Audi has gone to even greater lengths to cocoon A8 passengers in absolute comfort in long wheelbase versions of the lightweight aluminium-bodied luxury saloon, the first examples of which have just reached the UK. Available from £60,010 OTR, the five-strong A8 L range incorporates an additional 130mm of wheelbase and body length to provide even more exceptional passenger accommodation. It is also further refined by a 6.3-litre, twelve cylinder W12 flagship model that is exclusive to the long wheelbase line-up.
Feb 11 2011
UK ready to take a longer look at the Audi A8
Feb 05 2011
Audi A1 quattro prototype makes a chilling debut
An Audi A1 quattro prototype that brings all-wheel-drive to the premium subcompact hatchback segment for the first time is currently undergoing a baptism of fire grappling with freezing conditions on Canada’s densely snow-packed roads. The one-off development car is one of the stars of the ‘Fascination of quattro’ event taking place in Montreal to celebrate the past, present and future of the legendary four-wheel-drive system, which reached its 30th anniversary in 2010. It reaffirms the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s commitment, made at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, to underpin future high performance variants of the A1 with this proven driver aid.
Feb 05 2011
Volkswagen unveils new US-built Passat at Detroit Auto show
Volkswagen’s New Mid-size Sedan (NMS), which will be called the Passat, has been unveiled on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show. Set to be built in an all-new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and designed specifically for the North American market, the new Passat aims to set benchmarks in efficiency, comfort and value when it goes on sale later this year with an estimated starting price of $20,000 (approx. £13,000). Despite the familiar name the new Passat differs significantly from its European counterpart. Every external panel is new, with a look drawing on the styling of the seventh generation Passat yet featuring subtle changes to the window line, rear lights, bootlid and bumper as well as restyled doors and front wings. At 2,803 mm, the Passat’s wheelbase has been extended by 91 mm, while overall length grows to 4,868 mm (a gain of 99 mm) and the width is increased by 13 mm to total 1,833 mm when compared to the European version.
Feb 05 2011
Skoda launches Fabia Monte Carlo
Skoda’s Fabia line is about to be extended with the introduction of the Monte Carlo, a new model with enhanced sports styling and bespoke interior. Launched to celebrate 100 years of the Monte Carlo Rally, and commemorate the 110 year anniversary of the brand’s motorsport efforts, this special edition model is a nod towards Skoda’s sporting pedigree. From the outside, the Fabia Monte Carlo boasts a dynamic look, underlined by the introduction of piano-black body trim, which extend over the wheel arches and down the full length of the car, a black roof, black door mirror covers, a black radiator grille top, smoked headlamps and black 17” lightweight Trinity alloy wheels.
Feb 05 2011
Dual-charged Audi A1 1.4 TFSI gives UK range another boost
Turbocharging and supercharging share top billing in the new Audi A1 1.4 TFSI S line 185PS, which is available to order in the UK from this week priced from £20,705 OTR. The new top-performing A1 derives its impressive performance from a potent combination of the two forced induction methods working sequentially, but nevertheless manages to maintain frugal 47.9mpg economy potential giving CO2 output of just 139g/km. The compact and lightweight four-valve-per-cylinder ‘dual-charged’ engine powers the A1 1.4 TFSI 185PS from rest to 62mph in just 6.9 seconds, and on to a 141mph top speed. Under power, the supercharger is the first to exert its influence, intervening at around 1,500rpm to increase thrust. In most cases it then disengages at around 2,400rpm, to be followed from around 3,500rpm by a boost from the turbocharger to hasten progress yet again.
Feb 05 2011
Volkswagen unveils the XL1 super efficient vehicle in Qatar
The new Volkswagen XL1 Super Efficient Vehicle (SEV) has been unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show. Pioneering construction techniques, an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain and innovative packaging all play a part in allowing the XL1 to return 313 mpg on the combined cycle while emitting 24 g/km of CO2to set a new benchmark for vehicle efficiency. Powering the XL1 is a compact 800 cc TDI two-cylinder common rail diesel engine developing 48 PS. It’s linked to an electric motor producing 27 PS, resulting in a total of 75 PS – a modest output yet more than enough when the low kerb weight (795 kg) of the vehicle is taken into account.
Feb 05 2011
Five-cylinder firepower for new Audi RS 3 sportback
The revered RS badge is about to adorn a compact class Audi for the first time as the new RS 3 Sportback waits in the wings with suitably spectacular performance and an evocative five-cylinder soundtrack for a spring 2011 UK debut. The formidable yet usefully practical newcomer will be available to order in the UK from next month priced at £39,900 OTR. Audi high performance engineering division quattro GmbH takes the five-door Sportback version of the A3 as the foundation for the latest RS model, and in deference to the classic quattros of the Eighties endows it with a turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine that employs 21st Century TFSI turbo charging and direct injection technology.
Feb 05 2011
Audi e-tron Spyder hybrid study goes live in Paris
One of the real live wires at the 2010 Paris Motor Show will undoubtedly be the Audi e-tron Spyder, a two-seat open sports car study with plug-in hybrid drive capable of delivering 128mpg economy and 59g/km emissions from its 300PS twin-turbo V6 TDI engine and twin electric motors. The Audi e-tron Spyder’s low total weight of only around 1,450 kilograms, combined with the high-torque TDI and the two electric motors results in impressive performance. The car accelerates to 62mph in just 4.4 seconds, and top speed is electronically governed at 155mph.
Feb 05 2011
Audi goes back to the future with commemorative quattro concept
A blast from the past has inspired Audi to look to the future with the quattro concept, a new high performance design study debuting at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that commemorates 30 years of quattro all-wheel-drive and specifically pays homage to the revered Sport quattro of 1984. Taking the V8-powered RS 5 Coupe as its basis, but configured to evoke the spirit of the 306PS performance legend, the new study combines an inline five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine developing 408PS with a lightweight body, a shortened wheelbase and latest generation quattro drive.
Feb 05 2011
Audi announces a new species of R8 Spyder
The Audi R8 Spyder is about to perform a pincer movement on the open-air supercar establishment as it adopts a new generation 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol engine to run alongside the existing 5.2-litre V10 FSI. The new R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is now available to order priced at £95,545 OTR for the six-speed manual version and £100,855 for the six-speed R tronic automated manual. UK customer deliveries will begin in January 2011. The latest version of the high-revving, dry sump-lubricated 4.2-litre FSI V8, which will be shared with the Coupe, complies with EU5 emissions limits with the help of a new recuperation system that conserves energy during coasting and braking.









