2010 Audi TTS Roadster Review

You don't need to be going through a "mid life crisis" to enjoy the 2010 Audi TTS Roadster. When they said that good things come in small packages, they were probably thinking about this car. Sporty? Check. Fast? Check. Made for someone who loves fun and independence? Absolutely.

The Interior

The outside of the TTS looks great, but like all Audi vehicles, it's the interior that encapsulates the senses and makes you feel the essence of luxury. If you get the roadster with the prestige package, it features silk nappa black leather with contrast stitching that adds that overall wow factor. Couple that with silver trim and it's a perfect marriage of comfort, sport, and sophistication.




The dash features the standard Audi multi-media interface which includes an in-dash CD player, Sirius Radio (free 3 month subscription), and two SD card slots to play mp3's.








For added comfort and convenience, there's also dual control air conditioning, cruise control, and a multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles. You can change various functions like music volume, radio stations, and CD tracks without taking your hand off the steering wheel.





Storage may be a concern in a small car like this, but no worries, there's a compartment to stow a purse or small laptop in between the seats. There's also a middle console with two cup holders.





The Drive


If fast is what you want, then fast is what you'll get.  The car handles the road fairly well - even on those bumpy, cracked highway roads of California.  The 2010 version has 265 hp, and all wheel drive system, and a turbo-charged 4 cylinder.  Put the car in S-Tronic mode and you can feel an instant boost in RPM.  But even with all this performance, it still manages an economical 21 city mpg and 29 highway mpg thanks to Audi's TFSI quattro technology.

It's been noted by car critics that the TTS isn't a "true" sports car, but either way you still can't deny its high efficiency, stability, and sporty design.  Besides, going from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds isn't too bad, we must say.





Exterior


Hands down, we have to say that the Audi TTS roadster looks so much more stylish than its rival, the Porsche Boxster.  It's clean, curvy lines and protruding snout lends itself to a more masculine feel.





The powerful look is undeniable, especially when the soft top comes down...





As with all Audi cars, the highlight and stand-out of the exterior are the LED lights.  Another stand-out is the automatic rear spoiler.

Pricing


The base price of the TTS 2.0 TFSI quattro S-Tronic Roadster that we tested is $48,900.  With all the bells and whistles of the Prestige package and destination charge, you're looking at $56,320.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: The Audi R8 V10/Spyder

Women dream of big diamonds and men dream of the Audi R8. It is THE car that every Audi enthusiast or sports car fan would like to add to the collection.

In the following video, Auto Express takes the Audi R8 Spyder through a tunnel, an aircraft hanger, a ferry deck, and other enclosed places.




Oh, yes, it may just be the sexiest topless model...

Here's the latest Audi/Iron Man commercial featuring the R8 V10:



Did you know?  The Audi R8 V10 was named as the 2010 World Performance Car at the World Car of the Year Awards ceremony at the New York Auto Show. This is the second time that the R8 has won the World Performance Car award: the V8-powered R8 took this award in 2008.

2011 Audi A8: Pictures, Video, and FAQ

The Audi A8 is a dream car for many, including myself.  I prefer the A8 L W12, but either model will do!

Recently representatives from Audi dealerships in the U.S. had the privilege of traveling to headquarters in Ingolstadt to check out the new A8 and learn all about this wonderful car. We got word that one of sales reps at Mohegan Lake Audi has been blogging about it.

This video features the A8 at the world reveal in Miami Beach...



Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2011 A8 for the U.S. market:

Where will the A8 be manufactured? It will be built in Neckarsulm, Baden Wuertemberg, Germany, home of Audi’s Lightweight Construction Center. 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 and A8L will go on sale in the U.S. in Fall 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 (-39% at the end of 2009). Even so, Audi plans to increase market share relative to the D3 with this exciting new flagship.

Besides the A8 NWB shown in Detroit, what other A8 models are planned for the United States? We first introduced the new A8 NWB in Miami in November 2009, and the V8 NWB model made its world auto show debut in Detroit in January 2010. Other models will follow to be a full A8 model line including performance, prestige and alternate-fuel variants. The A8L being shown in Beijing for the first time in late April 2010 (available with both 4.2 FSI V8 and W12 FSI engines) is one of those additional models. A8 4.2 FSI and A8L 4.2 FSI launch in Fall 2010, while A8L W12 FSI launches in Spring 2011. There will be no normal wheelbase W12 FSI version sold in the USA. The long wheelbase version of the A8L has been around 90% of the mix for the outgoing generation. The new normal wheelbase is almost as long as the outgoing long wheelbase A8L.

How much does the A8 weigh? Official figures/specifications, including EPA fuel economy estimates 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 normal wheelbase 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. The Audi Space Frame is 40% lighter than the comparable steel frame of the segment competition.

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.

Source:  Audi 

History of the Audi RS Models

2011 Audi RS5

With their high-performance engines and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the Audi RS models have formed the dynamic spearhead of the Audi model program since 1994. Quattro GmbH has been responsible for these vehicles since 2000.

The first model – the RS 2 based on the Audi 80 Avant – was developed in collaboration with Porsche in 1994. Its 2.2-liter, five-cylinder engine used four- valve technology and turbocharging to produce a powerful 232 kW (315 hp). Both performance and the brakes were in the same league as those of powerful sports cars. The RS 2 was only on the market for two years, but it established a new vehicle class – the high-performance sports station wagon.

The first RS 4 Avant in the year 2000 carried on with this concept. It was powered by a 2.7-liter V6 engine with twin turbochargers, generating 279 kW (380 hp). The second generation RS 4 introduced in 2005, on the other hand, used a high- revving, normally aspirated V8. The engine featured direct fuel injection and generated 309 kW (420 hp), which it delivered to the wheels via a newly developed center differential biased toward the rear axle. The new RS 4 was the first to be offered in three body styles: Sedan, Avant and Cabriolet.

331 kW (450 hp): The V8 turbo in the RS 6

The RS 6 appeared in the A6 family in 2002 and both Sedan and Avant models were available. It featured the versatile 4.2-liter V8; with twin turbos supplying the boost, the engine generated 331 kW (450 hp). DRC Dynamic Ride Control effectively offset pitch and yaw. The 2005 RS 4 also benefited from this technology. The limited edition RS 6 plus with 353 kW (480 hp) followed in 2004.

The second generation of the RS 6 appeared in 2008. Under the hood it had a 5.0-liter FSI V10 with twin turbochargers for 426 kW (580 hp), the most powerful engine ever in an Audi passenger car. An RS 6 plus returned to the lineup in spring 2010, but once again as a limited production vehicle. Power has remained the same, but the top speed has been increased to 303 km/h (188.28 mph).

Since 2009, dynamic RS models have also represented the top-of-the-line in the compact class as well. The TT RS and the TT RS Roadster both take up the Audi tradition of five-cylinder engines, with their 2.5-liter power plant with direct injection producing 250 kW (340 hp). Coupled with the lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) body made primarily of aluminum, this unit not only provides for explosive performance but also high fuel efficiency.

Source: Audi AG

Review: 2010 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI Quattro MT6 Coupe

Ever since the Audi A5 coupe model was unveiled back in 2007, it has drawn quite a bit of attention for its style, design, and 258 lbs of torque.  It has 211 horsepower, but don't let that number fool you.  This car has power.

The A5 coupe we tested was a 2.0 TFSI quattro with 6-speed manual transmission.  As much as we were tempted to take it to the 180 mph limit, we had to restrain ourselves and cruise at 80 mph.   The ride was cool and smooth like vanilla ice cream going down your throat on a summer day.

The Interior
Even in a coupe model, Audi ensured that no detail was overlooked.  Being in a car like this makes you feel stylish and sleek even if you're just wearing sweats and heading to the grocery store.  But you may not want to wear sweats because heads will turn and people will stop you in parking lots to ask you about the car.  Don't say we didn't warn you.

The leather 8-way power seats with driver lumbar and aluminum "hologram" interior trim throughout definitely made an impression.  The dark walnut wood inlays are an extra, but added even more style to an already stylish interior.  Can you say luxurious?





As with the A4 Avant we reviewed recently, we especially loved the comfort offered by the premium plus package which includes the three-zone climate control and heated front seats.

Other features included in the premium plus package:

• Xenon plus headlights
• LED daytime running lamps (So beautiful!)
• LED tail lamps
• 18" 5-spoke alloy wheels, all-season tires
• Bluetooth hands-free phone interface
• Homelink universal garage door opener
• Audi music intervace
• Rain/light sensor

The A5 coupe we tested also had the navigation package with camera.  A huge plus...





Here's a brief video showing the interior of the car...




Being a coupe model, it was to be expected that tall people were not allowed in the back seat, and if a tall person was driving the car, only one person could sit in the back.  However, the interior comfort that is likened to a luxury sedan more than made up for the lack of leg room.

Surprisingly, though, the trunk has plenty of space if two people want to take a weekend road trip to say, Las Vegas, like we did.  We were able to fit a big keyboard, two medium-sized bags, and a few laptop bags in the trunk.

Exterior
Well, we'll just let the pictures speak for themselves...







It's hard to balance style, function, and performance in a coupe, but Audi has managed to do this and then some with the A5.

Share your thoughts on the Audi A5 Coupe.  Leave a comment!

Audi March 2010 Sales and An Unprecedented Record

Hats off to Audi whose March 2010 sales rose 33.5% from a year earlier. The company also reported that they had their best first-quarter sales since it began marketing cars in the U.S.

Specifically, the models that saw some real gain were the Audi A5/S5 coupes, the Audi A3, and the Audi Q5 and Q7.

Below is a chart that lists total March 2010 sales for each model as compared to 2009:

NOTES:

• 2010 A4 numbers include Audi A4 sedan, Avant, and S4 models. 2009 A4 numbers include A4 cabriolet, which has been discontinued.

• 2010 A5 numbers include Audi A5 cabriolet and coupe’ and S5 cabriolet and coupe’ models. 2009 A5 numbers do not include the cabriolet models.

• A6 includes Audi A6 sedan, S6 sedan and A6 Avant models.

• A8 includes Audi A8 sedan, A8L sedan, and S8 sedan models.

• TT includes Audi TT coupe’ and TT roadster models.

Audi A1: The Next Big Audi

Audi has dubbed the Audi A1 as "The Next Big Audi". We can't argue with that statement considering we believe in the philosophy of good things coming in small packages.

In the video below, the A1 wowed people in Barcelona during a workshop and gallery exhibit:




Click here to check out the Audi A1 eMag...

Nitrobahn reports that Audi A1 pricing details have surfaced...