1998 Audi A4 2.8 V6 30v 5-speed Avant, Needs Work on 2040-cars

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Audi tops Consumer Reports' brand rankings while Tesla leads domestics at eighth

Tesla supplanted General Motors' Buick division as the top-ranked US automaker in Consumer Reports annual brand rankings, though the electric-vehicle maker finished eighth among global automakers. Buick had finished atop CR's domestic car-brand list for three years before Tesla leapfrogged it. Scores were calculated from a combination of performance, owner satisfaction, and reliability. CR noted that Buick scored big on reliability but not so high on performance, while Tesla appeared to present the opposite case. Volkswagen's Audi division repeated as the best overall brand for the second straight year, beating out VW's Porsche unit, BMW, Toyota's Lexus division, and Subaru. Kia and Mazda followed those brands, while Honda finished ninth, between Tesla and Buick. Consumer Reports took results from 31 brands. Reliability issues related to the Toyota Tacoma helped drop that Japanese automaker out of the top 10. Take a look at CR's results for its Annual Brand Report Card here. That Tesla, Audi, and Porsche placed so high is topical, given some of the issues plaguing those automakers. Audi, Porsche, and their parent VW have been coping with the effects of the diesel-emissions scandal that broke back in 2015. The scandal has cost Europe's largest automaker billions of dollars, and forced VW to put a stop-sale on diesel-powered cars in the US in late 2015. And while the Tesla Model S improved from the "worse-than-average" label CR gave it in its 2015 Annual Auto Reliability Survey, the problematic falcon-wing doors on the Tesla Model X SUV pulled that model's reliability scores lower last year. Additionally, the Model X's climate-control system and door locks have also caused issues. Toyota and Lexus finished atop CR's reliability rankings last year. Related Video:

Audi R18 suffers huge crash during Le Mans practice, driver conscious and alert

Loic Duval, driver of the #1 Audi R18 E-tron Quattro, suffered a massive crash today during free practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Duval's car reportedly went off track backwards at high speed near the Porsche Curves and flew into the retaining fence. There is no video of the actual crash at the moment, but a video of the aftermath (viewable below) shows significant damage to the Audi and to the fence. The wall nearby the car appears unaffected.
Thankfully, it occurred quite close to a marshal's stand, and they were present almost immediately after the incident. Both the official press release from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and a tweet from Audi Sport (below) indicated that Duval was conscious after the crash, and he was taken by ambulance to the medical center and then to the hospital. The press release says: "His condition is encouraging." However, any injuries he might have sustained are unknown at this time. After the crash, the course was red flagged, and practice resumed about 50 minutes later.
Duval is alert. He will be transported from the Medical Center to the hospital for further examinations #R18 #LM24 @FIAWEC @24hoursoflemans

Audi prices S8 Plus at $115k, RS7 Performance at $129k

Audi is introducing two new performance sedans at the LA Auto Show later this month. Both pack the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 605 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque (553 on overboost). The more conventional of the two is the 2016 Audi S8 Plus, which is based on the A8 and emerges as its new performance flagship. 0-60 is quoted at 3.7 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 miles per hour. For all that muscle and luxury, Audi will charge $115,825 (including $925 for destination). Compared to the Mercedes-AMG S63, the new Audi offers more power (but less torque) and quicker acceleration for a much lower price. The Jaguar XJR charges about the same but gives back less muscle and performance. Joining it is the 2016 Audi RS7 Performance fastback. It packs that same engine and eight-speed automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive. But in the Sportback, 0-60 is quoted at 3.6 seconds, and the top speed is derestricted to 190 mph. For the RS7 Performance, Audi will charge $129,925. That makes it more potent and just as quick, but significantly less expensive than the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. Both feature other upgrades to the wheels, aero, and interior, and come with carbon-ceramic brakes to keep all that momentum in check. They'll both reach showrooms next month. But while the RS7 will still be offered in the existing 560-hp spec for $108,900, the S8 Plus has already replaced the existing model on the Audi of America website. Audi of America announces pricing for S8 plus and RS 7 performance November 11, 2015 | HERNDON, Virginia - 4.0-liter twin-turbo TFSI engine produces 605 hp, maximum 553 lb-ft of torque - Sportier interior and exterior design elements enhance performance-oriented appearance - Both S8 plus and RS 7 performance to go on sale December 2015 Audi today is announcing pricing for the 2016 S8 plus and RS 7 performance models. With more powerful engines and enhanced design elements, the S8 plus and RS 7 performance offer elevated performance and sportiness, further reinforcing the brand's position in the premium sport sedan segment. S8 plus Enhanced for maximum performance and driving enjoyment, the 2016 Audi S8 plus is the latest variant of the A8 flagship sedan to enter the Audi lineup. Featuring a 4.0 TFSI engine with an eight-speed Tiptronic® transmission, the S8 plus produces an impressive 516 lb-ft of torque and 605 hp – an increase of 85 horsepower compared to the outgoing S8.