Audi Q 3

he Audi Q3 (internally designated Typ 8U), is a five-door compact coupe crossover by Audi that debuted commercially in 2011. The car uses the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5, the same as the Volkswagen Tiguan/SEAT Tribu small SUVs. The Q3 slots above the proposed Audi Q1 mini crossover. Compared to the mid-luxury compact Q5 and full-size Q7 which are positioned more for family practicality and off-road performance, the Q3 is aimed as more of a lifestyle/sports automobile. It was launched in the same model year as the BMW X1, a similar competitor.

New Audi A7 arrives in the UAE

Abu Dhabi/Dubai, March 21, 2011 – Ali & Sons Co LLC and Al Nabooda Automobiles, the authorized dealers of Audi in the UAE, announce the official launch of the new Audi A7 to the Emirates. Customers have the possibility of viewing Audi’s latest model on a specially designed exhibition area at Dubai Mall and Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi.

The new Audi A7 is a five-door luxury-class coupe with a unique combination of prestige, sportiness and functionality which blends together the benefits of a saloon, a coupe and a station wagon. On the interior Audi again gives proof of its leading role in automotive design. Even the tiniest details and the use of high-grade new materials document the craftsmanship level of care with which Audi builds its cars. The long rear hatch opens high to reveal a luggage compartment that is very easy to load and offers excellent functionality at 535-liter capacity.

The A7 offers a new level of technical intelligence with logical, self-explanatory ergonomics. The optimized MMI operating system with navigation plus and touchpad input comes standard. Among the optional equipment is the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, that combined with the Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences, the new head-up display, Audi active lane assist and the new park assist system, which relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.

The settings of the new Audi A7 have been specially developed for the Middle East, particularly with regards to the climate conditions. The extensive standard equipment includes the four-zone automatic air conditioning, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function for driver seat, a multifunction leather steering wheel with shift paddles, DVD changer and Bluetooth mobile phone interface, heat insulated windows and a sunscreen for the rear window, glass sunroof, electric boot lid and key-less go, 18 inch alloy wheels, the parking system plus with rearview camera as well as Audi pre sense basic and a 5 years service package.

Audi offers the A7 with a 300 hp 3.0 TFSI engine an S tronic transmission and the latest generation quattro permanent all-wheel drive system as a standard. Its efficiency sets new standards in the vehicle class and features a recuperation system and thermal management as a standard.

Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East, commented on the importance of the new model “The Audi A7 is a completely new concept. It is not only a design icon, but sets a high standard for performance and handling as well. We expect the A7 to contribute well to C segment sales in the UAE.”

The new Audi A7 is available as of now starting from AED 263,000.

Design

Audi is once again breaking new ground in design with the A7, whose lines convey aesthetic athleticism and elegance on a grand scale. The five-door coupe measures 4.97 meters in length and 1.91 meters in width, but only 1.42 meters in height. Its long engine hood, the sportily flowing C-pillars and the sharply dropping rear create a dynamic overall impression.

The A7 is an Audi in new top form. Its low, dynamically drawn roofline lends it the character of a coupe. The design presents the aesthetics of modern technology in every detail – in the sharp, precise stroke of the lines, for instance, or in the athletically taut surfaces. Up front, optional LED headlights accentuate the distinctive expression. They use light-emitting diodes to provide all functions and consume little energy. LED tail lights are standard.

The sinewy sportiness of the exterior carries over into the interior of the A7, where Audi again gives proof of its leading role in automotive design. The salient element is the “wrap-around” – a horizontal line encircling the driver and the front-seat passenger.

The arc extends from the driver’s side across the instrument panel to the passenger’s door. The instrument panel has a wave-shaped application strip and generates significant tension.

In the interior, even the tiniest details document the care with which Audi builds its cars. The quality of the workmanship is on a craftsman’s level. High-grade new materials such as layered wood veneers are a treat for the senses, and an optional ambient lighting system adds highlights to the interior. The front seats are available with optional ventilation and massage functions.

The five-door coupe from Audi combines supreme long-distance comfort with a sporty character. The interior noise level is very low even at high speeds, with the engine providing subtle acoustic feedback as their power unfolds. Behind the excellent acoustics are new structural design methods, the bundled use of high-end materials such as microfiber fleeces, and the systematic conceptual design of multifunction parts, such as acoustically active wheel well shells and underbody panels.

Cultivated atmosphere: excellent body characteristics

The cultivated atmosphere is due in part to the excellent vibrational comfort. This is the result of painstakingly tuning all components, systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings, and the extremely stiff body. Comprised primarily of aluminum and high-tech steels, it is exceptionally lightweight and very safe. The long rear hatch opens high to reveal a luggage compartment that is very easy to load and offers excellent functionality. Its ample standard 535-liter capacity swells to 1,390 liters with the rear seat rests folded down.

The A7 offers a new level of technical intelligence with logical, self-explanatory ergonomics. The optimized MMI operating system comes standard; among the optional equipment is a new head-up display that projects the most important information on the windshield. The MMI touch operating system combines a hard drive navigation system with the groundbreaking convenience of touchpad input. The driver can use the touchpad to perform numerous functions conveniently and intuitively, such as using his or her finger to write the letters of the destination or the digits of the telephone number.

Part of the fine range of hi-fi choices are the Bose sound system and the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen, which features 1,300 watts of power and 15 speakers.

The adaptive cruise control with stop & go function recognizes complex scenarios and combined with the Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences. The Audi active lane assist, which will be available later on, helps the driver to keep the A7 firmly on course, and the new park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.

Cultivated power: the V6 engine

Audi offers the A7 with a 300 hp 3.0 TFSI engine. Its efficiency sets new standards in the vehicle class and features a recuperation system and thermal management as a standard.

The sporty seven-speed S tronic sends engine power to all four wheels. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is state of the art. Featuring a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring, it is particularly flexible and dynamic. The optional sport differential actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.

The chassis, too, combines sporty precision with luxurious comfort. The Audi

A7 rolls on large wheels measuring from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. Its links are made of aluminum; the newly developed power steering features a highly efficient electromechanical drive. The Audi drive select dynamics system is standard and can be supplemented by the optional adaptive air suspension with controlled damping. The dynamic steering system, which varies its steering ratio according to the speed being driven, will follow somewhat later.

Audi reveals A3 concept in Geneva

Geneva, March 02, 2011 – With several world premieres and appearances by legendary rally driver Michèle Mouton and a performance by singer Amy Macdonald German premium car manufacturer Audi has kicked off the 81st International Geneva Motor Show. The star of the show, however, was the Audi A3 concept. The four-seat notchback sedan integrates the full breadth of the brand’s technological expertise – from the improved MMI operating system, to the high-tech infotainment system, to the drivetrain. A five-cylinder turbo developing 408 hp, a seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive ensure thrilling dynamics along with high fuel efficiency.

Among the technological highlights are the large rotary pushbutton of the MMI that now includes the touch pad, MMI touch, which makes the already operation even more intuitive and will soon be introduced in series production at Audi. Holders for iPads are installed on the back of the front seat backrests. The door handles with their brushed-aluminum clasps are recessed flush with the door. When the driver touches them, they power-extend.

Further premiers included the Audi Q5 hybrid quattro - the first mass-produced hybrid model from Audi that makes use of two drive systems. Delivering 245 hp of system performance and 480 Nm of torque, its 2.0 TFSI gasoline engine and electric motor ensure sporty dynamics while achieving an average fuel consumption in the normal cycle (NEDC) of under 6.9 liters per 100 km. The sportiest hybrid SUV on the market can drive up to 100 km/h under electric power alone and covers about three kilometers locally emission-free at a speed of 60 km/h.

With the new RS 3 Sportback Audi also revealed the newest member of the dynamic Audi RS family. It’s turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine pumps out 340 hp and delivers 450 Nm of torque at just 9.1 liters of fuel per 100 km on average. The Audi RS 3 Sportback accelerates from a standing stop to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds – a best-in-class performance figure. A further highlight on the Audi stand is the A8 L Security, which meets the strictest guidelines in force for civilian vehicles, with a host of special safety features available in addition to its heavy armoring.

The Audi RS 3 and Q5 hybrid have not been confirmed for the Middle East yet.

Audi R15 TDI

The Audi R15 TDI, commonly abbreviated to the R15, is a Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racing car constructed by the German car manufacturer Audi AG. It is the successor to the Audi R10 TDI. Like its predecessor, the R15 TDI uses a turbocharged diesel engine, although the R15's V10 engine is physically smaller than the R10's V12. The smaller engine is pushed further toward the middle of the car than in the R10, resulting in a more neutral weight balance that gives the car better agility around the corners than its predecessor.

The car was tested for the first time in December 2008, before its official unveiling and competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring race, 21 March 2009. Three R15 TDIs participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2009, under the control of Joest Racing. Audi did not defend their American Le Mans Series, or Le Mans Series titles with the R15 TDI.

The R15 made its competition debut at the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring in March 2009, and followed this event at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.The R15 got off to a perfect start by winning the 12 Hours of Sebring, setting a new race record in the process, but then lost in its second entry.Peugeot, its rival, with its 908 HDi FAP, took the top two spots in the 24-hour race, ending Audi's five-win streak that lasted back to 2004 with the gasoline-powered R8.

The R15 TDI features a 5.5 litres (336 cu in)[4]Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbodiesel V10 engine, rated at over 600 PS (440 kW; 590 bhp) and 1,050 newton metres (774 ft•lbf) torque. The electrical system uses a lithium-ion battery, a first for Audi sports prototypes, as well as LED headlights,and a unique system of LED rear lights that are mounted on the rear wing endplate.

2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet Review

By Mark Atkinson

SOFT-TOP DOESN’T MESS WITH COUPE’S GOOD LOOKS

The reason why we’re here is that Audi’s aging A4 Cabriolet is replaced by the 2010 A5 Cabriolet. The gorgeous A5 Coupe is easily the company’s best looking product, but ask IS 350C owners if the clean design language of the original always gets translated properly to the drop-top.

Thankfully, Audi ignored the current trend towards folding metal hard tops that force styling proportions all out of whack to accommodate their awkward panel and motors. Instead, the A5 Cabrio uses a multi-layer soft top that folds away in only 15 seconds with one touch of a button. And it can be operated at speeds of up to 30 mph. When raised, the roofline nearly mimics the Coupe’s dramatic c-pillar, but doesn’t have the same aggressive rake to the rear window. When stowed, the Cabrio loses some of the visual flash, and it’s a very color-sensitive design.

Inside, the Cabrio benefits from the A5’s increased size compared to the old A4. There’s real space to sit in the rear seats, and there are reading lights embedded into the roof-liner. Without two rear passengers, the seats do fold flat and there’s even a full pass-through for long objects when stowed in the trunk. Otherwise, the design is nearly identical to that in the A5 Coupe, meaning excellent materials on the dash and seats, clean gauges, and a nicely sized steering wheel.

AUDI’S 2.0 TFSI ENGINE SLUGGISH BUT EFFICIENT

Since Audi abandoned the 3.2-liter V6 in the A4 and A5 Coupe, the Cabriolet is only offered with one engine: the familiar 211-hp 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine that uses advanced turbocharging and direct-injection to produce a grunty 258 ft-lbs of torque.

The Cabrio is offered in either front-wheel drive with a continually variable transmission, or with quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Our tester featured the latter, which offers the most stability and control at the expense of a couple hundred pounds.

It’s a good thing that the engine is so eager because the extra weight from the convertible top and extra chassis reinforcements mean this is not an overly rapid machine. The 0-60 mph run takes 7.2 seconds, which is not terribly aggressive and falls well short of the G37 Convertible.

MORE CRUISER THAN PERFORMER

It’s also not one that’s overly happy once the road gets challenging either. And although Audi’s excellent Drive Select suspension and chassis-sharpening system is an option, I’d be willing to bet the A5 Cabrio has the lowest take rate across the company’s range. The steering is rental-car numb, and the standard 18-inch wheels and all-season tires are designed more for comfort than outright performance. Those wishing for a little more pop will step up to the excellent S5 Cabrio without thinking twice about it, or they’ll go shop at either BMW or Infiniti.

Perhaps an A5 with an S line package, which includes 19-inch wheels, sportier suspension, more supportive seats and some unique body pieces might appeal to those who prefer performance. Given the Cabrio’s reluctance to get out of its own way, it might not be enough to give it the car-nut’s nod.

The Audi does boulevard cruiser very well, and the cabin remains quite composed at speed when the roof is down. An optional wind blocker mounts over the rear seats, but that effectively turns the A5 Cabrio into a TT Roadster in terms of practicality.

One advantage of the itty-bitty turbo engine is the good fuel efficiency numbers compared to the V6- and V8-powered competition: 20/26/23 mpg city/hwy/combined is nothing to shake a stick at. With a 17-gallon tank, you’re looking at a 400-mile range.

THE VERDICT

As with all Audis, the A5 Cabrio comes with a small amount of equipment standard – even an auto-dimming mirror is optional on all but the top-end $52,000 Prestige models. When so equipped, the car has few real rivals in terms of construction, materials and atmosphere.

The base Premier model at $44,100 is the better buy, even if you do miss some of the toys. The BMW 328i, Infiniti G37 Convertible, Lexus IS350 C and Volvo C70 T5 all sit within a couple thousand dollars of the Audi’s starting price, and perhaps only the BMW is as stingy with the options.

However, the A5 Cabrio is good at its job – in other words providing a $50,000 tanning bed for four adults. Given than the four-ringed badge is building momentum with every new product, plenty will be sold in Miami, Los Angeles and Houston where what you drive is much more important than how well it drives

2009 Detroit Auto show reveals Green 2009 Audi A7 Sportback Concept

The name, Sportback, isn't one with much meaning for Americans, but at Audi it will soon assume greater significance than Avant. Already, the company refers to the A3 four-door hatchback as a Sportback and at the Paris auto show last fall it unveiled the subcompact A1 Sportback concept. Here, Audi wants to show that the Sportback idea isn't just for small cars.
Indeed, this Sportback concept is a preview of the upcoming Audi A7, essentially a premium, four-door coupe variant of the A6, much in the same way the Mercedes-Benz CLS is positioned above the E-class on which it's based.
So this Sportback (nee A7) is not a small car. It's just a shade longer (0.6 inch) than the A6 Avant, but more than three inches narrower and lower than the A6. The design of the large hatchback, however, is supposed to mimic the A5 notchback coupe. The front end gets a more squat version of Audi's large, vertical grille, and the exterior is dressed up with LED lights front and rear, and 21-inch wheels. As befits a show car, the interior is over-the-top plush, with leather everywhere (and a Bentley-esque, diamond sew pattern on the seats), a huge glass roof panel, oak "blockboard" wood trim, and filigreed aluminum.
Mechanically, this concept showcases all the latest Audi goodies. That means a turbocharged, direct-injection diesel, specifically the 3.0-liter V-6 that will be offered in the Q7 SUV starting this April. Here it makes 225 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, and it's mated to an 8-speed tiptronic automatic. The powertrain uses Audi's revised layout, seen already in the A4- and A5-series cars, that reduces the front overhang. Audi claims that this engine can hustle the 3968-pound concept from 0 to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds, and can also achieve nearly 37 mpg in the European test cycle. The Sportback also features a multilink suspension, active dampers (similar to those in the Q7), and ceramic disc brakes.

2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro