Audi cars

2013 Audi R8 by Regula Exclusive

Since Audi R8 dropped onto the market in 2008, it has been repeatedly recognized as one of the most gorgeous cars to brace the asphalt. That, of course, is because many people simply consider it a designing masterpiece. So, when companies like Regula Exclusive come with these kinds of tuning packages we can’t help but scratch our heads and wonder “why?”

Regula Exclusive’s body kit is made from aramid (aromatic polyamide) and it is offered for the coupe and roadster models. While everything in this body kit is taken to the extreme, that central air inlet and the two lateral "fellows" under the headlights are pretty over the top. In order to wrap your R8 in this kit, you’ll have to pony up €7,698 — about $9,950 at the current exchange rates.

If the body kit isn’t enough, Regula Exclusive also offers up a set of 20-inch Oxigin wheels measuring in at 8.5 inches wide at the front and 11 inches wide at the rear.

To avoid being 100-percent aesthetic, Regula Exclusive is also offering a tuning chip for €1,398 euro ($1,800) that will increase the output of your V-10 engine up to 560 horsepower – a 35-horsepower bump.

With exception to the tuning chip, we can live without this upgrade. However, this type of over-the-top kit just might be up your ally…

Audi TT GT3 Could Be Under Development

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Audi unveiled the TT-RS Plus — a faster version of the current TT-RS. It looks like the good news may not stop there, as according to Audi’s development boss, Wolfgang Durheimer, in the near future we may see a hardcore, super-light Audi TT. According to sources, the package would be almost like the package that Audi’s sister company, Porsche, uses on its 911 GT3.

First details suggest that, if produced, this revised TT would be built on the usual MQB architecture, but it would combine steel, aluminum and carbon fiber in an attempt to keep its curb weight around 2,200 pounds. Under the hood, Audi would install a five-cylinder engine and pair it with its world-renowned Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The project has yet to receive the green light from the bosses at Audi, but, according to sources, a final decision will be made next week. If it’s anything like the 911 GT3, we are prepared to be wowed all over again by the TT.

Audi Considering R10 Diesel Supercar

When Audi unveiled the R8 V12 TDI concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, everyone was impressed by its imposing design and hoped that the diesel supercar would find its way into Audi’s lineup. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the only V12 TDI model that remains is the Q7 SUV, which is only in the European market.

It looks like the idea isn’t completely off the table yet, as rumors are afloat that Audi is indeed working on a Le Mans-inspired hybrid-diesel supercar that will sit atop its lineup. Audi insiders have suggested that this new model could be called R10 and that it may be offered as a road-going version of the R18 e-Tron quattro.

While no details have been offered on the R10’s diesel engine, one thing is for sure; it won’t be the V-12, as it was deemed too heavy and its 700-plus pound-feet of torque was a little much for Audi’s existing line of transmissions.

Stay tuned for more details on this possible R10 supercar!

2013 Audi R8 Project Speed Walker by SR Auto Group

SR Auto Group has unveiled lots of upgrade packages in the past few weeks, but this latest one is among our favorites. This is true not only because it is based on the Audi R8 Spyder, but also because the updates themselves are pretty sweet.

Dubbed "Project Speed Walker," this special edition R8 was developed in cooperation with PUR Wheels, Hofele, PPI, MA Carbon, Miltek, APR and Carbonio, and combines naked carbon fiber with shades of black. On the exterior, it features a carbon-fiber front spoiler and a set of 20-inch PUR 4OUR Monoblock wheels coated in a modern gloss-black paint.

On the inside, the folks over at PPI offered a carbon-fiber steering wheel and MA added a carbon-fiber center console and a carbon-fiber gear shift bezel.

Aesthetics are not all that this tuning kit consists of; that would be a waste. SR Auto Group took care of business under the hood by adding in a Carbonio carbon-fiber intake system and an APR ECM upgrade. The under-hood mods are all capped off by a Miltek exhaust system that’s sure to give the R8 a throaty rumble. The official specifications are not available, so your guess on final engine output is about as good as ours.

2013 Audi R8 V10 Quattro by MTM

The German tuner MTM has prepared another tuning package for the Audi R8 V10 Quattro. This new package will be available for both the roadster and coupe versions, and will offer engine upgrade and an exterior kit.

In order to improve the V-10 engine’s output, the tuner remapped the ECU and installed a new stainless steel sports exhaust system, which not only lowers the back-pressure, but also improves the engine’s sound. As a result, the R8 will now deliver a total of 606 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 413 pound-feet. A sprint from 0 to 60 mph is now complete in 3.5 seconds, while top speed leaps up to an incredible 200 mph.

Exterior changes are minimal and only include a new front spoiler lip, side skirts and rear spoiler. For the interior, the tuner opted to install new Recaro carbon-fiber race-style seats that reduce the R8’s total weight by 88 pounds.

The package continues with a set of Bimoto forged alloy wheels in 9.0J and 11.0J x 20-inch sizes, shod with 245/30ZR20 and 315/25ZR20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires. These wheels have been combined with a new KW 3 coil-over suspension that can lower the car by as much as 60 mm (2.36 inches). A set of MTM high-performance brakes with 380 x 34 mm (14.96- x 1.34-inch) vented discs up front complete the picture.

To further stylize the R8, MTM is also offering checkered-flag graphics that can be combined with any possible exterior color.

2013 Audi AS4 by ABT Sportsline

ABT Sportsline first modified an Audi — the Audi 80 — over 40 years ago. In celebration of this long tradition, the tuner has unveiled an AS4 package for the A4 sedan and station wagon. Customers can update any engine they want, starting with the 1.8 TFSI and up to the 3.0 TDI. Along with the engine updates, each car will be offered with a series of aerodynamic updates.

Customers that prefer the petrol engines will have to choose between two updates. For the 1.8 TFSI engine, the output has been increased from the standard 170 horsepower up to 211 and for the 2.0 TFSI engine, this kit drives the power up to 270 horsepower (up from the standard 211 horsepower). The diesel lineup will also be offered with some pretty impressive updates. The 2.0-liter version will be increased to 205 horsepower and the 3.0 TDI will jump to 300 horsepower, which is a 55-horsepower increase over standard.

As for the aerodynamic updates, the tuner is offering a new front spoiler, fender inserts, and side skirts. On the back end, the A4 gets a new spoiler, a skirt, and a four-pipe exhaust system.

ABT will offer a choice of two wheels, sized 19 inches or 20 inches, which can be had in either a CR and DR design. As a final option, ABT is also offering new springs and an ABT coil-over suspension, which lower the car’s ride, giving it a sportier appearance and increasing cornering capabilities.

2013 Audi R8 LMS Real Madrid Edition

It’s no secret that German automaker Audi has had a longstanding relationship with soccer giants Real Madrid. Over the years, the two have celebrated a successful partnership with a variety of joint appearances, brand promotions, and even going so far as Audi supplying the entire team with their chosen set of models.

Recently, another one of these Audi giveaways took place, but the real highlight of the festivities wasn’t so much the photo-ops or the test runs on the race track. Heck, it wasn’t even the cursory "handing over the keys" to the Real Madrid players.

The real star of the show was the unique Audi R8 LMS that was dressed in Real Madrid livery and dubbed the "R8 LMS Real Madrid Edition." The changes on the car’s body is what will immediately catch your attention, in large part because it’s been dressed to show the colors, logos, and even markings of Real Madrid.

The team’s iconic crest is prominently displayed on the hood of the R8 LMS as well as on both sides of the car — just above the side skirts. The team name is also spread across the top portion of the windshield and on both doors. Apparently, as soon as you open the doors of this racecar, Real Madrid’s own club anthem will play in full blast until you start the engine.

2012 Audi S5 by Senner Tuning

This isn’t the first time Senner Tuning has turned their attention to modifying the Audi S5, but their newest package is probably the most impressive one to date. This package was developed for the facelift Audi S5 and has been designed to provide it with the flagship RS5 model’s look.

Painted in a very cool ibis-white, the S5 by Senner has received a new front spoiler that maintains the original RS5 air intakes, an original black RS5 radiator grille, an RS5-style rear spoiler, a rear window spoiler, a restrained boot lid spoiler, and an RS5 exhaust pipe end covers. The package also includes numerous elements made of carbon fiber like the side skirts and the exterior mirrors. Senner has also installed a new set of Work VS-XX light-alloy wheels, sized 9x20 inch up front and 10.5x20 inch at the rear.

Under the hood, the tuner has updated the standard 3.0 liter V6 engine to deliver an impressive 429 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque (up from the standard 329 HP and 324 lb-ft). In order to deliver the extra power, the tuner installed a mechanically-driven supercharger, a performance racing air filter, a two-part motor cover, and a power converter.

For the interior, the tuner added colorful bicolor fine Nappa leather trim in black and magma-red with contrasting color stitching and an Audi R8 sports steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, with shift paddles and a race ring, as well as RS5 door handles.

Customers who are interested in buying the Audi S5 package by Senner Tuning will have to pay a total of 69,990 euro, or about $89,000 at the current exchange rates.

2012 Video: 1,000-Plus Horsepower Audi S3 Terrorizes a Norwegian Track

There will probably come a day when 1,000-horsepower cars are the norm rather than the exception, but that day is still far away. When a car reaches four-digit ponies these days, it’s going to get serious attention.

In that light, we’d like to introduce you to this Audi S3 that’s been tuned by TS Racing. This race car that not only packs an aerodynamic kit, but it was tuned specifically for racing purposes. The kit includes a front splitter, modified bumpers, a rear diffuser, extended wheel arches, and a roof-mounted scoop. In addition, TS Racing stripped the car’s interior to its bare essentials and replaced them with a slew of new components like a carbon fiber dashboard, a full-scale roll cage, racing seats, new instrumentation, and a custom shifter.

All that being said, what makes this S3 such a spectacular piece of racing machinery is its 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that has been completely overhauled and modified to produce an astonishing 1,074 horsepower and 853 pound-feet of torque. 1,000-plus horsepower on a car is already impressive enough, but putting that much output on an S3 is even more impressive.

Check out this video of the rocket S3 courtesy of Hesleskaug as the car blows away the Audi VW Club Norwegens annual meet on Vålerbanen in Norway.

Next Audi TT will bring back design elements from the original TT

Just like every other model in Audi’s line-up, the TT is also preparing to enter a new generation with big changes already in the works. These new changes will take their inspiration from the first Audi TT that was launched in 1998. This model had a greater impact on the market than its successor, the second generation, in 2006, so when the third generation is revealed, it will be sporting more cues from the first generation. Audi hopes these original design elements will recreate the car’s "strongly functional shape largely untroubled by ornamentation."

The next TT will be built on Volkswagen’s new MQB platform and will use plenty of aluminum in its construction to further reduce mass. Audi will offer both front-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive options, while providing custonmers with a choice of three engines: 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter petrol engines, and a 2.0 liter TDI engine. The TT RS version will get a reworked version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.

The new Audi TT will debut in 2014 as a coupe version with the roadster arriving one year later.