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Audi SQ7 could come to US with TDI power

When Audi released the new SQ7 TDI, we couldn't help but wonder whether it would ever see an American road or showroom. And the answer is: maybe. When reached for comment on the prospect of the new diesel performance ute making its way to North America, Audi USA spokesman Mark Dahncke told Autoblog that "the SQ7 is not officially signed off on for the US, but we are optimistic." Those are encouraging words, even if they stop short of official confirmation. For those who missed the announcement in the wake of the Geneva Motor Show last week, the new Audi SQ7 TDI is a technological tour de force. It packs a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine, augmented by two turbochargers and an electric compressor to produce 435 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It debuts a new 48-volt electrical system that powers one of the compressor and the electromechanical adaptive suspension. And just for good measure, it also features an eight-speed automatic transmission, a four-wheel steering system and all-wheel drive. The vehicle represents the first time Ingolstadt has applied the S performance badge to its largest model, and though initially announced for Europe, Dahncke's optimism leaves us hopeful in turn that it could steam its own way to American shores. If that optimism proves justified, the next big question is whether it will stick with the diesel engine or switch to a similarly powerful engine burning gasoline to more closely match American preferences – much as it did in bringing the smaller SQ5 to the US. But Dahncke tells us they "expect it to be a TDI if it does come." The decision to market a powerful diesel SUV in America would be a bold move on Audi's behalf, particularly in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal. The debacle is still fresh on the public's mind, having rocked the entire Volkswagen Group of which Audi is part – and historically a major proponent of diesel propulsion. If approved for the US market as proposed, the SQ7 TDI would far outshine the diesel versions of the Mercedes GL-Class, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, and Range Rover currently available – not to mention the 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque in many of Audi's models (which are, at the time of this writing, affected by a stop-sale in the US). Related Video: Featured Gallery Audi SQ7 TDI View 27 Photos Image Credit: Audi Green Audi Crossover SUV Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance audi sq7

YouTube's Super Bowl commercial buzz list dominated by automakers [w/videos]

After Sunday's big game, YouTube will be the place to watch every commercial that you missed when you left your seat for an emergency guac refill or, as we say in Cleveland, took the Browns to the Super Bowl. That makes YouTube the nation's water cooler on Monday, and it's got some preliminary stats to share in the lead up to kickoff.
As you know, Super Bowl advertisers, particularly automakers, like to endlessly tease their big budget commercials in the weeks before the game, many times revealing them outright days in advance. Because of this, YouTube can tell us which commercials have been viewed the most so far, and their top five list is all automakers.
Kaley Cuoco appears to have been a good investment for Toyota, as her ad for the RAV4 has garnered the most YouTube views - six million and counting - among Super Bowl commercials so far. Second place goes to Mercedes-Benz, though not its actual Super Bowl commercial, but rather the teaser for it. You know, the one with Kate Upton and the car washing, which is up to 5.6 million views. Third place is Audi's Prom commercial (3.3M views), fourth goes to Volkswagen's slightly controversial Get In, Get Happy ad (3.3M views), and the fifth and final spot is bookended by the teaser video for Kaley Cuoco's commercial (3.2M views). You can watch all five in order below.

Volkswagen reportedly considering selling Ducati

After shelving numerous motorsport programs and putting less-successful model variants on the firing line, Volkswagen is reportedly considering selling off Ducati, its motorcycle division. Ducati joined the Volkswagen Group under Audi in 2012, and it could be valued as high as 1.5 billion euros. Five years ago, Audi paid roughly $935 million for the motorcycle brand, sources said to Reuters. In 2016, Ducati's sales were worth 593 million euros, or nearly $644 million. There isn't a concrete buyer yet set for the deal, and neither Volkswagen or Audi chose to comment on the matter. Neither did Evercore, the investment banking advisory firm selected to evaluate Volkswagen's options on Ducati ownership. The logic behind jettisoning Ducati is likely to be the same as canceling Audi's LeMans program and VW's WRC racing efforts: Volkswagen is focusing on an electric mobility future, as the shadow of Dieselgate stretches far into the coming years. As Reuters says, the original 2012 Ducati deal may have been a Ferdinand Piech vanity project: "Analysts questioned Audi's purchase of Ducati when it was announced in April 2012, saying the deal had no economic or industrial logic and just reflected former VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech's passion for the Italian company's expertise on design and light engines." Piech is now, however, out at Volkswagen and is also selling a major part of his Porsche stock, making it easier for Volkswagen to ditch the Italian bike brand. Reuters' sources mentioned interested parties as being Chinese or Indian, or interestingly, the consortium led by Prodrive's David Richards which acquired Aston Martin a decade ago. News Source: ReutersImage Credit: AOL/Drew Phillips Audi Volkswagen Motorcycle Ducati volkswagen group