2012 Audi A6 Premium-16k-awd-sport Pkg-nav-heated Front & Rear Seats-side Assist on 2040-cars

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Next Audi A7 redesign will include more traditional rear end

A report in Automobile says that Audi is rethinking the design of the next A7. Audi told Car and Driver that owners "have trouble with the radical tail of the A7," so its model-defining rear end will give way to something more traditional. Automobile is light on specifics of the redesign, but the general direction is "a lower, wider, and more expressive shape." The philosophy behind the dimensions and styling is a "C/D shift," meaning Audi wants to give its C-segment hatchback the bearing, gravitas, and visual delight of a D-segment vehicle. That would help the A7 stand out from its in-house competition, and could make for higher transaction prices. Having heard about different design directions from Audi for years without much in the showroom to back it up, we could define what we'd love to see in two words: more Prologue. This is Audi, so you know the next A7 will be packed with tech. We expect an emphasis on touchscreen interfaces, a digital dash cluster a la the TT that moves with the steering column, a HUD with night vision, and an MMI system a few more steps down the evolutionary trail. Engines will see some upgrades like the addition of a plug-in hybrid, the excellent 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder getting a 74-horsepower e-boost assist to 326 horsepower, the 3.0-liter V6 slated for the S7 rising to 500 hp, and the 4.0-liter V8 in the RS7 pumping out 575 hp.

Autoblog editors choose their favorite racecars of all time

If you like cars, there is a good chance that you like racecars. There's something about the science and the art of going faster, of competition, of achievement, that accelerates the hearts of enthusiasts. It doesn't matter the series, the team or the manufacturer – there's something about racing that stirs emotions and lifts spirits. It's that way with many of you, and it's that way with our editors. With that in mind, we offer a list of our favorite racecars of all time. Of course, we'd like to hear some of yours in the comment section below. 1970 Porsche 917 Compared to some of the obscure choices by my colleagues, I feel like the Porsche 917 is almost so obvious a pick as to not be worth mentioning. Still, when coming up with my answer, my mind invariably went back to this classic racer – specifically in its blue-and-orange Gulf livery – while watching Le Mans on DVD and later Blu Ray with my dad. Long, low and curvaceous, few vehicles have ever looked sexier lapping a track than the 917. More than just a pretty face, this beauty had speed, too, thanks to several tunes of flat-12 engines over the course of its racing life. In the early '70s, Porsche was a dominant force throughout sports-car competition, and the 917 (shown above at the 1970 24 Hours of Daytona) was the tip of that spear, including back-to-back victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Largely without dialogue or really much of a traditional plot, Le Mans is like a tone poem of racing goodness. While the 917's importance to motorsports history is undoubtedly fascinating, it's still this cinematic depiction of the Porsche racer that draws me in most, especially with the volume cranked. – Chris Bruce Associate Editor 1964 Mini Cooper S How could everyone not be selecting the 1964 Mini Cooper S piloted by Paddy Hopkirk and Henry Liddon? That car, 33 EJB, took the first of British Motor Corporation's four Monte Carlo Rally wins (it should have been five, but French judges got the British Minis [and Fords] disqualified on a technicality regarding headlights... which its own car, the winning DS, was also in violation of). The tiny red car and its white roof beat out Ford Falcons, Mercedes-Benz 300SEs and scores of Volvos, Volkswagens and Saabs. This, along with the several years of dominance that followed, cemented the idea that not only could the tiny, two-tone Mini be a real performance vehicle, but that family-friendly city cars in general could be fun.

2018 Audi A5 gets a manual and S5 gets 369 lb-ft of torque

Update: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that the A5 was the only Audi model to offer a manual transmission with the 252-horsepower inline-four. Audi will offer the same combination on the A4 in the near future. The text has been updated to reflect this. When Audi revealed the new A5 and S5 coupes, we knew the elegant lines of the European model would come to the United States. But the big question was, would the drivetrains, and in particular, the manual transmission, come along? The answer is yes. The 2018 A5, with its 252-horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque turbocharged four-cylinder, will be offered in America with both a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a classic six-speed manual. These combinations will take an A5 to 60 mph in 5.6 or 5.7 seconds, respectively. The A4 sedan will also offer the manual with the same engine soon, in case you need an extra pair of doors. The four-cylinder model is also the only A5 model with a manual, since the turbocharged V6 S5 only comes with an 8-speed automatic. To make up for a lack of shifting involvement, drivers can take advantage of the S5's readily available torque. Like the Euro-spec model, our S5 will come with 369 lb-ft of twist, and it peaks at a stunningly low 1,350 rpm. That torque, combined with the engine's 354 horsepower, launches the S5 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Every type of A5 or S5 also funnels its power through a Quattro all-wheel-drive system with torque vectoring. A5 owners can also personalize how their cars ride and handle, with either a sport suspension with different sway bars, shocks, and springs, or with the comfort adaptive damping suspension. The latter uses constantly adjusting electronic shocks for improved ride. The S5 has an available sports adaptive suspension that works similarly, as well as a dynamic steering option that can change steering ratios. Capping things off is an extensive list of gadgets and safety features, some standard, such as the LED interior lighting and panoramic sunroof, and others optional, such as Audi's Virtual Cockpit LCD instrument cluster and lane keeping assist. A new feature for the A5 line is the MMI touch system, which allows drivers to write in characters with their fingers. Something Audi hasn't revealed about the A5 and S5 is the pricing and availability, but those details should come soon. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Audi A5 View 27 Photos Image Credit: Audi LA Auto Show Audi Coupe Luxury Performance quattro audi s5