Here’s some interesting tuning goodness. The Audi R8 is a good car. It’s fast too. But when it’s time to muck around and have some powersliding fun, it’s useless thanks to its AWD configuration.

Now if you’re looking for an Audi R8 that has a better racing pedigree, then you might want to turn your attention to this MTM Audi R8 GT3-2. It drops Audi’s AWD in favor of some rear-wheeled action.

Aside from the RWD configuration, the MTM R8 also gets a new differential lock. The car is powered by a supercharged 4.2 FSI engine that dishes out a total of 560 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque.

The powertrain allows the car to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds. It goes all the way up to 197 mph. For good measure, MTM fitted a sports exhaust that delivers a few more decibels of roar.

Sometimes we can help but think what’s the real motivation for automakers to make hybrid cars. The growing ecomentalist market? The ecomentalist legislation?

One thing that used to be just a plain axiomatic is that big cars will guzzle. Still is, somehow. But that’s not stopping automakers from trying to make SUVs and CUVs a bit more fuel efficient. And the most popular method is to hybridize them.

Such is the case with the Audi Q5. Audi claims that this will be Audi’s first true hybrid model. Makes you wonder why they didn’t try this out with their other cars like the A3 or A4 where that could actually maximize the use of a hybrid system.

The Q5 Hybrid will sport a 3.2L V6 gasoline engine combined with a couple of electric motors connected to a lithium-ion battery pack.

Source: Autocar

Audi just announced that it will be making only 1000 units of their e-tron eletric sports car when they launch it in 2012. But that’s if there’s demand for it.

The company said that the car will be priced just “above R8″ levels so that means prepare to pay north of $150,000 when the e-tron comes out.

The e-tron is a sporty EV much like the Tesla Roadster and Audi’s positioning the e-tron for that market segment composed by people who want to feel smug about saving the world, has the money but still wants to go at zippy speeds.

Even Audi thinks that customers who will be buying the e-tron will be doing so more for the statement.

If we had the money? I’d just spring for the R8 V10, no questions asked. What’s the point of having a fast car that needs hours to charge back up?

Would be weird to go neck and neck with a car in a race only to have a look at the driver only to find him eating a sandwich and not paying attention to the road. Or how about looking over and finding no one behind the wheel. That should f*ck your nerves up big time. Maybe that’s what Audi is trying to do developing a “driverless” TT.

The “driverless” car will see some action in next year’s American Pikes Peak Hill Climb event. While, Audi will not be able to bag prizes for the car, they say they’re doing it as a tech showcase.

The car is equipped with guidance systems using some really fancy telementry with a 20-mile range.

The technology is aimed to eventually trickle down to production cars to help drivers out in times of distraction or amateurish driving. Audi learned this lesson when amateurs go around with the old TT only to crash them due to some spirited driving.

Source: CAR

Audi’s US boss called the Chevrolet Volt a “car for idiots” stating that people shouldn’t buy a $40,000 vehicle when cheaper fuel-efficient vehicles (diesels and hybrids) are available in the market.

Well he should have been a bit more careful to what he says especially when his company’s teasing an electric vehicle as well. It might not be a pudgy car like the Volt but an electric version, even of their esteemed R8 supercar, is still bound to be an overpriced electric as well.

If you’re going to visit this microsite – ElectricityUntamed.com – you’re going to see a timer that counts down to the Frankfurt show and then a sequence of flashing text, “What’s happened to electricity? It got dumbed down and domesticated. On September 15 electricity, and all its force and power, will run free and completely untamed.”

It then displays quite a lot of trivia about energy and lightning. Once the sequence closes you’ll be redirected to a page with this grainy teaser image of what appears to be the R8′s fascia.

Source: Leftlane

Not everything in Frankfurt will be automotive pornography. Audi even in its home country will be showcasing fuel-efficient versions of the Audi A4 and A3.

These aren’t really new developments, they’re just clever use of what they already have in their parts bins and make their existing cars better.

For the A4, they took the 3.0L TDI from the Q7 and crammed it into the A4′s engine bay. Mated to a 6-speed triptronic and quattro system, the A4 now gets 35 mpg and 0 to 62 comes in a not too shabby 6.2 seconds.

The new A3 will get a turbocharged 1.2 TFSI 4-cycliner engine. The engine generates 105 hp and a max torque of 129 lb-ft. While these don’t really get you anywhere (0 to 62 mph comes in 11.1 seconds), you can probably deal with its slowness with a 43 mpg rating.

More mule shots for us. Autocar reports on spy shots of the Sport version of the Audi R8. Apparently, Audi is working on lightweight, sharp, and track-focused sports version of the R8 pretty much like what they did to their popular coupe – the TT.

The Sport version is to be put on a diet. Upholstery pieces will be stripped down in favor of bucket seats and electronics like the stereo and air-conditioning will also be taken out. For good measure, the car will also feature motorsport-style quick-release buttons for the front cladding.

Exterior changes include aerodynamic bits like the fixed rear wing and small blades slapped on to the front bumper. These are design to keep the car planted to the ground. While these are surely to make the car zippier, the power bump will not be quite significant.

The R8 V10 will be tweaked to the tune of 518 bhp. Not really much given that most other well north of 550 bhp.

Now for today’s tuning madness. With all modern cars relying on the computer to run, a simple remapping and tweaking the ECU’s settings. Through an ECU tweak, German tuner McChip is able to get a whole lot more out of the range-topping Audi TT RS.

McChip’s treatment boosts the turbo and pumps more fuel into the engine. The result is a power jump from a (mere) 335 bhp to 380 bhp. It’s max torque is a massive 405 lb-ft enabling the car to go to a blistering 186 mph – supercar territory.

As for acceleration, it trims the 0-62mph time by 0.6 seconds from 4.7 seconds to 4.1 seconds, making the car even quicker than the Audi R8 supercar. How about that? And the McChip ECU tweak only costs £770. With that much performance from a TT, who needs an R8?

Well, you still have to check the changes in fuel efficiency and emissions due to this ECU tweak. A boosted turbo and more fuel pumped into the engine also means the car will guzzle gas. McChip hasn’t provided figures for that though.

Audi is surely stepping on the gas chasing its fellow German automakers in whatever tech they’re coming up with. Mercedes-Benz came out with the news that their engineers are working on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG electric-drive that they intend to launch come 2015.

Audi won’t have any of those announcements and teasers though. They announced that they will be showcasing their ePerformance technology that will compete with Merc’s eDrive. The ePerformance tech will be slapped on the R8 which Audi will feature in the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show later this year. The car will basically be souped up with electric motors and rechargeable batteries.

We think placing all of those in a great car such as the R8 will require some proper engineering. Batteries add weight and the electric motor needs to complement the existing gas motor to retain the R8′s performance.

Audi hasn’t come up with concrete details about the tech but we can expect those to be made more clear as the show approaches.

Tease. Tease. Tease. Is it just me, or is teaser images starting to get really annoying. Audi released teaser image of the 2010 A8. And what a real tease this is – it’s got the car under wraps with Audi’s Board Member for Technical Development, Michael Dick, standing next to it.

Sorry, Audi. But a car under wraps with an old dude next to it is unappetizing especially for the flagship luxury model. The only nice thing about the photo is how the contour of the headlights are illuminated under the wraps. Looks like it takes off from the R8′s headlights.

The car was initially set to be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show late this year but Audi decided that it might just be overlooked since the Frankfurt show does feature more flashy exotica. Audi doesn’t want their revolutionary design to go unnoticed so they move the unveiling at a separate event in Florida come December.

Now that’s confident, Audi. That’s like admitting your flagship’s not a show stealer.

Audi will be bolstering its formidable A5 line with the introduction of the new A5 Sportback model. The automaker has recently released an official teaser image of the Sportback, which will complement the coupe and the cabriolet and is expected to start sales in the United Kingdom sometime in October.

The A5 Sportback starts with a model equipped with a 2.0-liter TDI engine that is good for 168 brake horsepower. This starter trim will be priced at £27,000 or around $44,400. The other engines in the lineup include a 187 bhp 2.7-liter TDI, a 237 bhp 3.0 liter V6 TDI, and two petrol power plants namely the 208 bho 2.0-liter TFSI and the 261 bho 3.2-liter V6 engine.

The Sportback model takes coupe design cues, featuring a coupe-like profile accented by a lower roof compared to the A4. The hatch tapers towards a new spoiler at the rear.

Audi has also said that a cheaper 141bhp 2.0-liter TDI engine model could join the A5 lineup by next year. An RS5 edition might also surface, likely to sport an update to the 4.2-liter V8 engine of the RS4.

Audi has confirmed that the upcoming R8 Spyder convertible is headed for the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, while the denying any truth to the rumored electric R8.

A spokesman for the car manufacturer said that the Spyder has been delayed on purpose, as Audi waits for the sales of the recent hard-top 5.2-liter V10 R8 to fade. The Spyder will sport a full convertible top instead of the preferred targa setup. Additional air intakes at the back of the seats and safety rollover bars are in place for the convertible variant.

The Spyder should derive power from the same power plant as the base model—the 4.2-liter V8 that goes for 420 horsepower. However, there is some speculation that Audi could use the V10 in a higher trim level. The twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V10 from the RS6 could go to the R8 RS in turn.

The Audi R8 Spyder is one of the two upcoming versions of the highly-popular R8. The other one is the unnamed (yet) high-performance R8 RS variant. Audi will also be unveiling its new A5 Sportback model at the Frankfurt Show.

Petrolheads from the Church of Clarkson would swear that diesel is the fuel of Satan but with the economy that diesels are giving at gas-powered performance, you can’t blame people for wishing diesel versions of supercars. Too bad those wishing for a diesel Audi R8 would be disappointed. It’s a no go for the diesel.

While it would be a great technological achievement – creating a diesel that could go head-to-head with gasoline power – Audi says that they can’t justify the business case for producing a diesel version.

Audi already created two concepts of a diesel R8 – the V12 TDI and the V12 TDI Le Mans. Both featured the 6.0L V12 TDI that Audi tried slapping on several of their cars. That powerhouse was capable of 500 hp and max torque of 738 lb.-ft.

Too bad that the global economy can’t simply let automakers experiment that much when it comes to development and production. Audi’s suits have resorted to figures again to wash our dreams of a diesel R8 away.

Source: Auto Express

Audi has confirmed that it will be developing a hybrid powertrain for the multi award-winning A3 small family car, in conjunction with the Volkwagen TwinDrive program that will produce the VW Golf hybrid.

At the center of the powertrain for the hybrid A3 is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder diesel engine that is good for 105 bhp. The diesel engine is backstopped by a 30kW electric motor driving the front wheels and two 30kW in-wheel electric motors to drive the rear wheels. Given this configuration, the A3 becomes a four-wheel drive under electric power and for short runs.

TwinDrive technology will help the hybrid A3 gain efficiency of “over 113 mpg”, according to Audi. The top speed is pegged at 106 mph. Electric power is sourced from a lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the boot’s floor. The battery can be recharged by energy gained from braking as well as by the main engine.

There are still no tentative dates for the A3 TwinDrive, although sources say that fleet trials could start by 2012.

The Ford Focus RS got some really great raves from motoring editors and it might just be the hot-hatch to beat in the market. As a contender, Audi isn’t going to let Ford bid for domination without a fight. Soon to roll out of Audi’s production lines are the A3 sedan an d a hybrid variant. Now reports have it that Audi is working on a sporty version with the RS3.

Powering the RS3 will be a 2.5L 5-cylinder twin-turbo engine coming from the TT. The engine will dish out 355 horsepower and will be capable of a max torque of 332 lb-ft. The engine will be mated to the new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and torque-vectoring differential.

No performance figures yet but the power figures will definitely put the car in good shape to compete with the Focus RS which packs a “measly” 300 hp (which, in fact is already an engineering marvel given that the RS is front-wheel drive.) The Audi, however, sill be a four-wheel drive car making it more capable of putting down the power on the road.

The car is set to be launched by the end of 2012.

The problem with Audi is that, for some of the cars in their fleet, the photocopier replaces the work of a designer. Just check out the Q7 and compare that to the Q5 and it really seems like they just rescaled the damn thing.

The upcoming 2010 incarnation of the Q7 supposedly gets a facelift but it’s basically the same car with a new ‘stache. Exterior upgrades are very minor with basically an updated front bumper, new light designs, and bits of shiny chrome on the trim.

As far as engines go, the 2010 Q7 will still boast of the 3.6L FSI V6 and the 4.2L FSI V8. Joining the lineup is a V6 TDI diesel joins the fray. The diesel is gives the Q7 a good deal of economy, getting 25 mpg for highway driving. That’s pretty decent for a hulking vehicle like the Q7.

The new Audi Q7 will be launched by fall this year and pricing will be made available prior to launch.

Source: Audi

Audi has unveiled its Audi R15 TDI racer, the successor to the R10 TDI, which will see action at Le Mans. The R15 sports a V10 diesel engine along with an all-new lithium-ion battery.

The R15’s 5.5-liter engine is smaller than the R10’s V12, but it’s still good for 600 brake horsepower and 775 lb.-ft. of torque. The lighter engine, coupled with an improved fuel-injection system and turbo technology allows better responsiveness as well as lower CO2 emissions. The R15 has a bigger rear wing and a high nose equipped with a new LED low beam headlight, a preview of Audi’s forthcoming LED technology for use in production cars.

Having a lithium-ion battery is a bit misleading; the R15 TDI is not a hybrid. The decision to switch from a conventional battery to the Li-ion battery was made because the latter provides a much higher voltage.

The R15 TDI will first race at the 12 Hours of Sebring this March. Audi Sport North America’s R10 TDI won back-to-back Sebring titles in 2006 and 2007, and looks forward to getting it back at the R15’s competition debut.

Source: Car Magazine Online

New York-based Ai Design has come up with a heavily-modified Audi R8 Blackbird, inspired by the legendry stealth reconnaissance aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin, and it is on sale at the New York Motor Club.

Designed for ultimate stealth, the car sports electronic equipment such as the Passport 9500ci—designed to absorb laser detectors and give back scrambled signals. Also among the car’s tech is a built-in iPhone, which can give the the driver access to speedtrap and red-light camera locations.

The first thing we’ve got to ask is, how legal is this thing? I mean, it’s got a laser scrambler, for crying out loud. There’s got to be a traffic law enforcement issue here somewhere. Aside from that, the Ai Design Audi R8 Blackbird definitely looks hot with its sleek all-black finish, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a custom computer-controlled exhaust system.

Ai Design was founded in 1992, and continues to produce models and components with a focus on performance, electronic entertainment, interior upgrades, and electronic security. It is based in Tuckahoe, New York.

Source: Motor Authority

Details of Audi’s new Audi TT RS have been released, along with a teaser image and a sound clip featuring the roar made by the TT RS’s turbocharged engine. From what we can tell, it’s bound to be a stunner when it is formally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.

The TT RS will have a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged V10 engine under the hood, pushing the car to 340 brake horsepower at 330 lb.-ft. of torque. To top that off, the power plant is equipped with direct injection technology, which guarantees improved fuel efficiency. Top speed is pegged at 155 mph, with an option for a raise to 175 mph.

The engine is mated to a quattro 4WD and a six-speed manual transmission. Sources say that the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is unlikely to be available for the TT RS. The car has also been given styling updates, including a rear spoiler and intakes resembling those of the R8’s.

The coupe version of the Audi TT RS is set to go on sale next week, with a roadster version due sometime later in 2009.

Source: Autocar

ABT Sportsline, one of the oldest tuning firms, is releasing the 2009 Audi R8-R. It features sleek exterior modifications and considerable performance upgrades that would get any Audi enthusiast excited.

ABT bundled a supercharger with the standard 4.2-liter V8, giving the ABT Sportsline R8 an output of 530 horsepower at 7,200 rpm. It comes outfitted with 6-speed manual transmission and permanent Quattro all-wheel drive. ABT made use of new standard springs and dampers for the suspension, since it would be a Herculean effort to mess with the R8’s magnetic ride control suspension.

The exterior—including the front spoiler, side skirts, rear wing, and air intakes on the fenders—makes extensive use of carbon fiber, which when combined with the aerodynamically-designed panels gives the car its light weight (and its price tag). There’s also a pair of dual exhausts arranged in opposite sides at the back. Personally, they look pretty fine to me.

ABT has been doing customization jobs for over a hundred years now, and the Audi R8 ABT Sportsline is a worthy addition to all of the custom R8s that have been made.

Source: Inside Line

Max power and max style—those are the two things evoked right away by the imposing visage of the Audi Boehler Concept BS3, an enhanced Audi S3 hot hatch from O.CT Tuning.

The Boehler Concept BS3 features O.CT Tuning’s Stage 3 kit. The kit includes an exclusive engine control unit, a modified air intake system, and an intimidating exhaust sound courtesy of the stainless steel sports exhaust with matching integrated control folds. All of these contribute to the car’s 328-horsepower output and 265kph top speed. It can go from 0-100kph one full second faster than the standard S3. How’s that for acceleration?

For epic downforce and stability, O.CT Tuning installed its patented Coilover Suspension system along with an 8-piston brake system. Carbon fiber has also been extensively used for the engine, battery, and air intakes.

The design of the Audi Boehler Concept BS3 evokes the power that the car packs. It’s got size, Quattro-like styling, 20-inchers at the front and the rear, and Yokohama Advan Sport tires. There will only be a hundred of these beasts made, and the specs should make it highly-exclusive, anyway.

Source: Lethistorylive

With everyone looking to save the planet by getting vehicles that are smaller than SUVs yet have more space than a four-door sedan. It boggles my mind really, as we now get yet another addition to the overcrowded crossover market. Audi releases this preview of the Q1 – the smaller vehicle that comes below the speculated Q3. Both would be slotted below the Q5 and the humongous Q7.

The Q1 will be based on the Polo-based A1 platform. The Q1 will be 3.95 m in length and would feature a coupe-styled body. It will be powered by several engine choices including a 125 hp 1.4 TFSI four-banger, a 150 hp TSI. As expected diesel options are also available in the 80 hp 1.2L TDI and a 120 hp 1.6L TDI.

Word has it that the Q1 will get a 2-door and 4-door options. So what’s the point of a coupe crossover? If it’s just for the ride height, then what’s wrong with getting a booster seat?

Source: Motor Authority

While not really a new release, the pumped up Audi R8 finally reached American shores debuting in the Detroit motor show. With the R8 lauded as one of the best cars ever two years back, the V10 R8 packs just more punch to keep performance figures junkies very happy indeed.

The V10 R8 carries the same 5.2L engine found in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 which generates 528 ponies. The V10 is mated to a choice between a proper 6-speed manual and an R-tronic semi-automatic gearbox. The R-tronic supposedly gives better fuel economy at 17mpg. But hey, this is a beefed up super car we’re talking about so MPGs really don’t matter.

The powertrain lineup enables the car to go from 0 to 60 in just 3.9 seconds and hit a not-too-shabby top speed of 196 mph – quicker than Porsche 911 (though we all know the Porsche can do 200 easy, I think this R8 can do so as well with a bit of wind and road in its favor).

And since you can’t just put more power to a car without changing the suspensions, the V10 R8 now features magnetic ride dampers, a new rear diffuser that pushes the car down better than the old, and 19-inch allow wheels as standard. For fade-free braking, ceramic brakes are an option.

The car ships at a measly package of 141,800 Euros (around US$180k). Yum! Now only if I can afford it.

Source: Audi

And the battle of the beefy hatchbacks continue this time with the Audi S1. Audi is trying to make their bets in the market segment more competitive especially with the likes of BMW’s MINI John Cooper Works. Even the Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse looks beefy enough to trump any slightly large car for that matter. Audi seems they wouldn’t have any of that.

The S1 will be powered by a 1.4 TFSI that comes both with a turbo and a supercharger to make a whopping 200 hp. That’s quite the overkill with the small engine. I wonder what precautions they took in making this one to make sure the engine wouldn’t just blow up. Power will be transmitted to a an AWD layout. 0 to 60 will be around 6 seconds and the car can go up to 155 mph. That’s enough to match most electronically limited saloon Mercs.

A few tweaks on the standard A1 body will be made as well with the S1 having flared arches. It will also sport 19-inch allows, a roof-mounted spoiler and it even has a low front splitter and modified air intakes.

Audi’s estimates that the sportback will be available in 2010. The A1 is set to be released this year.

Source: eGMCarTech

Audi has effectively put their petrol-electric hybrid plans on hold, thanks to the company’s commitment to developing cleaner and more fuel-efficient diesels. With this decision, Audi has announced that the development of the hybrid Q5 is indefinitely postponed.

The Q5 would have gotten the hybrid power source after Audi cancelled plans of giving the Q7 a petrol-electric powertrain. Now, the Q5 is poised to benefit from the newer diesel technology and stop-start system that Audi is set to apply. The system won’t be given some high-sounding name so as to foster the notion that improvements are part of the process at Audi, and not just some gimmick.

“Audi won’t produce a petrol-electric hybrid until we can make nickel metal hydride batteries safer in crash situations and hybrid technology more efficient overall,” sources from Audi said. “Until then we will concentrate on producing more efficient diesel engines and aluminium chassis.”

Sources claim that the new technology could be launched with Audi’s A1 Supermini slated for a 2010 release date. However, the technology should be able to see some early run in the next wave of models, since it is already in the late stages of development.

Source: Autocar