11 A4 2.0t-15k-premium-awd-bluetooth-heated Seats-leather on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi Prologue Avant puts new styling focus on wagons

As much as we loved the Audi Prologue Concept that debuted late last year at the LA Auto Show – and, suffice it to say, we liked the first Prologue a lot – this new Prologue Avant from the German automaker may just rock our socks that much further off our feet. We have very little by way of actual, concrete details on what's under the angular wagon-shaped skin of the Prologue Avant, but we'd be perfectly content if it kept the previous two-door's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in place underhood, augmented as it was when it was again shown at CES last month with a hybrid-assist system that put total system horsepower at 677, along with a meaty 701 pound-feet of torque. With all that power routed to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 0-60 time of just 3.5 seconds strikes us as plenty quick. The powertrain details hardly seem the point of this new concept from Audi, in any case. Clearly, the big deal is the new bodywork, which builds upon the beautiful foundation of the original Prologue coupe with an elongated wagon shell and three additional doors (two rear doors and a rear hatch). The attractive body sits low to the ground on exaggerated 22-inch wheels, according to Auto Express. We note high-tech lighting elements front and rear and a modified front fascia with a bit more brightwork than the previous version. Assuming there's a bit of future reality baked into the Prologue Avant – which we believe is likely, considering that the coupe we salivated over in LA was said to point the way forward for the brand – it's safe to say we're in eager anticipation of the next several years at Audi. Have a good look at the images that have so far been released, and feel free to let us know what you think. We're sure Audi is interested in hearing your opinions, too. Related Video: News Source: Audi via Auto Express Design/Style Geneva Motor Show Audi Wagon Concept Cars Future Vehicles Hybrid Luxury Performance 2015 Geneva Motor Show

VW CEO talks up 20 new plug-in models in Frankfurt

For years now, Volkswagen has dreamed big, forming plans to become the world's largest automaker. That trajectory includes a big plug-in vehicle push, and the CEO of Volkswagen, Martin Winterkorn, said that his group of companies will bring out 20 more EVs and plug-in hybrids by 2020. The list includes the next Phaeton and the Audi A8. "No commitment to electro-mobility can be any clearer than that," Winterkorn said, according to a VW press release. "Our Group already has the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road. By 2020 we will have transformed all of our new cars into smartphones on wheels." Perhaps most illustrative, Winterkorn admitted that the auto industry has turned a corner. "Technological leadership is no longer solely defined in terms of horsepower and torque," he said. "We are taking the precision, enduring value and quality of our cars into the new, digital world." The VW group is also showing off new plug-in concepts in Frankfurt this week, like the Tiguan GTE and the Porsche Mission E. Winterkorn's prepared remarks do not give out the details of these vehicles, but we'll have all the info from the show floor in short order. Stay tuned. PROF. DR. MARTIN WINTERKORN: "THE REINVENTION OF VOLKSWAGEN" 14/09/15 from Volkswagen Group 20 more electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020 announced Group not only has broadest electric fleet, but also largest connected vehicle fleet on the road Customers should benefit from automated driving technologies as quickly as possible Volkswagen taking precision, enduring value and quality of its cars into the digital world Wolfsburg/Frankfurt am Main, September 14, 2015 – In the Volkswagen Group, there is a sense that a new era is dawning. On the eve of the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main the CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, said on Monday evening: "We are in the process of reinventing Europe's largest automaker, laying the technological, economic and structural foundations." The Group Chairman announced there would be 20 more electric cars and plug-in hybrids by 2020 – from compact cars to the next Phaeton and Audi A8: "No commitment to electro-mobility can be any clearer than that." He said the Group already had the broadest electric fleet in the automobile world, and added that Volkswagen was also at the forefront when it came to the future-oriented field of digitisation: "Our Group already has the largest connected vehicle fleet on the road.

To solve diesel problem, VW might need two fixes

Volkswagen says that a fix is on the way for its 11 million vehicles around the globe that are equipped with diesel engine software that can evade emissions tests. The problem might be far more complicated than simply creating a single solution for all of them, though. According to Automotive News citing Reuters, two remedies to cover different NOx-reducing systems could be necessary, and both potentially affect performance. Earlier examples of the EA 189 diesel engine used a lean NOx trap to reduce the harmful material coming from the tailpipe. According to experts in the Automotive News report, a software update might allow the engines to achieve compliance, but that could affect fuel economy. VW already tried this route once before the scandal came to light, but tests by the California Air Resources Board still showed the figures were too high. Later, some of the 2.0 TDI engines began using Selective Catalytic Reduction that reduced NOx by injecting a urea solution into the exhaust stream. According to Automotive News, a software update for this equipment might increase the amount of the substance used. Not only would that mean topping up the fluid more often, but there still could be some reduction in fuel economy. But, since the 2-liter, 4-cylinder TDI engine that sits inside the diesel vehicles first mentioned as being affected by the issue in the US don't have a urea treatment system, VW would need to install them into these cars. VW still hasn't officially outlined its solution (or solutions) to the emissions issue but is expected to soon. The automaker's long-term evasion of regulations with these diesel engines pumped vast quantities of additional NOx into the air. The substance is known to be linked with smog and acid rain. The US Department of Justice is already beginning an investigation into the company, and politicians are pushing for harsh punishments.