Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz opens world's first AMG-only dealership in Beijing

Noah Joseph — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, China, Mercedes-Benz, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

The intricate structure of brands and sub-brands in a consolidating global automotive industry is enough to make your head spin. And each major auto group has its own way of organizing itself. Over at Daimler, each of the automotive divisions is considered a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz. That's becoming even more true for Smart and Maybach, but AMG has been increasingly differentiating itself as a brand on its own.

Not only have the bulk of Daimler's motorsport operations been rebranded as AMG and brought closer to their counterparts, but the SLS stands apart as the first AMG-only product in the company's history. And now the performance brand from Affalterbach has inaugurated its first dedicated dealership.

Situated at the high-end Sanlitun Village shopping mall in northern Beijing, the AMG Performance Center is unique from any of the other 195 AMG dealerships already operating in 18 countries around the world in that it is a stand-alone shop, not a corner of an existing Mercedes-Benz showroom. It encompasses 381 square meters of floor space on two levels, which Daimler chose as the location to unveil the new G63 AMG. Scope it out in the press release down below and the high-resolution images in the gallery.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz opens world's first AMG-only dealership in Beijing

Mercedes-Benz opens world's first AMG-only dealership in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi celebrates birth of five-millionth A4

Chris Shunk — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

We can't help but like the Audi A4. It's roomy for its class, it's very efficient and it certainly helps that the high-volume Audi is entertaining to drive. It's no wonder, then, that the four-ringed automaker has managed to make its five-millionth A4 at its plant in Ingolstadt, a 2.0 TFSI Quattro variant in Misano Red. The A4's success story is aided by the fact that the model comes as a wagon or sedan, plus available Quattro all-wheel-drive, an S variant and a CUV-ish Allroad model that isn't sold in the States.

Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management at Audi, calls A4 number five million "another major milestone in Audi's history. All versions of the A4 are efficient, elegant and enjoy outstanding success in their class." Hit the jump to read over the brag-filled press release.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi celebrates birth of five-millionth A4

Audi celebrates birth of five-millionth A4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas?

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:19:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Videos, Audi

The search for the last Horch -- Click above to watch video

You have August Horch to thank for Audi. A former engineer for Karl Benz, Horch started the second oldest company of the original four companies that merged to form Auto Union (the first was Wanderer). But it was Horch whose name, translated into Latin, became "Audi."

The last Horch was built in Ingolstadt in 1953, and Audi wanted to find it. They put their vintage car locator, Ralph Hornung, on the case and he ended up in a field in West Texas. Follow the jump to view a video explaining the search and how the once mighty V8 found its way to a lonely Lone Star pasture. And on a side note, Hornung has a most awesome job... Thanks for the tip, Alex!

[Source: Audi TV via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas?

VIDEO: Audi tracks down the last Horch... in Texas? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi gifts hometown with 10-ton TT as part of centennial celebration [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Audi, Event Alert

Audi TT sculpture - click above for high-res gallery

It's not at all unusual for successive generations of a car line to grow larger the preceding edition. However, in an era where down-sizing is becoming more common, this is a bit absurd. Actually, the car shown here is a 33.5 foot long, 10-ton sculpture of the Audi TT coupe.

The giant TT has actually been around for several years now, debuting in Berlin in 2006 and having been shown in Beijing, Munich, and Hong Kong since then. The outsized work of art has now been brought to Audi's Ingolstadt headquarters as part of the centenial celebrations of the automaker. The sculpture has been placed in the center of a roundabout in Ingolstadt where it should pose absolutely no issues with driver distraction... right, guys? Check out the high-res gallery of images below, as well as the press release and a video of the sculpture being trucked in after the jump.

Gallery: Audi TT Sculpture

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi gifts hometown with 10-ton TT as part of centennial celebration [w/VIDEO]

Audi gifts hometown with 10-ton TT as part of centennial celebration [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

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]

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

High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi traffic light detection system gets the green-light

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:48:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Green, Technology, Audi

Audi's stoplight detection system, called Travolution, has been given the go-ahead for expansion in the company's hometown of Ingostadt, Germany. Travolution establishes a connection between a red light and a vehicle, so that as a specially equipped car moves toward a red light at an intersection, stop light gantries fitted with communications modules can let the car know when the light will turn green. The car then lets the driver know what speed he should maintain in order to pass through the intersection without having to brake for the light and then accelerate again.

The system's promise is in streamlining traffic flow, increasing gas mileage, and reducing emissions. An additional twenty A5 and A6 Avant models are being added to the fleet of cars with the technology, and fifty more stop lights will be fitted with modules. If you're in Inglostadt and you want to save time and money on your commute, follow the Audis.

[Source: Audi]

Audi traffic light detection system gets the green-light originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 14:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Take a tour of the Audi Tradition warehouse

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:05:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi

The rise of niche carmakers has given those with longer pedigrees -- say more than five years, at this point -- compelling reasons to start showing off their heritage. Audi, with nearly a century of history behind it, has an Audi Tradition center near its Ingolstadt headquarters, and a writer at Fourtitude just took a tour and posted plenty of pics. Among the treasures were the usual suspects -- Auto Unions in various states of assembly, Quattros, and race cars. There's also, though, a DKW Monza, motorcycles from sub-brand NSU, engines, the second generation sportback TT concept, 50 S and 100 S Coupes, and a whole lot more. The collection has more than 300 cars, and Fourtitude's got 233 photos. There should be a desktop tour like this every Saturday.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Take a tour of the Audi Tradition warehouse originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi R8 a sellout in UK

Scott Davis — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Audi

Months before the first Audi R8 will be delivered to customers in the UK, Audi has confirmed orders for all of the 400 cars that will be available there for sale. Just in case anyone changes their mind, there are 50 more orders in line behind them. If you still want one and aren't in the first group of 450, classified ads are beginning to list them for sale as well.

With the automotive world abuzz about the latest hot rod from Ingolstadt, Audi hasn't exactly been shy about having the cars out in public. They've been seen around Europe as well as in the US, where Audi recently paraded one through the streets of New York.

Delivery in the UK is expected in the spring of 2007 with pricing starting around £77,000. The R8 is scheduled to go on sale in the US in 2007 as a 2008 model. Pricing is rumored to be in the $80-100K (US) range, depending on the model and powertrain.

[Source: 4car news]

See more pics after the jump!

Audi offers US customers European Delivery in Ingolstadt

Noah Joseph — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:26:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Audi

Audi has been investing heavily into "the Audi experience", creating a brand identity revolving around and beyond its products. Now the company has joined the league of luxury automakers that offers a European delivery program.

European delivery programs offered by German and Swedish carmakers allow North American customers to fly to the factory in Europe to take delivery of their car personally. The option can save several thousand dollars off the price of the car, more than enough to pay for the trip. While there, customers can tour the factory, then drive their car around Europe before having it shipped back to North America. You get a cheap vacation in Europe and a cheaper car. In launching their own program, Audi joins Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Saab and Volvo in offering their customers the package.

Audi delivery starts at the Audi Forum showroom near the factory in Ingolstadt, Germany. In addition to receiving their new wheels in person directly from the factory, customers can tour the assembly line, the factory museum and other attractions at Audi HQ. The best part is you get to see what your new wheels can do flat out on the Autobahn!

Want to read more about European delivery? Try this article from About.com.

[Source: Audi USA via the German Car Blog]

Audi offers US customers European Delivery in Ingolstadt originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Oct 2006 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Production begins on the new Audi TT

Alex Nunez — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:09:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Audi

As we sit and wait a year for the new Audi TT to arrive in the US, the German automaker has begun churning out the slickly-restyled little coupe for the rest of the world.

As was the case with the previous TT, the new car is built as part of a joint effort: bodywork and paint are done at the plant in Ingolstadt, and vehicle assembly is completed at Audi Hungaria's plant int Gyor. Just because the car is built in the same two places as before doesn't mean that the task of building the TT is a business-as-usual proposition, however. A 230-million Euro investment by Audi has resulted in wholesale changes to the TT construction process.

In Ingolstadt, most of the body components are pressed on site in the newly-modernized press shop. Those parts head over to a brand new body shop where they are assembled into the TT's shell. That process is almost fully automated, involving the use of over 200 robots. The completed shells are then painted and subsequently shipped by train to Gyor for final assebly.

When the trains arrive in Hungary, the TT bodies are offloaded and moved directly to the production line, which is 240 meters long and is made up of 65 individual workstations. The assembly process itself was overhauled with an eye towards maximizing efficiency while retaining optimal build quality. The net result is that the new TT takes only 10 hours to build (versus 15 for the outgoing car) and is as robust as ever when it rolls off the line.

(Audi press release and production line photos follow after the jump.)

[Source: Audi AG]

Continue reading Production begins on the new Audi TT

Production begins on the new Audi TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi awards Q5 production to Germany

Chris Paukert — Sat, 20 May 2006 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Audi

Audi's next salvo in its rapidly expanding softroader arsenal, the Q5, will be built in Ingolstadt, Germany. The announcement came this week, courtesy of Audi's Chariman of the Board, Dr. Martin Winterkorn. Production of the new model is expected to commence in 2008, involving about 1,700 workers. The decision is being touted by the automaker as an important demonstration of their commitment to their assembly operations in Germany. This is the second sign of the automaker's investment in its motherland, as Audi announced not long ago that its coming R8 supercar is to be build in Neckarsulm, a German city near Stuttgart.

[Source: DueMotori.com]

Audi awards Q5 production to Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 May 2006 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi TT: real world pics of Ingolstadt's new coupe

John Neff — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 10:36:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Audi

Press pics are one thing, but sometimes a vehicle's true allure is masked by the artificial gloss of officially released images. So we're thankful the guys from the German Car Blog live close enough to Audi's Ingolstadt headquarters to drop by and snap some live shots of the brand's new TT coupe unveiled last Friday. One thing that instantly becomes obvious is how much longer the new TT's hood is compared to the model it's replacing. The front overhang is demonstrably longer and the car in general appears narrower. The rear is graceful in design but we're not diggin' the TT's new angry eyes up front.

[Source and pic courtesy of German Car Blog]

Audi TT: real world pics of Ingolstadt's new coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments