The camouflage is starting to thin out as the 2011 Audi A1 gets closer to its official debut. Like the Mercedes-Benz B-Class we showed you yesterday, the Audi A1 is a small hatchback that has been considered for the U.S. market but will likely remain in Europe.
Like Mercedes-Benz, Audi is wary of getting spread too thin in the American market. If the A1 were to come in at the bottom around say $24-25K, the brand would stretch from there all the way to $155K for the R8 V10. That's quite a spread.
It begs the question: Do you consider Audi and Mercedes-Benz to be pure luxury brands only? Or would you consider an Audi or Mercedes that was priced more like a mainstream brand like Ford or Honda?
Categories: Audi,Future Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Hatchbacks,Luxury Cars,Spy Photos
Earlier this month at 2010 CES, Audi and graphics chip maker NVIDIA announced the integration of NVDIA's graphical processor units (GPUs) into all Audi models with its 3rd-generation multi-media interface (MMI), including the 2011 A8.
This new MMI will also include '"MMI touch," which recognizes fingertip handwriting for entering letters and numbers for navigation destinations. The pad is backlit, and the navi entry function can be changed to a pointer for map functions or to scroll lists in the MMI, as well as a number pad for the radio.
However, Audi representatives in the video claim that the finger writing entry improves driving safety by allowing the driver to remain focused on the road. It's implied that safer operation is the primary justification for this touchpad system.
But is it really? Pushing a touchpanel screen or turning the MMI would be easier for input entry -- yes?
Hit the jump to find the real motivation.
Continue reading Audi MMI 3rd Generation+ with Fingertip Entry.
Categories: Audi,Car Tech
Audi's marketing machine is clearly firing on all cylinders these days. The latest evidence? A reader's choice award from U.K. magazine What Car? for the Audi A1 subcompact hatchback.
You see, the Audi A1 has yet to be shown in production form, so all those kooky Brits voted the Audi A1 the "most exciting car of 2010" before they've even seen the vehicle. According to the editor of What Car?, "Although we haven't seen the finished car yet, a new, small car with an Audi badge on the nose can't fail to succeed."
So there you have it, Audi hatchbacks are now the big banks of the automotive world -- they cannot fail.
Categories: Audi,Future Vehicles,Geneva Motor Show,Hatchbacks,Luxury Cars
You might be wondering: Why on Earth would Audi unveil a new concept car with the same name as its previous concept car? We certainly did.
The partially satisfying answer from Audi is that the company intends to develop the E-tron name to a sub-brand, which will be to electric power trains what Quattro is to all-wheel drive. That doesn't exactly explain why the two different concepts would be called the same name.
But it certainly does explain what Oliver Stein, Audi of America's CFO told us. Apparently Audi's long-term plan is to offer an electric version of each of its model line from the upcoming European A1 up to the A8. The electrification of Audi will begin with the limited-edition E-tron sports car, similar to the concept unveiled here.
Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show
The trimmer, lighter, considerably less red Audi E-tron electric-car concept shown here in Detroit is a preview of the company's upcoming production midengine sport coupe, according to sources at Audi of America.
Oh, you know, the company will replace the carbon-fiber with metal for the body panels, of course, and there isn't a chance in hell that those billion-spoke chrome rims are going to see the road. But the basic shape of the car is indicative of what we'll see in a couple of years as the R4. We've reported on the R4 program before, but this is the first time Audi has presented any styling hints.
The R8's baby brother will share its structure with the overlords at the Volkswagen brand (you didn't think VW has been showing little roadster concepts over the last few years for nothing, did you?). Like the Concept BlueSport from last year's Detroit show and also, if rumors are to be believed, the next Boxster and Cayman. It's configured for a transversely mounted midengine. In addition to the electric version previewed by the E-tron concept, the R4 will also be offered with either a 2.0-liter turbo-4 or a 2.5-liter turbo five-cylinder or maybe both. But not at the same time.
Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show
#NAIAS
Audi has had to finally acknowledge that the pool of American buyers willing to pay more than $30,000 for a hatchback is shallow. According to Oliver Stein, Audi of America's CFO, the company has finally convinced the parent company that the U.S. needs a sedan version of Audi's smallest U.S. vehicle, the A3.
Development of the A3 sedan is well underway and will likely go on sale in 2012 as a 2013 model. The U.S. will likely be the only market for the notchback version since European buyers seem to feel the same way about small sedans as Americans do about hatchbacks.
The sedan will, of course, share a front-drive-oriented platform with its Volkswagen brethren, although Audi will be pushing Quattro pretty hard. Expect power to come from a transversely mounted and more powerful version of the familiar 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. And the A3 sedan will be roughly the same size as the old A4 from 1994-'97, the so called B5 generation.
Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show
#NAIAS With the introduction of its Detroit-show E-tron concept, Audi has taken the lead in electric-powered, chrome-wheeled sports cars. The company is already on its second-generation E-tron since last fall's Frankfurt show.
This silvery-blue number is smaller and lighter than the big red one unveiled in Germany. Further, Audi says the new version adds "even more emotion." In addition, the company claims another unbelievable torque rating, this time 2,000 pound-feet. The two electric motors put out 150 kilowatts. Audi estimates that's enough to launch the vehicle to 62 mph in 5.9 seconds. Theoretically, the E-tron has a 155-mile range, but presumably not if you run it to its top speed of 124.27 mph -- you know, roughly. The aluminum and carbon-fiber E-tron weighs in at 2,976 pounds. The two motors are mounted inboard of the rear wheels and can operate independently and work something like the mechanical torque-vectoring system from the S4 sport sedan.
We must say, we like this trimmer, tidier version. Audi has committed to producing a limited number of E-trons for sale and we anticipate it would wear bodywork like the one shown here. And hell, why not throw a gas engine into the little boy and make the long-rumored R4 out of it? What Audi hasn't changed from the Frankfurt version is the super-chromed Dayton wires-style wheels.
The company also announced that it will unveil a full-hybrid version of the new A8 luxury sedan in March at the Geneva auto show.
Categories: Audi,Detroit Auto Show
Because, really, why would you ever commit suicide if you owned a car as beautiful as an Audi A5? Oh, wait, that was a naive and insensitive question.
But that doesn't mean you won't want to watch this alleged ad. You'll either find it disturbing or funny, so watch out.
IL News: Audi Says A5 TDI Suicide Ad Is a Fake
Categories: Audi,Coupes,Trends
DTM may be the German equivalent of NASCAR today, but in the 1980s, the race cars competing in Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft were a lot closer to the production cars on which they were based.
If you like E30 BMWs and 190-series Benzes, you'll enjoy this well edited video, which has ample of footage of cars jumping and fenders rubbing in the pack.
Motor Mavens
Categories: Audi,BMW,Mercedes-Benz,Motorsports,Sedans,Volkswagen,Volvo
It lacks the emotional appeal of the tv ad released earlier this month, but here's another chance to see the A5 Sportback on the move and this time with a red paint job.
Categories: Audi,Crossovers,Hatchbacks,Luxury Cars
It's a sportcar-versus-single-engine-aircraft footrace on the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego, California.
Categories: Audi,Sports Cars
Everyone has been waiting to see the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder in Iron Man 2, but the trailer released today only shows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) driving this super-duper, movie-spec racecar. Yay.
Iron Man 2 trailer
Categories: Audi,Celebrities,Convertibles
Justin Timberlake is to the Audi A1 what Spandau Ballet is to the Ford S-Max. Today, Audi appointed Timberlake to the position of Audi brand ambassador. He will lead the great internet campaign for the Audi A1, which might or might not come to the U.S.
In making the deal, Audi apparently sought access to Timberlake's fanbase of teenage girls.
"As a superstar he appeals to a young target audience that we're particularly intent on exciting about the compact and efficient A1, which is superlatively well suited for city traffic," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, member of Audi's AG board of management for sales and marketing.
In his quest to excite you (or people you may know) about the Audi A1, Timberlake, and an undisguised Audi A1, have already been spotted filming a commercial in downtown LA.
audidriven (Twitter) via Fourtitude
Categories: Audi,Celebrities,Hatchbacks
Audi announced today that it will show the production A1 at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show on March 2.
In the days leading up to that debut, the company is planning all sorts of partial unveils of various design elements of the A1. We'll also see the plant in Brussels where the car will be built, and hear from pretty much everyone in the company about the development, manufacture and marketing of this car. Audi is planning to put one of its DTM drivers behind the wheel of a prototype as well.
Today Audi designer, Dany Garand, and brand design chief, Stefan Sielaff, have the floor. They discuss the car's exterior design as it relates to the 3-door and 5-door A1 Sportback concepts shown at Tokyo (2007) and Paris (2008) respectively in a video after the jump. There's also a video that shows the creative process for this A1 painting -- it's krylon-intensive.
As part of its effort to build up mystique for the A1, which Audi bills as the first-ever premium car in the subcompact statement (a doubtful claim given all the smaller, lighter luxury cars that existed in previous decades), the company has set up a Facebook page. And you can follow the Audi A1 on Twitter. Of course.
Facebook, Twitter
Continue reading 2011 Audi A1 Headed to the 2010 Geneva Auto Show.
Categories: Audi,Geneva Motor Show,Hatchbacks,Luxury Cars
Congrats go to deagle13 for an amusing and apt caption for this scene outside the LA Auto Show in which Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger takes a closer a look at the Audi E-tron while Audi staffers look on.
Here are the others that amused us:
Terminator vs. Meg"E-tron" (mrryte)
She was a swordmaster from Hyrcania. Seriously, you never saw it? Those were the days... (jederino)
Perfect car for days without rolling blackouts in CA. (vwthing1)
We'll take the E-tron to get to the Chopper! (SnakeDoctor)
E-tron 20 ft from the curb, Q7 in front of the fire hydrant. (gregnv)
"Desire is irrelevant. I am a machine." (jonathancw)
Audi Officials Display Concern As The Governator Chooses To Touch Car. (rick8365)
And be sure to check out the winning caption in the simultaneously funny Long-Term Road Test Blog caption contest.
First Drive: Audi E-Tron Concept
Categories: Audi,Trends
