Audi and Volkswagen have had great success with BorgWarner’s dual-clutch transmission. And now, with the appearance of BMW and Lexus's 7th gear in the U.S. later this year, Audi’s upping its gear count to stay competitive.
Audi is set to introduce a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, intended for use with the quattro
The new geabox should appear in the new Audi Q7 crossover in Beijeing next month.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Audi adds 7th gear to the ratio
Audi invests largely in India
German luxury car maker Audi has grand plans in India and is going to invest Euro 30 million (Rs 192 crore) by 2015 in production alone. Audi India, Audi's national sales office, was set up in Mumbai last year.
Currently, Audi's India portfolio has a limited range on offer: TT, A8, A6, A4 and Q7.
Local assembly of the A6 has started from the company's plant in Aurangabad and the same will begin for A4 by this year end.
Monday, March 24, 2008
New Forza Motorsport 2 Downloadable Audi Vehicles
A new downloadable content pack for Forza Motorsport 2 has been released. 13 stunning new and customizable rides have been added to the game's robust 340+ car roster.
Available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 Microsoft points, the March Car Pack's 13 vehicles include an Xbox 360-themed Peugeot 207 Super 2000, the brand new Audi S5 and 2008 BMW M3, and kings among super cars, the Lamborghini LP640 and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Additional cars from renowned makers like Porsche, Maserati, and Mitsubishi round out the list.
The complete new car list:
2008 Audi S5
2007 Audi TT Coupe S-Line
1971 BMW 3.0 CSL E09
2008 BMW E92 M3
1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione
1996 Ferrari F50 GT
2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
2007 Maserati GranTurismo
2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
2008 Porsche 911 GT2 (997)
2007 Peugeot #1 Peugeot 207 Super 2000 (Xbox liveried 2007 IRC championship winner)
Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid
Audi has apparently decided that its new Q7 hybrid will not come to the U.S. after all, citing a slow economy and a weak dollar as the main culprits.
In an interview with Automotive News, Audi U.S. Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen stated that the German automaker could not make a legitimate business case for the importation of Audi's hybrid flagship SUV on a consumer level.
He did however mention that Audi will be selling a "very low volume of cars" to the commercial market. Audi's hybrid powetrain is also a possibility for the smaller Q5 crossover scheduled for debut next year, but a hybrid Q5 would probably not a candidate for the U.S. market either.
Aud is hoping its coming 3.0-liter V-6 diesel version of the Audi Q7will help the automaker to stem the vehicles slowing sales in the U.S. There is still no official word on the price for the Q7 diesel option. De Nysschen said diesels are a more logical product to offer U.S. consumers and have a higher volume potential compared to the hybrid niche market.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Audi diesel invasion
Brian Harper, Canwest News Service
Along with the latest-generation common-rail piezo direct-injection system, exhaust gas recirculation and efficient turbocharging, the key to the TDI's low engine emissions is its cleaning system in the exhaust gas system, which reduces nitrous oxides by up to 90 per cent. A urea solution called AdBlue is sprayed into the catalytic converter. In the hot exhaust, the solution breaks down into ammonia, which the nitrous oxide then splits into nitrogen and water.
Beyond the powertrain, the Q7 gets Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The demand-based torque distribution through the quattro drive means all 406 pound-feet generated by the TDI diesel will be distributed to the wheels with most grip, ensuring traction and lateral stability.
As an upscale family hauler, the Q7 ranks right up there. Its gently curving roof, muscular haunches and trademark Audi shield-like grille make it stand out in a crowded parking lot. It has a boatload of passive and active safety features, it is fully contented with the de rigueur modern conveniences and it is spacious and versatile. What it adds with the 3.0 TDI V6 is much-needed fuel economy and a sense that driving the Q7 (and other full-size, diesel-powered sport-utes and crossovers) doesn't necessarily make you an environmental scofflaw.
Our short time in the vehicle still led Fletcher and me to the same conclusion. With all its benefits, why would anyone not want to get the diesel engine?Thursday, March 20, 2008
Head Of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: In His Own Words
No, it wasn't a perfect week for Audi at the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. But there were plenty of positives to be had including a ninth consecutive LMP1 victory at Sebring International Raceway. Chief among them were the news that the German marque will be part of the American Le Mans Series grid for the full season with two diesel-powered R10 TDIs and Audi's induction into the Sebring Hall of Fame. Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich used that platform to reflect on Audi's record at the 12 Hours and what the Series means to Audi as one of its leading manufacturers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great honor for Audi being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Sebring. In the name of AUDI AG I would like to thank you very much for this honor.
"Sebring is a very special race, especially for Audi. Back in 1999, we competed in our first ever sports car race at Sebring after racing touring cars for various years. Doing this at Sebring, on one of the toughest race tracks of the world, was a big task for Audi Sport and our team. We were not the fastest in 1999, but we were able to finish the race and even achieved a podium result.
"We learned a lot at Sebring in 1999, and one year later we came back with the new Audi R8. As you all know, it was the start of an incredible career for this car. I remember Don Panoz saying 'This car will be a winner' when he saw the Audi R8 for the first time.
"He was right.
"The R8 became the most successful Le Mans prototype in history with 63 overall victories in just 80 races. It has won the Le Mans 24 Hours five times and remained undefeated at Sebring from 2000 to 2005 before we introduced the revolutionary R10 TDI, our diesel-powered sports car.
"For sure, the winning streak of the Audi R8 was the key factor for being admitted to Sebring's Hall of Fame. We know that Sebring is one of the most prestigious races of the world and the victories Audi has achieved here make us proud. But we've seen Sebring also always as an important test for the Le Mans 24 Hours. If you finish the 12 Hours of Sebring, you can be quite sure you will not face too many unexpected technical problems at Le Mans. ..."
"The American Le Mans Series is an excellent platform in America for an automobile manufacturer to compete in motorsport at a high level with innovative technology. We want to continue to use this platform and to support Audi's diesel campaign in the USA. We will show fighting spirit and try to win as many races as possible.
"Audi has helped the American Le Mans Series to become one of the most popular racing series in the world. And Audi has also been the technological pioneers for the Green Racing initiative in the American Le Mans Series, which Audi very much welcomes.
"We have created the basis for Green Racing with racing our R10 TDI in the American Le Mans Series and proving that you can win Le Mans with a diesel-powered sports car. The ACO and IMSA have made it possible for Audi to showcase this technology at Le Mans and in the American Le Mans Series successfully.
"In 2008, AUDI AG will deliver more than 1 million cars worldwide for the first time in its history. Almost half of them will be equipped with a TDI engine, which, in the meantime, has established itself in almost every world market - with the exception of the USA.
"The TDI engine has enormous potential - specifically in the USA. The American Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the United States of America could save 1.4 million barrels of crude oil every day if just every third car and light commercial vehicle was fitted with a modern diesel engine like the Audi TDI.
"Audi will start a TDI offensive later this year introducing the world's cleanest diesel with low emission system on the US markets. The R10 TDI helps to explain the advantages of the TDI technology to the public and the customers.
"And all this started where...? Exactly: Here at Sebring International Raceway.
"Audi is proud it has made history at Sebring. With the induction in the Hall of Fame, Audi has a place in Sebring's history for ever.
"Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity. Sebring will always remain a special place for Audi and for myself."
Audi R8 2008 World Performance Car
The 2008 World Performance Car award has gone to the Audi R8 as announced today during the awards press conference the New York International Auto Show.
The Audi R8 was chosen from an initial entry list of twelve (12) contenders nominated by forty-seven (47) World Car jurors from twenty-four (24) countries throughout the world. Padraic Deane from Automotive Publications represents Ireland on the jury.
While the winner of the overall World Car of the Year award must excel in a broad range of attributes, there is a segment of the car-buying public for whom performance – in its broadest sense – overrides all other priorities. Vehicles appealing to that clientele may be too narrowly focused to appeal to the masses, but it is an important element in the overall automotive mix. It is for that reason that the World Performance Car award was created in 2005.
Candidates for the World Performance Car award must demonstrate a specific and overt Sports/Performance orientation. They must also satisfy the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car award and may be chosen from that list of eligible vehicles.
Additional entrants may include newly introduced variants that satisfy the same criteria, but are derived from existing rather than brand-new models. In all cases, they must have a minimum annual production rate of five-hundred (500) vehicles.
The jurors voted in January 2008 in order to establish a top ten shortlist. The 2008 World Performance Car was chosen from those finalists as tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.
WCOTY's jurors observed that the Audi R8 has solid credentials on paper thanks to its mid-mounted 420-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 engine and aluminum construction. But where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit without fear of unintended consequences. That limit is high, with 0-100 KPH (62 MPH) acceleration of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 187 MPH. The R8’s dramatic visible carbon fiber side panels make a traffic-stopping visual statement, one that it backs up on the test track with astonishing precision for a car of its size category. The R8 is a surprisingly good value for its class.
The top three contenders for the third annual World Performance Car in addition to the Audi R8 were the BMW M3 and the Audi S5 Coupé.
“Last year, the Audi RS 4 won the World Performance Car award and we are thrilled to have retained the title with the Audi R8,” said Johan De Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America.
“This award is recognition for the superb work done by the engineers and designers who worked on the R8. It has immediately taken up a leadership position in the super sports car segment. We are also delighted that the World Car of the Year jurors voted the Audi S5 into the top three."
Mobil 1 announced its sponsorship of the World Performance Car award in November 2007. Nancy Carlson, strategic global alliances - sales director, ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties. "The Mobil 1 team was pleased to sponsor the 2008 Performance Car of the Year award and congratulates the Audi R8 on the achievement of being named the 2008 world’s top performance car by the global panel of renowned automotive journalists serving on the Car of the Year jury."
Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.
From Easier Motoring
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Audi to invest Rs 192 cr in India
Aminah Sheikh / Mumbai March 19, 2008 @ The Business Standard
German luxury car maker Audi has grand plans in India and is going to invest ¤ 30 million (Rs 192 crore) by 2015 in production alone. Audi India, Audi’s national sales office, was set up in Mumbai last year. Currently, Audi’s India portfolio has a limited range on offer: TT, A8, A6, A4 and Q7. Local assembly of the A6 has started from the company’s plant in Aurangabad and the same will begin for A4 by this year end. Rupert Stadler, Chairman, Board of Management, AUDI AG, spoke to Aminah Sheikh on the sidelines of the Germany car makers’ annual press conference in Ingolstadt.
How important is the Indian market for Audi?
Currently, the premium car segment in India is very small. Things are changing with an increasing number of people travelling abroad and rising purchasing power. For instance, when NRIs return to India, they prefer using the brand they owned during they stay abroad.
The market for premium cars is gaining momentum and it makes sense for us to make our presence felt at the onset because it takes time for a brand to build. We decided on an exclusive Audi production line in the group factory in Aurangabad and set up a national sales office in Mumbai last year.
However, the challenge lies in developing infrastructure. Compared to other Asian markets, India still has a lot of work left on the infrastructural front. Once the infrastructure is better, the demand for premier cars will also rise from around 4,000 cars to 10,000-20,000 cars in the next 5-10 years.
What is Audi’s plan for the Indian market?
The growth story in India will take time. We need to ramp up dealership networks. Until the end of 2007, we had three dealers in India — Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.
In the first quarter of 2008, we inaugurated exclusive Audi showrooms in Gurgaon and Hyderabad; Pune and Chandigarh will follow in the next few weeks.
At the end of 2008, we will have 10 new Audi dealerships across India. Possible cities are Chennai, Ludhiana, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Jaipur.
Will Audi consider another production plant in India?
We don’t have any plans to open up a new plant at the moment. Our focus is on the Aurangabad plant where we plan to produce 6,000 units per year by 2015. In the starting phase in 2008, around 300 new Audi A6 will leave the production line there.
Another production plant does not make economic sense as of now. Of the ¤ 30 million (Rs 192 crore) to be invested by 2015, ¤ 10 million (Rs 64 crore) has already been invested in the company’s first year in India.
What is the potential of outsourcing components from India? Will Audi use local components for manufacturing in India?
We constantly assess possible suppliers in India. At the moment, our production volume is too small to offer an attractive business case to the local industry. But I am confident that we can source parts from India in the long run.
How will Audi fight the TATA challenge in India? Will Audi get into the small car segment?
No, we do not plan to tap the small car segment. Audi will remain a premium brand. We will wait for TATA customers to graduate to premium cars.
What innovations is Audi working on?
Audi is pressing ahead with car-to-car communication and intelligent traffic guidance systems. This is another area in which we can achieve a great deal in terms of safety, traffic flow and climate protection.
We are also working on another innovation that will help us achieve our aim of enhancing vehicle safety. A system we call Driver Monitoring, that detects the driver’s eyelids and provides a warning if the driver starts to suffer from fatigue or falls asleep momentarily.
What is Audi’s plan for the global market?
We make sporty, high-quality, progressive cars that have enthusiastic followers throughout the world. Our portfolio of products is going to grow. We plan to expand our model range to 40 vehicles (nearly double the current figure) by 2015.
Each year we invest roughly ¤ 2 billion in our products, which I think will provide a number of interesting surprises. Our sales strategy will include setting up exclusive dealerships in large metropolitan areas around the globe. Our new Audi terminal concept is setting standards in architecture.
Given the current value of the dollar, we stand to benefit tremendously from having our own local production facilities.
Until now, the growth that we have seen throughout the world has not translated into growth we would like to see in the US market.
We remain committed to our intent of clearing the 1,00,000 mark this year in the US. By 2015 we hope to double our current sales figures.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Audi loses to Peugeot for fastest lap @ Sebring
Despite the frustration of not being able to start from pole position after the results of the qualifying session were scrubbed, Nicolas Minassian started the race for Peugeot intent on being first into the opening corner.
Watched closely by the entire Team Peugeot Total squad, he achieved his goal and the car went on to pull out an assertive lead as Portugal’s Pedro Lamy and fellow Frenchman Stéphane Sarrazin took over at the wheel of the 908 HDi FAP. Its lead was practically 35 seconds after the first two hours of racing. However, 52 minutes later, a hydraulic leak forced Stéphane Sarrazin to make a lengthy pit stop. Despite losing nine laps, the Frenchman rejoined the race and soon came out on top of his ensuing duel with Allan McNish before having to make another stop, this time for 45 minutes, again because of a hydraulic problem.
The incident saw the 908 HDi FAP drop to 22nd place, 25 laps behind the leader, but the three drivers and the team’s engineers then worked closely together to put in a string of fastest race laps which culminated in Pedro Lamy bagging the best time of the day with a 1m 44.536s (an average of more than 207kph) after eight hours of racing. This impressive run was interrupted two hours before the chequared flag when the rear left wheel-bearing had to be changed, and then by another stop to repair a leak in the air intake system. Determlined not to give up despite these difficult conditions, the team continued to give its all and Pedro Lamy eventually crossed the line in 12th place.
Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Audi Motorsport Head): “The race was very disappointing for us. We had many technical issues we now have to sort out. These problems did not allow us to run at the pace we wanted. Also the drivers and the team were not faultless today which caused some penalties. We’ve simply been not on the level we wanted to be here. We need and will work immediately on that.”
Although Audi finished with top positions it looks as if Peugeot is definately going to be on Audis heels at LeMans. Both team suffered setbacks but Peugeot only entered 1 car at Sebring for testing and to let Audi know we are coming for you.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Audi DTM on top in first test at Mugello
| By Steven English | Friday, March 14th 2008 |
Markus Winklehock's Audi set the fastest lap of the first DTM test of the season at Mugello this week.
The German set his best time on the final afternoon of the three-day test, beating Jamie Green's Mercedes by 0.166 seconds.
Paul Di Resta was third overall for Mercedes, but Audi was the stronger car over the three days, despite Tom Kristensen and Mike Rockenfeller leaving the test on the second morning to head to Sebring to contest the ALMS opener for Audi.
Alexandre Premat and Mattias Ekstrom also topped sessions on each day of the test and Premat is happy with the progress made by the team, and believes Audi will be in a strong position for the first race.
"These were some great days of testing for us," he said. "We were at the front of the field in all conditions and that's a tremendous feeling. It inspires even more enthusiasm in the team for the new season."
In addition to the 18 works drivers at the test, Christijan Albers made his series comeback, testing a 2006-spec Audi for Team Futurecom. The Dutchman previously finished runner-up in the DTM with Mercedes in 2003.
There was a huge difference between the quickest and slowest times across the three days at Mugello, but several drivers didn't complete a lap on the final day when conditions were much faster than earlier in the week.
Combined times:
Pos Driver Team Time Laps
1. Markus Winkelhock Audi 1:42.132 138
2. Jamie Green Mercedes 1:42.298 103
3. Alexandre Premat Audi 1:42.764 140
4. Paul Di Resta Mercedes 1:42.986 97
5. Gary Paffett Mercedes 1:43.121 105
6. Mattias Ekström Audi 1:43.192 174
7. Ralf Schumacher Mercedes 1:43.506 111
8. Christijan Albers Audi 1:43.638 98
9. Timo Scheider Audi 1:43.952 98
10. Susie Stoddart Mercedes 1:43.988 139
11. Martin Tomczyk Audi 1:44.409 95
12. Oliver Jarvis Audi 1:47.811 98
13. Katherine Legge Audi 1:49.565 105
14. Maro Engel Mercedes 1:56.358 118
15. Mathias Lauda Mercedes 1:57.974 101
16. Mike Rockenfeller Audi 1:58.268 86
17. Tom Kristensen Audi 1:58.451 31
18. Bruno Spengler Mercedes 1:58.513 84
19. Bernd Schneider Mercedes 1:58.617 68
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
