All posts tagged audi
Audi Q7: the new generation could be 350kg lighter
Audi’s global marketing chief Peter Schwarzenbauer has revealed that the next generation of Audi Q7 SUVs could weight 350kg less than the one currently on sale. This significant weight loss is part of an ambitious plan by which every new car that the German manufacturer will produce in the future will be lighter than the model it will replace.
The experience gained in aluminium processing (which has been already exploited in many suspensions components of the Q7s currently available) will come in very handy. The massive use of this material - of which 20% of new A6 and A7 Sportback are made of - has enabled Audi to cut down the weight in a satisfactory manner.
How much this technological step will affect the final price tag is yet to be disclosed. Surely, a lighter weight means that handling, performance and fuel economy will benefit from that.
Audi: 2007 profits
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.
The Audi Cross Coupé Quattro Concept
Audi will be showing tomorrow in Shanghai the Audi Cross Coupé Quattro, a sporty SUV concept car that (probably) anticipates the upcoming Q5.
The Cross Coupé is typically Audi, with a chromed single frame grill, à-la Allroad Quattro, with sporty proportions that somewhat recall the Roadjet Concept, large 20″ wheels and an electrically operated folding fabric roof.
The engine is a new common-rail 2.0-liter TDI engine, with power output of 204 ps and 400 Nm of torque. Is it chance that it has the exact same performance data as the recently announced 2.0-liter 4 cylinder bi-turbo engine from BMW ? This new engine also has a particulate filter and Bluetec system to reduce soot and NOx emissions.
The Quattro permanent four wheel drive system is governed by a Haldex clutch, while the gearbox is the S-Tronic dual-clutch robotic transmission. The text of the Audi press release follows below the fold. (Audi Cross Coupe Quattro image gallery)
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