Next-Gen Audi R8 Spied Again on the 'Ring

It must be a rather mind-numbing job working at Audi's design division in recent years, especially if your assignment orbits around replacing or updating existing models and not conceptual or completely new projects.

Of course, some will like Audi's way of implementing incremental styling changes (think TT Mk3), others will be indifferent and some will reject this process and look elsewhere for their automotive needs.

Fact is, the second-generation R8 supercar will maintain the look, feel and shape of the current car, modernizing some details and making others look more menacing, like the slimmer headlamp and grille assembly.

One area where the R8 might tear up the manual is the interior, where Audi's designers seem to have more freedom for creativity. Our spies have yet to snatch a stationary R8 prototype, but when they do, we expect to find a large display in the driver's instrument cluster, much like the new TT, which should bring a more futuristic air to the car.

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New Audi TT Coupe Mans Up with 414HP Quattro Sport Concept

Besides the regular production versions of the third-generation TT Coupe, Audi had a surprise for us in Geneva today with the conceptual TT Quattro Sport. You can think of it as Audi's track-focused, GT3 (as in Porsche 911 GT3) iteration of the new TT.

“With our Audi TT quattro sport concept show car, we wanted to demonstrate what the new TT’s technology can do if you take it a step further,” explained Ulrich Hackenberg, chief engineer at Audi. “This car is designed for racing – an extreme driving machine for the motorsports enthusiasts among our customers.”

At the heart of the concept is a newly developed version of the VW Group's EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four engine twisting out an impressive 414hp (420PS) at 6,700 rpm, thus setting a new benchmark in the 2.0L category with a specific output of 207hp (210PS) per liter. It also delivers a peak torque of 450Nm (332 lb-ft) available from 2,400 to 6,300 rpm, with over 300 Nm (221.27 lb-ft) already offered at only 1,900rpm. The fuel cut-off is at 7,200 rpm.

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VisionC Concept is Skoda's Idea of an Audi A7 Sportback

Following the teaser rendering released earlier this month, Skoda has now shown the first photos of the VisionC study, scheduled to debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Skoda says the VisionC is its first "five-door coupe", but the carmaker doesn’t give up its practical side though, as the study features a large hatch.

With the VisionC Skoda says its design language becomes “more expressive, dynamic and emotional”. Furthermore, the study also demonstrates the possibilities in “innovative and emotional chassis design”, always according to Skoda.

The study features sharp lines combined with soft, slightly contoured concave and convex surfaces. The front end plays with the triangle shape, which can be seen in the design of the headlights and fog lights, while at the rear the boomerang-shaped taillights appear to push the car to the ground. The tailights also form a triangle together with a crease in the bodywork and they reveal another triangle when they are viewed from the side.

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Audi S3 Cabriolet uncurtained ahead of Geneva debut

Audi has unveiled their S3 Cabriolet much before its official debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show

The 2014 Geneva Motor Show seems to get exciting with the motoring giants gearing up to reveal their babies on the podium. But the unveiling of the Audi S3 Cabriolet, much before its launch at the Swiss motor show, is sure to raise the interest levels of many car enthusiasts. Audi is set to bring the winds of change to open-air motoring by launching their Audi S3 Cabriolet- a cabriolet version of their 2015 Audi A3.

Visually, the open-top four-seater packs style and open-air cruising into a small space; its just 4,430mm long, 1,790mm wide and 1,390mm tall and has a wheel-base of 2,600mm. Adding to its curves is a muscular set of aerodynamic trimmings, including a lower, broader front air dam and lower side sills, as well as S3 badging. 

Like the regular Audi A3, the S3 Cabriolet is equipped with an electronic progressive steering wheel, which the car manufacturer claims to give a smooth drive on straight and twisty roads. The Audi S3 Cabriolet will feature MMI navigation, a high-resolution screen, touch-control, LTE connectivity and a sound system. Driver assistance and safety features such as adaptive cruise control, active lane assist and park assist will also be available. The interiors of the Audi S3 Cabriolet are draped completely in black. There is room for two adults in the rear, with an easy entry feature from the front seats. The car has a 285-litre luggage compartment which can be expanded by folding down the rear seat backs. 

What makes the Audi S3 Cabriolet tick is a 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged engine which produces a maximum power of 300PS and a peak torque of 380Nm. The open-top, four-seater car sprints to 100kmph in 5.4 seconds. The car manufacturer claims that the Audi S3 Cabriolet can accelerate at a top speed of 250kmph. 

The Audi S3 Cabriolet is expected to be launched in the showrooms across Europe next year, with an approximate price tag of Rs 41.5 lakh. 

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Audi A3 Sportback G-Tron goes on sale

Germany becomes first country to get Audi A3 Sportback G-Tron capable of running on compressed natural gas

Alternate fuels have been getting a big push in the recent past, particularly in Europe. Besides plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles, cars that run on compressed natural gas seem to be the next big thing. Audi had showcased the CNG run A3 Sportback at the previous Geneva Motor Show almost a year back, and now it has launched a production version of the A3 Sportback G-Tron in Germany. The A3 G-Tron is powered by a 1.4-litre TFSI spark ignition engine that generates a maximum power output of 110PS and a peak torque rating of 200Nm.

This engine can run both on petrol and compressed natural gas (CNG). The car houses two different fuel tanks under the boot floor for petrol and CNG, and comes with an instrument cluster that displays fuel levels in both fuel tanks as well. Audi is marketing its own brand of e-gas for the car. According to Audi, its e-gas is generated using green electricity, which binds as much CO2 as is released when the Audi A3 G-Tron is driven in gas mode. The vehicle consumes approximately 3.3kg of gas per 100km. Audi A3 G-Tron buyers can avail for e-gas by using a fuel card in Germany.

CNG as a fuel is popular in India as well and has been so for years. Not only is CNG a cleaner fuel compared to petrol, but it is also cheaper to buy in India. Initially, there were safety related concerns about using CNG in cars, but now with almost every car maker selling either a CNG or an LPG version of its popular cars, the acceptability levels have been on a rise. However, unlike the Audi G-Tron which was designed keeping an extra gas tank in mind (in addition to the petrol tank), all the gas powered models in India have been after thoughts. As a result, the additional tank for holding gas ends up eating into the car's luggage space, and doesn't look good either.

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New Audi S1 Sportback to debut in Geneva

The 2014 Audi S1 will debut at the Geneva Motor Show with all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine

Audi claims to storm the roads by going a good 100kmph in 5.8 seconds with its three-door S1 and 5.9 seconds with the five-door Sportback. Set to debut at the Geneva motor show in March, the S1 will have a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, delivering 231PS and 370Nm of torque. The S1 will feature Audi’s legendary all-wheel-drive Quattro system that will be a first of its kind in a car this size. 

The exterior design boasts of 18-inch alloy wheels and the shape of the headlights is now much sharper, something which is expected to roll out across the A1 segment as a part of its facelift. The S1 also sports new LED tail-lamps as a part of its facelift package. There is also an aggressive new body kit which include an aggressive front and rear bumper package. The S1 also features additional side skirts and an integrated spoiler that adds to the aggressive nature of the 2014 Audi S1.

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Audi S3 Review Finds it Very Fast and Effective, But a Bit Dull

If you're not a family guy, you really shouldn't want a lot more car than the all-new Audi S3 can offer. It has nearly 300 hp, all-wheel drive, a great interior and understated looks.

By understated, I mean somebody who isn’t really into cars will not see it as anything special. Even so, it’s by no means an unattractive package, but it’s not really for everyone, or at least not for those who want to stand out a bit through their choice of car.

Nevertheless, as XCAR found out on their review of the car, it still has a lot going for it, including great performance, though, Audi has an even more powerful RS model planned for the near future.

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Audi SQ5 coming to the 2014 Indian Auto Expo

Top end Q5 most likely with the 317PS 3.0-litre TDI engine to come to India, 0-100kph in 5.1 seconds!

Audi is going to display the range topping Q5 variant, called the SQ5 from it’s ‘S’ line of cars at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo. Don’t mistake it for the Q5 version of the Q3S which is an entry-level Q3 variant.

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Audi A3 sedan will be showcased at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo

Audi has officially revealed that it will showcase the A3 sedan, RS7 and the R18 e-Tron Quattro Le Mans racer

Audi will showcase the A3 sedan at the 2014 Indian Auto Expo next month. The A3 sedan is due to be launched sometime later this year so the Expo will be a good platform for Audi to display the car to the Indian audience.

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Audi opens dealership in Nashik

Audi strengthens presence in Maharashtra with its sixth dealership in the state

India’s very own wine country gets more taste of the good life as luxury car maker Audi sets up shop in Nashik. This is Audi’s sixth dealership in Maharashtra. 

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New Audi bought with own money: Aston Martin mishap complainant

Phorum Ruparel, the complainant in the Pedder Road accident case involving an Aston Martin earlier this month, denied receiving any compensation as she replaced her damaged Audi 4 with the latest model, the Audi 6, worth at least Rs 40 lakh.

The licence plate of the new car sporting a fancy number (MH03 BJ 6666) triggered a controversy with the RTO saying it was "illegal" as it had not been registered with the transport department. It issued a showcause notice on Thursday.

"There was no compensation involved. My car was declared a total loss and the insurance company was ready to replace my old Audi 4 with a new one. But I put in some more money and I upgraded it to the Audi 6," said Phorum, a 25-year-old student. If she appeared a bit cagey, her mother was categorical. "The new car has been purchased from our own money. Nobody from Reliance approached us," she said.

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2013 Audi Q3S: First Drive

The new Audi Q3S is Audi's cheapest car yet. And it comes with a pokey diesel engine and a manual gearbox. Does it impress?

There is a famous phrase that goes ‘To Each His Own’. With the recent spate of luxury hatchbacks like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the BMW 1 Series, some might say Audi has lost its plot by not launching the A3 hatchback in India. But, Audi has gone the other way with the ‘offering more for less’ mantra and has decided to cut prices on the Q3 SUV and re-launching it in an all-new avatar, the Q3S. The Q3S is now the cheapest Audi on offer so we decided to take it for a spin to see what Audi has added and what they have removed. 

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Upcoming Cars of 2014 above Rs 20 Lakh

The Rs 20 Lakh plus range is about to explode with a whole bunch of performance cars, sports sedans, sportscars, hot hatches, etc. We bring you a detailed report on what you can expect.

The Rs 20 Lakh plus range will have something for everyone. Read on and take your pick from some of the best automobiles in the world. From the Volkswagen Beetle to the Ferrari 458 Speciale, this cateory has it all 

Volkswagen Beetle

Expected Launch: Early 2014

Expected Price: Rs 28.00-32.00 Lakh

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Upcoming Cars of 2014 between Rs 15-20 Lakh

The Rs 15-20 Lakh segment is an important stepping stone to those looking for some luxury and class. Take a look at our report on the cars one can expect in this segment in 2014

From Hot hatchbacks to luxury saloons, this segment might just be the next big thing in 2014. Read on to see what one can expect to land up in India in 2014

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Cars coming to the 2014 Indian Auto Expo

The 12th Auto Expo is less then two months away so here's a guide on what to expect at the fairground come February 07, 2014

The Indian car industry is seeing a slowdown making it more important for manufacturers to keep the enthusiasm alive among car buyers. The Auto expo is the perfect platform for car makers to showcase all cars new and refreshed that they have to offer. But you don’t have to wait that long because we’re telling you what’s coming to the Expo right now.

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Looking to buy a Sedan in 2014?

Looking to buy a Sedan in 2014? Read our detailed report on all the new Sedans expected to come to India in 2014 before you make a decision

The quintessential status symbol for any Indian family, the sedan is an integral part of the Indian automotive scene. In a country where manufacturers strive long and hard to adhere to strange government norms like the Sub-4 meter rule, the sedan is one of the most important cars in any manufacturer’s arsenal. Although 2013 was a relatively quiet year for sedans in general, 2014 seems to be a blockbuster year with over 20 new cars and variants slated to roll into the hustle and bustle of the Indian automotive sector. From cars at the lower end of the spectrum, like Hyundai’s new sub-4 meter sedan to the uber luxurious Mercedes-Benz S Class, there is something for everyone. 

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Audi Officially Confirms Q1 Small Crossover for 2016, Shows Concept Teaser

Audi has just made official what everybody already knew: it will soon expand its range of crossover models with a new small SUV named the Q1, with production to start in 2016 at the brand's Ingolstadt plant in Germany alongside the A3 and the A4/A5 family.

“The Audi Q1 is part of our broad-based SUV strategy. It is designed on the basis of the modular transverse engine concept and will round off our Q series at the bottom end,” stated Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

To understand why Audi wants to add another SUV in its lineup after the Q3, Q5 and Q7, all you have to do is look outside and see what kind of cars people are buying. If that's not enough, then perhaps Audi's numbers will provide a better explanation: from January through October, the brand with the four rings delivered 194,430 Q5s, an increase of 17 percent over the prior-year period. This year, SUVs will account for approximately 28 percent of the company's total production volume, with that figure projected to rise to more than 35 percent by 2020.

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Audi R8 V10 Spyder Tuning Job

If you're pleased with your Audi R8 Spyder's 5.2-liter V10 mill, and why wouldn't you with 518hp (525PS) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) of peak torque on tap, but would prefer a more unique look for your ride, German firm Regula Tuning (get the title now?) has released a new bodykit and wheel package.

And for those of you wondering, the answer is yes, most of what you see is available for the rest of the R8 Coupe and Spyder range as well.

Priced at €7,950 (US$10,800), the bodykit comprises front and rear bumpers, and side skirts made from carbon fiber, with options including new tailpipes and a set of 20-inch Oxigin-Oxrock rims dressed in tires size 265/30-20 on the front axle and 305/25-20 on the rear.

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Audi S1 nearly ready to rocket euros out of your pocket

 

Audi was out testing its upcoming S1 on the streets of Germany when our trusty spy photographers snapped the new, all-wheel-drive hot hatch that's set to succeed the limited-edition A1 Quattro.

Unlike the A1 Quattro, the S1 should sport a much less aggressive look overall. As shown in the spy shots, its wheel wells lack the meaty flairs of its predecessor while its rear wing is much more subdued. The wheels are more in line with what we expect from Audi's S models and its higher ride height is more conducive to common things like steep driveways and speed bumps that the 333-unit A1 Quattro might not encounter.

According to our spies, the S1 should hit the European market with anywhere from 220 to 250 horsepower, making it considerably more potent than competitors like the Ford Fiesta ST or Polo GTI from its parent company, Volkswagen (although it'll likely arrive at a considerably higher price than either of those pocket rockets). On the high end, that's roughly equal to the 252 ponies generated by the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four in the A1 Quattro

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Audi Employee Forgets Handbrake, Car Falls and Almost Crushes Him

If by any chance you happen to be employed at a car dealership / service center, you can (and should) put this to your "must-do" list of things to check and complete: always make sure that a parked vehicle is in gear (manual gearbox) or in Park (automatic transmission) and that the handbrake has been pulled all the way up.

What is that you say; "who cares about handbrakes, they're only useful around corners and on the move"? Sure, you can choose to not listen, but don't come back saying we didn't warn you when you fall in the same pickle as this young gentleman from Moscow, Russia.

He did none of the above and look at what happened to him; he almost got killed when an Audi A3 came falling down from a lift...

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