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.
Stunning SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra is ready for the road
SEAT is wowing the crowds at this week’s Barcelona International Motor Show with the debut of a road-ready version of its stunning Ibiza Bocanegra. Staying remarkably true to the headline-grabbing Bocanegra concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show a little over 12 months ago, the production version is today making its world debut at SEAT’s ‘home’ show. Boasting several unique, and dramatic, black styling elements at its nose – hence the Bocanegra name which translates as ‘black mouth’ in Spanish – the new iteration of today’s Ibiza is set to become one of the hottest superminis around.
40 years of the Lamborghini Miura
The Lamborghini Miura, the most famous high-performance car ever to be produced in Italy, is about to celebrate its 40th birthday. Automobili Lamborghini will begin the official celebrations of this anniversary at the Techno Classica 2005 in Essen, Germany (7th-10th of April). The celebrations will continue throughout 2006 with a series of events involving The House of Sant’Agata Bolognese, Lamborghini Clubs, and numerous customers and enthusiasts from all over the world.
Ground breaking new seven-speed DSG gearbox set to debut in Golf
The latest evolution of Volkswagen’s pioneering DSG twin-clutch gearbox, now featuring seven gears, greater efficiency and a more compact design is set to make its debut in the new year. The new transversely mounted seven-speed DSG gearbox is revolutionary. It distances itself from the existing six-speed DSG gearbox, which uses a pair of clutches immersed in oil, by adopting a pair of dry clutches. This not only saves considerable weight and improves the efficiency of the system but also makes the new gearbox more compact.
The New Golf R32: In brief
By introducing the first Golf R32 based on the fourth generation of the best-seller, Volkswagen successfully met the demand for an exclusively equipped and high-power flagship Golf. The 177 kW / 241 hp sports car with its individual looks and standard four-wheel drive represented a venture into a new segment of high-power compact and midrange vehicles – a previously underdeveloped area. It did so impressively as the Golf R32 was an immediate market success.
Lighting up the dark – improving road safety with intelligent lighting technology
Innovations in lighting technology always stem from the launching of new light sources. Halogen bulbs were followed by xenon headlights, then xenon lights in conjunction with pivoting headlights. These developments brought a steady improvement in road illumination for the driver. Audi adaptive light with pivoting xenon plus headlights is currently the most effective way of illuminating the road surface. Only Audi offers the additional feature that every car equipped with xenon plus headlights – whether fixed or pivoting – has separate integral daytime running lights. These bring additional safety by making sure that the car in question is always seen more easily by other road users. Pedestrians and oncoming vehicles can easily spot the car in daylight in all traffic situations, avoiding hazards as a result of it being overlooked. And the next leap in development is already waiting in the wings: LED headlights will open up yet more new horizons.
The new Volkswagen Passat Variant – In depth
Volkswagen presents the new Passat Variant. The sixth generation of this bestseller estate car is due to be launched in Germany on August 19, followed by its introduction in many other European markets in Spring 2006 and then in the markets of North America and Japan in mid-December. For 43 years now, the term variant has been the renowned worldwide trademark for Volkswagen estate car models around the globe. The original variant was given the simple name of Type 1500. Eleven years on/later, Volkswagen presented the first of 4.3 million Passat produced to date under the variant label. It was this automobile which catapulted the estate class to the top of the European buyer market. And its boom continues.
Balance of power shifts for 2011 model year Audi Q7
Emissions, and in some cases engine capacities, in the new Audi Q7 range for 2011 take a significant tumble as part of the wider Audi initiative to optimise efficiency across its 36-model line-up. Thanks to the last word in supercharging, turbocharging and transmission technologies, the latest Q7 models match or exceed their predecessors on power and torque, but benefit from fuel economy improvements of up to 19 per cent with attendant CO2 reductions. They are available to order now and will reach their first UK customers in June. The key changes include the introduction of two versions of the supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI engine to replace the naturally aspirated 3.6-litre FSI and 4.2-litre FSI petrol units, the replacement of the 3.0-litre TDI unit with a considerably lighter and more fuel efficient successor and the integration of the new eight-speed tiptronic transmission first seen in the A8.
The new Audi S tronic: Seven gears for dynamics and efficiency
Seven gears that shift at lightning speed without interrupting traction – Audi presents a new phase in the evolution of transmission systems. The seven-speed S tronic combines its dynamic working method with high efficiency. The new twin-clutch transmission is designed to work with longitudinally installed engines and the quattro all-wheel drive system, and its 550 Nm torque capacity makes it suitable for a wide range of sporty models. Audi will introduce the new S tronic into multiple model lines in series production during the course of this year.
Bentley announces detailed specification of new Mulsanne
"The new Mulsanne is a thoroughly modern flagship that captures the essence of the Bentley marque. It is elegant yet distinctly sporting in character, delivering effortless performance while within its sumptuous cabin, advanced technology sits discreetly with handcrafted luxury." Bentley Motors Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen. While paying homage to past Bentley greats, the brief for the new Mulsanne’s design and engineering teams was to create a Bentley that represents the pinnacle of British luxury motoring. The new Mulsanne, designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, reaffirms the marque’s intent to create a new flagship Bentley with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.
The new Volkswagen Scirocco
The designers of the third generation of the Scirocco unmistakably designed it to be a pure sports car. Different than the original Scirocco of the 1970s, and the second generation introduced in the 1980s, the new car offers substantially greater interior space. That is because – in contrast to its two predecessors – the Scirocco of the year 2008 does not have a sloping hatchback, but a wagon back with matching long roof and steep tailgate. This offers two distinct advantages. First: the Scirocco exhibits very crisp proportions. Especially when viewed from the rear, it immediately becomes apparent that the 1.80 meter long roof with its lateral arrays of windows stands on very wide and powerful shoulder sections. So the Scirocco gets a waist that is flawlessly cut right from sports car principles. Second: The new model also has space in the rear for two adults plus sufficient luggage. All things considered, the progressively styled Scirocco combines a high level of everyday utility with a classy design.
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.
