News just came out that Audi Australia officially announced that it will introduce the most powerful diesel SUV in the world. Dubbed as the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI V8, this innovative engine will be offered to the Australian market by the end of 2007. Reports say that it is capable of unleashing 240 kW and 760 Nm of torque.

Even before official word were released, Australia already saw what the new engine can do with two Audi Q7 4.2 TDI models participated in the company’s across-Australia ‘Trans-Continental Crossing’ event which ran from 30 August to 24 September.

Australia will get a preview as the new Q7 4.2 TDI will be displayed at the Australian International Motor Show.

Power and performance are not just what the new engine boasts, fuel efficiency is also what it has to offer. Believe it or not, it only requires 11.1 liters of diesel on average for every 100 kilometers driven.

Impressively, the new Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is capable of a displacement of 4.2 liters and delivers 240 kW and 760 Nm of torque. This engine is already integrated in the A8 luxury saloon but has the power of a sports car, for it can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds.

The Audi Q7 4.2 TDI gets its power from the six-speed tiptronic automatic transmission to the quattro driveline.
Aside from the power, comfort is also provided in the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI. Some technological advancement will be integrated and can be seen in full detail here.

Audi is set on making a difference in green vehicles with their new technologies, which covers alternate fuels, the latest clean diesel and a hybrid version of the Q7, as reported by The Gazette.

These were discussed in Audi’s TechDay forum in Ingolstadt, Germany, including the great developments the German carmaker has done in recent years.

One of these is impressively shown in Audi’s engine. The 2.8-litre and 3.2-litre FSI engines feature a variable valve-lift system which is more efficient, since it can operate on a low-lift cam lobe below 4,000 rpm. If more power is needed, the engine can easily deliver it by switching to a high-lift lobe.  This engine generates more power and can reduce fuel consumption by more than five percent.

Aside from all the benefits in terms of power the new Audi engines, the exhaust also come into play.  In fact, the latest 3.0-litre V6 TDI that will debut in mid-2008 in the Q7 has an ultra-low emissions system.

For the full details on Audi’s green plans, click here.

Recent reports have come out saying that Audi is considering to assemble the A4 sedan in India.

TechWhack.com reports that the German car manufacturer is already planning on assembling an Audi in India. Audi representative Bettina Bernhardt even told the media, “We may consider assembling the A4 in India in future. It is now imported from Germany and sold at Rs 26.6 lakh. Initially, we will assemble the A6. In the first year, we are looking to assemble 300 to 500 A6 luxury sedans in the country. India is one of our future growth markets. Our idea is to become the leading prestige brand in the country. By 2010, we plan to achieve vehicle sales of around 3,000 units.”

Bernhardt also said about a possibility of Audi building a manufacturing plant in India. “We may consider the option at a later stage. We first need to achieve sales of 1,000 A6 cars in India.”

Audi is establishing a strong market in the country through their dealer network. They are now serving the country through the three dealers in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi and offering models like Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT.

This was based on the report done by TechWhack.com

Recently, Audi announced that they have sold around 741,300 vehicles worldwide for this year’s first nine months. This figure represents an 8.3 percent increase compared to last year’s sales. Ralph Weyler, AUDI AG Board Member for Marketing and Sales, said, “We are now closing in on worldwide unit sales of 950,000 vehicles for 2007 as a whole. Despite the changeover to the new Audi A4, we are aiming to acquire 45,000 new Audi customers by the end of this year on top of the record-breaking total for 2006, and notch up our twelfth record figure in a row.”

Audi received an impressive increase in all its major export market. For Audi’s largest market in UK, 82,862 vehicles were sold during the first nine months representing a rise of 16.7 percent. In the US market, car sales rose to 9.4 percent for the first nine months of the year with 68,479 vehicles sold. Sales in China also increased by an impressive 26 percent, selling 76,168 vehicles. Meanwhile, 45,221 vehicles were sold in Spain representing a 5.1 percent increase. Sales in France are not far behind with 6.5 percent. Audi was able to sell 45,122 vehicles in Italy, gaining 3.3 percent increase.

The German car brand continue to enjoy steady growth in emerging markets like Russia, where sales increased by 59.1 percent, selling 11,608 units. In the Middle East sales were up by 32.9 percent with 4,626 vehicles. “Our progress in India is likewise highly satisfying, considering that we only set up our own importer there at the start of the year,” added Ralph Weyler. Audi experienced a 33.7 percent growth in India by selling 266 vehicles.

This story is based on the report done by autospectator.com

Audi and Porsche are battling it on the race track at this year’s Le Mans Series. Despite being 300 pounds lighter and producing 550 horsepower, Porsche-backed Penske Racing impressively had an eight-race winning streak. Meanwhile, Audi, which boasts 2,040-pound and 700 horsepower, hasn’t won a race since March 31.

“Even before the season, we knew it was going to be hard to beat an LMP2 at some tracks,” says Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport. “Weight is a big issue. At some tracks it’s just not possible to be as competitive the way the rulebook is written.”

Three temporary street courses are added to ALMS in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Long Beach, Calif.; and Detroit. Another change is that Automobile Club de l’Ouest cut the size of the LMP1 fuel cell by 2.4 gallons, meaning that Audi will make an additional pit stop than LMP2 cars at many tracks.

“I think they made all these changes to the LMP1 car, maybe it’s time they do something with the LMP2,” Audi driver Dindo Capello says. “Increase their weight configuration. They have an advantage at the ALMS tracks with the exception of Sebring, MoSport, Road America and Atlanta. At the rest, we are in a bad situation.”

Audi was successful in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most famous endurance race. Frank Biela, Marco Werner and Emanuele Pirro continued Audi’s victory for the fourth time on the 8.45-mile French circuit. They were also able to put Audi’s diesel-powered R10 on its second consecutive win.

This story is based on the reports of USA Today

Great performance with lower fuel consumption and sportier look make the new Audi as a trend setter in the automotive world. Not only does it have higher fuel economy, the A4 also has a dynamic suspension that comes from the large luxury class. In a time when gas prices are going up, it is good to know that there are still powerful vehicles that offer better fuel consumption. According to theautochannel.com Audi A4 will be released in the US market in fall of 2008.

Evident in its design, Audi’s design team really made extra efforts to make the A4 look sportier with a shorter overhang and longer hood and wheelbase. The impressive design was also incorporated in the car’s interior, along with the high-tech gadgets that come with it.

Car safety is further enhanced as new airbags come standard along with seat belts.

Looking at its performance, the A4 is equipped with a V6 FSI engine, capable of generating 265 hp. This engine is more efficient because it directly shoots fuel into the cylinder. This results to a smoother flow, thus creating a pleasurable drive.
For more details on the new Audi A4, click here.

In a recent review of the 2008 Audi S5, theautochannel.com considered all of its aspects but dwell more on its new styling. The review even recognized the impressive works of Walter de’Silva.

Theautochannel.com’s review describes the S5 as a “coupe with an elegant, yet muscular, presence.” Along the distinguishable four large interlocked rings, the S5 has projector-beam headlamps framed below. Audi did not just concentrate on the exterior but also gave attention to the S5’s interior. The controls are conveniently placed in the center information screen and the satin finish gives it a luxurious feel. The chairs are ergonomic and have a great design.

But the style is not just what the S5 can brag about. The vehicle’s performance is also something to look at with the numerous changes done on the engine position and suspension geometry. Impressively, even with a detuned version of the 4.2-liter V-8; it is still capable of delivering 354 bhp at 7000 rpm and 325 lb.-ft of torque at 3500 rpm through a 6-speed manual gearbox.

For more information on the new Audi S5, click here.

Australia can now enjoy the high performing Audi R8 sports coupe. This Audi is based on the Le Mans Prototype LMP R8 race car. The designer of the R8 race car incorporated the superior performance, reliable and smart use of power and style to its road version.

The R8 will make its debut at Phillip Island Raceway in Victoria and costs $259,900 for the 6-speed manual variant and $274,900 for the six-speed sequential R-tronic version.

It is said that the R8 was the Audi’s first high-performance sports coupe and according to Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Joerg Hofmann, the R8 is raises Audi’s image in Australia.

“We are a successful brand, with year-on-year record sales in Australia as proof of our growth and our future potential in this market. The Audi R8 will become an icon for Audi and albeit niche, this is a car that clearly embodies our Vorsprung durch Technik. It will be instrumental in further boosting our brand image and awareness in this market,” Hofmann said.

Audi’s design team headed by Walter de’Silva made the Audi R8 look sportier. In a recent review done by autoweb.com, it said, “the wide, full shape of the R8 seems to hug the road. It demonstrates its potential through its imposing proportions, accentuated wheel arches and substantial air apertures. It is like no other Audi before it – with the unmistakable proportions of a mid-engine car.”

The R8’s performance is backed up by a 4.2-liter V8 FSI engine with 309kW and 430Nm, resulting to a stable and powerful ride.

The latest technology is also incorporated in the vehicle such as all-LED headlights, ceramic brakes, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, rear view camera and Audi’s Multi Media Interface MMI.
This story is based on the review done by autoweb.com