2011 Audi R4 Concept Car Revealed

Expect the R4 to keep the very good looks of the e-Tron concept but substitute the carbon fibre panels, ultra-expensive alloys and ‘Concept’ interior for something more production-like. In addition to the electric version of the R4 – which will manage 0-60mph in under 6 seconds and 124mph. The Audi R4 will be built off an all-new platform and will be a strict two-seater and will haveit’s larger sibling the R8, will have a mid-ship mounted engine. The R4 will be powered by a series of engines, but the top of them will be a V6 engine delivering arround 280-300hp.

The problem with the new R4 is that being placed between TT and R8, will cut into R8’s segment. The R4 will be more powerful than the TT (powered by a V6 engine with an output of 250 hp), but will be under the R8 that is powered by a V8 engine with an output of 412 hp.Those we’ve spoken to seem to believe that this will be the e-Tron Audi have already said will launch in 2012. But we’re not so sure. Audi have already said they see the e-Tron as a potential sub-brand, much like quattro. Which leads us to believe that there will be an R4 e-Tron and an R8 e-Tron.

 

The R4 will be a junior version of the R8, sort of like midget racers were to full-blown Indy roadsters back in the 50s. To go with its diminutive scale, the R4 will feature a set of drivetrains different from its R8 big brother. It’s also worth noting now that the machinations are over, and corporate parent VW now controls Porsche, it is likely that the R4 is expected to share a platform with the next-gen Porsche Boxster. Both coupe and targa versions of the R4 are expected.

2010 Audi e-tron Concept Car at Frankfurt Motor Show

Audi is showing an uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the 2010 NAIAS. The Detroit Audi e-tron Concept is 3.93 meter (154.72 in) long and 1.78 meter (70.08 in) wide but just 1.22 meter (48.03 in) tall two-seater. As previously with the first Audi e-tron Concept car shown in Frankfurt, Audi again bases all components in this electric vehicle on an integral concept with many revolutionary details: a heat pump as an efficient means of heating up and maintaining the interior temperature. The drive system, power electronics and battery have innovative thermal management - crucial for maintaining a high operating range coupled with outstanding interior comfort.

Systematic lightweight construction is an even more important prerequisite for efficiency and range with electric vehicles than for conventionally powered automobiles. Lightweight construction is moreover the key to thrilling handling characteristics. Audi developers focused on a core competence of the company when creating the Detroit Audi e-tron Concept: The body structure is based on Audi Space Frame technology (ASF), with a hybrid design approach adopted.

While acknowledging that electric vehicles are still far from economically viable volume production vehicles, Audi is nonetheless working on electric technology, both for hybrids and pure EVs. The pack sports a 53kWh capacity of which 42.4 kWh is usable. The pack weighs in at 1,036 pounds out of a total vehicle weight of 3,527 pounds and is mounted ahead of the rear axle and liquid cooled.

Audi has taken a new and in some cases revolutionary approach to many of the technical modules. A heat pump is used to efficiently warm up and heat the interior. The drive system, the power electronics and the battery are controlled by an innovative thermal management system that is a crucial component for achieving the car's range without compromising its high level of interior comfort. Networking the vehicle electronics with the surroundings, which is referred to as car-to-x communication, opens new dimensions for the optimization of efficiency, safety and convenience.

Along with a reworked interior, a new heat pump to boost efficiency and adaptive headlamps that modify their brightness and direction based on weather and steering input. Naturally, Quattro is part of the package, with the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system splitting the power 40:60 front-to-rear.

Audi TTS Roadster 2009, Sporty and exclusive car

  In this mid year, the new 2009 Audi TTS released with a higher output power of 265-version of the 2.0T engine, reduces your tour by 0.39 inch ventilated discs and most current performance. And in the TTS, the electronic stability control includes a new method to track the days that allows the control of drift (with a digital timer back). The TTS can hit 62 mph in just 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.

Both of Audi TT cars engines come with the S tronic gearbox, a dual-clutch automated manual transmission that has snappy changes in aggressive driving, more relaxed cruising on smooth, and downshifts quickly. The performance is not prudent for a penalty against conventional manual transmission. In that sense, there is no manual gearbox with the base or even the TT TTS, but the V-6 is still offered with a six-speed manual.

2009 Audi A4 Review and Photos

MSRP
$31,000 - $48,800
The 2009 A4 is a 2- or 4-door, up to 5-passenger luxury convertible, luxury sedan, or luxury wagon, available in 8 trims, ranging from the 2.0 T Sedan FrontTrak Multitronic to the 3.2 Cabriolet quattro [Discontinued].

Upon introduction, the 2.0 T Sedan FrontTrak Multitronic is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 211-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 30-mpg on the highway. A variable speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 3.2 Cabriolet quattro [Discontinued] is equipped with a standard 3.2-liter, V6, 255-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The handling is great and overall feel on smooth roads is as if you were floating. The new body style turns heads and the "dot" headlamps are really cool. The stock rims are faily plain but look good when they're clean I guess.

The only complaints, if you can call them complaints, are the learning curve on driving w/ a 4-cyl Turbo compared to my last car (6-cyl) and the ride can be rough on a non-perfect freeway surface. The turbo is operated by the exhaust from the vehicle which supplies the turbo "boost" to the engine, which means you have to get the engine going BEFORE the power is there. That means the car can be sluggish from start but then "jump" forward when the turbo kicks in, but with a little time behind the wheel you get used to it. Good acceleration at speed but a little slow for the first few mph's.

2009 Audi TT Closer look

MSRP
$35,200 - $46,540
The 2009 TT is a 2-door, up to 4-passenger luxury sports coupe, or luxury convertible, available in 8 trims, ranging from the 2.0T With S tronic to the 3.2 Roadster quattro with S tronic.

Upon introduction, the 2.0T With S tronic is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 23-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. The 3.2 Roadster quattro with S tronic is equipped with a standard 3.2-liter, V6, 250-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
Driving the TT is the best part of the car. By using aluminum in the chassis, Audi were able to keep the TT light - despite the additional luxury bits. This chassis allows the TT to be very stiff - resulting in the power being put down so efficiently that you'll swear it's a more powerful car. Add to that the speed of the S-Tronic transmission and you end up with a car that can accelerate faster than the manual-equipped competition.
The steering sacrifices initial feel for a trick power steering system that makes the steering lighter at slower speeds. You'll hate it on a hairpin, but love it every time you have to park. Additionally, the car has a strong tendency to squat mid-corner. When you turn in sharply, the front end bites well. Then, as you begin to power-on, the car goes worryingly light for a moment, before squatting down and pulling itself from the corner. It takes some getting used to, but once you trust that it's not going to fly off while you transition through the corner, it's a very competent sports car.