Autoblog

Legalize It: Horchaus federalizing non-U.S. Audis for North America

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Audi, Canada

All your dreams do come true - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're going back and forth on this one. Do we file it under "We'll believe it when we see it" or "Pinch me I'm dreaming"? Either way, we get to sub-tag it, "Thank God for rich friends." That's right y'all, Audi is allowing Horchaus, the Canadian distributor MTM, to federalize some special four-ringers for American consumption. These are the real deal, hopped-up German Audis, straight from the tweaker factory.

As we're sure you all know, Audi keeps a whole bunch of extra spicy models back in Europe. Why? The excuses typically involve some song and dance about Americans not wanting high performance station wagons (as if), though in the case of the RS4 Avant (arguably the most desirable car we can't buy), the U.S. prohibition was because the rear-mounted battery didn't pass DOT certification...

So which cars can we now get via Horchaus? The RS4 Avant, RS4 Convertible, S3, the RS6 sedan and RS6 Avant, Q7 V12 TDI and TT RS. And there's something else to note: Since Euro-tuner MTM is involved in the equation, these cars can be pumped up a bit over stock. One example would be the twin-turbo V10 in the RS6 upped from a paltry 580 horsepower to a more appropriate 735 hp.

That said, Horchaus's pricing announcement is leading us back to the "We'll believe it when we see it" category. Using nothing but a straight Euros-to-dollars conversion rate, the RS6 would cost you about $150,000. However, Horchaus is saying it can be yours for just $107,600. Here's where it gets hinky. Supposedly Horchaus can sell you a R8 V10 5.2 FSI for $98,000, which is mucho less expensive than Audi USA sells them for (the last one we drove cost $172,250). We don't believe this last bit. Still, will us Americanos be able to get two of the hottest wagons in the world? Si senor, si.

UPDATE: After collaborating with a few colleagues who've spoken with people at both Audi Canada and Audi of America, along with Audi AG, we're a little unsure how a few of the vehicles listed could make it to the States and be legalized. The RS4 and S4 Avants shouldn't be a problem, as both have had their engines federalized and the S4 Avant has been crash-tested for the U.S. requirements. The RS6 Avant and its V10 engine have not, so importation of that beast is hardly cut and dry. We'll continue poking around and update this post as necessary.

Gallery: Audi RS6

[Source: IEDEI ]

Legalize It: Horchaus federalizing non-U.S. Audis for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Audi Q7 V12 TDI versus BMW M5

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:24:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Etc., Videos, Audi, BMW, UK

Click above to watch the Audi Q7 V12 TDI take on the BMW M5

Autocar decided to find out which was faster among two unlikely bedfellows sharing one common trait: 500 horsepower. In one lane you've got the BMW M5, with ten petrol-powered cylinders. In the adjacent lane there's the Q7 V12 TDI, with twelve oil-burning cylinders. The M5 is much lighter. The Q7 has Quattro. And being England, of course it's wet. Follow the jump to see who won and by how much.

Continue reading VIDEO: Audi Q7 V12 TDI versus BMW M5

VIDEO: Audi Q7 V12 TDI versus BMW M5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Audi Q7 coastline concept - It's got shore power!

Alex Nunez — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:03:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Audi

Click to cruise through a hi-res gallery of the Q7 coastline concept

In addition to introducing the production Q7 V12 TDI ultra-ute, Audi will use this week's Geneva Motor Show to christen a concept based on its new flagship. "Flagship" is actually an appropriate term, as the Q7 coastline takes a distinctly nautical tack. Its bodywork and 500-horsepower engine jibe with those of the Q7 V12 TDI, but it gets a new wheel design and is finished in Inuit -- a pearlescent white paint -- from bow to stern. Inside, the yachting theme continues with alabaster-colored surfaces contrasted by dark wood cabin accents. The theme is pushed to full throttle in the cargo area, where the waxed wood trim is laid out in a pattern that recalls deck planking, but disappointingly does not include a shuffleboard court. The "V12 TDI" badging on the front fenders badging even incorporates a little yacht club burgee. Ultimately, a big diesel-powered land yacht sporting a nautical theme seems rather appropriate, but come on, Audi -- no tender? Slackers.

Gallery: Audi Q7 coastline concept

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Audi Q7 coastline concept - It's got shore power!

Geneva 2008: Audi Q7 coastline concept - It's got shore power! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q7 V12 TDI coming to America (maybe)!

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Audi

Click on the photo for a gallery of high-res images of the Q7 V12 TDi

It looks like the Audi Q7 V12 TDi Concept that appeared at the Detroit Auto Show in January may lose the last word in it's name before long and actually move into showrooms. During the Audi snnual press conference in Ingolstadt, new boss Rupert Stadler seemed to imply that the monster V12 diesel would be going into production versions of the Q7, before long. If Audi decides to capitalize on the success of the diesel-powered R10 in the ALMS and at LeMans by putting the V12 TDi into the R8 sports car, a better business case could certainly be made for producing the engine if they could also install it in other vehicles like the Q7 and A8.

Although he didn't say it explicitly, he didn't use the word "concept" in his discussion of the Q7 and called the launch a huge success. Stadler also stated that the V12 TDi is part of Audi's broad-based diesel initiative in the US market. Make of that what you will. The transcript of the presentation is after the jump.

[Source: Audi via Fourtitude]

Gallery: Audi Q7 V12 TDI concept

Gallery: Audi Q7 V12 TDI Concept

Continue reading Audi Q7 V12 TDI coming to America (maybe)!

Audi Q7 V12 TDI coming to America (maybe)! originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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