Those of us football fans are excited for this is Super Bowl weekend! As it has done for the past several years, Audi will be participating in the festivities with an interesting Super Bowl ad.
Here's the teaser that was released yesterday in case you haven't seen it yet:
Another preview of the Audi Green Police ad is the available download of the theme song of the spot. The legendary rock group Cheap Trick returned to the recording studio to remake their smash hit “Dream Police” into “Green Police” Fans also can find that download by going to the Audi Facebook page .
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One Audi model that has flown under my radar is the new A7. The 4-door coupe will be hitting U.S. sales floors sometime this year, but a search on YouTube turned up a few videos that provide a little eye candy....
This video of the A7 was taken at the 2010 Auto Expo in Delhi, India...
Read a review of the 2011 Audi A7 at Edmunds InsideLine - Audi A7 First Drive
This is a guest post by Matthew C. Keegan....
Sometimes an automaker will introduce a vehicle based upon the platform of a "lesser" model. Typically, this plan is employed when costs need to be cut to realize real savings. The theory is that the shared platform can be tweaked enough to distinguish the upscale model from the ordinary one. Add in leather, a taut suspension, and upgraded powerplant options and you can probably pull it off. For Audi, the introduction of the all-new Audi A4 during the mid1990s allowed the German automaker to capitalize on the success of the Volkswagen Passat, a midsize car from its European cousin. The plan worked, but it was only a temporary move. Let's take a look at the Audi A4 and its surge to the top of German automotive excellence.
For years, the Audi 80 defined the smaller cars in Audi's line up. By the early 1990s, the aging model was in need of updating and the name itself would need to be changed with the two digit alphanumeric model designation recently adopted by Audi. Cost pressures, however, made the development of an all-new from-the-ground-up model impossible. Instead, Audi tapped Volkswagen and based the original Audi A4 upon the successful VW Passat.
Platform sharing has been common amongst automakers for generations. General Motors regularly spreads it platforms across brand lines while Toyota and Honda have learned that their respective Lexus and Acura luxury makes could share much with their high quality and successful standard brands.
Still, the wheels of autodom are always turning and the original Audi A4 is now in its fourth generation and is built on its own platform. Indeed, the newest Audi A4 shares nothing with its VW cousin and is poised squarely to do battle with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class, the Volvo S60, and Cadillac's Swedish built BLS.
So, what does today's Audi A4 owners get for the money? Quite a lot! Read on:
A choice of three models including a sedan, a wagon, and a cabriolet
Two engine choices: a 2.0L I4 and a robust 3.2L V6
Front wheel drive or Quattro all wheel drive
A plethora of transmission choices including manual, automatic, and manumatic shifters
Major safety initiatives including power assisted safety restraints, head and side air bags, antilock brakes
12 way power seat for the driver
Leather, aluminum, and clothe appointments
Premium 10 speaker sound system
16 inch, 5 spoke alloy wheels
Base prices start around $28,000 for the sedan and climb to just over $37,000 for the cabriolet; all prices are slightly lower than competing models from Mercedes and BMW.
Fortunately for Audi A4 lovers, the German automaker isn't holding still and plans for a fifth generation Audi A4 are underway. The newest model may switch to rear wheel drive and a coupe is receiving serious scrutiny. Regardless of the final decisions, Audi A4 owners know that their favored model will keep up with the competition. This is great news for those wanting a car incorporating German engineering without the Mercedes or BMW price tag.
Copyright 2008-2012 - For additional information regarding Matthew C. Keegan, The Article Writer, please visit Mazda Verisa [http://www.mazdaverisa.com/] for stimulating automotive conversation.
"I believe designers should go out of the studio, travel, go to other countries.
There are traditional hot spots like Italy. We always visit the Milan furniture shows.
We even go to Singapore for the fashion shows. When we look at the art markets, the Chinese and Indians are making strong statements now.
For clear and clean product design, Scandinavia is still a place to go, where we draw a lot of inspiration. From an architectural point of view, we look to the U.S., at architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. I'm a big fan of Frank Gehry."
And speaking of design, did you know that in 1997 Audi established the Audi Design Foundation, an independent charity that supports all types of designers and design projects?
Yesterday the 2011 Audi A8 was unveiled in Miami, but if you weren't there, no worries because here is this 8 minute video that shows off everything this new beauty has to offer...
Audi answered some of the frequently asked questions about the new A8:
Where will the A8 be manufactured? It will be built in Neckarsulm, Baden Wuertemberg, Germany. This is the same location where the R8, A6, and A5 / S5 Cabriolet are manufactured.
When will the A8 go on sale in the U.S.? The all-new 2011 model year A8 will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2010. (simultaneous with the LWB version, which will be announced to the public by mid 2010)
How much does the A8 cost? While we are not prepared to discuss the price of the new A8 at this early stage, it can be expected that it will maintain its relative position in the market, with even more product substance and technology.
How many A8’s does Audi plan to sell in the U.S. per year? The D3 A8 reached almost 6,000 units (5,943 in 2004) and just under 7% segment share. However, the premium luxury segment is under tremendous pressure now (-46% YTD 2009). Even so, Audi plans to increase market share relative to the D3 with this exciting new flagship.
What other A8 models are planned for the United States? Today we are introducing the new A8,and its first model will be the V8 NWB model. Other models will follow to create a full A8 model line including performance, prestige and alternate-fuel variants.
How much does the A8 weigh? Official figures/specifications for the A8 are not yet available, however, the new A8 will weigh about the same as the current A8, even though the car is bigger (3 in. longer, 2 in. wider) and has more standard equipment (8-speed auto transmission, pre sense basic, keyless go, power trunk, etc.) Versus competitors: ~50lbs less than S Class RWD, and >200lbs less than S Class AWD; >200lbs less than 7 Series RWD and >400lbs less than 7 Series AWD.
Who are the A8 customers? A8 customers are highly affluent consumers with a median income close to $500,000, and are most likely worth over $1,000,000. Median age is around 58, which is similar to the BMW 7 Series, and younger than the S Class and Lexus LS. They are highly educated, with almost half having a post-graduate level degree, and are mostly married with few children still in the household. They enjoy traveling, both domestic (e.g. skiing/spa) and international (e.g. Italy/France). Typical publications that they enjoy include the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Economist and Barron’s.
Recently Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi's U.S. division, sat down with Time Magazine to talk about the current state of the company and clean diesel.
I must give the company credit for rising up the ranks to become one of the top-selling luxury brands in the U.S. Their marketing efforts these past few years have certainly paid off.
I like when Nysschen says:
"But we want to be the most successful luxury brand on a basis of brand image, on a basis of reputation and ownership experience — if you get all of those things right, sales performance will follow...
For most companies, it's all about the bottom-line. I appreciate that Nysschen understands that success isn't based on sales alone. Your customers need to have a good experience with the company.
