Monday, November 17, 2008

VW "not happy" with Audi R4 project


After a heated dispute between the VW chairman, and former Audi/Porsche engineering boss, Ferdinand Piech and his cousin Wolfgang over a clause the Wolfsburg firm tried to instate to prevent a formal collaboration between Audi and Porsche without VW’s consent, things appear to have concluded amicably. This means a joint-effort between the two companies is not impossible.

Porsche certainly seems keen to re-establish its ties with Audi, if a recent interview with Porsche boss Wendelin Wiedeking is anything to go by. Wiedeking said he was puzzled that Audi had not continued working with Porsche after the success of the RS2, and that such a project was something Porsche would have been keen to continue.

Audi S3 Sportback



Audi has announced that the S3 Sportback will come in two flavors S-Tronic (DSG) and 6 Speed manual. What makes this even more exciting is Audi now has the option to bring the S3 Sportback over to the US, which they stated hatchbacks wouldn't sell here in the states but it seems as though this is a great compromise although the cost quite possibly could put it at $44,289.93 USD. With a base 265hp would put it $10k above the VW R32, 15hp more and a possible 100ilbs less weight. The tuning advantage goes to the S3 which tuners are getting 300+ from a reflash and a turbo upgrade/reflash can net you 350+. Will Audi decide to bring this over since VW has axed plans for the R36? We can only hope.....