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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing , Hatchbacks , Audi Despite the burgeoning popularity of small cars, especially with premium nameplates, Audi doesn't think there's a case for bringing its MINI-sized A1 to the United States. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler acknowledges that American customers are increasingly interested in fuel efficiency, but also contends that we want that frugality wrapped in larger sheetmetal than customers elsewhere might go with. In the interest of greener numbers, Audi's planning on going electric, launching an armature-motivated car around 2010, roughly the same due date as a Volkswagen electron-mobile. No decision has yet been made about a plant in North America, but that might reduce costs enough for attractive pricing to facilitate Audi's target of selling 1.5 million annual units by 2015. Without the A1, we're going to be forced to continue drooling all over the Alfa MiTo's roundy-round front fenders. Gallery: Audi metroproject quattro Concept...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Sports/GTs , Hatchbacks , Audi Click above for new high-res gallery of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro We think Audi has concluded a fine trifecta of diesel-powered show vehicles with the introduction of its latest, the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro . First there was the Q7 V12 TDI shown at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show that could haul people or tree stumps with equal aplomb. Then there was the oil-burning supercar, the R8 V12 TDI , shown at this year's Detroit show. Finally we have something a bit more relatable for the masses in the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro. Rather than relying on Audi's venerable V12 TDI, this smallest of the three more than makes do with a 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel generating 221 hp and 332 pound-feet of torque. It's got adjustable everything on the fly and some killer good looks inspired by Audi's DTM race car to get by on. Ingolstadt has seen fit to grace us with 18 more high-res images of the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro to...
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Filed under: Concept Cars , Hatchbacks , Audi Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro. Audi has released the first official images of its newest concept before the wraps are taken off at the Lake Wörther Tour in Austria later this month. Think of the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept as a smaller, racier, more attainable version of the Audi R8 V12 TDI concept shown in Detroit , with power provided by the highest specific output diesel in the world. Look past the DTM-inspired bodywork and you'll get an aluminum-enhanced glimpse of the oilburning jewel that lies beneath. The 1,968cc turbodiesel produces 221 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque available at an oh-so-low 1,750 rpm. Power is sent through a six-speed manual transmission before it reaches the ground through Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi claims that the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro can reach 62 mph in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 149 mph. We believe it. While the body work...
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Filed under: Economy , Euro , Hatchbacks , Audi , Volkswagen , SEAT Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi metroproject quattro Concept. Buyers of the next generation of Volkswagen-developed small cars will have one more option box to tick when placing their order: all-wheel-drive. The new platform, dubbed PQ25, will find its way underneath a handful of new models, spanning the range from the low-end (SEAT), mid-grade (VW) and luxury (Audi). All-wheel-drive won't be an option for the new SEAT Ibiza, but consumers of the next VW Polo (specifically the CrossPolo) might be able to outfit their tiny runabout with AWD, while the Audi A1, due out in late 2009, will continue the automaker's love affair with quattro. Gallery: Audi metroproject quattro Concept [Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Coupes , Euro , Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , Infiniti Infiniti is gearing up for its entrance into Europe, but something's missing from its lineup: a small car. With BMW's 1-series being a popular choice for badge-obsessed consumers abroad, Infiniti needs something similar to solidify its place in the luxury hierarchy, but what form it will take is unclear. According to Autocar , Infiniti insiders are planning to unleash something that aims to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-series, but unnamed sources at Infiniti are quick to point out that the shape will be something entirely different than what's currently being offered by its competitors. The two options, according to Autocar , include a smaller crossover that would slot in below the EX35 or a hardtop convertible. Whatever it looks like, expect the new B-class Infiniti to be revealed sometime in 2010. [Source: Autocar via JustAuto - Sub. Req.] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Car Buying , Hatchbacks , Audi Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A3. For those of you aching to get your hands on the 2009 Audi A3, we have good news: it will go on sale this September and pricing information should be available close to that date. Audi's adapted press release for the U.S. market is available after the jump, but the short and sweet version is we get a choice of either the 200 hp, 2.0-liter TFSI or the 250 hp, 3.2-liter six with Quattro. If you want your power dolled out to all four wheels, but want the turbo'd 2.0-liter, you'll be able to swap cogs with Audi's S-tronic transmission. Hit the jump for all the details. Continue reading Audi announces new A3 will reach U.S. in Fall Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Wagons/Estates , Hatchbacks , Audi Click above for a high resolution gallery of the S3 Sportback Audi has revealed the model updates for the European-spec 2009 A3 and S3. Both are slightly larger than the previous version, and the S3 is now available in the 5-door Sportback version. The front of the A3 receives a freshened look including a more complex design around the grille and more modern headlights with optional bi-xenon units that incorporate LEDs. At the rear there is a modified tailgate and the taillight design uses fiber optic rods to create a pretty cool effect. The interior features new aluminum design trim and new colors and fabrics for the seats, and the controls for the audio system have been given a new look. As for the powertrain, the Euro-only diesel engines have been reworked to include an updated fuel injection system. All engine options are now available with the S tronic transmission, and the 1.6, 1.4 TFSI and 1.8 TFSI engines can be paired with a newly...
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Filed under: Aftermarket , Hatchbacks , Audi While we like to cover what's going on in the German tuning scene, the haus of RDX proves that we shouldn't stray far from the Lorinzers, Schnitzers, Brabus' and Hartges of the world. What makes this Audi A3 truly horrible isn't the lime green paint, the misaligned chrome-lipped rollers or even the Lambo-style doors that aren't included in the price of the $895 body kit. No, the biggest problem with the RDX A3 is the fact that nothing - not one damn thing - has been done under the hood. If we had to search our souls for a singular redeeming quality, it's the fact that RDX fitted LEDs from the S6 into the front fascia. Otherwise... fail. If you must, RDX's press release is after the jump and you can check the gallery below for another acid-reflux inducing image. Gallery: RaceDesign Audi A3 [Source: RDX RaceDesign] Continue reading RDX RaceDesign uglifies the Audi A3 Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Economy , Green , Tech , Hatchbacks , Volkswagen Volkswagen's dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) has proven that a balance can be struck between driver involvement and running the daily slog without a cramped left leg, with a bump in fuel economy to boot. As reported earlier this year , VW has plans to introduce another cog onto its six-speed DSG unit, while at the same time dropping the wet clutch arrangement for a dry-clutch setup. Now it's official: the new seven-speed DSG not only boasts another gear and dry clutches, but it's the first time the DSG transmission is able to be mounted for a front-traverse setup. The seven-speed 'box will originally be available on the Golf and Golf Plus models abroad, equipped with the 1.4-liter TSI engine and 1.9-liter TDI mill, and the 1,750 euro premium over the base model also includes a hill-start assist system. The next generation, Borg-Warner-developed DSG has the capacity to channel 184 lb.-ft. of torque to the wheels, which...
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Filed under: Detroit Auto Show , Convertibles , Coupes , Hybrids/Alternative , Sedans/Saloons , Sports/GTs , SUVs , Geneva Motor Show , Paris Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , Supercars , Audi The Audi Club of North America puts out a publication aptly titled the Quattro Quarterly that gives Audi owners the inside skinny on everything from future products to how to swap bigger brakes into their B5 S4. One of our intrepid readers, Kevin, sent us a few scans of the QQ's latest issue, where it outlines Audi's product plans for the next five years. While some of it has already been confirmed, other interesting factoids, including the future of the R8, RS-TT and the development of an R4, have long been rumored on these very pages. Follow the jump for the full breakdown on what Audi has in store, but be aware that we're handing out grains of salt below the fold. Continue reading Quattro Quarterly lays out Audi's five-year plan for world domination Read | Permalink |...
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Filed under: Hatchbacks , Audi click above imge for more high-res pics of the Audi Metroproject quattro Concept Even though the A3 hasn't been the sales success that Audi execs had hoped for, the automaker's CEO, Rupert Stadler, is considering bring the smaller A1 to market here in the U.S. Times and tastes change, and Audi figures that when production of the A1 begins towards the end of 2009, sales in North America could be feasible. In addition to the A1, Audi has plans to become all things to all people, including new variations of the A4, plus the introduction of the Q5 CUV and the A7, a four-door coupe currently under development. [Source: Autoweek] Gallery: Audi metroproject quattro Concept Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Filed under: Convertibles , Tokyo Motor Show , Crossovers/CUVs , Hatchbacks , Audi , Bentley 4Car sat down with Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board who heads up the product engineering side of things, and came away with new insights on the MINI-fighting...
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Filed under: Tuners , Sports/GTs , Euro , Hatchbacks , Audi Click image for gallery The latest Deutsch treat from Abt Sportsline is a tuned Audi S3. As you're all well aware, there is no S3 here in the US, nor is there a plan to sell one. The US doesn...
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