Audi Sets Prices on the New and Upgraded A6 / S6 Lineup for MY 2009

- Interior and exterior redesign reinforces strong personality of Audi A6 / S6 - An all-new 300-hp 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6 will be offered with quattro AWD - The 2009 sedan, Avant and S models will arrive in dealerships by early January   HERNDON, Va., Dec 19, 2008 - Audi of America today released pricing for the updated 2009 model-year Audi A6 sedan, A6 Avant and S6 sedan, which are scheduled to arrive in U.S. dealerships by the beginning of January. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the Audi A6 3.2 sedan Premium will start at $45,100. The Audi A6 3.0T quattro sedan Premium will start at $50,100. The Audi A6 3.0T quattro Avant Premium will start at $53,310. The Audi A6 4.2 quattro sedan will start at $60,950, and the Audi S6 will start at $75,900. Prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges. "The A6 model range gains a far more progressive look with this makeover," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president of Audi of America. "Of particular note is the addition of the new supercharged drivetrain that will give drivers of these cars plenty of responsive power without sacrificing fuel efficiency. These updates will show why the Audi A6 is the best-selling luxury sedan worldwide." The 2009 model-year Audi A6 3.0T quattro rewards motorists with the best fuel economy of any mid-sized luxury sedan sold in the U.S. featuring all-wheel drive. With an energy-recuperating alternator and efficiency-optimized gear ratios, the new model achieves 26 mpg highway and 18 mpg in city driving for a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg. New for 2009 models are three equipment levels – Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige – aimed at improving vehicle value and reducing complexity by combining the features demanded by many luxury car buyers. The new A6 will also come packed with additional standard equipment, including a sunroof, Bluetooth, Homelink, heated front seats on quattro models, three months of free SIRIUS satellite radio service and Audi music interface with iPod connectivity. Also new for 2009, the 3.0 TFSI V6 engine will deliver 300 horsepower and a powerful 310 lb.-ft of torque. It marries the benefits of direct fuel injection and a compressor supercharger to record a 0-to-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds. The new engine will be packaged with a Tiptronic automatic transmission and the new 40/60 asymmetric rear-biased quattro all wheel drive. The 3.0 TFSI supercharged engine will be available on Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige versions of the Audi A6 sedan and Avant. The 3.2 FSI V6 engine, which produces 255 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft of torque, will be available in the Audi A6 Premium and Premium Plus equipment levels. The 3.2 FSI will be paired with front-wheel drive and multitronic transmission. The Audi A6 4.2 comes fully loaded with a 350-hp 4.2 FSI V8 engine, Tiptronic automatic transmission, quattro all-wheel drive, S-line exterior and the Prestige equipment level as standard. The 2009 Audi S6 features a 5.2 FSI V10 engine mated to the Audi Tiptronic automatic transmission, which kicks up 435 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 398 lb.-ft of torque. The design of the Audi A6 gets several enhancements led by the high-gloss, single-frame grille as well as bold new bumpers, air vents and fog lights. Chrome accents are added features on the doors and trunk. Available xenon plus headlights now include LED daytime running lights. All-new LED tail lights provide an exclamation point to the new look of the A6. The world-class interior of the Audi A6 features leather seating, wood trim, intuitive Multi Media Interface, a driver-oriented design and now the added touch of sleek aluminum trim accents on the steering wheel, switches and the parking brake. The interiors also get new instrument cluster graphics and will feature Engine Start/Engine Stop buttons that are new to the A6 models. The improvements to the A6 should bolster its standing as the best-selling model in the mid-size luxury car market. Worldwide, the Audi A6 claimed a 37% share of the luxury mid-size segment, ahead of its primary competitors, the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The new 2009 Audi A6 will begin shipping to dealers next week in time for the holidays.

 

Audi A4 Lineup Expands With New FrontTrak and Manual Models

Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan pairs the multitronic transmission with the award-winning Audi 2.0 TFSI engine - The Audi A4 quattro sedan is now available with a six-speed manual transmission - MSRP for the base front-drive model is $31,000 and $31,850 for the base manual quattro model. HERNDON, Va., Dec 19, 2008 - Audi announced an expansion of its 2009 A4 lineup with two new models, one featuring front-wheel drive and one featuring a six-speed manual transmission. The newest 2009 Audi A4 models offer exceptional value and the best fuel economy ratings in their individual segments. The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak combines the advantages of the Audi 2.0 TFSI engine, which recently earned a spot on the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines list, and the efficient multitronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT. The A4 sedan now available with a six-speed manual transmission, offers a sporty driving experience for those who prefer to shift for themselves. The manual transmission is also paired with Audi's efficient 2.0 TFSI engine along with Audi's latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive featuring a rear torque bias for sporty handling. The result of the new front-wheel drive A4 powertrain combination is the best fuel efficiency in its class with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in city driving conditions and 30 mpg in highway driving. Those fuel economy figures represent a 4 percent fuel-efficiency gain over the previous-generation A4 powered with earlier versions of the 2.0 TFSI engine and the multitronic transmission. The 2009 A4 2.0T quattro manual sedan achieves the best efficiency of any all-wheel drive car in its luxury segment with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on highways. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on the front-wheel drive 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan with multitronic CVT transmission starts at $31,000. The MSRP on the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual is $31,850. Both models come with a rich list of standard equipment such as sunroof, leather seating, SIRIUS satellite radio, and quattro all-wheel drive. "Offering exceptional efficiency without sacrificing the comforts that luxury car buyers expect is Audi's hallmark," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. "These two new A4 models are no exception. Their addition to the Audi lineup allows us to meet a broader array of consumer tastes with our highly acclaimed, best-selling car." Audi is a pioneer in continuously variable transmission technology. The multitronic transmission was significantly revamped and first appears in the 2009 Audi A4. With the redesign, the multitronic transmission offers greater sportiness and agility along with reduced fuel consumption. The first Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak multitronic model will begin arriving at dealers this month, with Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual models expected to arrive in dealerships by early 2009.

 

Audi officially unveils the R8 V10

It looks like the Volkswagen Group really wants to take all the high performance coupe market, because yesterday the Audi R8 V10 was officially revealed. Powered by the 5.2 liter V10 engine from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, which delivers 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, the R8 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 316 km/h (196 mph). Audi claims that, equipped with the R tronic sequential gearbox, the car achieves an average fuel consumption of 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg), which is not bad at all, considering its performance figures. However, as standard, the car comes equipped with a six speed manual transmission and, of course, quattro all-wheel drive system. As you'd expect, the R8 V10 will come with a set of extra features comparing to the 'regular' R8: 19 inch exclusive 10-spoke Y design alloy wheels, all-LED headlights as standard, plus a few styling elements (more accentuated sideblades, wider side sills and matt aluminium look for the exhaust grilles). Also, the standard equipment list is very impressive: Fine Nappa leather heatable seat covers, a driver information system, navigation system and Bang & Olufsen sound system, deluxe automatic air conditioning, alarm system, instruments and gearshift knob decorated with red rings, while the footrests and the rocker switches of the R tronic have an aluminum finish. To see all the R8 V10's features, check out the official press release. The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro is scheduled to go on sale in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a starting price of 142,400 Euros. Photo Gallery: Audi R8 V10

 

Audi Expands the A4 Lineup with New FrontTrak and and Six-Speed Manual Models

Audi has announced the expansion of the A4 lineup with a new front-wheel-drive (FrontTrak) model and the addition of a six-speed manual transmission on the A4 quattro sedan. The A4 2.0T FrontTrak features Audi's 2.0 TFSI engine that is paired to a multitronic continuously variable transmission. The setup helps the A4 get 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The A4 2.0T quattro equipped with the six-speed manual transmission gets 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan with multitronic CVT transmission starts at $31,000. The MSRP on the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual is $31,850. PRESS RELEASE: Audi A4 Lineup Expands With New FrontTrak and Manual Models -The Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan pairs the multitronic transmission with the award-winning Audi 2.0 TFSI engine -The Audi A4 quattro sedan is now available with a six-speed manual transmission -MSRP for the base front-drive model is $31,000 and $31,850 for the base manual quattro model. HERNDON, Va., Dec 19, 2008 - Audi announced an expansion of its 2009 A4 lineup with two new models, one featuring front-wheel drive and one featuring a six-speed manual transmission. The newest 2009 Audi A4 models offer exceptional value and the best fuel economy ratings in their individual segments. The 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak combines the advantages of the Audi 2.0 TFSI engine, which recently earned a spot on the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines list, and the efficient multitronic continuously variable transmission, or CVT. The A4 sedan now available with a six-speed manual transmission, offers a sporty driving experience for those who prefer to shift for themselves. The manual transmission is also paired with Audi's efficient 2.0 TFSI engine along with Audi's latest generation of quattro all-wheel drive featuring a rear torque bias for sporty handling. The result of the new front-wheel drive A4 powertrain combination is the best fuel efficiency in its class with an EPA rating of 23 mpg in city driving conditions and 30 mpg in highway driving. Those fuel economy figures represent a 4 percent fuel-efficiency gain over the previous-generation A4 powered with earlier versions of the 2.0 TFSI engine and the multitronic transmission. The 2009 A4 2.0T quattro manual sedan achieves the best efficiency of any all-wheel drive car in its luxury segment with EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg in city driving and 30 mpg on highways. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price on the front-wheel drive 2009 Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak sedan with multitronic CVT transmission starts at $31,000. The MSRP on the 2009 Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual is $31,850. Both models come with a rich list of standard equipment such as sunroof, leather seating, SIRIUS satellite radio, and quattro all-wheel drive. "Offering exceptional efficiency without sacrificing the comforts that luxury car buyers expect is Audi's hallmark," said Johan de Nysschen, executive vice president, Audi of America. "These two new A4 models are no exception. Their addition to the Audi lineup allows us to meet a broader array of consumer tastes with our highly acclaimed, best-selling car." Audi is a pioneer in continuously variable transmission technology. The multitronic transmission was significantly revamped and first appears in the 2009 Audi A4. With the redesign, the multitronic transmission offers greater sportiness and agility along with reduced fuel consumption. The first Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak multitronic model will begin arriving at dealers this month, with Audi A4 2.0T quattro manual models expected to arrive in dealerships by early 2009.

 

Spy Shots: 2010 Audi A4 Allroad

A lot of American consumers were disappointed when the Audi Allroad was sent to the guillotine in 2005. Based on the A6 Avant, the Allroad's positioning as a more-than-a-wagon, less-than-an-SUV made it a versatile performer, but middling sales meant that U.S. consumers never got a crack at the second-generation model available overseas since 2006. Judging by this newest prototype and a similar one spied back in February, it appears that the current Allroad will get an A4 Avant-based kid brother. Spy shots show a such a car testing in the kind of latitude that is home to the Audi A4 Avant's primary competition, Volvo's XC70, not to mention the Saab 9-3X that's right around the corner. With everyone going back to the 'small ball' playbook for a while, maybe Audi has the timing right this time. The only question now is: will it come to the States?

 

Audi A3 Cab - better than an A4?

Spent last night getting acquainted with the new A3 Cabriolet. It's not the world's most masculine car, but it was surprisingly good to hustle around the countryside and motorways.  But it wasn't the decent balance and handling that really surprised me. Rather it was the fact that my bottom remained comfortably ensconced and free of bouncing and jarring on all but the worst of the rutted countryside tracks that make up much of my journey home.  Great – a cabriolet with admirable cabin insulation, good looks, room for four adults and engaging dynamics. So why, if Audi has managed to create a soft top that can maintain all these things without sacrificing suspension at the alter of 'sports handling', can they not do the same with the new A4 saloon?

 

REPORT: Audi to unveil A7 in Detroit

We can debate whether the "four-door coupe" is a genuine segment or merely a bit of marketing piffle, but that isn't stopping the genre from swelling at an impressive rate. The next chapter in the burgeoning niche looks to be written by Audi, as the German automaker has just confirmed that a conceptual version of their new A7 will debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show. As its nomenclature would suggest, it is expected that the A7 will slot in between the A6 and the A8 in both mission and price, likely with running gear derived from the former. The neither-fish-nor-fowl A7 will take on the soon-to-be-refreshed Mercedes CLS and potentially the denied-but-apparently-still-being-developed BMW CS. According to Automotive News, Audi hopes to shift about 40,000 units of the slippery A7 worldwide, but it is unclear if this figure is model-range wide (a hardtop convertible is expected), or just the standard A7. In either case, sales are expected to commence in late 2009 or in the first quarter of 2010. [Source: Automotive News subs req'd]]