Frank Biela Interview

The B5 A4 to me is still the best platform Audi everhad and still continues this day as a streetfighter across America and Europe. I myself have owned a B5 and B6 and loved them, and I still love how easy it is to modify them with the plethora of parts available from tuners everywhere. I ran across this on my way out Enjoy.

Audi Among German Companies Hit by Labor Strikes

Audi the luxury-car brand of Volkswagen was among German companies affected by strikes after the IG Metall labor union failed to reach agreement with employers over pay.

About 5,000 staff at Audi's Ingolstadt and Neckersulm plants stopped working for as much as two hours, the union said in separate e-mailed statements today. About 8,000 manufacturing workers downed tools across Germany today, the union added on its website.

IG Metall, representing 3.2 million employees, is pressing for an 8 percent pay rise next year. The union last week rejected a counteroffer from the Gesamtmetall employers' association for a one-time payment this year and a 2.1 percent increase in 2009.

Strikes will continue on Nov. 3 at E.G.O. Blanc und Fischer & Co. GmbH, which makes parts for appliances, Zehnder Group AG, General Electric Co.'s health-care unit, MSC Freiburg GmbH, Ferromatik Milacron Maschinenbau GmbH and Sick AG, IG Metall said. At least 18 production sites will be affected, it said.

The engineering sector employers' group, Gesamtmetall, offered workers a 2.9 percent wage offer over 14 months on Thursday, which IG Metall has rejected.

"This bad offer is an insult," IG Metall's deputy chairman, Detlef Wetzel, said in a statement. "On this basis, a quick solution is not possible."

The rise sought by IG Metall, which is seeking a deal for the 3.6 million workers in the engineering sector, is the biggest wage hike it has sought in 16 years.

The union is due to resume wage negotiations with Gesamtmetall on Nov. 11 in the southern state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, where agreements often serve as pilot deals for the engineering sector nationwide.

Negotiators will resume talks in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on Nov. 13, which has previously also produced pilot deals. If no deal is reach at the next round of talks, IG Metall has vowed to stage full-blown strikes to press its case.

-Source:Bloomberg

Audi Announces TT-S Pricing

MSRP for the TT-S Coupe will start at $45,500 and $47,500 for the TT-S Roadster.



The 2.0 litre FSI engine will have 265 hp @ 6000 rpm and 258 lb.-ft. @2500-5000 rpm.
Judging by this pricing the newer TT-RS Coupe might not make it here and ft it does, will face the same dilemma Audi faced in which to bring the Audi S3 over or not.

Judging from Market conditions the TT-RS will probably face the same demise of the RS6.

Finally a pic of Audis new UP! Concept Metrocar

Two engines are being developed right now for this platform a diesel and petrol version. It is unknown if Audi plans to bring the supersubcompact to the US with the A1 Metro expecting to be a Mini Contender, the UP! Market would be against the ubersmall Smart ForFour now on sale in the US. While the Smart only gets 34mpg the rumour is the UP! choices of engine are trying to eye a conservative 95mpg.

Novice R8 driver slams into barrier

Todays Lesson:
Liftoff-Oversteer

Virginia International Raceway

Audi Design Center in Californias R25 Concept Rendering

The R25 is designed to utilize and excel in this new racing system with features such as:

1. The new Dynamic Space Frame, allowing much greater degree of flexibility, integration of circuits and rigidity


2. Algae bio fuel for endurance and electric motor capability through Wireless power transfer technology


3. Audi Design: Staying true to the “Form is Function” philosophy, there is not an ounce of needless element in the R25, which incorporates advanced technique and efficient form management into one.
The car also uses: active micro-control surfaces which optimize airflow during the race; Man Machine Interface, which inputs all vehicle data output into the driver’s helmet visor; all-around vehicle dynamic sensors and integrated on-board HD cameras with real-time data links to allow for spectator interaction, allowing fans to virtually “sit” and experience the race in any racecar through monitors and virtual reality booths.

Audi S4 supercharger sourced from Eatons Poland plant

With Volkswagen sourcing a supercharger for its twincharged Golf GT,
Audi has done the same and sourced its upcoming S4 sport sedans supercharger
from Eaton's facility in Tczew, Poland with production already ramped up to supply with demand anticipated from Audi.

Audi trumped by Honda Accord 2.2 litre Diesel engine

After just finishing its Mileage marathon Audi has announced real world mpg in its A3, A4, Q5 diesel powered engines. The best Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro had an average fuel consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 kilometers (44.38 US mpg); the new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI performance SUV finished the test with a convincing 6.1 l/100 km (38.56 US mpg).
In its first tough road test since it was announced, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system performed outstandingly well: the world’s cleanest diesel scored a best average fuel consumption of 7.1 l/100 km (33.13 US mpg).
The lowest consumption of all the cars taking part was the 4.7 l/100 km (50.04 US mpg) achieved by the Audi A3 2.0 TDI.


Hot on the heels of this completion Honda has announced its newer road tested 2.2 litre Diesel engine is headed to the US in Acura guise offered in the TSX andas a newer Accord engine option which gets 53 miles a gallon on the highway, 34 in the city and 44 in combined driving.

The engine, a 4cylinder diesel at 2.2 liters & producing 140 horsepower/250 pound-feet of torque. The engine will be using a new system developed with Bosch exclusively for the diesel market. The engine will meet 50state emission standards with out a need to carry an on board dillution of urea, to scrub smog nitrogen oxides from exhaust output. Honda’s patented pollution system can generate its own ammonia for the same purpose.

With Audi finally deciding to bring over a 2.0 litre turbo Diesel option and the Honda engine naturally apsirated only making 30 less hp and 8 ilbs ft less torque Audi has some serious competition now in the 4 cylinder diesel game.

Competition heats up for future LMP1 category

With an almost win by Peugeot, Audi now has Honda, & GM who are considering entering LMP1/ GM would enter a chassis running a LS7 and turbocharger setup. So far with the economic crisis GM has not stated if and/or when it would have an entry ready. Porsche and Acura are already in the LMP2 category for ALMS, Audi with its newer R15 has quite the competition mounting.

Porsche, Audi looking into IRL

The IndyCar series had invited a number of engine suppliers, along with current supplier Honda, to work on developing a four cylinders- inline - turbocharged engine for the series to be used starting in 2011.

Rumours that the meeting was held secretly are false, as reported in a past issue of RaceCar Engineering Audi, Porsche, Lola, and Alfa Romeo were invited to give feedback to the IRL for future engine development.

Porsche competed in CART in both 1989 and 1990 campaigns, even managing a victory with Teo fabi in '89 but the German Manufacturer quit after it ran into controversy with the other teams when it constructed its own carbon fibre car.

Alfa Romeo, had also a go at CART in 1990 and 1991 but it also ended abruptly after it was unable to develop a proper engine due to the fact that the engine designer started out from an old Ferrari engine that they tried to convert to no avail.

Audi, owned by Volkswagen, is the only engine supplier who has never participated in either CART or IRL series. Still, the German manufacturer has had tremendous success in the Le Mans 24H and in the American Le Mans series. Although Volkswagen has supplied engines for F3 the old 1.8T producing 200bhp which was more than enough for these lightweight cars similiar to Formua Ford in design.