Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Audi Q7 V6 Tdi

Fuel cells and hybrids may have a future powering lighter sedans and trucks, but the future of the full size truck or SUV--and probably of the biggest sedans-- is diesel. They simply provide way more torque more efficiently than other modes of propulsion. They're also more expensive to produce to current emissions regs, so it's no surprise that diesel's first big push into passenger cars will be in high-end high-performance vehicles.Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW all announced diesel-engine production plans in Detroit, but Audi trumped them all with a concept Q7 powered by a 60-degree twin-turbo V-12 TDI that churns out 500 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. Tech highlights include an iron-graphite cylinder block cast in a unique process that allows thinner walls for a 15% weight savings. The common-rail piezoelectric direct fuel injection also breaks ground with injection pressures up to 29,000 psi. It's said to be capable of launching the Q7 to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds and returning up to 20 mpg.

No timing has been announced for the V-12, but Audi will sell a 3.0-liter V-6 diesel in 2008, producing--ahem--"only" 233 hp and 369 pound-feet of torque. It will share the Bluetec name and selective-catalytic reduction technology (which injects urea into the exhaust to reduce NOx emissions) with Mercedes-Benz, but wil NOT share any parts. Bluetec is simply a name meant to distinguish 50-state US compliant Mercedes, Audi, and VW diesels from their dirtier CDI and TDI-badged forebears. All require ultra-low sulfur diesel. Mercedes showed its previously announced GL320 Bluetec V-6 SUV (this engine also underpinned the Jeep Trailhawk concept) alongside a "concept" GL420 V-8 diesel making 290 hp and 515 pound-feet and achieving a claimed 24 mpg.

Not to be undone, BMW announced its own unique 3.0-liter twin (sequential) -turbo diesel inline six. Output is rated at 286 hp and 428 pound-feet, and it is said to be capable of whooshing a 3-series to 60-mph in 6.1 seconds. It uses the same SCR urea emissions controls as its German neighbors, but BMW didn't sign on to use the Bluetec nomenclature, which it deemed unnecessary, because BMW hasn't sold diesels in the US prior to 50-state compliance. Look for this engine to power the X5 and maybe X3 and 3-series models starting in calendar 2008.

After these image-leading brands have sold their ultra-high performance diesels for a few years, and people learn that diesels are no longer stinky slow-pokes, the way will be paved for more affordable oil-burners priced for middle-American families.

Monday, May 14, 2007

2008 Audi TT Exterior/Interior Restyling

Exterior Styling

Although the Audi TT's dimensions have been increased slightly to improve packaging-it's 5.4 inches longer, 3.0 inches wider, and a quarter-inch taller-it's still a compact shape with a short rear overhang and carefully beveled front end that helps diminish the impression of front overhang. The new Audi TT single-frame radiator outline probably suits this model best of all, and it's integrated into the new car's face by feline headlight shapes and deep front air intakes. New regulations for pedestrian protection have been incorporated.


The roofline has been moved farther rearward than in the first Audi TT, and the proportions look better balanced. Although the original shape has been recaptured faithfully, it has been proportioned and finessed with interesting surface details. The contours in the rear bumper and tail section lend greater maturity and sophistication to the car, and the flared wheel housings, prominent exhaust outlets, and contrasting diffuser color are expressed in high-performance design language. The taillights use free-form reflector technology to achieve a three-dimensional effect.

A new rear spoiler is neatly integrated, emerging from its hiding place only at speeds above 75 mph (on an articulated linkage that projects it up and out) to prevent repeats of the first Audi TT's alleged rear-end lift at high speed. Larger side mirrors-complying with the latest rearview regulations-improve visibility without looking incongruous with the svelte shape.

The Audi TT now slices through the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.30, much better than the 0.34 of its predecessor. Furthermore, various wind-tunnel tweaks (such as an almost completely flat underbody) have improved the car's aerodynamic performance, despite its increased frontal area.

Interior

Although the overall interior effect isn't as dramatic a statement as that of the original Audi TT, it has been updated and simplified. The separate center-tunnel bars that used to contact tall drivers' right knees are gone, replaced by a conventional center console. Three circular air outlets replace the previous two-vent dash signature, and larger, clearer instrumentation is fitted. The center dash console, containing the navigation/info screen when so specified, is angled slightly toward the driver.

A leather wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel with a circular center boss embellished with the four-ring Audi symbol continues the high-performance design motif. Cast of lightweight magnesium, the steering wheel (plus airbag) weighs just 6.2 pounds.

There's a lot of metal look and actual metal trim inside the car, including the air outlet rings, the pedal pads and footrest, the inlays on the center console and glove box, and sill trims in the door apertures. Real pile carpeting is used, and optional leather trim is available on the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro model on the handbrake, door pulls and center tunnel armrests.

In Europe, the 2.0T Audi TT has cloth upholstery, while the Audi TT 3.2 Quattro boasts a leather/Alcantara combination as standard issue. Various leather combinations will be offered as options, along with an extended aluminum trim package.

Interior space was improved as a result of the overall increase in dimensions, with over an inch more shoulder room

S tronic 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox

A supremely dynamic way to shift gears
This is the most advanced form of gearbox available; with shift times in the region of 0.2 seconds and without noticeably interrupting power flow. It is ideal for every driving style and adds unique emphasis to the sporty, dynamic character of the new Audi.
Uninterrupted flow of power
Unlike conventional manual gearboxes, the S tronic gearbox has a two-part transmission shaft comprising an outer hollow shaft and an inner shaft. The inner transmission shaft serves the 1st, 3rd and 5th gears, the outer shaft is for gears 2, 4 and 6. A double multi-plate clutch and an intelligent electro-hydraulic control unit transfers engine power permanently to one of the two shafts.

On the road, one gear is engaged and the next gear is pre-selected. Then, when the gear is shifted, the first clutch disengages the active gear and the other clutch engages the pre-selected gear at exactly the same time.
TT coupe
Automatic or Manual?
The S tronic gearbox is both. It is based technically on a 6-speed manual gearbox with 2 clutches, but there is no clutch pedal. An automatic sports transmission with the emphasis on “sport.”

In the fully-automatic mode the driver can select a sporty or relaxed shifting style. For a more active driving experience the driver can utilize the gear lever or the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
TT Coupe
Full power acceleration
The special launch control program offers outstanding acceleration from a standing start. With the selector lever set to “S” and the ESP deactivated the driver can press down on the brake while giving full throttle. Engine speed will hold at about 3,200 rpm. By abruptly letting go of the brake pedal the Audi will accelerate with full power. Pure exhilaration.

Audi RS4 is 2007 World Performance Car

At a press conference presented by the MIDWAY GROUP and hosted by the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javitz Centre in Manhattan, New York, the Audi RS4 was declared the 2007 World Performance Car.

The Audi RS4 was chosen from an initial entry list of seventeen (17) contenders nominated by World Car jurors from 22 countries throughout the world.

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 we created the World Performance Car award 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 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 1000 vehicles.

The jurors voted in January 2007 in order to establish a top ten shortlist. The 2007 World Performance Car was chosen from those finalists as tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

WCOTY's jurors loved the RS4, which is the virtual definition of a sports sedan. With its quattro all-wheel-drive system it puts its 420 high-tech horsepower to the ground with confidence, and it can be tossed around an obstacle course with abandon. The Audi build quality is beyond reproach and for all its high-performance capability, the RS4 can be absolutely docile when that is what is called for, making it a true dual-purpose car, suitable for everyday family use as well as track days. The very best part, however, is the wonderful roar it emits when you put your right foot down.

The top three contenders for the third annual World Performance Car in addition to the Audi RS4 were the BMW 335i and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

"We are honoured to receive the World Performance Car of the Year award for the Audi RS 4," said Johan De Nysschen, Executive Vice President of Audi of America, on accepting the award. "Over the past few years, Audi has emerged as a serious sports car brand and RS models have played an important role in this development. So we are delighted that the World Car of the Year jurors view the RS 4 as the very definition of a sports sedan."

Background

The global marketplace is a reality. Nowhere is that global reality more apparent than in the automotive industry. European vehicles engineered in South Korea.North American vehicles developed in Australia.Japanese vehicles designed in Europe.American vehicles built in China. And that is just the beginning. Cars from everywhere are being sold everywhere else.

The World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards were inaugurated to reflect that reality, to recognize and reward automotive excellence on a global scale, and to create consumer awareness of that recognition. This award is intended to complement, not compete with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.


The inaugural World Car of the Year in 2005 was the Audi A6. In 2006, the BMW 3 Series won the World Car of the Year title.

Announcing the annual World Car of the Year awards at the New York show is a fitting finish to the auto show season that begins each fall with either the Paris or Frankfurt motor shows. Next, it's on to Tokyo in alternating years. The Detroit show takes centre stage in January while Geneva claims the spotlight in March. Finally, in April, the international auto show season concludes with its grande finale at the New York International Auto Show.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

2008 Audi R8 Technical Info

From Audi comes the all-new Audi R8. Race inspired and derived from the Le Mans dominating Audi R8 machine. With it’s mid-engine design and high-revving 4.2 liter V8 with FSI® Direct Injection technology, the new Audi R8 is the ultimate execution of Audi engineering. Sport-biased quattro all-wheel drive with 44% front, 56% rear torque distribution delivers outstanding traction and high-performance driving dynamics.


Engine
The mid-mounted V8 engine with 4.2 litre displacement and four-valve FSI® technology produces 420hp and accelerates the Audi R8 to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. The maximum torque of 317 lb-ft delivers breathtaking thrust. The top speed is 187 mph. Anyone who shares our enthusiasm for sports cars will understand all these figures. But ultimately they merely prepare the ground for something that is impossible to express in numbers: the supreme driving experience

Instead of generating its power exclusively from displacement, the compact mid-engine in the Audi R8 utilises an innovative high-rev concept. As a result, the engine develops huge thrust over a broad speed band up to 8250 rpm. Even at low speeds, the long-stroke powerplant offers high torque, extreme agility and spontaneous throttle response.

So much thrust in combination with the outstanding suspension of the Audi R8 results in correspondingly high transverse acceleration. For this reason, the oil supply to the engine is handled by a dry sump lubrication system typical of race cars. In this, the deep oil pan of a conventional engine is replaced by a shallow oil pan, scavenger pump and separate oil tank. The oil tank ensures that the delivery pump is supplied with lubricant at all times, guaranteeing a constant uniform oil supply.

Horsepower: 420 hp @ 7800 rpm*
Maximum torque: 317 lb-ft @ 4500-6000 rpm*
0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h): 4.6 seconds*
Top speed: 187 mph (301 km/h)*


Transmission
2 options available: an optimized six-speed manual transmission is standard. The Audi R8 comes with an optional R tronic transmission. Like the R8 itself, this sequential six-speed manual gearbox is racing-bred, with the emphasis clearly on performance. Shifting can be carried out either via a joystick or by paddles on the steering wheel.

In addition, an automatic mode is available. Shift-by-wire technology allows very short shift times and a total engagement with the vehicle.


Retractable rear spoiler
The electrically extending rear spoiler is a unique combination of design and function. The spoiler may be manually activated by a separate switch on the centre console

2008 Audi TT Presentation

Not many cars are icons right from the moment of introduction, but Audi's TT definitely belongs to this select club. From the moment the media and the public set eyes on Audi's dramatic Bauhaus styling, they drooled all over it. And if the exterior shape got them all a-quiver, the ground-breaking interior design helped blind most critics to the fact that the Audi TT was built on a Golf platform of no particular distinction. The first cars were front-drivers and definitely lacked something in the refinement stakes. When Audi Quattro versions appeared, they did much to civilize the steering, but it took the installation of the 3.2-liter V-6 and Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) to elevate the Audi TT to a position of near parity in the premium European sports-coupe league.

Without losing its instantly recognizable on-road presence, the 2008 Audi TT model addresses many of the shortcomings in the now-aging predecessor; it now has aluminum structures, more-powerful engines, and a revised DSG, now called S tronic. Although the Audi TT is instantly recognizable out on the road for what it is, almost everything about it has been revised and upgraded. You really need to park the two models side by side to appreciate the extent of the makeover.

2008 Audi R8 Presentation

The 2008 Audi R8. The ultimate execution of Audi engineering. Race inspired and derived from the Le Mans dominating Audi R8 machine. Built from the ground up to assume its rightful position as the leader in innovation, technology, design, and performance.


"Limited. Because perfection demands it."
The Audi R8 is being built on a small-lot production line in a specially constructed new block at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm. Small teams of specialists accompany every step of production, subjecting every part and component to intense scrutiny. This ensures that every one of the maximum of 20 cars per day built will more than match the exacting quality standards of Audi.

All about AUDI

This blog is about AUDI's cars, we'll be posting all about the cars that they're currently producing and also some of the old works of art. You can always check their website, which we think it's amazing, and has plenty of material there about the new cars, specially the microsite about the new Audi R8 supercar. Click this link to check it out: Audi Website

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