The new Alfa Giulietta has been released and first impressions from the world’s press are starting to come through. We’ve gathered some of those impressions in one place so we can check out just what the Giulietta promises and whether it might deliver.

As is the fate of many an Alfa Romeo, the focus is on style - how good does it look? I don’t know whether that means there’s nothing special to bother about under the bonnet, or whether the presence of the best Fiat technology is taken for granted. To be fair, the new Giulietta will get Fiat’s Multiair engines, Alfa DNA and dual-clutch transmission so it’s no slack on the technology front. And it will have between 120 and 170 hp, before the Quadrifoglio Verde version turns up with 230 hp.

So far, the new Giulietta is a very nice looking car. Yesterday I said I appreciated the sloping, elegant rear and overall there is plenty of classic Alfa sports style. It’s managed to keep its Alfa Romeo class without falling into mediocrity or appearing like just another, bigger 147. Given the brand image and style of Alfa, I also think it stands apart from other offerings in the Fiat Group range.

Continue reading: Alfa Giulietta first impressions: lining up the Giulietta competitors

This unfocused image could by the concrete spy shot of the Audi A3, expected for 2011. The origin of the shot is still unknown, but the elements to consider it genuine are not missing, especially the design, which shows an evolution on the Audi Q5.

The rear lights show LED technology, and the lines around the boot look to be derived from the Q5. The overall form of the rear however, is faithful to the current generation, with some added aerodynamics. We eagerly await some new Audi A3 pics to see whether this image is definite or not.

Source | Audiblog.nl

Continue reading: Audi A3 spy shot: the definitive rear look?

Alongside the development of the Volkswagen Golf hybrid, Audi will also create its own version of the TwinDrive on the new A3. The A3 hybrid will be equipped with a 1.6 litre TDI engine at 105 hp, with three smaller electric units: one at 40 hp placed at the front, and two rear electric units jointly capable of another 40 hp. The A3 hybrid will therefore have all wheel drive with the hybrid function on.

The electric units will have lithium ion batteries and will work of the energy rigenerated during braking. Looking at the TwinDrive system on the Golf, the A3 in theory could be used with only the electric motor running, with a range of 50 km and a top speed of 120 km/hr. In hybrid function, the car could run off a truly surprising figure of only one litre for 45 kilometres. The Audi A3 TwinDrive won’t be available before 2012.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: Audi confirms A3 hybrid TwinDrive

This is an interesting graphic reconstruction of the new Audi RS3 from Autocar. The vision of the new Renn Sport is based on the new A3 platform, and would have the same five cylinder, 2.5 litre turbo engine at 360 hp, as the TT-RS.

Among the features of the new RS3, we’ll find a twin clutch, seven speed transmission and new intelligent differential to distribute torque power to the four wheel drive option. The debut is set for 18-24 months after the arrival of the third generation Audi A3.

Sportback and sedan models should be available with the same look and mechanics. Whether the current A3 generation, nearing the end of its commercial cycle, will have an “RS” as a swan song hasn’t been confirmed, though recent Nurburgring testing could indicate this is a possibility. The other possibility is that the Sportback body could be the new platform, with longer base, for the VAG compact models.

Source | Autocar

Continue reading: New Audi RS3 render

While it’s no surprise that the German magazine Auto-Bild, should choose a German car as the most beautiful car of the year, 2008 sees the third year in a row when the title has been won by Audi.

After the TT in 2006 and the R8 in 2007, Audi has won this prize for 2008 with the A4 (seen in the photo in the S version). Audi also won awards in the sedan and station wagon categories.

The competition represents the opinion of 42,000 Auto-bild readers, who also appreciated the Q5 as the best SUV in the off-road segment. The renewed A3 also got itself the gold medal in its category, and concluding was the Metroproject concept, second in the category of development phase/concept car. Audi will be recognised by the magazine’s director at the Paris motor show.

Source | Audi AG

Continue reading: Audi: best car awards, Auto-bild 2008

The diffusion of official images of the Audi A3 restyling continue. After the normal version and the new S3 Sportback, this time it’s the S3 three-door’s turn. On this car, as per the five door, the 2.0 TFSI with 265 hp will be available. The acceleration from 0-100km/hr happens in 5.7 seconds (5.8 for the Sportback) while maximum speed is at 250 km/hr.

For all versions, day lights have been introduced with seven led and Bi-xeno lights. Side indicators have been integrated into the rear-view mirrors, and the rear lights and mud guards are also new. Some interior finishes have been changed and audio controls have been re-designed. The central display now includes gear change display as a suggestion to limit consumption.

Continue reading: New official pics of the Audi S3 restyling

Audi has announced a new 1.4-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine for the A3, available starting from november 2007a. The new engine, a turbocharged unit with gasoline direct injection, delivers 125 ps at 5,000 rpm with a maximum torque of 200 Nm, costant between 1,500 to 4,000 rpm (80% of max. torque is available at 1,250 rpm, just above idle).

The new Audi unit is suspiciously similar to the 1.4 TSI unit recently announced by VW (122 ps, 200 Nm between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm), a unit which debutted on the Golf. According to Audi the 1.4 TFSI sets new standard for its class in terms of acoustic comfort.

Performance is pretty interesting: a top speed of 203 km/h and acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds (three-door A3). Almost on par with the A3 2.0 TDI, which has 140 ps, a top speed of 207 km/h and accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds. The A3 1.4 TFSI performs much better than the A3 1.6 FSI (which it will probably replace) and the A3 1.9 TDI.

Average fuel consumption for the A3 1.4 TFSI will be 6.5 liters/100 km (for comparison purposes, the A3 1.9 TDI boasts 4.9 l/100 km, but costs about 1,200 € more). The starting price for the A3 1.4 TFSI Attraction will be 21,350 euros.

Continue reading: New 1.4 TFSI engine for the Audi A3