In a recent press release presenting April sales, Audi also reported that the the stock of Audi R8 cars is sold out for months to come. A very successful model on the US market is also the Audi Q7, who had become "Audi’s most successful model on the US market after the A4."
Audi sold more than 86,700 cars worldwide in the past month. While sales figures over the first four months rose by a total of 1.7 percent to around 338,000 cars, the rate of growth in April alone stood at 2.9 percent. The biggest drivers of the increase in sales were the Eastern European and Asia-Pacific markets.
Along with the Audi A4, which is in its seventh generation and is the brand’s most successful model, the new A5 model series is also making an important contribution to worldwide growth for Audi. One year after sales of the highly praised coupe were launched, sales – at 36,000 – have far exceeded the company’s expectations. This makes the A5 a fitting symbol of the success of Audi’s comprehensive product initiative, which the brand is employing to penetrate into new segments.
As you already know Audi will launch a V10-powered version of the R8 sports-car. The company has finished the development of the 530 hp V10 engine, but because of the high demand of the regular demand, Audi has pushed back the launch of the car until well into 2009.
The V10 engine will deliver with 110 hp more than the regular version. Compared to the Lamborghini Gallardo, from there the RS8 will borrow the engine, the RS8 will feature more room inside and will have a different price tag.
The RS8 will be just one of the R8 versions that will follow in the near future. First to follow will be a roadster version of the V-8, succeeded by a roadster V-10. For packaging reasons, the R8 roadsters will likely feature a retractable softtop similar to those used on convertible versions of the Gallardo and Ferrari F430.
A V12 diesel version is also under consideration, but Audi engineers are having trouble packaging the particulate trap-required to meet stringent U.S. emissions standards-and the bumper beam needed to meet U.S. crash standards at the rear of the car.
Audi hit the red carpet last night at the premiere of Marvel Studios’ Iron Man, the summer blockbuster from Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment due in theaters May 2. Celebrities arrived at the event in Audi R8’s, Audi Q7 SUV’s and A8L sedans. Tony Stark’s car, the Audi R8, was also on display on the red carpet.
The following stars drove to Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theater in the exclusive Audi R8, which has a 2-year waitlist: Jeff Bridges, Robert Downey Jr., Jon Favreau and Terence Howard. Gwyneth Paltrow arrived in an Audi A8L W12 sedan, and Jack Black, Leslie Bibb and Vince Vaughn were escorted in Audi Q7’s.
Other celebrities in attendance included Rosanna Arquette, Beau Bridges, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, and Jon Voight, among many others. Following the film, the stars enjoyed the festive Audi-sponsored after party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. All images from the event are available on WireImage.
Miltek, the German tuner specialised in performance exhaust systems, launched its stainless steel performance exhaust for the new Audi R8 sport car. Although the fitting of the system takes around 5 hours to complete, the final work lets you speechless. The 4.2 liter V8 FSI engine delivers an astonishing sound with the new Milteck exhaust and watching the video we are able to say that system worths all its price of 2700 euros.
Audi has joined forces with Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios, a subsidiary of Marvel Entertainment, Inc., for the release of the movie version of “Iron Man” due in theaters May 2, and will launch a global marketing campaign highlighting the role of Audi in the film.
Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark – the title character in the film. His superpowers are the result of the highly versatile and indestructible high-tech armor that he developed himself. When he is without his suit, the technically-adept billionaire relies on the Audi R8.
Tony Stark is smart, successful and uncompromising. And naturally he puts his extraordinary capabilities to work for the good of mankind – in the form of Iron Man, his Super Hero alter- ego. No other comic book hero has such extensive knowledge of technology or of the opportunities offered by innovation and cutting-edge ideas.
The global Audi campaign themed to the film launches with a special micro site, where Audi and Iron Man fans around the world will be able to immerse themselves in “Iron Man” content. Early in April, communications will be stepped up, with television and cinema commercials, and outdoor advertising in the United States and international territories.
Is not that the TT or the R8 are not sportier enough already, but Audi thought there might be people that want more! Audi’s Quattro GmbH development chief Stefan Reil dropped a hint that intensified, lightweight versions of the R8 supercar and TT sports car are under serious consideration.
With the R8 Sport, Audi will probably take a similar approach to performance as it did with the 2005 TT Quattro Sport, built in limited numbers during the last several months of the previous generation’s production run, although it never made it Stateside. That car featured a slight increase in horsepower for its turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a tauter suspension calibration, Recaro seats and a slight reduction in weight, primarily due to the removal of the rear seats/parcel shelf and the spare tire.
This means that the R8 Sport will have an output around 500 hp. It will also feature carbon ceramic brakes, the aerodynamic drag and the top speed will be increased.
Both R8 Sport and TT Sport will debut sometime in 2010.
This "R8 lookalike" is based on a 2008 Audi TT 3.2 Coupe featuring white exterior paint and red interior. It has every option available. Also has a Caractere R8 Body kit with cat back exhaust. All the work was done 1st Class. Everyone stops to ask if it is a R8. A real head turner!
The R8 Lookalike features:
MSRP: $51,175
Ibis White Magma
Red Interior
6 Speed Auto S-Tronic Transmission
Audi Navigation Plus w/ CD Changer $1,950
Audi Magnetic Ride Suspension $1,400
Enhanced Interior Package $1,100
Audio Package Bose/Sirius Sat Radio $1,000
18" Alloy Wheels Run Flat All Season Tires $800
BiXenon Adaptive Headlights $800 Bluetooth Phone Prep $450
Audi, the inventor of TDI, is preparing to launch a diesel offensive in the North American market. The brand with the four rings will introduce the world’s cleanest diesel to the U.S. market in early 2009, almost simultaneous with its introduction in Europe. The 3.0 TDI with its ultra low emission system, which fulfills the world’s most stringent emission standards, will first be offered in the Audi Q7 and then in the new Audi A4 at a later date.
The ultra low emission system ensures that the engine conforms with the limits included in the LEV II Bin 5 standards that apply in all 50 U.S. states. Engine features optimize the combustion process along with engine emissions, while a cleaning system reduces nitrogen oxide exhaust emissions by up to 90%.
The V12 TDI unleashes the kind of incredible power that also makes it a suitable engine for a supercar – Audi unveiled a concept car based on the R8 at the Detroit Auto show earlier this year. Again – in a mid engine configuration – the engine produces a whopping 500 hp and 737 lb/ft of torque, which is reached at only 1,750 rpm. In terms of design, the Audi R8 V12 TDI is reminiscent of the Audi R10, the two time winner of the Le Mans 24 hour race, and the engines are also close relatives.
AutoBild revealed on the cover of their latest issue new images of the future Golf Cabrio and R8 Spider. Stay tuned, more will follow after the article will go online!
The R8 Spider will be unveiled next year. it will be offered with a choice of three engines: R8: 414bhp naturally aspirated V8, RS8: 500bhp naturally aspirated V10, R8 TDI: 500bhp twin-turbo V12 turbodiesel.
The Cabrio version of the Volkswagen Golf will be unveiled in 2010. Under the bonnet you will see the same engines as in the hatchback version. The gas engine range of the Golf VI will include: a new 1,4 liter engine, both naturally aspirated (80 hp) and turbocharged (TFSI, 120 hp), the 1,6 liters engine (102 hp), the 2,0 liters engine, both naturally aspirated (150 hp) and turbocharged (200 hp) and the 1,4 dual-charger TSI engine (150 hp). Diesel engines will include the old 1.9 TDI Pompe-Duse (105 hp) and two new common-rail engines: a 1,6 liters TDI (90 hp) and a 2.0 liters TDI in two power steps (same as today, 140 and 170 hp).
A while ago we were telling you about Spider version of the R8 supercar. In the same article we were also telling you that the starting next year R8 will be offered in two different body version: coupe and spider, both offered with a choice of three engines.
One of them, the RS8 is set to be unveiled next year. Last year Audi denied the existence of a future V10 engine in a R8 supercar only because the company could not provide enough cooling for the twin-turbocharged V10 in the R8 supercar and suggested an updated 5,2-litre V10 (based on the existing 4,2-liter V8) could be a viable option for the flagship model.
But this one last year! Now Audi official confirmed that “The cooling is no problem now. The car is now signed off, and will appear during the second quarter of 2009. I can’t say much about it until then,” he added – but he did confirm the car’s engine origins. Why would we spend money developing a whole new engine for this car, when we already have such a good one,” Wolfgang Hatz said.
The V10 engine will be fitted with a a six-speed manual- or optional R-tronic sequential gearbox, and will help the RS8 to make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 4,0 seconds, do 0-100 mph in 8,5 secs and hit a top speed comfortably in excess of 198 mph.
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