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Audi designers create R18 Ultra chair, kick their feet up

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:27:00 EST

Audi has used its racing program to trickle technology down to its passenger cars, but how about some racing design making its way into your living room? The Audi R18 Ultra Chair will be on display at Design Miami until December 9, and it was developed in a similar fashion as the R18 racecar, including optimal comfort and weight savings, constructed using carbon fiber and aluminum.

The Ultra Chair was first unveiled at the Milan Furniture Fair earlier this year as a prototype, and designers used the input of more than 1,500 people to help fine-tune the level of comfort. We're not sure how comfortable it would be sitting in a carbon fiber chair, but it sure does look cool. From Milan to Miami, the chair dropped 2.2 pounds in weight now weighing in at just under five pounds. Designers Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram are responsible for envisioning the chair, and both have art pieces that can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

As a part of the Ultra Chair, Audi's Design Miami booth will also feature an R18 car, various Ultra Chair prototypes and, for some seemingly random reason, a robot used to build cars.

Scroll down to read more about the chair, Audi's involvement in Design Miami and the designers.

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2011 Audi A8 revealed amidst the stars at Design Miami 2009

Chris Paukert — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi, Celebrities, Design/Style, Luxury

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

We've just returned from the Audi A8 world premiere here at Miami's star-studded Design Week, and we've got a slew of images of the new range-topping sedan. More evolutionary than revolutionary in style, the new wundersedan is nevertheless an impressive looking piece with the visual charisma to go toe-to-toe with the celebrities that filed in to fawn over its broad shoulders.

Despite the clear heritage link to the outgoing model, there are a number of new technologies under the skin that represent firsts for the brand, including full LED headlamps that adjust their direction and throw based on the navigation system, a new development of MMI that includes a handwriting recognition feature, and an updated 4.2-liter FSI V8 engine with more power (372 horses) and an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. Despite being more powerful, the A8 is also more fuel efficient, with a claimed improvement of 15 percent with the aforementioned gas V8.

The slippery new shell once again rests on the brand's Aluminum Space Frame (ASF), and Audi says the car is longer and wider than its competitors, yet it sits lower. The sleek new bodywork is good for a .26 coefficient of drag. When it comes to America late next year, the new A8 will arrive in both standard and extended-wheelbase models, and we have it on good authority that both TDI and hybrid variants will also come to the States - although the alternative fuel powertrains aren't likely to happen right away. While you're waiting, check out our high-res galleries below as well as the official press release. We're working on uploading video of the new A8 as well, so check back soon.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8

Live photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 revealed amidst the stars at Design Miami 2009

2011 Audi A8 revealed amidst the stars at Design Miami 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Audi A8 to debut November 30th at Design Miami

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Audi

Audi pavilion at Design Miami - Click above for high res image gallery

Audi's centennial celebration is winding down, but the German brand isn't quite ready to switch off the lights. There's at least one more big model debut planned for its 100th anniversary, and in just over a week Audi will pull the sheets off the all-new 2011 Audi A8. Although the uber-sedan will take the stage at the LA Auto Show in two weeks, the world will get its first official look on the opposite coast at Design Miami.

Audi has erected a special temporary art museum for the design show, providing a backdrop for the unveiling of the brand's new flagship. According to Audi, the sedan will be surrounded by an exhibit from the Rubell Family collection called "Beg Borrow and Steal." There will also be an installation called the "Light Light" made of LEDs and aluminum -- a fitting tribute to the new A8's aluminum structure and LED lighting. So far, all we have is images of the Audi pavilion and a few teasers of the sedan, so stay tuned for more next week.

Gallery: Audi at Design Miami

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 to debut November 30th at Design Miami

2011 Audi A8 to debut November 30th at Design Miami originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We Have Ignition: Audi R8 featured at Design Miami/2006

Alex Nunez — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Audi

Click to enlarge

So, next week in Miami, Audi, as one of the principal sponsors of Design Miami/2006, has developed a new sculptural installation that will be a part of the exhibits on display. Ignition R8 features teardrop-shaped arrows that "shoot across the room" to "express the impulsiveness, speed and potency" of the R8, as it showcases the Ignition, or "Big Bang of dynamism."

Translated into English: Audi is sponsoring a big design dog & pony show in Miami, and because they know that The Beautiful People With Money will be legion, they dropped a new R8 on a display with designer stalagmites growing out of it, deemed it art, and named it Ignition R8. In case that somehow doesn't grab your attention, they have arrows pointing at the car suspended midair to make sure you don't miss it.

Make no mistake: Contrary to the official explanation, this puppy's designed to help "ignite" a "Big Bang" of sales once the R8 hits dealers.

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading We Have Ignition: Audi R8 featured at Design Miami/2006

We Have Ignition: Audi R8 featured at Design Miami/2006 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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