Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the spied Audi TT Clubsport Quattro.

Car dropped a dime on Audi HQ to get the scoop on the automaker's production plans for the recently spied TT Clubsport Quattro, and as suspected, the roof-less coupe will be making a limited production run. Audi plans to produce between 50 and 100 examples on the open-top TT, but there are no plans on offering it in the UK, the U.S. or other markets outside of the Middle East. The rationale behind the decision centers on the warm climes and lack of rain in the Middle East, along with Audi's commitment to becoming a purveyor of the finest automotive wares. It's a smart move on Audi's part, but we can't help but feel slighted by the decision. Tonneau technology has certainly evolved since its original implementation in post-WWII roadsters, so we would've hoped that such a solution would be offered to enthusiasts around the world.



[Source: Car]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro.

Audi has released the first official images of its newest concept before the wraps are taken off at the Lake Wörther Tour in Austria later this month. Think of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept as a smaller, racier, more attainable version of the Audi R8 V12 TDI concept shown in Detroit, with power provided by the highest specific output diesel in the world.

Look past the DTM-inspired bodywork and you'll get an aluminum-enhanced glimpse of the oilburning jewel that lies beneath. The 1,968cc turbodiesel produces 221 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque available at an oh-so-low 1,750 rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed manual transmission before it reaches the ground through Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi claims that the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro can reach 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 149 mph. We believe it.

While the body work might be a bit over the top, the tuned A3 sits 26mm lower than stock and rides on 20-inch wheels that fit cleanly into blistered wheel arches, widening the A3's track by 33 mm in front and 46 mm in the rear. Stopping power in the front is provided by six piston calipers clamping 356mm carbon ceramic discs, while standard steel brakes are fitted out back. Inside, it's all business with a bit of show car flare, including a flat-bottom steering wheel, bolstered buckets, aluminum trim, toggle switches and a red starter button to get the party underway. Audi has also fitted the concept with a its Drive Select system, which can change throttle response, exhaust sound, power steering assist, ESP settings and magnetic ride damping on the fly.

Audi isn't saying that the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro is destined for production, but it would make an excellent runabout for the times when rolling the R8 V12 TDI to the store would be overkill.

Make the jump for the full press release.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi metroproject quattro Concept.

Buyers of the next generation of Volkswagen-developed small cars will have one more option box to tick when placing their order: all-wheel-drive. The new platform, dubbed PQ25, will find its way underneath a handful of new models, spanning the range from the low-end (SEAT), mid-grade (VW) and luxury (Audi). All-wheel-drive won't be an option for the new SEAT Ibiza, but consumers of the next VW Polo (specifically the CrossPolo) might be able to outfit their tiny runabout with AWD, while the Audi A1, due out in late 2009, will continue the automaker's love affair with quattro.


[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]

The Outback treatment of the new Impreza may not be a best seller, but if emerging reports are to be believed, Audi thinks it can do a better mini-me impression by applying the Allroad concept – its take on the Outback theme – to the smaller A4.

Currently the Audi Allroad is based on the mid-range A6 Avant Quattro wagon, with an off-road suspension and contrasting body-cladding. Like the Outback and the XC70 version of Volvo's V70 wagon, the Allroad offers sport-ute appeal and functionality with better driving dynamics and less weight to schlep around.

A beefed-up A4 Avant Quattro could provide an attractive alternative to the emerging field of compact SUVs like the BMW X3 and Acura RDX ,as well as upcoming models like the Mercedes GLK, Infiniti EX and even Audi's own Q5. Then again, maybe poaching its own sales wouldn't be that great an idea.

[Source: AutoBild via Motor Authority]

Audi's given the A4 an S-Line package for European consumption, and they're pledging that the US won't get stiffed when the fifth-generation A4 lands in America in late 2008. The German word for sport is, uh, sport, and the S-line bits can appease S4 aspirants without the heavy outlay for the über-performing version of the A4. Inside Line has been assured by Audi USA's Christian Bokich that they "won't hold back on the cool stuff from Germany," meaning you won't have to hunt down esoteric Euro part numbers for the bits you really want; nor will you have to go at your Audi with hand tools to get something a little special.

For about $3,000, European buyers will get a lowered suspension by Quattro GmbH, 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, sport seats, special perforated Alcantara and leather, and different accents for the leather wrapped sport steering wheel. While the interior execution will be Audi sumptuous, it certainly won't make the car any sportier or faster. The bolsters on the sport seats are likely to be more snug-fitting, but what it sounds like, the main value is in the Quattro GmbH suspension which would probably be hard to duplicate for a mere $3K aftermarket. The extra finery is de rigeur in this segment, lest you forget you're driving an uprated car.

[Source: Inside Line]

4Car sat down with Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board who heads up the product engineering side of things, and came away with new insights on the MINI-fighting A1, the future of Bentley and what products are waiting in the wings.

Starting small, Audi's new A1 will not share the all-aluminum construction of the less-than-popular A2, instead using the steel PQ24 platform that underpins the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia. It will be distinctly Audi in its design, albeit in a small package, and will feature a number of technologies – specifically the MMI setup – that's found in the quad-ring's luxury offerings. Don't expect Quattro in the beginning, nor will a three-door body be offered at first, but Dick confirmed that there would be a concept debuting in Tokyo next month that hints at the A1's styling.

Audi is also developing a new alloy structure for the A8 that will underpin the next generation of Bentleys, and will likely reduce the overall weight of both models by over 300 pounds. Also, the reworked A3 is coming next year, along with a convertible version, while the Q5 will arrive in 2008 complete with either a hybrid drivetrain or a diesel engine – both slated for sales in the U.S.

[Source: 4Car]

According to Motor Authority, Audi has developed a new differential that will find its way into all its Quattro-equipped vehicles next year. The new diff quells Audi's inherent understeer by shuffling torque between the rear wheels, thus improving overall road-holding and lending itself to more sporty (read: rear-wheel drive bias) driving dynamics.

The system, which sends 60-percent of torque to the rear wheels, will sense a loss of traction in less than 100 milliseconds and then send an appropriate amount of power to each individual wheel. Users will have the ability to select between three different preset modes, including "auto," "comfort" and "dynamic," the latter of which provides more competent handling at the expense of ride comfort.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Click the image above for more hi-res pics.

Audi has finally released U.S. pricing on its new A5 and S5, and those of you looking to get into Audi's newest hotness can do so for the bargain price of $39,900. That's where the base A5 model will start, complete with a six-speed manual, while the S5, sporting the same stick will begin at $50,500. Throw in the six-speed Triptronic auto 'box and both prices swell by another $1,300. Naturally, both models come with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, while the A5 finds motivation from the 265 HP 3.2-liter FSI V6 and the S5 gets going under the power of the 354 HP 4.2-liter FSI V8.

You can check out all the options in the press release after the jump, and expect the manual equipped S5s to arrive at dealers in November, while the A5, A5 automatic and S5 automatic will be available in spring of '08.

[Source: Audi]

Porsche of late is doing everything to remain in the news. Crystal balls are still trying to glean what Porsche plans to do with Lamborghini and Bugatti, which have thrived under Audi's watch. Now the brand, for which there is no substitute, has struck a deal with Audi to develop an entry level sports car called the R4 as well as the next Boxster and Cayman. The R-car will be the lowest rung in an "R" lineup that will hop even numbers from R4 to R10.

The R-cars will be geared not to compete with Porsche models: the R4 will ride below the Boxster and use turboed 4- and 5-cylinder engines. The R6 sandwiched by the 911 and Boxster, the second generation R8 to come in coupe and roadster versions, and an R10 supercar based on Audi's perennial Le Mans conqueror.

What will each party get? Audi gets Porsche engineering, Porsche gets aluminum spaceframes, diesel tech, DSG for all torque ratings, and they both get massive R&D savings. Both the R4 and the Boxster will then benefit from each company's pool of goodies, like night vision, heads-up display, brake energy recuperation, MagnaRide from Audi, and PDC from Porsche. The only thing left to decide is the timing: the Panamera drops in 2009, and Audi wants the R4 in showrooms in 2010. Stay tuned for a lot of in-house wrangling and a slew of hot new sports cars.

[Source: Car Magazine via eGM Car Tech]

Hardtop convertibles – called coupé-cabrios across the pond – are commonplace enough these days that seeing one out on the road, as nifty as they are, isn't such a novelty anymore. Long before the first-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK, before the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 Spyder, but significantly after the Ford Skyline Fairlane, a German garage by the name of Treser chopped the roof off the rally-bred Audi Quattro coupe and fitted a fully automatic retractable hard-top. Only 39 were made, of which only one was reportedly made in right-hand drive (apparently for a British customer), and that vehicle is on sale now on eBay.

In addition to the trick roof, which disappears in 20 seconds below a hard boot-lid at the touch of a button on the b-pillar, Treser also tinkered with the engine, coaxing 250 horsepower out of the turbocharged inline-five.

The seller claims the car cost £41,144.25 new, but as of when this here article was written, the bidding was at £7,645.01. For all the juicy details, check out the auction by clicking here.

[Source: German Car Scene via Carscoop]