDI shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show that could haul people or tree stumps with equal aplomb. Then there was the oil-burning supercar, the R8 V12 TDI, shown at this year's Detroit show. Finally we have something a bit more relatable for the masses in the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro. Rather than relying on Audi's venerable V12 TDI, this smallest of the three more than makes do with a 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel generating 221 hp and 332 pound-feet of torque. It's got adjustable everything on the fly and some killer good looks inspired by Audi's DTM race car to get by on. Ingolstadt has seen fit to grace us with 18 more high-res images of the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro to augment the pitiful few we were given when the car was announced, which we've assembled all together in the gallery below. Don't be fooled, though. Half of the pics are heavily photoshopped versions of the studio shots in which the car is placed on track, but that doesn't mean they all don't deserve a look see. The car itself will officially debut at the Lake Wörther Tour in Austria later this month, but we're pretty sure it'll be doing duty as desktop wallpaper on many computers before then.

Gallery: Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept

[Source: Audi]

Pics Aplenty: Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 May 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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