Audi Sees Green...

The Audi Q7 luxury sport-utility
vehicle earned the highest rating in its category under a new consumer
sentiment index aimed at identifying the smartest "green" choices available to
U.S. consumers.

This is the first year for the SmartGreen Index(SM), or SGI(SM), tabulated
by the San Diego-based marketing research firm Strategic Vision. The index is
based on actual customer experiences with perceived quality, overall value
(the "Smart" components) and performance on environmental measures, such as
fuel economy (the "Green" component). Strategic Vision weighs customer
responses to find trends that would best predict customer advocacy, owner
satisfaction, brand loyalty and, in the end, model and nameplate sales.


The Audi Q7 stood out in those measures among all 2008-model and 2009-
model luxury SUVs.


"This recognition provides further proof that Audi vehicles overall, and
the Audi Q7 in particular, offer exceptional satisfaction and long-term
value," said Audi of America Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen. "It
also clearly reinforces Audi's commitment to provide environmentally sensitive
vehicle choices throughout our model lineup."


Strategic Vision said the 2008 index digs into consumer data to find the
few models that provide "a meaningful emotional connection" with U.S.
consumers. Simply claiming the best fuel-efficiency numbers, a hybrid power
plant or strong customer-satisfaction scores isn't enough, Strategic Vision
officials explained.

The End of Manual Gearboxes in Audis...

Audi is considering doing away with manual gearboxes and implementing a complete DSG lineup for all models.

In the trannny department, Audi engineers have stated that DSG gearboxes will be the transmission of the future, though traditional smanuals may also be offered for a while. CVTs may last a bit longer but the DSG system can handlehigher torque & Audi thinks customers prefer paddle shifts.

So expect to see seven speed DSG boxes in most RS vehicles, While keeping 6 gear DSG systems in the rest of the Audi Lineup including newer hybrids coming to market.

Audi says No!

Audi has announced the RS6 will not be coming stateside leaving enthusiasts like US who have supported and remade Audis image in the dark.

"The volume just doesn't justify it," said Jeff Kuhlman, Audi's chief communications officer. Audi only expects to build 8,000 RS6 sedans and wagons throughout its run.

Certifying the RS6 for U.S. sales would likely increase its cost basis above and beyond the already unfavorable exchange rate. The RS6 starts at €105,550 in Germany.

The 572-horsepower super sedan made its official debut at the 08 Moscow Autoshow. The RS6 Quattro features a 5.0-liter, twin-turbo V10 and Audi claims it will accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds.

Audi confident it can achieve 2008 goals

Audi is optimistic it can achieve its full-year targets for revenue and earnings to rise in line with unit sales as the company is poised to break the 1 million car barrier in 2008.

"We have been surprised in the last few weeks day-by-day by a dramatic downturn in banking systems. End of December we know exactly where we are," Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler said on Wednesday at the Reuters Auto Summit in Paris.

"Nevertheless looking at the environment for Audi, I feel quite confident we can reach and achieve this."

In the first nine months through September, sales rose 2.8 percent to 761,500 vehicles.

Stadler said Audi is making money exporting to the U.S. market at current exchange rates, but since he believes the dollar will stabilize between $1.40-$1.50 in the coming years he reaffirmed the company was committed to manufacturing Audis in the United States, with a final decision expected next year.

For the moment, Stadler said Audi was "well hedged" against all major currencies for the next one to two years.

Stadler dismissed media speculation that Porsche SE's two management board members, Wendelin Wiedeking and Holger Haerter, who sit on the Audi supervisory board are intervening in its product strategy in order to prevent competition for their own luxury sports car business. Audi is also in talks with Porsche to supply it diesel engines for the Cayenne SUV, but thanks to a boardroom defeat dealt by VW unions hostile to Wiedeking the group's largest shareholder needs to seek approval before entering into any business with Audi.

"All things are based on win-win situation. We have good business relations with Porsche for years. If there are opportunities we will try to take them and diesel would be a good example," he said.

Audi plans to launch a purely electric vehicle by 2012 at the latest, when the company wants to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 20 percent.

This could possibly be a version of its upcoming subcompact that is due to launch at the beginning of 2009 or the start of the next year and which will be built in Brussels.

"The A1 would not be a bad solution. It would fit very well," he said.

-Source: Reuters

VAG outlook uncertain Winterkorn says...

October 2 (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn talked yesterday with Bloomberg's Andreas Cremer at the Paris Motor Show about the outlook for annual earnings and the possible impact of a global economic slump on 2009 car sales.

Europe's biggest carmaker said its focus on smaller, more frugal models will help it post full-year earnings growth even as the industry suffers a global slump.

New PreProduction Minifighter the Audi Metro A1

After a year since the release of the A1 Metro concept in Tokyo, Audi now has the preprodution model unveiled during the Paris motorshow now known as the A1 Sportback. It has a 148bhp 1.4-litre TSI twincharge -(super/turbocharged) petrol engine driving the front wheels through a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox and a 27bhp electric motor which supplements or takes over from the engine when necessary.

0-62 time of 7.9 seconds and a 124mph topspeed. Audi is saying it can get upto 72.4mpgwith the 1.4 litre engine. Other features include a magnetic suspension like on the RS4, R8 and new TT models and Drive Select, which provides efficiency and sport modes for the drivetrain, suspension and gearchanges, and a system to be used as a navigation system or audio/video player which allow suitably-equipped mobile phones to act as a GPS unit.

Still considered an AWD subcompact actual road performance has yet to be determined and I'm sure Topgear and FifthGear will be all over this one. With the competition being the Suzuki Swift Sport, Mini Cooper, Renault Clio sub hot eco hatches are sure to be the rage within the next couple of years.

Porsche now has controlling stake in VW, Looking to buy Audi what does it mean?

After the air has settled, VW will once again be under Porsche control. Something which hasn't been since World War 2. Many fear Porsche taking control of the VW Audi Group and using it for their own gain, for example the Cayenne chassis which is a Toureg, and miscellanous parts from the VAG bin and Porsche using other companies underpinnings in a cost saving move to make them more profitable by using existing chassis designs. All of which is becoming the industry standard as Peugeot, Citeron, and Mini (BMW) have a global engine, the newer 1.6litre turbo. And Ford with its P1 chassis which is shared among Ford, Mazda & Volvo. But what keeps Porsche a Porsche is their commitment to quality and the boxer engine design. But in all honesty from a German industrialist/nationalist perspective, it makes sense. Porsche has managed to keep VAG 100% German and protecting it from any future takeovers from entities from the MiddleEast, Europe or the Americas. With Audi competing in the Lemans Prototype 1 category and Porsche the LMP2 I think we are going to see a German marque become one of the biggest car markers in the world which is what in my opinion is the goal. Put favortism and classism aside from a business point of view I think its great.
From an enthusiasts view point I'm in with the crowd who thinks Porsches control could stop Audi or VW from putting out some great vehicles. But with Audi distancing itself from VW with cars such as the R8, RS4 we could see a big shake up in Germany. It seems with the economy in the United States effecting the world and affecting carbuyers, we are going to see more consolidation with Car companies the world over and even see a US car company fall into Foreign control. With current US business managment going the way it is I'm sure we will see something similiar to what has happend with Porsche, VW, Audi.

The game plan from what I can tell is Porsche has always been a toptier player and brought itself back in the early 90s where as VW/Audi brought themselves back from the brink also in the late 90s, mainly due to the 1.8T engine which is an enthusiasts favorite motor to tinker with alongside the B & K-Series Hondas.

The move by Porsche has put them in a position to control some of the greatest marques the world has. The Porsche 911 has always been the pinnacle of performance and the standard by which, the Corvette, Nissan GTR, Audi R8 have all come to compare to. I think we are about to see the birth of a newer German Auto industry with the right people at the helm.

MTM Supercharged Audi R8

WETTSTETTEN, Germany — Motoren Technik Mayer has released details on its powerful conversion of the Audi R8: The MTM R8 has 552 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque.

Mayer started by adding an intercooled twin-screw supercharger and continued by upgrading the radiator, oil cooler and exhaust system. The remapped ECU helps the R8 sports car achieve a 0-60-mph time of less than 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph.

The exterior gets some attention as well, with a full MTM aero kit that includes a carbon-fiber front splitter, side skirts, diffuser and glass engine cover that helps to minimize heat soak. There are also plans for a lift-reducing rear spoiler, but MTM has not released details yet.

Also set of 20-inch MTM Bimoto wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires helps finish off the package. The only interior upgrade is a set of carbon-fiber sport seats. All these modifications add up to a price of $55,000 for the complete conversion.

Ondrej Jirec: Audi O Concept

The 2008 Audi O concept was designed by Ondrej Jirec, a design student from the Czech Republic who is beginning studies at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California in 2008.

The Audi O concept was designed to fuse a powerful and innovative audio system with a stylish and sporty four-seat hatchback. The exterior design uses several Audi trademark styling themes, especially at the front where the square grille sits neatly between the LED headlights. The doors feature glass windows running along the bottom edge which provide an interesting shape to the profile of the car. At the rear of the car the pullout door echoes the design of the squared off Audi grille.

The styling of the Audi O was influenced by a variety of sources including the Audi Shooting Brake concept from 2005, the Apple iPod and music.

The interior of the Audi O concept is bright and airy thanks to a full length panoramic roof which floods the cabin with light. Inside, the passenger compartment has been separated from the engine compartment by a double firewall to help keep out external noise which might interfere with the powerful sound system.

The Audi O concept features a unique audio system which has internet connectivity for downloading music onto the built-in 650 GB hard drive. When parked up a Bluetooth system can connect two or more Audi O cars to play audio over a wider area. In this situation, a host Audi O is set to be the source of sound and the other vehicles act as speakers.

The Audi O also features a pullout rear door fitted with a DJ set with mixing decks. The decks can also be removed and used anywhere outside the car.

Powering the Audi O concept is fuel efficient diesel/electric hybrid drivetrain.

Audis new GT3 contender

Audi Develops Race Version of the R8
Source: Audi AG

Customer sport programme with the mid-engine sportscar

First races planned for 2009 season

Factory driver Frank Biela completes roll-out

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Aug 27, 2008 - For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Gy&oumlr.

"The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport programme," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version. With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle."

The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series.

Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension uses almost exclusively components from the production line. A comprehensive list of safety equipment guarantees the highest-level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear-wing generate the required downforce for the race track.

The Audi R8, which bears the project name "R16" within Audi Sport, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. Mid August, the first prototype successfully completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela.

The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers is planned from the autumn of this coming year.

The customer cars are manufactured together by Audi Sport and the quattro GmbH, which is also responsible for production of the Audi R8 street version, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft.