Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Audi

In terms of supercar hotness, the Audi R8 is indeed something special. And though we have our disagreements about Audi‘s R-Tronic manu-matic transmission, the R8 never ceases to impress us with its purely awesome style and dynamics.

For this year’s Paris Motor Show, Audi brought out its limited-production R8 GT. Held to only 333 units retailing for €193,000 (about $256,000 USD), the R8 GT features a more powerful version of the automaker’s 5.2-liter V10. In addition to the boost in horsepower (560, up from 525), this hotter R8 uses carbon fiber in place of aluminum on some of the body panels. This, in addition to thinner windshield glass and polycarbonate rear windows, drops the R8 V10′s weight by 220 pounds. Slim and slender, fast and furious.

Have a look at the R8 GT for yourself in the high-res gallery of live shots below.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

Paris 2010: 2011 Audi R8 GT is powerful, lightweight gorgeousness originally appeared on AudiMobiles on Fri, 01 Oct 2025 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Here they are folks, the first live images we’ve managed to snap of the Audi Quattro Concept that’s currently being debuted at the Paris Motor Show. We expect to get much more closely acquainted with the machine over the next couple of days, but until then, take a gander at the machine that Audi crafted to celebrate 30 years of Quattro performance.

Keep in mind that this sucker is packing 408 horsepower from its turbocharged five-cylinder engine and routing all those ponies through a six-speed manual gearbox to all four wheels, making for a power-to-weight ratio on par with that of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI. See the rest of the details here. A fitting tribute, if we do say so ourselves.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

Paris 2010: Audi Quattro Concept celebrates 30 years of performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2025 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Design/Style

We’ve been speculating, applying the magnifying glass to spy shots and just plain wishing that the rumors were true. They are - Audi is set to debut the Quattro concept car at the Paris Motor Show in celebration of its famous all-wheel-drive system’s 30th anniversary. Drawing its inspiration from the original 1980 Audi Ur-Quattro and using some underpinnings from the current RS5, the Quattro concept features a shortened wheelbase, lower roofline and a sub-3,000 pound curb weight.

The original Ur-Quattro weighed in under 3,000 pounds and featured a turbocharged five-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual. Keeping in line with that spirit, the Quattro concept ditches the V8 and dual-clutch transmission from the RS5 in favor of a turbocharged inline five-cylinder engine and six-speed manual gearbox. Power output for the Quattro concept is rated at 408 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. All that energy is put to the ground through Audi’s famous quattro torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, which in this case is setup with a 40:60 rear-biased torque split. The weight savings mixed with the power output create a vehicle with a power-weight ratio on par with that of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI.

Since this IS a modern Audi, it features stylish exterior features and a wonderful cabin space. The seats are leather-lined Sparco units that weight in at just 40 pounds apiece. The Quattro concept also makes use of the Audi MMI infotainment system. In this application, MMI includes a slew of screens useful for rally racing like classically-styled round gauges and a page for pace notes. On the outside, the Quattro concept boasts the signature Audi LED treatment, but this time it’s in the form of headlamps that adjust their direction both vertically and horizontally, as well as being able to open fully or close to a slit.

This is an exciting concept that pays homage to a true motoring classic. If Audi doesn’t find a way to put a version of this into production, we’re sure that four-ring fanboys around the world will storm Ingolstadt.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Audi Quattro concept celebrates 30th anniversary of original originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2025 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Audi, Luxury

Are you ready to write a check for a true German luxury sedan stunner? If so, you’ll surely be interested to hear that pricing has arrived for the 2011 Audi A8. Base MSRP for this Bavarian beauty is $78,050 including all extra charges, which puts it squarely between its two main rivals: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class ($87,950) and the BMW 7 Series ($70,150). The long-wheelbase A8L starts at $84,000 and both versions will be in dealer showrooms starting late November 2010.

It’s an enticing price for the finest luxury sedan to wear four rings. The all-new A8 packs brand new features into a sleek body wrapped around a wonderful 4.2-liter V8 engine. The car and engine work so well together that the A8′s 17 mile per gallon city/27 mpg highway rating put it right next to the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid in the fuel economy category. Those figures are also enough to surpass the I6, V8 and Hybrid versions of the 7 Series.

No word yet on how many organs we need to sell to purchase the W12-equipped A8.

For more information on the 2011 Audi A8, as well as pricing for the rest of the 2011 Audi lineup, you can read the full release after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A8 to start at $78,050

2011 Audi A8 to start at $78,050 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2025 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

When this first batch of spy shots landed in our inbox, we didn’t think too much about them. It’s an Audi A7 with the optional S Line bodykit. Big whoop. However, the rear view tells a different tale. Specifically, the quad-tipped exhaust system.

What we’re looking at is the first Audi S7 prototype which, according to earlier reports, could debut as early as next week at the Paris Motor Show.

If it does, we can expect a slightly lower ride height over the standard A7, upgraded brakes, wheels and tires, and a set of deeply bolstered buckets up front. But what’s under the hood?

Initial speculation suggested that the 4.2-liter FSI V8 found in the Audi R8 could be the engine of choice, but the latest intel floating around involves a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 outputting upwards of 450 horsepower and a healthy amount of torque.

Hopefully, all will be revealed in just over a week, but before then, scope out the S7 mule in the gallery below.

Spy Shots: 2012 Audi S7 caught, but what’s under the hood? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2025 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Subaru

Frank Sprongl would like to chat with Travis Pastrana. You see, we recently reported that Mr. Pastrana established a new record for driving up the Mt. Washington Auto Road. Travis’ time of six minutes and 20.47 seconds in a rally-prepped Subaru WRX STI bested the previous time laid down by Sprongl. In 1998, Frank Sprongl and his 1983 Audi Quattro S2 attacked the Auto Road and set an official record time of six minutes and 41.99 seconds. Technology has advanced quite a bit in the 27 years since Sprongl’s Audi Quattro was new, as well as the 12 years since he set the record.

“It’s unofficial to begin with… it’s basically just a test day and he did it with a co-driver and pace notes,” states Sprongl. He adds, “The course has 76 turns and I ran it with no co-driver or notes, I memorized every turn.” He further notes that the Auto Road had longer gravel sections when he made his official run. It has since received more paving. In Frank Sprongl’s opinion, this run is simply Red Bull and Travis performing a stunt for advertising. He does say that he believes Travis put in an amazing effort and it was certainly an excellent run… but was it official or not?

Continue reading…

[Image: Mount Washington Auto Road]

Continue reading Frank Sprongl weighs in on Travis Pastrana’s Mt. Washington Auto Road record

Frank Sprongl weighs in on Travis Pastrana’s Mt. Washington Auto Road record originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2025 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi, Toys/Games, Canada, Humor

The Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing, and Audi is taking advantage of the crowds to do a bit of advertising. Utilizing scale models, a bunch of magnets and the natural curiosity of human beings, Audi has created a unique marketing campaign which uses a simple statement to deliver a brilliant message.

Hundreds of scale models sticking to various downtown Toronto street fixtures is a good way to draw attention to a brand. The cars are literally stuck to random telephone poles, mailboxes and in front of one sure-to-be surly Cadillac CTS-V. The payoff for this short video (it’s well under two minutes) doesn’t come until the very end but it ties everything together perfectly. And no, Boba Fett is not the big star of this marketing clip. The “brilliant message” comes through in the end and provides an ah-ha moment for viewers and Toronto citizens alike. Very clever, Audi.

Now we just need Audi to keep running this campaign in other cities so we can score some sweet model-car toys for the office. Check out the clever marketing scheme after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Davor!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Audi scales down its marketing for the Toronto Film Festival

Video: Audi scales down its marketing for the Toronto Film Festival originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2025 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Etc., Audi, UK, Humor, Diesel

When stealing a vehicle, we imagine the last thing on a thief’s mind is thinking is about type of fuel their “new” car requires. However, that’s something Daniel Boxall should have considered after acquiring a new set of wheels through less than legal means.

Boxall decided he needed a new whip, so after picking the pocket of Caroline Lyons, he quickly made off with her Audi A4. Nary a Bobby in sight, he decided to pick up his friend Richard Lloyd and go for a spin. Soon thereafter, the pair started to run low on fuel and headed towards the nearest petrol station.

Daniel Boxall proceeded to fill his illicit Audi with regular gasoline - despite the fact that the gas cap had a big ‘D’ on it. After leaving the station, the two thought their joy-riding session was about to hit full swing. Unfortunately, TDI-equipped Audis don’t like chugging gasoline and the car sputtered to a halt just a few hundred yards down the road. The two attempted to sell the car for

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Hatchback, Audi, Electric

Audi has chosen Munich as its launch pad for the company’s new electric vehicle effort. The German manufacturer is planning to roll out 20 of its A1 hatchbacks as part of a research project with the Technical University of Munich. The cars will be powered by an electric motor with the equivalent of around 102 horsepower, which should give the vehicles a top speed of 81 mph. In city driving, a lithium-ion battery pack can keep the electrified A1 going for a total of 31 miles, though past that there’s a small Wankel rotary engine on board to recharge the battery packs and keep things moving.

With the help of the small gasoline engine, the A1 e-tron can cover an additional 124 miles for a combined range of 155 miles depending on driving habits. Audi says this set up provides the equivalent of 148.7 mpg, though we’re not sure if that imperial or U.S. gallons. Either way, that’s a sizable fuel economy number.

A total of 200 electric charging stations have been set up throughout Munich as a part of the program, which is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 20 Audi A1 e-trons hitting the streets of Munich

20 Audi A1 e-trons hitting the streets of Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2025 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi

Audi has just announced that it will begin importing the hottest version of its little sports car, the TT-RS, in the third quarter of next year.

The product move comes after Audi whipped up a Facebook petition page that gathered in excess of 11,500 signatures in just a month’s time.

The move to import the 360-horsepower Porsche Boxster and Mercedes-Benz SLK AMG-fighter isn’t much of a surprise - after all, Audi has been courting the media with test drives for months, and an Audi executive at last week’s launch of the A7 Sportback in Sardinia hinted that a decision was to be revealed in a few days.

No word yet on what pricing or the options list will look like, but only the hard-hatted coupe will make it to these shores - the Roadster will remain forbidden fruit.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi TT RS headed to America after Facebook petition success

Audi TT RS headed to America after Facebook petition success originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2025 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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