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Audi launches design initiative to deal with criticism that all models look alike

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, SUV, Crossover, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

The accusation began when the Audi A8 took on rather similar detailing as the smaller A4, and it was all but confirmed with the arrival of the latest A6: Audi was making the same car in different lengths. BMW, in fact, has been accused of the same thing with its sedans. Unlike BMW, though, Audi is apparently working to change that. It has begun a design overhaul called AQR that is claimed will "a set of individual themes for each of the three major model families."

The acronym AQR stands for Audi sedans and hatches, Quattro SUVs, and R sports cars, and from the way it sounds, each group will get new detailing that sets it apart from the other group. According to Audi design honcho Stefan Sielaff, "the design details will be different."

The initiative is occasioned by people saying Audi cars look alike, but based on the description of AQR, we can't tell how that's really going to change. Sielaff specifically said the project would address the proportions of the sedans in order to combat the 'one sausage of different lengths' perception, but we look forward to seeing if the sedans will really look less like one another, or whether it's that the three groups of vehicles will look more dissimilar.

Audi launches design initiative to deal with criticism that all models look alike originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Audi Q7 to go on radical diet, lose 770 pounds

Zach Bowman — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Etc., Audi, Diesel

Audi has set some pretty aggressive weight-cutting targets for its future line, according to Car and Driver. The German manufacturer has said that each of its model successors will be lighter than their current iterations thanks to a greater use of aluminum in their body structures. That includes the big boy Q7 crossover, which, according to global marketing head-honcho Peter Schwarzenbauer, may shed as much as 770 pounds before the next generation gets its unveiling. That's an eye-widening figure, to be sure, as it marks a 14 percent cut from the curb weight of the current car.

Lighter weight invariably translates to better fuel economy, better handling and shorter stopping distances - all things that can paint a grin on our faces. Will this greater focus on lightweight materials translate into steeper price tags? It's hard to tell, but traditional logic suggests it will. We'll just have to wait for the next-generation Q7 to debut before we can say for certain.

Next Audi Q7 to go on radical diet, lose 770 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost

Dan Roth — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

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

2009 Audi Q5 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Quality costs. Ask a recording engineer. For the same money you'll burn on a pile of inexpensive, non-serviceable gear whose greatest virtue is that "it works," you could alternatively purchase one channel's worth of serious equipment. The trade-off is that the real kit sounds great all the time, while the cheaper stuff never does. Boiled down to their essence, they both do the same thing, but it's the quality of the components and the careful construction that make all the difference.

It's the same thing with the 2009 Audi Q5. $50,000 will put your rump in vast automotive acreage, but for the same coin, the Q5's dimensions are tidy. Combating the "quantity equals quality" mindset, Audi has made the Q5 a standout. It's filled with luxury and comfort items, and put together with typical German fastidiousness. And out on the road, the Q5 chats you up with feedback that's - dare we say - sports-like. So has Audi managed to finally put the "sport" in Sport Utility?

Gallery: Review: 2009 Audi Q5

Continue reading Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost

Review: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 Quattro is crossover magic - at a cost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q7 hybrid and diesels to arrive next year

Dan Roth — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Green, Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen

Audi's first diesel and hybrid powertrains in the US will be launched in the Q7 next year. The power units will likely trickle down to other vehicles in Audi's range, but they're not yet offering up any details on how prolific this hardware will be. Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche have been working collaboratively to develop the parallel hybrid system, which makes the choice of the Q7 logical, as all three brands share a flavor of the architecture. Hybrid Q7s will be able to power around on the electric motor up to 31 mph, and the system will also shut down the engine during cruise conditions at speeds up to 75 mph. The total weight of the system adds 300 pounds, most of which is in the 288-volt NiMH battery pack.

The modular hybrid system will be easy to integrate with different powertrains once Audi starts propagating the system throughout the rest of their models, and terming it "modular" denotes that the basic pieces will be very adaptable. When Porsche and Volkswagen get their versions of the hybrid gear, we'd expect the engines to differ from the Q7's 3.6 liter 280 horsepower unit. Audi's claiming a 23 percent mileage improvement versus the conventional Q-ship. As for the oil burner, it will be a 3-liter V6 that is 50-state compliant while quietly thumping out 230 horsepower and 400 ft-lb of torque. Diesel torque delivery can be often be described as "electric-motor like," but we wonder if the Hybrid, with its actual electric motors, will laugh at the diesel's effort as it gets the hole shot.

[Source: Auto News - sub req.]

Audi Q7 hybrid and diesels to arrive next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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