Audi News - Audi R15 TDI spotted testing for the first time in Spain
February 13, 2009 by tsikot · Comments Off
Audi R15 TDI spotted testing for the first time in Spain
Filed under: Diesel, Audi, Racing
The much-anticipated Audi R15 TDI has finally be spotted for the first time during a secret test at the Vallelunga track in Spain. Audi has been keeping a tight lid on the R15 since announcing it last November. Aside from that announcement about running the new car at Sebring and Le Mans this year, no other information has been provided. Unlike the Peugeot 908, the R15 retains the open top layout of its R10 and R8 predecessors. Aerodynamically, the R15 appears to be a big step forward from the R10 with a whole new front end look. The central portion of the nose is significantly wider and higher, closer to the look of a Formula One car. The rear body work has also been significantly changed relative to the R10, with much lower sides similar to the new Acura ARX-02a that will also debut at Sebring.
Audi has confirmed the R15 will have a smaller, lighter diesel engine than the R10 along with other technical innovations, but details are unknown at this time. One possibility is the incorporation of a hybrid KERS setup to provide an on-demand power boost. Audi won’t publicly show the R15 until it rolls off the transporter at Sebring next month.
[Source: AutoSport]
Audi R15 TDI spotted testing for the first time in Spain originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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[tags]audi cars, audi news, audi models[/tags]
Audi News - Audi adds dual clutch S-Tronic to Euro A4 and A5
February 9, 2009 by tsikot · Comments Off
Audi adds dual clutch S-Tronic to Euro A4 and A5
Audi has just added a new transmission option to European-market versions of the A4 and A5. The company’s 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox is now available with the 2.0L TFSI four cylinder. The A5 picks up 0.3 seconds in the 0-60 run and cuts 1g/km of CO2 emissions with the new gearbox. In the sedan, the mileage is unchanged at 31.8 mpg compared to the 6-speed manual. Here in the U.S., the A4 2.0L currently comes standard with a CVT while manual and conventional automatics are optional.
Related:
[Source: AutoCar]
Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
Audi adds dual clutch S-Tronic to Euro A4 and A5 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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[tags]audi cars, audi news, audi models[/tags]
Audi News - On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010
February 3, 2009 by tsikot · Comments Off
On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010
Audi’s Q5 hybrid program has apparently been revived again with a production launch coming as soon as late next year. In a change from the usual pattern, this one is expected to launch in the U.S. market before the rest of the world gets it. Aside from Japan, the U.S. has shown a greater appetite than anywhere else for hybrids and we will determine if the European market gets a taste as well. Audi powertrain development boss Wolfgang Hatz told Automotive News Europe that the Q5 hybrid is needed to compete with the likes of the Lexus RX450h and the upcoming BMW X6 hybrid.
In spite of the decision to proceed with the Q5 Hybrid for the U.S. market, Audi still believes that diesel is the best path for its vehicles. For the vehicles that Audi is producing, diesel is a more cost effective solution, especially considering the expected sales volumes. According to Hatz, it costs Audi about 50 percent more to develop a diesel powertrain compared to a conventional gas system. A hybrid powertrain costs 3-4 times as much to develop. If the demand for hybrids begins to significantly increase, the business case could change, but for now, Audi’s focus will remain on TDI.
Gallery: 2010 Audi Q5
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
On again, off again Audi Q5 Hybrid is apparently back on again for 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Audi News - AutoblogGreen movie review:
January 25, 2009 by tsikot · Comments Off
AutoblogGreen movie review:
Filed under: Diesel, Audi, Racing
2008 marked the tenth year of Audi’s Le Mans racing program and in that time the company has become one of the most successful manufacturers of all time in that category. To mark its tenth year - and the final year of the R10 TDI - as the factory representative in sports car endurance racing, the German Automaker teamed up with NFL Films to create a documentary titled Truth in 24. The film, which has had a few selected screenings, will make its big debut in early March when ESPN broadcasts it in the run up to the 12 Hours of Sebring.
We had a chance to watch an advance copy of the film and anyone who has ever seen the work of NFL films will be familiar with the style. It’s about far more than simply the action on the track. The film covers the 2008 trek to the June classic in Le Mans. When the R10 debuted in 2006, it was a groundbraking race car. It was purpose-built for the round-the-clock French race and took advantage of a section of the rule book that encouraged alternative fuels. Thus, Audi engineers tapped into the corporate knowledge of diesel engines to produce the amazing new 5.5L twin turbo V12. Continue reading after the jump.
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading AutoblogGreen movie review: Truth in 24 [w/VIDEO]
AutoblogGreen movie review: Truth in 24 [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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[tags]audi cars, audi news, audi models[/tags]
Audi News - Audi R10 TDI not done yet; two will run in private hands in Europe
January 22, 2009 by tsikot · Comments Off
Audi R10 TDI not done yet; two will run in private hands in Europe
Filed under: Diesel, Audi, Racing
Following the close of the 2008 racing season, Audi announced that after three years competition in North America and Europe, the groundbreaking R10 TDI would be retired. At the time of the December announcement, the German company declared that the cars would not be made available to private teams. Instead, the company would focus on the all new R15 TDI for the 24 hours of Le Mans and the European DTM program.
The company has now changed its plans and has decided to sell two of the R10s to the owner of one of its DTM teams, Dr Colin Kolles. Kolles will campaign the R10s in the Le Mans Series in Europe as well as the round the clock French race. Part of the reason for Audi’s curtailment of its 2009 activities was budgetary. Given that, the technical support that will be provided by Audi engineers to the Kolles team will likely come at Kolles’s expense. Hopefully, someone here in North America will step up and take on at least one R10 for the ALMS as well.
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading Audi R10 TDI not done yet; two will run in private hands in Europe
Audi R10 TDI not done yet; two will run in private hands in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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[tags]audi cars, audi news, audi models[/tags]
