Even though the European automotive press was taking for granted the future existence of the Audi R4, it now seems that it may remain a paper dream.

Audi, who had not previously excluded the possibility of a small sports car with mid-mounted engine, has reportedly stated via a PR representative that the company does not currently have any plans to construct a car such as the R4. “It was never in the production program”, the spokesperson said.

Thinking carefully about the R4 (which would be placed halfway between the TT and the R8), it would be one of the main competitors for the new Cayman and the Boxster: so, after the R8, Audi would find itself selling a car in the same orbit as Porsche.

Continue reading: Is Audi in reverse on the R4?

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Car Magazine has developed a similar look to the above rendering for the nuova Audi R8 Spider, expected for next year. “Engineering” reasons mean that it is likely to be equipped with a “Targa” roof of removable panels, rather than a more classic soft top or a foldable metallic roof. These difficulties are attributed to the position of the engine which means creating a space for the roof would be too complicated. Two “speedster” headrests are being considered for the seats.

Regarding possible engine specs, we can expect a similar range to the coupè: the current V8 4.2 with 420 hp, a V10 petrol decidedly more powerful (while the RS6’s V10 twin-turbo has been discarded due to its “incendiary” propensions) and the future V8 4.2 TDI at 326 hp. Pricing should be about 12,000 euro more than the closed version.

Continue reading: Audi R8 Spider - like this?

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We’re curious to know how the news was received around the Ingolstadt traps. Auto, motor und sport has announced today that if the news is true (and it comes from a reputable source) Audi’s rivals will be in a league of their own. And this after Audi has only just revealed the new 6.0 V12 TDI, soon to be under the hood of the SUV Q7.

Audi risks portraying an image inconsistent with the “ecology” with which car companies have become obssessed over recent years. Neither the 4.4 V8 BMW nor the 4.0 V8 Mercedes will have heirs, being considered too big and polluting, according to the German companies. The units will be substituted with new six cylinder concepts, characterised by lower capabilities (around three litres) and drastically reduced consumption and CO2 emissions.

“The 4.4 V8 will be substituted by a straight-six cylinder twin-turbo”, Norbert Reithofer, General Manager BMW has revealed, underlining that they haven’t changed their tune for the current range. A similar discussion regards Mercedes, who in addition to exchanging the V8 will also gradually substitute the 3.0 V6 CDI with a 2.1 four cylinder twin-turbo. This engine is expected to debut next year on the C250 CDI in a version that will have both 204 hp and 480 Nm. Following will be versions taking a step further for higher power.

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Some updates on the Audi A4 destined for the US market: with availability in October the Ingolstadt vehicle will have a new 2.0 TFSI engine, increased to 211hp, 11 more than currently in use on many VAG models, with 350 Nm of torque.

The two-litre car will be equipped with the modern Audi Valvelift system controlling distribution and allowing the sedan a 0-60 miles (0-96 km/hr) in just 6.5 seconds. Combined with the engine - presented on the Avant at the American debut - it will be possible to choose as optional extras the double clutch, S tronic shift.

Management is also considering the introduction of a 3.0-litre V6 TDI for the American market. After Mercedes, that with its BlueTEC presented itself in great pomp to American customers, another German manufacturer is betting on diesel to reinforce its presence in the US.

Update: corrected eroneous reference to Steptronic shift

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The official “mini-site” of the Audi Q5, next generation SUV, has officially arrived online. The important German off-road will be revealed in a world preview on the 19th of April.

With a superior graphic kaleidoscope on the site, it’s possible to register and win a preview test drive. According to Ingolstadt the Q5 will be “efficient but fun”, “sporty but not irrational” and will combine new technology with traditional company values.

All this will be needed: it’s useless to underline that in this sector, it will be given a run for its money…

Via | GermanCarBlog

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We had already reported the rumours regarding doubts about the production of the Audi R8 V12 TDI seen at Detroit and then in Geneva as “Le Mans”. And it appears that there was a basis to the doubts as for the moment the R8 turbodiesel will remain a concept car. Underneath there were some who, believing it blasphemous to put a diesel engine on Ingolstadt’s sports car, hoped that this development would perhaps never occur.

But whoever is breathing a sigh of relief will have to tone down the joy as the interest raised at both shows means Audi has decided to go ahead with an R8 diesel. It’s a painful thing for the purists as while a 6.0 V12 was seen as out-of-character, what can be said about the adoption of a 4.2 V8 TDI of “only” 326hp for the company’s sports model? What is the “vulgar” Q7’s engine doing on this car?

It’s of little comfort to know that we’re getting close to the roadster version, as revealed by production manager Michael Dick. At this point we’re really curious to know what effect will be had by a R8 Roadster 4.2 V8 TDI…

Via | Autoblog.nl

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Audi officially launches the S tronic 7-speed gearbox, a new double clutch robotized transmission that can be coupled with longitudinally mounted engines, with the Quattro four-wheel drive system. This new S tronic transmission can also handle up to 550 Nm of torque, meaning it can be coupled to engines such as the 3.0 V6 TDI or the 4.2 V8 engine of the S5. Or the 4.2 V8 of the RS4, for that matter, since it can handle engines revving up to 9,000 rpm!

The transmission spread is 8:1, meaning it can both accomodate extremely sporty shifts low in the range and long ratios for cruising. More details in the full text of the press release below the fold. No details yet on which models will first feature this new S tronic gearbox.

Continue reading: The new Audi S tronic 7-speed gearbox

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It is by now almost certain that the debut of the new Audi Q5 will be in Beijing, in about a month from now. The German company’s new medium SUV, ready to challenge the BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLK, should debut with a hybrid version and new S-Tronic trasmission, double-clutch and seven speeds, which will manage an engine of 550Nm of torque and 8500 rpm . Expectations of the final physical aspects of the Q5 have been reduced, given that spy photos have been circulating for some time.

Via | Worldcarfans.com

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The German company’s net profits in 2007 amounted to 1.692 million euro, according to the organization’s annual report. Although the really surprising detail is the increase in percentage: in 2006 net earnings were 1343 million euro, which means that in 12 months Audi increased its profit margin by 26%. Return on investment increased from 14.2 to 18.6%.

Discussing the figures were Rupert Stadler (Audi Chairman) and Axel Srotbek (Board Member for Finance), according to whom Audi is not just beating a new company record for earnings, but is also cementing its place as a brand of automobile with one of the highest earnings.

The success is due to increased sales (more than 964,000 units, an increase of 6.4%), to new models such as the Q7, the A5, the TT and the R8, and the popularity of the brand in emerging markets other than the traditional European ones.

Continue reading: Audi: 2007 profits

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A new convertible A5 will be ready for the road come 2009. CEO Frank Dreves, speaking in the pages of “A.m.u.s”, gave details that the facilities at Neckarsulm will produce the new Audi cabriolet. There are no technical indiscretions either, regarding a possible hard-top roof (as seen in the latest generation BMW Series 3 cabrio, principle competitor); therefore it seems that the A5 for the moment will remain faithful to the fabric roof, to the advantage of weight and charm. More precise details are available for sales prospects though, at about 28,000 units each year.

This also thanks to a range of both petrol and diesel engines, diversified such as to satisfy every need, including the more sporty S and RS versions. Dreves also focused on how the company of four rings in 2008 is counting on a 6-10% growth and expansion in markets outside the EU. What remains less clear however is whether the A5 Cabrio will replace the current soft-top model of the A4, or whether the proposal (as confermed by the A5 Sportback compared to the A4 Avant) is a step-up in price, sporty style and prestige.

Via | Automobilwoche

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