Felix Neureuther and Julien Lizeroux quench their need for speed on the Circuit de Catalunya.

1980: unique in series production. Today: the standard to match.

A test with the Audi A8 L W12. Watch our other video’s on www.AutoWeek.TV

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

There’s a new automotive segment being born as we speak. Previewed by the Porsche Panamera, Aston Martin Rapide and BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo, modern four-door sportback sedans combine the functionality of a hatchback with seating for four or five, all wrapped in a shapely, sleek package. Audi previewed its own offering at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show by way of the Sportback concept, and now the production model has officially been unveiled in Munich.

From a design standpoint, it’s obvious that the A7 Sportback was penned alongside the all-new flagship A8 sedan. Audi’s signature LED running lamps are intact up front, in a more angular shape than what you’d see on the A4 or R8, and the chopped rear deck is not only a throwback to fastback sedans from many decades ago, but its design mimics that of the larger A8, as well. The most striking view, however, is the side profile, which looks to be one part shooting brake and one part coupe, though if we’re honest, we wish the A7’s front overhang were reduced just a bit. Interestingly, at one point, Audi refers to the A7 has having a boattail, which initially made us cringe, but staring at it a bit more, this notion makes a degree of sense.

Powertrain details are slim as of this writing, but Audi says that the A7 Sportback will debut with four different V6 offerings, two petrol and two diesel. Expect the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 from the S4, S5 and A6 to be on hand, as well as the 3.0-liter TDI V6 found in the Q7 SUV. Audi will offer the A7 in both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations, with the Multitronic CVT and seven-speed S-tronic transmissions being used, respectively. Interestingly, unlike the A8, the A7 will make use of electric power steering, so we hope Audi’s boffins have done their homework on dialing in feel and linearity.

Inside, we expect the standard raft of Audi amenities, including the automaker’s new MMI Touch infotainment interface. From there, the latest in Audi technology will be on hand, including wireless internet connectivity. The interior is very much akin to that in the new A8, and we fully expect that it will offer premium creature comforts while still being driver-focused.

No official confirmation for North American consumers just yet, but we expect an all-wheel drive model to make it to these shores - presumably with a gasoline and S-tronic gearbox only configuration.

Hit the jump to read the full details in Audi’s press release, and click through the attached gallery for high-res shots. We fully anticipate that Audi will open the floodgates on further information and images in the near future, so stay tuned.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading 2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich

2011 Audi A7 Sportback shows its shapely rump in Munich originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jul 2025 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, Luxury

The on-again/off-again rumors about whether or not Americans will get to sample the hotter-than-hot Audi RS5 Coupe end now - the automaker has officially stated that the coupe will hit the States sometime in 2012. Yes, that’s a bit later than what had originally been speculated, but we’re still stoked that Audi has decided to include us on the RS5 goodness. No mechanical changes will be made to the coupe before it launches in the U.S., so the high-revving 450-horsepower V8 will still be intact. Awesome.

But in the meantime, we have lots of other Audi hotness hitting the streets, including the sexy R8 Spyder, which goes on sale next month. Audi has officially priced the topless R8 from $161,000 (not including the $1,250 destination charge) for six-speed manual models. If you want the six-speed R-tronic manu-matic (and you don’t), be prepared to shell out an additional … wait for it … $9,000. Just stick with the manual - trust us on this one.

The full details are available in Audi’s press release after the jump, and be sure to scroll through the galleries below to gaze upon the RS5 and R8 Spyder in all their glory.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000*

Confirmed: Audi RS5 coming to America in 2012, R8 Spyder priced from $161,000* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2025 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R8 4.2 V8 Coupe In Phantom Black (2010) 50 miles £91490 Black Leather, Acoustice Parking (Front & Rear), B&O Sound System, 6CD, DVD Navigation, Electric Front Seats, GSM Phone Prep, Heated Front Seats, Lighting Pack, Stainless Steel Pedals, Storage Pack and Magnetic Ride Car In Stock for Immediate Delivery

Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Electric, Racing

Audi is letting the mighty e-tron out to play with the other kids, taking its EV concept to the Silvretta E-Auto Rally in Austria. The competition is designed to pit the latest and greatest of the electric vehicle world against each other over 10 special stages that cover a total of 104 miles. The company has picked Michael Dick, a member of its board for technical development, and Lukas Luhr, a factory race driver, to helm the machine throughout the event.

If you rack your brain a bit, you just might recall that the e-tron uses a total of four electric motors to put power to the ground. The company is still standing by its claim that the machine puts out a total of 3,319 pound-feet of torque, even though it was eventually settled that the figure came from torque at the wheels, not at the output shaft. Even so, it should be plenty quick with the joy of all-wheel drive and a little over 300 horsepower to scoot the car around.

Look for the car and its crew to show up at the race starting this weekend. Click the jump for the press release.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi R8 e-tron entered in road rally

Audi R8 e-tron entered in road rally originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2025 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A lot of people have enjoyed my film score remake over the original song and now its in 720p HD. I’d like to hear your comments and If I should submit it to Audi to see what they think? Description: Multi-million dollar campaign for the new R8 highlights its painstaking ‘hand-intensive’ build process Video.

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi

We all like a good car video. Whether it’s a high-dollar commercial worked up just for the Super Bowl or one of Will Roegge’s pieces of cinematic glory, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t mind watching a slick piece of sheetmetal get sideways. But it’s easy to underestimate the amount of work that can go into even the shortest pieces of footage. Take, for instance, this latest spot worked up by the crew at WebRidesTV for the Audi R8 5.2 FSI. The guys shot from dawn till dusk, hired none other than Nathan Swartzbaugh of ALMS fame to pilot the mid-engined terror and even rolled out a slick camera car just for the action - all 30 seconds of it.

Now, if you’re like us, you’re probably wondering where the “Gymkhana” part comes from in the title. We honestly have no idea. As far as we can tell, there’s no sort of predetermined course, active timing or even meandering Segways - just Swartzbaugh getting sideways in a car that’s worth more than all of our worldly possessions. Still, not a bad way to blow five minutes of your day. Hit the jump to see the action.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009, Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: YouTube via WebRidesTV]

Continue reading Video: Audi R8 V10 reminds us what else an airstrip is good for

Video: Audi R8 V10 reminds us what else an airstrip is good for originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2025 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Audi

After running around the rumormill for several months, Audi has finally confirmed it will offer a 4.2-liter V8 powered version of the R8 Spyder, in addition to the V10 model. Thankfully, the R8 Spyder 4.2 is available with a six-speed manual in addition to the R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox.

Like other R8s - with the exception of including the recently announced GT - the 4.2 Spyder is packing standard Quattro all-wheel drive and the top mechanism remains the same fully-powered fabric unit found in the V10 model. Those who opt for the lesser engine will have to make do with conventional dampers and 18-inch wheels, although the magnetic ride dampers and 19-inch rolling stock that are standard on the V10 are available at a “slight” increase in cost. The eight-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers remain standard issue with the optional carbon ceramic rotors and pads still available as an option in Europe. Since Audi has not issued any new images of the Spyder 4.2 yet, there are probably no visual differences aside from the wheels and badging.

The V8 Spyder goes on sale in Europe in the third quarter, but no announcement has been made about U.S. availability… yet.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder

Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jul 2025 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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