2004 Audi S4 Quattro B6 6-spd Performance Sports Sedan Awd on 2040-cars

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Audi CEO Stadler gets 5-year contract extension

Audi CEO Rupert Stadler will keep his seat at the top thanks to a contract extension. Volkswagen didn't divulge the length of the new contract, but German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said the term is five years. Stadler took over the current position in 2007 when current VW CEO Martin Winterkorn left it. That year the brand sold 93,506 in the US and 964,151 in total worldwide; last year it sold 158,061 in the US and 1,575,480 in total worldwide.
Even though the brand has managed only about half the US sales of its two main rivals, it led the charge globally through the first two months of this year. Over the next few years we'll see its US efforts increase with a $30.3-billion investment, 11 new models and the opening of its first North American plant. And right now it can make hay with its World Car of the Year award winner, the A3.
In addition to Stadler, VW sales boss Christian Klingler is said to have received a five-year contract extension, and VW China head Jochem Heizmann has earned another two years on the job.

Audi R8 V10 Plus takes on Ducati Diavel in straight line

The classic car-versus-motorcycle comparison is put to the test as Autocar pits a 2013 Audi R8 V10 against the Ducati Diavel in a run from 0-150-0 miles per hour. While you might expect the 162-horsepower Ducati weighing just 515 pounds to blow away the 542-horse, 3,500-pound Audi, this particular test measures the acceleration and braking of both high-performance machines.
Drag racing an Audi R8 against a Ducati on a long, flat stretch of concrete sounds fun to us, and Autocar documented the whole test for our viewing pleasure. We don't want to spoil the fun for you, so let's just say that a Volkswagen-owned brand wins. Scroll down to watch the video for yourself.

Audi teases Frankfurt reveal... is it the A8?

Audi has already rumored to have plans to reveal a 650-horsepower Sport Quattro Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, but it also seems that we'll be getting our first look at the 2015 Audi A8 as well. Based on a panned-out shot of a teaser video, we can clearly see that this is a new sedan model, so it makes sense that is the updated A8 since we've already seen recent spy shots of that car that seemed to be almost complete.
In the short video, all that we can definitely see is the Audi logo in the grille, a five-spoke wheel with cross-drilled, ceramic disc brakes and a small portion of the front fender that has an almost mirror-like shine. We'll find out for sure in September, but until then, check out the teaser video posted below.