Who doesn’t love the concept of weight saving? We are certainly fans, so hearing that Audi will present a lightweight TT concept at the 2013 Wörthersee gathering from May 8 to 11 in Reifnitz, Germany, was quite exciting. It turns out that the showcar combines a lean 1,111 kilograms (2,449.34 lb) total weight with a 2.0 TFSI engine, whose 228 kW (310 hp) and 400 Nm result in a 4.2 seconds times for the zero to 100 km/h. The power-to-weight ratio of 3.6 kg/hp is the outcome of a weight saving of 100 kilograms, focused around fine-tuning the Audi Space Frame (ASF) in the current TT generation and optimizing the detachable body parts.

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Posted in: Audi

The current Audi A8 is perhaps the most subtle of the German top-of-the-line sedans. Some people are just after that, luxury that doesn’t catch everybody’s eye. Others find it dull and hard to distinguish from a simple A4. Surprisingly controversial, the A8 has fueled quite many conversations here at GCF, so it’s quite interesting to see that it will be soon facelifted.

Our spy photos suggest that we should expect a slightly changed fascia, as the lower part of the front bumper and headlights will be redesigned. Something similar is to be expected about the rear end of the car, too. It wouldn’t be surprising if some minor changes to the interior and infotainment system will also be introduced. The facelifted A8 is expected in to arrive in the market sometime next year as a 2015 model.

Until then, please click “more” to see our full photo gallery and drop by our forum discussion (link).

Source: [CarPix]

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Posted in: Audi, Spy Photos

According to Audi, the R8 E-Tron Project has been cancelled last year. However, we have seen some of those R8 E-Tron prototypes driving around during this winter in some serious cold weather testing, and last week some R8 E-Tron prototypes where spotted in Spain as well.

So what does that tell us? Did Audi really cancel the R8 E-Tron Project? Are they still testing the technology for another car? Or did Audi cancel the cancellation since BMW is getting loads of attention with their i8?

The only one who really knows is Audi but we are pretty sure they will stay tight lipped about this, at least for a while.

[Source: CarPix]

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Posted in: Audi, Spy Photos

With quite a bold move today, Audi introduced the A3 and S3 sedan, to a world that is thirsty for premium luxury downsizing offers. The A3 sedan is the first 3 box concept car to be offered in a segment traditionally dominated by hatchbacks, the segment of entry-level premium. Mercedes-Benz just did a similar attempt with their CLA, which is to be considered more of a four-door coupe, or a baby-CLS if we may, as the A3 sedan is closer to a traditional design compared to the CLA. That aside, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the A3 sedan actually looks amazing, with it’s simple and elegant design, both inside and out, as Audi’s designers having done a great job hiding what we, in GCF, like to call FWD-like proportions. We are more than certain that it will be a success for Audi.

Moving on from the design, we were stunned to read in the press release that the A3 sedan with the 1.4TFSI engine has a curb weight of only 1,250kg, with the engine alone weighting just a bit over 100kg. Speaking of engines, the A3 sedan will initially be offered with three four-cylinder engines, all featuring direct fuel injection, turbocharging, innovative thermal management and the start-stop-system.. The first will be the 2.0TDI unit, with 110kW (150hp) and 320 Nm of torque has a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 liters per 100 km (57.37 US mpg) and a CO2 equivalent of 108 grams per km (172.20 g/mile). The 1.4 TFSI with 103 kW (140 hp) and 250 Nm has a combined fuel consumption of just 4.7 liters fuel per 100 km (50.05 US mpg); its CO2 emissions are 109 grams per km (175.42 g/mile). Under low engine load, the COD (cylinder on demand) system deactivates two cylinders. Finally, the 1.8 TFSI produces 132 kW (180 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) of torque and consumes 5.6 liters per 100 km (42.00 US mpg), equivalent to 129 grams CO2 per km (207.61 g/mile), while needs only 7.3 seconds for the standard sprint to 100 km/h. Depending on the engine, either a manual six-speed transmission or the S tronic is used.

What is more interesting, though, is the S3 sedan. With a 2.0 TFSI that produces 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm of torque under the hood, the S3 sedan will be introduced a few months later. The 2.0TFSI is a remarkably efficient engine and features dual fuel injection, the exhaust manifold integrated in the cylinder head, Audi’s valvelift system and a rotary valve module for thermal management. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with the S-Tronic and 5.3 seconds with a manual gearbox, while the top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). The Quattro AWD system is standard, as is a sport suspension that lowers the body by 25 mm and larger brakes. Also, Audi’s magnetic ride damper control system is available as an option.

Please join our forum discussion (link) or click more, for Audi’s launch video, full press release and photo gallery.

Source: [Audi]

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Posted in: Audi

After we brought you the very first photos of the all new Audi A3/S3 Convertible back in January it is now time for a new batch of photos. This time, out skilled spy photographers snapped the A3 Convertible driving around in Germany.

As we can see the new A3/S3 Convertible looks more like a smaller A5 Convertible and that is a good thing since the current A3 Convertible is, for lack of better terminology and to put it mildly, not the prettiest duckling in its class.
While todays’ A3 Convertible is based on the hatch, the new A3 Convertible will be based on the A3 sedan that is said to be unveiled at the New York Motor Show later this week.

Since we spotted the S3 Convertible version during wintertesting we know that there will be a 300 horsepower-strong version topping the line-up , unless Audi decides to bring a RS3 version of the Convertible by the time the RS3 Hatch hits the market.

Expect a debut later on this year, probably at the Frankfurt Car Show in September.

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Posted in: Audi, Spy Photos

It’s a universally accepted fact that Chris Harris does some great automotive journalism videos and we can assure you that this one is great as well. The question asked is both brilliant and simple. How does VW manage to have so many brands and yet each brand have its own character? How can such a wide variety of cars share components and yet feel so different? Actually, is VW successful in differentiating their models?

The answer is certainly not simple, yet Mr. Harris uses the example of an Audi S4 and a Bentley Continental GT Speed, a car that is supposed to be vastly different in feel compared to something that costs less than half. What’s Chris Harris’es opinion? How different are those two cars and in what ways? You’ll find the answers to these questions in the above video.

Source: [YouTube]

Posted in: Audi, Videos