Audi is adding to its already phenomenal R8 line-up. If there is anyone who doesn’t know of the R8, we only have one question for you: Where have you been?! Below are some pics of the new addition to the Audi family as well as some information on the already existing models. The first of the new models will be a V-8 version of the R8 Spyder which is currently available in a V-10 option only. Not that we need another reason to LOVE the R8 – but look for this new version early 2011!
Audi currently sells three different versions of its R8 supercar, the original 4.2-liter V-8 model and the newer 5.2-liter V-10 model, which is available in either hard-top coupe or Spyder convertible bodystyles.
However, the R8 model family is set to expand with several new additions, the first of which is set to be unveiled towards the end of the year. This first model will be a V-8 version of the R8 Spyder, which currently is only available with a V-10 engine. It will be priced around the $135,000 mark and should hit showrooms in early 2011.
Also in the works is a sportier model–like the R8 wasn’t sporty enough–that will draw influences from the R8 LMS race car. Speaking at a press event late last year, Audi quattro development chief Stefan Reil hinted that lightweight versions of the R8 and TT were being considered. This wouldn’t be the first time Audi developed such a car–back in 2005 the automaker released a limited edition TT quattro Sport to mark the end of production of the previous generation TT. The car had a slight increase in power over the standard model as well as firmer suspension, a stripped our interior and Recaro bucket seats.
Soon after Reil’s comments a mysterious R8 prototype had been spotted in Germany wearing an oversized fixed rear wing, small canards attached to the front bumper, and bigger brakes. According to Car and Driver, Lamborghini’s new Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and its 570 horsepower V-10 gives a glimpse of what to expect.
Whether this model will wear an RS badge or simply be called a R8 Sport remains to be seen.
Finally, the finicky six-speed sequential R tronic gearbox offered in the current R8 lineup is expected to be eventually replaced with Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Thankfully, the open-gate six-speed manual will remain as standard.
What company do you know that can take the most advanced drive-train on earth and make it better? Audi has done it. Audi developed Quattro (all wheel drive) and has proved its strength with countless wins in motor sport. Now, with the newest generation of Quattro just around the corner, I am excited to see what they have in store for us. Audi’s Quattro is defined as: “Quattro four-wheel drive enjoys a lengthy tradition. The principle involves distributing the engine’s power permanently and optimally between all four wheels.”
It looks as though Audi has made the cut for the second serving of Iron Man. The trailer for Iron Man 2 has been released and the Audi R8 Spyder makes a cameo appearance!
In the first installment of Iron Man, the Audi R8 Coupe made its debut and I am sure I speak for most when I say how excited we all are to see not only what the movie has to offer, but what the R8 Spyder has to in store for us!
Check out the trailer below as well as some additional information on the new movie.
The new Iron Man 2 trailer – yes, that movie with lots of super-duper fast cars in it – has been released and as expected, Tony Stark has absolutely no shortage of exotic vehicular toys at his disposal. And we’re not even counting that whole Iron Man robotic suit – he now has four! – he keeps with him all the time.
Let’s see: there’s a scene at the Circuit de Monaco, a slightly different Formula-something race with Tony Stark behind the wheel of one of the race cars, and a clear-as-day shot of the new Audi R8 Spyder. And oh, there’s lots and lots of Scarlett Johansson, too.
That movie is shaping up to be a must-watch for every man on this Earth and as car enthusiasts who also happen to like hot chicks in tight Spandex will be there falling in line for the first screening.
If you haven’t seen the new trailer, here it is. Guaranteed; you’re going to love it.
Audi of Wilsonville is now well under way after the ground breaking at their new site earlier in the month. The City of Wilsonville has some of the specs and contact information now posted on their website and later this year the new Audi dealership will be up and running. Check it out.
After making its A1 debut at the Geneva Auto show early last week, Audi seems to be continuing to stack its compact line-up. Now the company has released specs of its possible A2 compact, again fueling rumors of their desire to break into the electric-car market. Audi has previously relied on their “Clean Diesel” as their green leader, but it seems they are ready to compete in this rapidly changing and extremely popular market, and with Audi , it is sure to be done right.
Check out some pics of the previously released A2 (1999) that never came to market. I am certain the new electric version will offer sleek lines and of course, the major difference, an all electric motor.
Here is an article highlighting some of the A2 features as well:
Audi is pushing hard in the small-car and green segments, with the 2011 A1 just revealed officially at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show along with new plans for the electric-drive e-tron brand. Today, rumors are circulating the Web that Audi is working on a revival of its A2 badge to help fill out its compact lineup.
The report comes out of statements by Audi CEO Rupert Stadler made during the Geneva show. He said there’s room between the A1 and A3 for another compact car. Audi board member for technology Michael Dick also said that the e-tron range’s electric plans might include the A2, reports Automotive News. These statements line up perfectly with our report on behind-the-scenes work on the A2 from last May.
So what would a reborn Audi A2 look like? A lot like the A1 and A3, we’d expect. A hatchback bodystyle is almost a given, and size will be carefully calculated to slot between the A1 and A3. Pricing might get a bit more tricky, particularly here in the U.S., where lower prices overall tend to compress the lower end of the luxury segment. We don’t expect the A2 to look like its funky-bubble, Europe-only predecessor (also pictured above).
As for powertrain, we’d expect something like what was shown in the Audi A1 e-tron concept, though possibly with more power, as the 61-horsepower continuous output would likely prove too little for a slightly larger car. Range for the A1 e-tron concept will also likely have to be improved to meet the needs of a just-above-minicar A2. Driving 31 miles on electricity and another 124 miles with the range-extending Wankel in action is fine for a city car, but for a car that might see more extended use, most of the country will want to see closer to 300 miles of total range.
It’s not yet clear exactly when the A2 will be coming, or if it will make it to the U.S. at all, but Europeans are expected to get the car sometime around 2014.
The 2011 Audi A1 (non e-tron) is still uncertain for U.S. sale, though we’ve seen indications that it will, that it won’t, and hints that it might. We’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest as it breaks.
Just want to say a special thanks to Mike Juergens, who has been among my most loyal followers. He put this great shirt together for I Am Audi using our logo, we look forward to seeing them worn proudly in Portland, and everywhere else for that matter! Thanks Mike, your enthusiasm reminds me why I started this project in the first place!
Is Ron Tonkin taking over the world? Well maybe just another portion of the Oregon automotive industry. Here are some specs and and an overview of what the new Tonkin Wilsonville Audi will look like when it arrives mid-2010. Ground has already been broken at the new Wilsonville Audi site and by late Fall the project should be complete.
A ton of amazing adds have been released from the automotive industry in the last year but I think Audi Has had the best of the best. Quattro World recently posted this (their source was Audizine ) and it put a huge smile on my face, the add is perfect simple, clean and very effective. Let me know what you think some of the best and worst automotive adds of recent have been and how you think this add would do in the United States.
In light of our post the other day regarding Tonkin Audi – I thought it was only timely to post the unfortunate Tonkin event that occurred the other day… Alcohol may not have been a factor, but road-rage? Either way, it looks like Ron Tonkin has some additional renovations to do, in addition to his new Wilsonville Audi dealership. Check out the full News Clip from KATU here: KATU News
Sadly, it doesn’t appear as though the Audi A1 will be making an appearance in the US after all. But in Geneva, Audi has unveiled another version of its newest hatch back concept in electric form. The Audi A1 e-tron has made its debut with a proposed mileage projection of over 31 miles of battery time, with an additional 124 miles of fuel mileage. While this is good news to Europeans everywhere, with the possibility of production in 2012, it is just one more car the US will never see!
Check out the article below highlighting a few more details:
Opinions differ on whether Audi’s A1 at the Geneva Motor Show is just a cynically manipulated VW Polo designed to pander to base badge snobbery or whether it is a genuine attempt to seriously compete with BMW’s MINI.
Either way, this A1-based electric-drive concept aimed at urban travel is undeniably clever.
Its tiny Wankel engine under the boot floor is used as a range extender running at a constant speed, which solves the inherent problems with a rotary engine of tip sealing, excessive thirst and emissions.
In battery electric driving, the front-drive A1 e-tron has a range of 31 miles. The petrol engine extends that by another 124 miles.
