Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Audi, First Drive, Luxury

If there’s to be a singular automotive theme guiding us into this second decade of the 21st century, it’s downsizing. If not in dimensions, then in displacement. Automakers, forced to adhere to higher government-mandated fuel economy standards and lower CO2 emissions, are beginning to collectively reduce engine size while attempting to maintain the thrust consumers demand.

The newest posterchild for this movement comes in an unlikely wrapper: the 2011 Audi Q7. Packing the same supercharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the S4 sports sedan, Audi bids adieu (or is that Auf Wiedersehen?) to the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year and brings with it the 2011 A8′s eight-speed automatic transmission. We tackled the congested highways and byways in and around Ingolstadt to see if the revised Q7 has the goods to placate both bureaucrats and buyers, while taking a deeper look into Audi’s new powertrain strategy. Click through to the jump to see if we can make sense of it all.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside

First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 May 2025 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

Over the course of the last 20 years, each new Audi model has weighed around 10 percent more than its predecessor, but that all changed when the all-new 2009 Audi A4 (B8) debuted last year. The mid-size sedan gained less than 100 pounds over the previous model (B7), despite growing in every possible dimension. And when the next A4 arrives in five year’s time, Audi claims it will weigh less than the current model.

Heinrich Timm, head of Audi’s Lightweight Design Center, told us earlier today that the next generation A4 - likely due out in 2015 - will shed some 150 kg (330 pounds) over the B8. The move to drop the A4′s curb weight is part of a larger initiative by Audi to reduce the tonnage of its future vehicles by using more aluminum, innovative structural techniques and composites.

And the benefits of weight reduction aren’t just limited to fuel consumption and emissions. As any gearhead knows, weight affects every aspect of the vehicle’s dynamics - from handling to braking to acceleration. For every 220 pounds lost, a vehicle can accelerate to 60 mph in 20 fewer feet. Lose 440 pounds and the amount of runway saved nearly doubles.

While other automakers are employing high tensile steel to increase rigidity and reduce weight, the stuff costs nearly three-times more than a normal stamped piece. By limiting the use of tensile steel, the overall cost savings will allow Audi to utilize more exotic materials - carbon fiber in particular - to reduce weight and further enhance the driving experience.

As the father of the spaceframe, Timm knows all too well that weight reduction is the key to the next generation of automobiles. Not only will it decrease fuel consumption, increase safety and pay dividends for the driver, it’s the only way automakers can simultaneously meet new emission standards while delivering the content and driving experience customers expect. Timm says, “We want to bring it to a higher volume,” and the next generation A4 is sure to be the first in a long line of lightened Audis.

Next generation Audi A4 to shed over 300 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2026 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Luxury

Check out what a very cold spy photographer snapped some pictures of. This car could very well be the upcoming Audi S8. Of course, as the car in the photos is totally unmarked, this could just be another variant of the big Audi. We’ve suspected for some time that a new S8 is coming, and we hear that it’s most likely headed over to our shores. However, we’ve know next to nothing about what type of terror resides under the hood. Until today.

Unlike the last (frankly underpowered) S8, this new big-fast sedan is dropping the choked-off, Lamborghini-derived V10 in favor of a new twin-turbo V8. The good folks at Car and Driver are claiming the unit will displace 4.0-liters. Our source at Audi wouldn’t confirm that displacement explicitly, but did say that C/D is, “on the right path.” This same source noted that BMW’s been using a smallish displacement twin-turbo V8 (4.4-liters) in the 7 Series for the past year and that Audi intends to stay competitive.

Our Audi source also noted that the new V8 will be offered in many flavors, and will allow Audi to meet all the emissions and mileage standards coming down the pike in the next five years. We’re told to expect a wide range of configurations, similar to what Audi/Lamborghini did with their shared V10. That means different states of tune for different cars, as well as naturally aspirated and force inducted version. As for power, our source once again confirmed that Car and Driver knows what they’re printing. Meaning that the 450 horsepower/450 pound-feet of torque neighborhood isn’t a bad guess, though the final numbers could be higher.

Back to the car in the heavily cropped photograph (check out Autocar for the complete set of pics), we’re still not 100-percent sure it’s the S8. First of all, there are no visual cues to distinguish this black car from a regular A8, save for the requisite four tailpipes. However, as Autocar notes, the new S8 is said to have bold new bodywork to set it apart from the standard car. Also, examine the brakes. They appear to be larger diameter than the standard brakes, yet they aren’t drilled or slotted. One would think (and we would agree with him) that an S vehicle would have a more serious set of stoppers. After all, even the A8 Hybrid “Concept” has fancier discs. Of course, maybe these are just placeholders used during cold weather testing. Yeah, we’re pretty sure this is the new Audi S8.

[Sources: Autocar, Car and Driver]

Spy Shots: Are you the next Audi S8? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Mar 2026 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Audi, Luxury

In addition to the interesting electrified A1 e-tron concept, Audi is also showing off a hybridized version of its range-topping A8 sedan at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, which it claims offers V6-levels of power with four-cylinder fuel efficiency and emissions. Backing up that claim are reported power figures of 245 horsepower (45 of which can be supplied from the electric motor) and 354 pound-feet of torque. The run to 62 miles per hour is said to take about 7.5 seconds and fuel mileage comes in at 38 miles per gallon on the EU cycle. That’s about a 20-percent improvement over the standard car.

As a full hybrid, the A8 design study can run on electricity only for up to 1.2 miles at speeds of 40 miles per hour or less. Above that, the 2.0-liter TFSI engine takes over. A lithium ion battery pack of unknown capacity resides in the trunk, but Audi makes sure to point out that there’s still over 14 cubic-feet of space back there for storage. The German automaker also makes pains to assure that the A8 Hybrid is still “an extremely dynamic car” - one that just so happens to return good fuel efficiency.

Check out our gallery of high-res images below, and be sure to note the Prism Silver paint with Spectra Flair (yes, really) rainbow effect and 21-inch two-color wheels. Also, check out the prominent hybrid badging on each front fender along with the door sills (illuminated, naturally) and inside on the new Powermeter in the instrument cluster. Still want more? Click past the break for the complete press release.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A8 Hybrid ‘design study’ being shown in Geneva

Audi A8 Hybrid ‘design study’ being shown in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2026 23:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Audi, Electric

Audi still hasn’t released any images of its new electric A1 e-tron concept, but it has revealed some details of the car. Unlike the two previous e-tron sports car concepts that were both pure battery electric models, this one is a range-extended EV. Like the Chevrolet Volt, the A1 e-tron uses a smaller battery pack that allows it to go up to 31 miles on a single charge with no emissions.

Once the battery is depleted, an internal combustion engine kicks in to drive a 15-kilowatt generator and keep the A1 going. However, unlike the Volt or Fisker Karma, the A1 is using a single-rotor Wankel engine to drive the generator. While Wankels are not renowned for their fuel efficiency (much the opposite in fact), in this application it could work well thanks to its high power density.

The range with the Wankel running is bumped up by another 124 miles to a total of 155. With only a 15kW generator available to sustain the battery, it will be interesting to see how much performance is degraded in that mode. Audi claims the A1 e-tron achieves 123.8 miles per gallon (U.S.) on the draft EU standard for ER-EVs. We should have more details tomorrow, so stay tuned.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Audi A1 e-tron is extended-range EV with Wankel rotary generator

Geneva Preview: Audi A1 e-tron is extended-range EV with Wankel rotary generator originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2026 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Technology, Audi

How many gears are enough? While it seems that six-speed automatic transmissions are just now becoming the de facto standard in most circles, Mercedes-Benz has been working with seven ratios for a while now and Lexus did its German rival one better by designing its own eight-speed. Not content to sit idle while other marques earn bragging rights, Audi and BMW have recently utilized eight-speeders of their own for their latest flagship models.

Citing unnamed sources within Audi, the crew at Inside Line are suggesting that the automaker will spread the eight-gear love across its model line, including even the lowly entry-level A3 hatchback with its 2.0-liter turbocharged four. Why all those gears? More ratios to choose from generally equals quicker and smoother acceleration along with increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

As an aside, we’re not quite sure where the law of diminishing returns will intersect with the desire for performance and bragging rights when it comes to automatic transmissions. In other words, what are the chances that we’ll someday see nine or 10-speed gearboxes in luxury cars? Time will tell.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: Eight-speed transmissions to proliferate through Audi lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Feb 2026 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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