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Audi gets into tablet market with Android-powered Smart Display

Relatively small in newsworthiness compared with laser-equipped hybrids and all-new cockpit concepts, Audi has also announced a branded, Android-powered tablet called Smart Display at CES this week.
Audi has partnered with Google for its in-car computing software for years now, so it's hardly surprising to hear that its first foray into the world of tablets runs a Google OS (which one is still unclear), and has Android guts. Sorry, iPad users. The 10.2-inch tablet wears a lovely aluminum chassis that seems right in line with Audi's typical industrial design, and is packed with Nvidia's Tegra T40 processor.
Smart Display is meant to highlight the upcoming cleverness of Audi's newly announced in-car LTE connectivity (by way of continued partnership with AT&T). Users can, in theory, access the Google Play store while on the go, and then download and fiddle with Android-based apps until their very hearts are content. By "users" we mean "passengers" here, and so does Audi, though we're not exactly sure if there are measures in place to keep a driver from tableting while driving.

Audi A3 E-Tron is a look at battery-operated things to come

Audi officially unveiled the A3 Sportback E-Tron at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. While not a production model, the plug-in hybrid gives us a good glimpse at what the German automaker has in store for future products. The five-door gets around thanks to parallel hybrid drivetrain comprised of a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a small electric motor integrated into the vehicle's six-speed dual-clutch transmission. While the four-cylinder churns up 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the motor contributes 100 horsepower and 242 lb-ft of twist. All told, the design allows the E-Tron to serve up its full power from just 1,750 rpm.
An 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery sits under the floor beneath the rear seat, complete with a liquid cooling system designed to keep the pack in its optimum temperature range. The A3 Sportback E-Tron can be charged in as little as 2.5 hours with a 3.6-kW charger, yielding an EV range of up to 31 miles. The machine can also travel using the electric motor, ICE or a combination of the two for a total range of 584 miles. Check out the full press release below.

MTM Audi RS6 Clubsport might be overkill for grocery shopping

As automotive journalists, we're biologically wired to love station wagons. We really don't have a choice. And while we prefer brown, diesel-powered, manual-transmissioned long-roofs, we suppose a 750-horsepower Audi RS6 Avant would be just dandy. This is the MTM RS6 Clubsport, and as we mentioned, it's very powerful. That's thanks to a modified version of Audi's critically acclaimed 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8. While 750 hp out of just 4.0 liters is impressive, 697 pound-feet of torque is an equally big accomplishment. And if that's not enough, MTM has managed to shave nearly 200 pounds of body fat from the big wagon. Needless to say, it's very, very fast. MTM has displayed a degree of aesthetic restraint, eschewing the gaudy body kit favored by some other tuners and simply opting for a questionable paint job. The 21-inch wheels look good, although with the smattering of rubber around them, we wouldn't bet on a comfortable ride. As for the cabin, well, MTM got a bit out of hand. It's very, very orange. The seats are essentially carbon-fiber shells lined with bits of orange, leather-wrapped padding here and there. Orange, quilted-leather in the door panels, center armrest and on cushions on the side of the center console – a nice touch we wish more automakers would add to their performance cars – contrasts nicely with the black plastics and carbon fiber found on the rest of the dash and center console. That said, we aren't crazy about space for passengers, thanks to the large cage that's there to boost structural stiffness. We have a full gallery of photos of the MTM RS6 Clubsport direct from Geneva. Trust us, you'll want to have a look at this one. Related Video: