V8-powered Audi R8 Spyder in the pipeline?

The Audi R8 Spyder was introduced at Frankfurt with a stonking V10 powertrain nestled snugly in its boot, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the righteous 525-horsepower mill will be the R8 droptop's only source of power. Our West Coast friends at Inside LIne insist that the more reasonable 4.2-liter V8 that powers the "base" R8 is going to be offered as well... eventually.

The availability of a V8-powered Spyder could drop the price of entry by $30,000 or more, and it could prove to be an attractive option to potential customers who are more interested in the R8 Spyder as a fashion statement than as a near-supercar with outstanding performance. IL estimates that a V8-powered, topless R8 could arrive in showrooms sometime next year.
Who knows, perhaps Audi will find it in its collective heart to utilize the updated, better-breathing 450-hp 4.2-liter that is scheduled to arrive under the bonnet of the RS5 – not a bad consolation prize for a luxury car buyer looking to become part of the 500 Horsepower Club.

Audi teases Geneva-bound A1 with LED headlamps

The hype continues... We're still two months away from Audi's official unveiling of the pre-production A1 premium compact at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but the German automaker's going to milk it for all it's worth.
After unveiling not one, but two concepts to preview the A1, followed by some graffiti and spy shots, Audi has released the following video showing – big surprise – that the A1 will have LED headlights.
Although it's doubtful that Audi's rival for the Mini Cooper will make it across the Atlantic to American shores, Audi reportedly hopes to sell some 80,000 units per year. Ambitious? Maybe. But that's the direction the premium market is heading these days. Follow the jump to watch the video and check out the press release.

Audi introduces two new limited-edition packages for the RS6

It wouldn't take much to convince us to lay down the money for an Audi RS6 if our pockets were deep enough (and if it was available in the United States). After all, what's not to like? The twin-turbo V10 puts out 580 horsepower and 479 pound-feet torque through a rear-bias all-wheel drive system, and the super sedan and wagon can reach 60 mph in the mid-four second range. As some extra incentive, Audi has announced that it is launching a pair of new equipment packages that make us North America-bound types even more jealous than we were before.
Limited to just 500 units, the Sport and Audi exclusive packages will each feature carbon fiber trim in the engine bay, 20-inch five spoke wheels and an uprated sport suspension. The Sport package also gets a leather-covered instrument panel hood and center console, while the Audi exclusive option allows customers to specify unique colors for both the exterior paint and leather interior. You can read full details in the press release after the jump, if you can deal with the envy.

Audi on Auto Express : weekly review 24/1/10

Official: New Audi R4 Bigger than a TT, smaller than an R8... German giant unveils new coupé for 2012, featuring petrol, diesel and electric power Auto Express : Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:13:20 GMT
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This week's mag Hot hatch special issue: Every hot hatch from the MKI VW Golf GTI to Renaultsport Clio 200 covered. Plus Audi R4 Coupé, baby Prius, Detroit report, 11,000bhp MPH megatest. Auto Express : Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:57:58 GMT

Next Audi A8 Pushed Back, Plus Audi Plans for 2010 and Beyond - Car News

In a bid to better enable itself to overtake Mercedes-Benz and BMW and become the leading international premium brand, Audi has adjusted the timing of a number of future products, including the next generation of its A8 flagship. The 2010 A8 is being pushed back from a September debut at the Frankfurt auto show, where the launch was originally intended to take place. The car instead will be unveiled some time after December’s Los Angeles auto show; we’ve heard it may happen at an exclusive event in Florida. The Detroit auto show will be the first to host the new A8.

Launching the new A8 away from an auto show will make sure the new car isn't buried among a flurry of international unveilings. Audi wants to play up the design theme, and the aluminum-structured A8 will be another large step forward for the brand, particularly inside the cabin. It will boast, for example, the next-generation MMI system, which will then trickle down to other models.

Audi also doesn't want to kill sales of the current model. The A8 is still selling well in several markets, and a Frankfurt launch might bring orders to a halt before the new A8 arrives in dealerships in the spring of 2010. The A8 is one of the most significant cars for the brand; in Europe and China, the current model is a legitimate alternative to the S-class and the 7-series. Positioned as the sportiest luxury sedan, it was quickly seen as a welcome alternative to former BMW customers alienated by that brand’s polarizing styling and iDrive system.

Keep Reading: Next Audi A8 Pushed Back, Plus Audi Plans for 2010 and Beyond - Car News

2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 V10

Audi is getting ready to launch the R8 Spyder at the Frankfurt auto show this September. But the company told us that no teaser shots will be provided in advance, so these spy shots likely are the closest we’ll get to the real thing before then.

Like its cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, the Audi R8 Spyder will have a fabric top. Audi executives like to point out that every one of the company’s convertibles has a cloth roof rather than a folding metal one, unlike some BMW and Mercedes offerings. Today's state-of-the-art fabric tops are so well-isolated that they have virtually no disadvantages in the areas of noise, interior comfort and temperature, or high-speed driving.

Keep Reading: 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 V10 - Spied

2011 Audi A5 Sportback Not for U.S. Sale - Car News

A few months back, our spy shooters nabbed a few pics of the saucy A5 Sportback. Admittedly, we got a little giddy at the thought of the sexy slant-back scouting our streets. Alas, Audi has officially stated that it has no current plans to sell the new model in the U.S.

Along with an official teaser image, the German automaker released a short statement discussing its record worldwide sales and profitability and record levels of U.S. market share, and reiterated its goal to become the leading premium brand by 2015. It sees the U.S. market as “vital” to the success of the company, but is content with its current and planned future offerings. The larger A7 Sportback concept, which debuted at the 2009 Detroit auto show, is expected to be a strong candidate to arrive in the U.S. market, where it would compete against the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Keep Reading: 2011 Audi A5 Sportback Not for U.S. Sale - Car News