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Audi A1 and S5 Cabriolet coming to Goodwood Festival of Speed

Britain’s largest and most prestigious “moving motor show” starts this Friday and by looks of it, it will be one to remember. To celebrate their 100th anniversary, Audi will have a marquee with a wide selection of Audi models ranging from the legendary Silver Arrows to the breathtaking Audi R8.

Audi will also be displaying two Audis never seen before in the UK, one of them will be Audi A1 Quattro Concept scheduled to hit the roads in March 2010; the Audi A1 seats four people and will feature a hybrid powertrain. The Audi 1 was introduced by Audi in 2007 at the Tokyo Auto Show as the Audi metroproject quattro concept car.

The second car to make its debut in the UK is no concept, it is a reality and success among Audi fans and car enthusiasts all over the World. The Audi S5 Cabriolet, together with its less sporty brother the Audi A5 Cabriolet are the newest additions to Audi’s soft top range and will also be on display .

The Goodwood Festival of Speed begins on Friday the 3rd and goes on until Sunday the 5^th; during the 3 days, a record breaking 145.000 visitors are expected.

Additionally, part of the Audi’s Centenary Celebrations, two, pre war Auto Union F1 cars will make a rare appearance with the Auto Union Type A and Auto Union type D (driven by Jacky Ickx and Nick Mason) on show.

The Telegraph Reviews The Audi TT RS

A super review of the Audi TT RS from The Telegraph.

They say: “The latest addition to the TT family is an uncompromising sports car with a new, ultra-compact lightweight five-cylinder turbo engine displacing 2.5 litres.

This car may well sell on its looks, but its strongest suit is stunning performance and, above all, the handling.

Our test drive involved some hot laps of the Zolder race circuit in Belgium, in drizzle, and there the TT RS proved conspicuously outstanding. Even with stability aids turned off, it remained supremely safe, balanced and devilishly fast.

Turning in on the limit, this car is agile, quick, satisfying and magically stable with all four wheels sliding benignly; and then it simply belts away up the road.”

You can’t get a much better source than that of The Telegraph and like they say this car’s “styling and especially its handling are set to thrill.”

For a full specification on all the Audi TT’s Essex Audi retails, please visit the product page.

Audi Q5 Named Top Safety Pick for 2009

The new Audi Q5 just earned the Top Safety Pick award for 2009 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It also received the highest front and side crash ratings from U.S. safety regulators.

The results showed the 2009 Audi Q5 received a “good” rating in all three crash measurements: side impact, offset frontal and rear impact seat tests.

The Audi Q5 earned five-star ratings for driver and passenger protection in NHTSA frontal crash tests, and five-star ratings for front and rear protection in NHTSA side impact crash tests.

Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of America said: “Audi engineers place unwavering emphasis on the protection of motorists and their passengers. These outstanding ratings for the Audi Q5 confirm our intent to meet the most rigorous safety standards found anywhere in the world.”

The Audi Q5 joins the A3, A4, A6 and Q7 as models that have merited IIHS Top Safety Pick designation.

The Audi Q5 also features quattro permanent all-wheel standard on all their models, providing high levels of active safety and traction on practically any surface. All of these features are designed to help reduce the risk of a crash.

For a full specification of the safety pick of the year, please visit the Essex Audi Q7 product page.

Audi R8 Spyder Shots and Exclusive Video

The Audi R8 Spyder is expected to make its day view during the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Audi has not made any official announcement about this highly anticipated roadster but thanks to a few spy shots and a video we can confirm that the Audi R8 Spyder is a reality.

Las week the V10 version of the Audi R8 Spyder was spotted while running some tests at the famous Nurburgring racing track in Germany, and here is a video for you to enjoy the sound of this V10 beast.

Courtesy of Imotormag

So far what has been confirmed is that the R8 Spyder will be available with a choice of two engines, a standard (if we could call that a standard) 4.2 litre V8 engine boasting 420hp or the more potent 5.2-liter V10 engine with 525 hp and impressive 530 Nm torque.

What we could also note from the image we have is that Audi opted for a full convertible soft-top roof instead of a smaller taiga set-up, which was the preferred choice of engineers back in Germany.

Audi Q5 Reviewed

The Motor Authority have given the Audi Q5 rather pleasing review, suggesting that the ‘Audi Q5 may be the best yet’.

“It’s one of the most handsome sport-utes, offers a real-world traction system that emphasises on-road performance, and its cabin has enough adult space for four passengers and their suitcases and laptops and, sure enough, their 1-litre bottles of water.”

“It’s comfortable as well: as long or longer overall than all the competition save for the 2010 Lexus RX, the Q5 is among the widest vehicles in its class, and sports the longest wheelbase.”

“Seating itself is firm and leathered up, and all positions adjust at least a couple of ways for cruising comfort. Headroom is ample, and the cargo hold doesn’t suffer even when the second-row seats are reclined: four or five suitcases will fit back there.”

For a full specification of the Audi Q5 available at Essex Audi please click here.

Audi Announces Details of the Audi A7

Since Audi revealed the Sportback Concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, rumours about the Audi A7 have flooded the pages of auto publications all over the globe.

Audi hasn’t officially announced a debut date for the A7 but production is likely to start towards the end of 2010 which would see the first models of Audi’s luxury four door coupé hitting the roads in early 2011.

So far the only official announcement made by Audi regards suspensions systems, transmissions and engine types. Audi has prepared a wide of range of powertrains for the A7, S7 and RS7 variants.

Standard A7 models will have the options of two V6 engines, a 2.8L with 204hp and a supercharged 3L making 300hp. More sportive models like the S7 will come with a 394hp 4.0 litre V8 while the range topper RS7 will come with a 500hp 5.0 litre twin turbo V10.  Fuel efficiency, top speed or CO2 emissions have not been revealed yet.

Less powerful models will have the option of a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto transmission, while a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox is expected to appear in the S7 and RS7 models.

Audi Quattro all-wheel-drive will come as standard equipment, European models might have the option of the RWD (rear-wheel-drive) technology and spring based suspensions will be replaced by an air-suspension system.

The A7 will be a car that combines “presence” and performance ideal for premium buyers seeking a car that imposes respect and responds with perfection to their will.

Audi Cabriolet Cars – Style and Elegance

Summer is already upon us, warm weather and beautiful sunny days of clear skies are the perfect scenario for an open top drive down the beach or if you prefer to the country side. Whether you prefer the seaside or the country Audi has the Cabriolet model that will suit your taste and fulfill your motoring pleasure.

Thinking of that we decided to make a compilation of our Cabriolet models to help you decide which one best suits you and your budget.

Audi A3 Cabriolet

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet transforms a sunset into a feast for the eyes – because you’ll find yourself looking more at the car than at the sky. This is a sight to savour – the sporty lines, the new, attractive headlight design and the characteristic single-frame grille. The classic cloth hood reinforces the new Audi A3 Cabriolet’s coupé look when raised up, and blends seamlessly into the overall outline of the car.

The diverse range of standard and optional equipment available for the new Audi A3 Cabriolet means there is just one factor you can’t influence: the right weather for driving with the roof down.

Audi A4 Cabriolet

The new A4 Cabriolet: a modern classic. Timeless styling is interpreted in pioneering ways, from the elegant, progressive design of the exterior to the luxurious, distinctive interior. A true four-seater, four seasons convertible that delivers the supreme, sporty driving experience. Both front- and four-wheel-drive versions of the cabriolet grip well and turn crisply into corners. A well made, triple-layer hood helps the Audi A4 Cabriolet to be one of the most refined soft-tops, and wind and road noise is kept to a minimum with the roof up.

Audi S4 Cabriolet

The Audi S4 Cabriolet – a car of pure sports character. Its beautiful design and blistering power mark it as a car of serious open air intent. But this is no showy convertible. The premium heritage of Audi is displayed in every detail of the S4 Cabriolet – the elegance of line, the opulent interior and an understated styling that belies the horsepower beneath. Its three-layer convertible top provides insulation from heat, cold, and noise that compares favorably with any sedan.

Audi RS4 Cabriolet

Creating something special like the Audi RS 4 Cabriolet requires a departure from conventional thinking. The result is an exhilarating combination of technology and design. The most powerful Audi convertible to date, the Audi RS 4 Cabriolet not only occupies the lead position in 4-seater convertibles but does so in style. It’s the same 414bhp 4.2-litre V8 as in the saloon, and the pace is electrifying, even though this model is heavier. An extra 195kg adds two-tenths-of-a-second to the 0-60mph time, but the Audi RS4 Cabriolet still hits the mark in 4.9 seconds.

Audi A5 Cabriolet & Audi S5 Cabriolet

One of the most anticipated Audi models this summer are the cabriolet versions of the Audi A5 and Audi S5, as reported previously here, Audi’s newest cabriolet models have several engines to choose from, three types of transmissions and Quattro four-wheel-drive making the Audi A5 cabriolet suitable for all driving styles.

Audi TT Roadster

The new Audi TT Roadster brings into perfect balance the athleticism of a thoroughbred sports car with the pure design principles of a modern classic. The new Audi TT Roadster – a genuine sports car.

The Audi TT’s sleek design and blistering power reflect an uncompromising vision of sports car perfection. It’s an engineering triumph – the 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox, the quattro four-wheel-drive – you know this is a car of rich racing pedigree. It’s the ’stand-out’ sports car.

Audi is on the Up Down-Under!

Audi Australia has finished May 2009 with sales of 943 units, yet another record under the belt for the Audi brand. The result represents growth of 14% compared with May 2008.

To-date Audi has now retailed 4,492 vehicles – up from the 7.1% they retailed in 2008.

According to Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann the strong sales of Audi’s new Q5 compact SUV, combined with the equally good Q7, A5 and A4 sales and the company is in good shape to finish the first 6 months of the year with an all-time record result.

Mr. Hofmann said: “Audi is in good shape to continue our steady growth in June, and a strong first-half result will certainly position us well to achieve growth for the full year 2009.”

“2009 is a big year for the Audi brand as we will soon move into our brand new Australian head quarters – the Audi Lighthouse – in Sydney, a move which we feel will certainly cement our reputation as a successful brand here.

“We will also celebrate our 100th birthday this year, and these celebrations will be supported by the introduction of yet more strong products like the new A5 and the S5 Cabriolet.”

He added: “In short, Audi is on the move in Australia.”

For a full spec of Audi’s new cars, please visit the Essex-Audi website.

Audi Announces its Drivers for the 24 hours of Le Mans

A week from Saturday the 77th edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans will begin and once again, Audi is among the favourites with its newly developed Audi R15 TDI.

As usual Audi Sport Team Joest will join the 24 hours of Le Mans Race with 3 racing teams, two of them with the same line up that won the 12-hour race at Sebring back in March, here are the official names of Audi’s drivers for this year’s 24 hours of Le Mans:

Audi R15 TDI car number 1 will be driven by defending champions and Sebring winners Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland).

Audi R15 TDI car number 2 will feature the same line that finished third at Sebring and the drivers are Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner; all German Drivers.

Audi R15 TDI car number 3 the drivers sharing the cockpit are the German Timo Bernhard and the two Frenchmen Romain Dumas and Alexandre Prémat.

The first training session is scheduled for Wednesday with a 6 hour free practice session then on Thursday two qualifying training sessions of two hours each, 7pm to 9 pm and 10 pm to 12 pm. On Friday drivers take a deserved rest to be on top form at Saturday 3pm when the race starts.

Audi Developing Electric Audi R8?

According to some Car magazines from the continent Audi is developing a battery powered version of the Audi R8 to be displayed at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, but so far Audi hasn’t made any official announcements.

So far there are only rumours and expert opinions are divided, some believe Audi will opt for a pure electric vehicle (EV) or simply a range extend design with an internal combustion engine hooked up to a generator.

In a interview last week Audi’s CEO, Rupert Stadler, said he believes mainstream production of EV cars are several years from becoming affordable.

Which leads us to believe that if Audi goes forward with this project we won’t see pure electric Audi R8 just yet. The big question is why the Audi R8 and not some less expensive model?

Might be for the fact that the R8 chassis is more or less hand built and only 15 are made each day in a factory near Stuttgart, so rolling out a limited production run of a Leccy Audi R8 wouldn’t cause massive disruption to the factory overall output.

Design speculations are that the electric R8’s design will be based on the concept of the Audi R8 V12, maybe with less grills on the front as air refrigeration is not a major factor for Leccy cars.

It will be interesting to see how an electric R8 handles when compared to the standard R8 as when Top Gear had a Tesla on test the extra weight did effect the handling when compared to the Teslas base Lotus Elise I suspect that the 4WD drive experience of Audi will reduce this effect.