Welcome to Essex Audi's Blog - Audi News and Reviews

Audi Jargon for Dummies

Audi uses some terminology specific to Audi’s so if you want to know what the difference is between S-Tronic for Multitronic or what Vorsprung Durch Technik means is read on…

• Vorsprung Durch Technik- this means Advancement through technology.
• Sportback- This is the name of the 5 door version of the Audi A3, it’s available in all the same engines as the 3 door and is the same specification as a standard Audi in the pricelist.
• Avant- This is the Estate version of our Saloon cars Audi A4 and Audi A6. 
• FSI- Fuel Stratified Injection- petrol is injected directly into the combustion chambers at high pressure which reduces heat loss and increases output all whilst reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emission.
• DPF- Diesel Particulate Filter- Removes particulate matter from diesel exhaust by physical filtration therefore lowering CO2 emissions.
• ASR-Anti- Slip regulation also known as Traction control reduces power to the wheels when traction/ grip is lost whilst accelerating.
• ESP- Electronic Stability Program The electronic stabilisation program (ESP) makes the vehicle easier to control in handling situations close to the limit & reduces the danger of swerving. ESP identifies the car’s intended direction and response. It applies the brakes on individual wheels, thereby generating one-sided forces that help to keep the car moving in the desired direction. The program uses the Anti Lock Braking system (ABS) , electronic brake-force distribution (EBD- ensures maximum braking performance for the front and rear wheels) and also the traction control system.

Important safety Note: ESP cannot override a car’s physical limits. If a driver pushes the possibilities of the car’s chassis and ESP too far, ESP cannot prevent an accident don’t drive like a C%$k to use top gears preferred term

• S-Tronic (previously known as DSG)- The technical basis of the S-tronic gearbox is a double clutch. This consists of two wet plate-type clutches with hydraulically regulated contact pressure. One of the two clutches engages the odd-numbered, the other the even-numbered gears. This principle enables gear shifts to be made without interrupting the power flow and keeps the shift times extremely short.
• Multitronic- is a 7 Speed continuously variable transmission with a steel link-plate chain running in tension in an oil bath between two pairs of bevel wheels of variable diameter. It can transmit torque of up to 310 Nm - a world-first for this kind of transmission.
• Tiptronic- is a 6 Speed transmission and has all the advantages and technical features (Dynamic Shift Program (DSP), key lock, shift lock) of an Automatic. Tiptronic allows the driver to override the automatic mode by moving the lever into a second (Tiptronic) shift gate. All gear changes take place without any interruption in engine power. This is particularly advantageous when towing a trailer. The six-speed Tiptronic has wider transmission spacing, thus reducing fuel consumption and the noise level and increasing ride comfort. On all models it has an additional Sport program which delays upshifts for a sportier driving style and is largely found on Quattro as it has the power/ functionality to drive two axles.
• MMI- Multi Media Interface- All the vehicles information is controlled Via one clear display located in the centre console including car set up, radio/ CD control and additional features such as Sat Nav and phone kit (if fitted)
• Quattro- A permanent 4 wheel drive system- drive power is continuously distributed between the front and rear axles depending on weather conditions, surface and gradient.

Audi Interested in F1? More Rumours

In the past there have been persistent rumours (we blogged about one here a last year) that Audi may get involved in F1.  Normally these are squashed by Audi but the most recent ones have been sparked by Mario Theissen, head of motor sports at BMW.

Mario Commented recently:

Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche are closely considering entering F1, along with several unnamed Asian automakers. Although its sister company Renault already runs a team, Nissan has been touted as a possible entry. More likely, however, is that Hyundai/Kia will seek the prominence and the technology to go with its rise in the ranks by joining the fray.

Adding to the speculation is the fact that Audi’s parent company Volkswagen already has a relationship with Red Bull, the two companies working together on projects like the Touareg rally car.  Gerhard Berger has been mooted to lead Audi’s involvement in F1, having links with both former Volkswagen Group chairman Bernd Pischetsrieder and Red Bull energy drinks magnate Dietrich Mateschitz. Most German racing Tifosi would love to have Michel Schumacher come out of retirement or to get involved with the team - given his relationship with Ferrari this seems unlikely.

Despite such rumours, however, Audi chairman Rupert Stadler underlined in an interview with German news agency SID that:

“F1 is still not an issue for us.”

Though with F1 emphasising fuel economy and energy recovery in the next set of changes  to the F1 Regs - and  given F1s propensity for unleashing bombshells like Brands Hatch losing the British GP to Donnington - we may all be surprised.

Attention Jeremy Clarkson the Audi A5 does exist

On last Sundays (Jul 6th ) Top Gear, James Corden along with Rob Brydon where the stars in a reasonably priced car segment of the show – both of them are Audi fans.

James Corden commented that he had  had a Mercedes C180 but really did not like it and was was thinking of getting an Audi A5 or Audi S3. Rob Brydon also commented that he currently has an Audi A4 Cabriolet and was getting Audi A6 Allroad

Jeremy Clarkson comment that he hadn’t seen an Audi A5 and was convinced they only made one for the adverts ? Just to put your mind at rest Jeremy they do exist.

How about a nice 2007 Audi A5 3.0 TDI Quattro Coupe  in topaz blue.

only £37500.00

Or if you’re a company rep looking to standout from the herd of Merc drivers how about a Audi A5 1.8T FSI Sport Manual COUPÉ  For £426.00* a month from out contract hire division at audi nationwide.

Auto Union "Silverarrow" Type D at Goodwood Festival of speed

Audi has a big surprise for this year’s Festival of Speed at Goodwood, for those of you that are not familiar the Goodwood’s Festival of Speed is the biggest classic car racing event in the world. This year Audi will debut the reconstruction of a classic racing car from Auto Union, the famous “Silverarrow” Type D Dual Compressor from 1939.

The reconstruction of this racing car was not easy; it took four years to reconstruct the “new” Auto Union Type D. The car was entirely built in England by the specialist workshop Crosthwaite & Gardiner in East Sussex using some original parts and by Roach Manufacturing, near Southampton, who had the hardest task in hand, rebuilt the bodywork based only in a handful of historic photos.

The “Silverarrow” will be driven by Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason. Nick has driven in the famous Le Mans 24h Hours in five occasions and has an impressive collection of classic racing cars. Had already driven an Auto Union car at last year’s Festival Audi couldn’t think of anyone else rather than Manson to drive its new master piece.

The new “Silverarrow” won’t be the only Audi car on the line-up. The Audi A4 Supertouring that won the 1996 British Touring Car Championship (BTTC) will also be on the line-up, and will be driven by it’s former driver Frank Biela who also won Le Mans 24 Hours five times.

Another Audi section will be present at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed, Audi Sport will exhibiting the Audi R10, winner of this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

Save Tax on your Company Car with the New Audi A4 with Lower CO2 Emissions

Audi plans to cut CO2 output from its cars by 20% by 2012, Audi has just introduced its cleanest Audi A4 TDI model ever and at the same time launched an all-new 2.0 TFSI engine to complete its efficiency-focused overhaul of the Audi A4 petrol range.

The Audi A4 is notable as the compact executive car that will attract the lowest company car tax liability in the premium sector, the new 120PS Audi A4 2.0 TDI is available to order now in Saloon and Avant body styles with standard, SE or S line specification. The powerful 211PS Audi A4 2.0 TFSI with new performance-enhancing Audi Valvelift technology is offered in SE or S line forms.

The new TDI is based on the latest generation 2.0-litre 143PS unit first seen in the Audi A4 at its launch earlier this year, and shares its advanced common rail piezo fuel injection system. With an output of 120PS, and 290Nm of torque delivered via a six-speed manual transmission from just 1,750rpm, it combines strong performance with the potential to cover in excess of 55mpg, a bi-product of this impressively low fuel usage being a low CO2 figure of 134g/km.

This impressive efficiency ensures that drivers of the new Audi A4 2.0 TDI 120PS will enjoy the lowest tax burden in the premium sector, with benefit in kind tax liability of £1,582.20 per annum or £131.85 per month for a company car user in the 40 per cent tax bracket.

Fleet Buyers check out Audi Nationwide for the Best Audi A4 Contract Hire Deals

Topgear’s Richard Hammond Audi RS6 Vs French Skiers

Last night Richard Hammond raced the Audi RS6 against a pair of French Skiers … and lost.

The Audi RS6 is the most powerful estate car in the world. Richard mentions in his review that is more than Ferrari F430 and the Ferrari F50.

Unfortunately the Richard Hammond’s map reading skills are as bad as his french and he narrowly lost the race.

Audi TTS Coupe And Roadster Price Set For UK

The first Audi TT to sport the evocative ‘S’ insignia denoting extraordinary performance - the new 272PS TTS - is now available to order from Audi in the Coupe and Roadster models priced at £33,380 OTR and £35,380 OTR respectively.

The Audi TTS will be equipped with either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or the option of the acclaimed Audi S tronic twin-clutch transmission at £1,400, the most extreme Audi TTS to date, will reach its first UK customers in the summer of 2008.

Audi TTS Coupe and Roadster - 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds, 155mph top speed, 35.3mpg combined, CO2 191g/km (TTS Coupe manual).

AUDI Wins Le Mans 24 Hour Sports Car Race 2008

Audi won their 8th consecutive 24 hours car race of Le Mans against strong opposition from the Peugeot cars; the third race with the Audi R10, Audi driver Tom Kristensen established a new record with his 8th personal victory in this classic car race.

The diesel powered Audi Nº2 driven by Tom Kristensen from Denmark, Renaldo Capello from Italy and British driver Alan Mcnish, survived a scare when it collided with the Zytek 07S Nº32 in the 22nd hour, the Audi continued to race while the Zytek had to go back into the pits.

The Audi No. 2 completed 381 laps in 24 hours Le Mans with a lead of 4 minutes, 31.094 seconds over Peugeot No. 7, driven by Villeneuve, Marc Gene and Nicolas Minassian.

Le Mans 24 hours 2008 Car Race Final Standings:

1st - Audi Sport North America

2nd - Team Peugeot Total

3rd - Peugeot Sport Total

4th - Audi Sport Team Joest

5th - Team Peugeot Total

6th - Audi Sport North America

7th - Pescarolo Sport

8th - Team Oreca Matmut

9th - Charouz Racinf System

Audi Teams Gearing Up to Defend 2008 Le Mans Title

With the Start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. only days away Audi Teams are gearing up to defend last years win and try to make it 8 wins out of 10 Starts. And trying for a hat trick of wins for the Diesel powered Audi R10 which scored the first win for a diesel car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Audi has proven that sporting dynamic and efficiency are not necessarily contradictory. The TDI version of the TT and TT Roadster are a logical development step from the Le Mans Programme. The 500 hp Audi R8 TDI Le Mans version of the Audi R8 is the world’s first Super Sports car with TDI Power – with a V12 TDI power plant closely related to the one powering the Audi R10.

This year Audi Are Running 3 Audi R10’s in the LMP1 Class:

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport) said:

We have seen from the results in both the LMS and ALMS that we can expect one of the most exciting Le Mans race in 2008. The competition is very strong and is preparing itself meticulously for this 24-hour race. This is a huge challenge for us. The main aim is to win the race again. It will probably be the toughest Le Mans race in which we have competed up to now. However, the bigger the challenge the greater the motivation.

The time table at Le Mans

Monday, 9 June

14:30 – 18:00 Technical scrutineering

Tuesday, 10 June

08:30 – 17:00 Technical scrutineering

Wednesday, 11 June

19:00 – 21:00 Qualifying 1, part 1
22:00 – 24:00 Qualifying 1, part 2

Thursday, 12 June

19:00 – 21:00 Qualifying 2, part 1
22:00 – 24:00 Qualifying 2, part 2

Friday, 13 June

18:00 – 19:00 Driver Parade

Saturday, 14 June

09:00 – 09:45 Warm-up

15:00 Start

Sunday, 15 June

15:00 Finish

Le Mans 2008 Audi UK Campsite

Audi UK announces the return, for the sixth consecutive year, of its exclusive and luxurious campsite. Audi UK invites loyal Audi costumers to experience one of the most prestigious races on Earth - the Le Mans 24 hours race. The race will take place on the 14th and 15th of June.

Equipped with one the best facilities at Le Mans, Audi UK campsite has excellent toilet and shower facilities, a complimentary central bar, 24 hours security, catering is offered throughout your stay, each tent sleeps two people with comfortable air mattress and comes with designated parking for your Audi vehicle. Full Audi hospitality and luxurious facilities will ensure you to have the best Le Mans experience.

The fun begins on Thursday 12th of June and goes on until Monday 16th. The Audi UK campsite is close to the circuit and has easy access to the Le Mans Village. Your reserved grandstand seat allows you to marvel at our legendary Audi R10 LM P1 race cars, primed to defend Audi’s winning streak as you experience the thrills that the Le Mans 24 Hours Race delivers.

Access to the exclusive Audi UK campsite costs just £1,200 for two people and guarantees you one of the best Le Mans experiences.

Places are strictly limited, so to secure your experience at Le Mans with Audi UK, please contact the Audi Events Team on 08000 27 47 87 or email lemans@audi-events.co.uk , to follow all the action from the Audi team check out their podcast.