From the Something-We-Figured-Was-Coming-But-Are-Thrilled-To-See-Anyway Department comes Audi’s announcement of the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro. It’s basically the V-8 version of the V-10–engined R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro, which itself is scheduled to appear in U.S. showrooms starting this September.


Audi of America says the V-8 Spyder will arrive in the U.S. in early 2011 with a 430-hp version of Audi’s 4.2-liter V-8, which coupes also will receive for 2011. A gated six-speed manual will be standard, while Audi’s R tronic automated manual will be optional. Although the 2011 model year starts this fall, 2011 R8 coupes won’t arrive until the Spyder shows up next year. If Audi keeps the weight gain to somewhere near the 220-pound difference between the V-10 coupe and Spyder models, the 4.2 Spyder should be able to knock out a 0-to-60-mph sprint in about 4.2 seconds. (We have been able to get the R8 4.2 coupe to 60 in four flat.)


No official imagery of the Spyder 4.2 has been made available (the V-10 Spyder is shown here), but we can surmise that it will look like a topless 4.2 coupe, with quad tailpipes and straked, matte-finish air intakes and extractors. Like its V-10–equipped counterpart, the V-8 Spyder’s fairings will be rendered in “glistening silver,” Audi says, with the windshield surround coated with anodized aluminum. Three cloth colors—red, black, and brown—will be offered for the softtop, to complement the 11 available paint colors. If the V-10 model serves as any precedent, anticipate a base-price bump of about 10 percent over that of the coupe, which would put it up in the neighborhood of $130K, some $35,000 less than the V-10 Spyder.


Source: Car And Driver

Related posts:

1. Audi R8 Spyder – Spy Shots!
2. Audi quattro – The Official Story
3. Audi Builds R8 LMS Race Car for 2011

While pretty much nothing beats a fantastic location in sunny California – I just want to say Thank You to the trainers and organizers of this weeks “No Limits” training for the launch of the new A8. It has been a great experience and I have learned some things I can actually say I didn’t know before!

We have been staying at the St. Regis Hotel in Monarch Beach for the last three days and it has truly been a fantastic experience. Don’t get me wrong – it has been packed full of training, but last night my wife and I had the pleasure of seeing some of the local sights at Laguna Beach and couldn’t have planned it any better. It happened to be First Thursday there, and much like it is Portland, it was packed! There was seemingly hundreds of little art studios and boutique shops and the atmosphere was fantastic. We had a great time hopping on and off their local Trolley car and meeting people who love where they live. We are heading home today wishing we would have stayed another day! Thank you again to everyone for putting this on and to the trainers who have done a great job guiding us through Audi latest masterpiece!

Related posts:

1. Breken Kitchen – NW Portland!
2. Marenallo City Limits Commercial – Audi V10 R8
3. Sunset Imports // Your Portland Audi Dealer In The Sunset

Audi is making big plans to increase and even dominate it’s market in the next few years. According to CEO, Rupert Stadler, Audi is in line to over take the hierarchy of the luxury segment, even leaving its main competitor, BMW in the dust. Is this a lofty goal for Audi? Or is the “littler” guy really going to come out on top? Only time will tell, but in the mean time, Audi will keep producing an excellent product line up, with new additions, like the A7, that are sure to please. Check out the article below for some additional information – and go Audi !!!

Audi’s got its sights set on becoming the world’s number one luxury automaker
and, if you’re one to have faith in Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, that scenario may come sooner rather than later.

In an interview with Automotive News, Stadler made it poignantly clear that Audi is fast on the heels of BMW and, in a few years time, the Ingolstadt-based automaker will supplant its local rivals on top of the luxury car hierarchy.

“Our target is to become the leading premium brand in the world,” he said. “It won’t happen in 2010. It won’t happen in 2011. But it will definitely happen.”

Stadler’s words aren’t made by a CEO that’s doing more barking than biting; he’s got the facts to back it up too. So far, Audi sales in 2010 compared to the same time frame last year are already 20% higher, having already sold 450,000 vehicles this year alone. Sales in America for Audi vehicles have also spiked by 30% from its 2009 numbers, and that’s not even counting the 200,000 or so vehicles that could find is way to China before the end of the year.

Add those numbers to an overwhelming interest in the brand’s much-hyped A1 premium compact and the impending release of a perennial hot-seller – the Audi A7 – as well as a new Q3 next year, and it doesn’t seem to be far-fetched to think that now Audi may be gearing itself up to overtaking BMW in the near future.

Related posts:

1. Audi World’s Number One Luxury Automaker
2. Sunset Imports Sales – Audi Gains Strength!
3. Audi Ranks Within ALG Top 3 Luxury Brands for 2010

Audi has launched the next generation A8, a sedan that sets new standards in the luxury class. The 2011 Audi A8 combines prestige, intelligence, dynamics, comfort, and efficiency. It features an elegant Audi Space Frame (ASF) body that is made of lightweight aluminum. The engine is both powerful and highly efficient, with the power transmission and running gear offering excellent driving dynamics and comfort. The flagship’s interior has luxurious appointments, a newly developed MMI operating system, and handcrafted details. Innovative driver assistance and safety systems improve the entire driving experience. The new A8 will initially be offered with a 4.2L V8 FSI engine rated at 372 hp (273 kW). Fuel economy has improved by as much as 22% due to intelligent technologies such as new energy recuperation and thermal management systems. A next generation 8-speed Tiptronic transmission, combined with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, both standard in the 2011 Audi A8, unleash the sport characteristics of the vehicle.

New to the flagship is Audi’s modular longitudinal platform design, which features redesigned kinematics and elasto-kinematics, a set-forward front axle, reconfigured front axle components, a new steering position under the center of the front wheel, and upper control arm mounting integrated into the body.The 2011 Audi A8 offers an updated Multi Media Interface (MMI) that features a touch pad, MMI touch. No buttons, no joysticks. Drivers can enter navigation destinations and telephone numbers by simply using their fingertips to write letters and numbers on the pad.

Related posts:

1. 2011 Audi A8: Portland Knows Perfection
2. 2010 A5 & S5 Convertible – Coming Soon!
3. Audi R8 Goes Topless!

When it comes to chippin’ ain’t no one does it better than Superchips ! Here’s another proof of their expertise in fiddling with electronic control units and extracting more power out of them. This time they took an Audi TT RS . Now if you are not familiar with this car we have to say it’s already overpowered at 338 bhp. ut when Superchips installs their ‘plug and go’ kit on the car’s 2.5 liter 5-cylinder turbo engine, it churns out an enormous 401 bhp with over 550 Nm of torque. In comparison, a big V8 engine in Audi A8 manages around 380 hp!

They have not yet tested this TT RS, but they expect it to run from zero to 60 mph in about 4.6 seconds. The top speed is known though, since the 155 mph speed limiter remains intact. As usual this easy to install kit comes with a 12 month warranty and is reasonably priced at £445.

Related posts:

1. 2011 First Promotional Taste Of The Audi A8L W12
2. Audi R8 Goes Topless!
3. In Detail: Audi RS 5 Coupe

Thanks to our friend J.F. Musial at Fast Lane Daily , we have been passed along the first images of an Audi A7 caught testing in the mountains of Colorado. And, with the use of our spy binoculars — just kidding — you can see that it is located somewhere in the Mt. Evans area. As FLD points out, we are all crossing our fingers for a Frankfurt unveiling. But the test car appears to still be camo’d to the fullest. The only new detail we can make out are the larger rims that can be optioned on the 2011 Audi A8.

These are the first photos of the new Audi A7 on U.S. soil. The new four door sedan, set to compete with the Mercedes CLS, is expected to be revealed later this year at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Colorado, having some of the highest paved roads in the world, provides a perfect testing spot for high altitude testing of new vehicles. It’s expected that this mule will proceed onto further hot weather testing in Death Valley later this month. Details on performance or engine options are still limited, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for the first diesel four-door coupe…

Source: Auto Spies

Related posts:

1. A Taste Of Spring In Portland Oregon
2. Breken Kitchen – NW Portland!
3. Bridge City – Portland Oregon – Fremont Bridge