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Audi wants your help designing its future electric vehicles

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Design/Style, Electric

Audi e-tron - Click above for high-res image gallery

So you think you've got what it takes to design an electric car? If so, Audi is interested in hearing from you. The company just kicked off an electric car competition that challenges people to try their hand at designing the cars of tomorrow. The competition is open to anyone with an eye for design who also knows a thing or two about electric cars. Audi officially calls the competition "The Production of Electric Automobiles," and concept ideas are currently being accepted. Unfortunately, the site is in German, making entry a wee bit more difficult, but this translated Google page will help English-only speakers out.

There are a few guidelines that must be followed in order to have chance at winning the contest, but it's pretty simple stuff. Of those who do enter before the July 31st deadline, Audi will select eight finalists to attend a workshop to perfect and resubmit their ideas. The company will then choose an overall winner in November. Bernd Griesbach, an Audi spokesperson for the event, hints at what the company expects from entrants:

We are convinced that we will receive many innovative and creative entries because the competition is a unique opportunity for young employees and potential employees. It is important that the concept can be easily implemented and demonstrates clear progress over the state of the art.

Interested? Give it a try, as there's certainly nothing to lose. If you do well enough, your design might even be implemented in future Audi products and could even land you a spot at the company. How's that for forward momentum? Follow the jump to learn more about the contest. Hat tip to Larzen!

Gallery: Challenge Bibendum: Audi e-Tron

Photos copyright (C)2010 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Audi]

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Audi designs a foosball table, redefines "fine motor skills"

Noah Joseph — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi, Toys/Games, Design/Style

Audi Design Foosball Table - Click above for high-res image gallery

We know what you're thinking. I love me some foosball; if only the game were infused with a bit more... car. Well, Audi Design has answered your prayers, good friend.

The design was initially unveiled a couple of years ago, but is only now entering production, albeit limited: Only 20 examples of this soccer table are being produced by specialist firm Leonhart, each carrying a heft €12,900 (~$16k) price tag.

And yes, you could probably get yourself behind the wheel of a nice used A4 for that amount. But would that be as much fun? Well, probably. But for the fanatic who's already got an R8 in the driveway, this very well might be the ultimate addition to the gaming room. Details - including endorsement from none other than the head of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association - in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Audi Design Foosball Table

[Source: Audi]

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Audi designs a foosball table, redefines "fine motor skills" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary

Noah Joseph — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi, Lifestyle

Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are some things you just don't mess with. Like the shape of a grand piano. They've been making them for centuries, and though to a trained ear, one might sound different over another or even feel different to a skilled musician, by and large, they all bear the same shape. Because there are some things you just don't mess with. But then on the other hand, rules are meant to be broken. And after 100 years in business, Audi doesn't appear very eager to follow conventions. So to celebrate its centenary, the German automaker's design studio - and by that we mean their automotive design team, not a merchandising division - has teamed up with renowned Austrian keyboard builders Bosendorfer to produce a uniquely beautiful grand piano.

Of course, the same general shape had to be retained for the sake of acoustics, but one look at Audi's Bosendorfer tells you this is no ordinary grand, and chief designer Wolfgang Egger says the process will help his design team take a fresh look at automotive design as well. The Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano will make its world debut at Audi's 100th anniversary celebration at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt on July 16, after which it will be available to the public for a princely €100,000 (about $140,000). At that price level, don't expect to see one in the window down at the local music shop, but you can check it out in the high-res gallery below along with the details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano

[Source: Audi]

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Audi A5 Sportback not coming to America, but you can drool over these teasers anyhow [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Hatchback, Audi

Click above to see A5 Sportback teaser in high-res

We've been seeing spy photos of the upcoming Audi A5 Sportback for what seems like ages. However, thanks to the above teaser shot and a new video from Audi featuring designer Wolfgang Egger, we now have our clearest view of the new A5's profile yet. Not to be confused for production model based on the Sportback concept revealed at the Detroit Auto Show in January (which is also coming), this new A5 features also features a fastback body style. Unlike the current A5 coupe, the Sportback gets four doors on its flanks. Speaking of flanks it appears as though the Sportback will get even more muscular quarters than the coupe.

Unfortunately, we won't get the A5 Sportback here in America. In a statement released with the video, Audi of America explains that the new model doesn't fit its current plans for this market. In other words, the company doesn't think it can sell enough of the five-door hatchbacks to justify the expense of federalizing it. We'll hold out hope for the A7 Sportback, thank you. In the meantime, check out the video and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Audi A5 Sportback teaser

[Source: Audi]

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Audi promotes "Intelligent Emotion" project with new student concept renderings

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Green, Audi, Rendered Speculation

Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi "Intelligent Emotion" concepts and designers

Design contests are often held by manufacturers to see what the newest crop of young designers envision for the future. Audi is no different in that respect, recently tapping into the talent pool of design students at the Munich University of Applied Sciences for their latest project with the theme, "Intelligent Emotion." As stated in the release we've posted after the jump, "The project's goal was to envision the ways that alternative forms and fuels might be employed in the future, while balancing that with the long-standing needs of individual mobility."

Eleven different concepts came out of the project, including everything from a hybrid supercar to an alternative concept for lightweight interior designs. The stated objective of the design project was "to present Audi as a sporty premium brand as well as a pioneer in technology and design." We'd have to say that based on what we see in the gallery, they have succeeded. The exteriors are instantly recognizable as Audi products, and they remain futuristic without going completely I, Robot. The concept cars are great, but it's the interiors really deserve special mention. The naked front seat looks amazing and the lounge-like interior is really clever. Check out some of the ideas in the high-res gallery below, and don't forget to read the full release after the jump.

Gallery: Audi "Intelligent Emotion" concepts

[Source: Audi]

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Audi promotes "Intelligent Emotion" project with new student concept renderings originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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