10 Navigation Camera Heated Leather S/r Bang Olufsen Lnewtires Xenon 6sp Manual on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi has new Q5 and Q2 crossovers coming this year

Update: Audi has released a teaser video for the Q2 crossover ahead of its debut in Geneva. That video is above. The original post from December continues below. Before the new year is done, Audi will introduce two new crossovers. The announcement comes as part of a planned ˆ3 billion investment plan for 2016, and will include a new Q5 as well as the addition of a new Q2 model into the range. That's pretty ambitious considering the company hadn't produced its first SUV until ten years ago. The replacement for the Q5 should be fairly straightforward, replacing a model that already exists. The current Q5 was launched in 2008 and underwent a refresh in 2012. Expect the new model to offer similar dimensions and specifications, but with improvements to help it fend off the likes of the Mercedes GLC, BMW X3, and the Porsche Macan which shares its MLB underpinnings. The arrival of the Q2, however, promises to take Audi's crossover range further downmarket. With the existing Q3 already taking on Mercedes GLA and BMW X1, the Q2 could go a size smaller to rival the next Mini Countryman. Whatever form it takes, we'll find out within the year, according to Audi. Beyond next year, Audi says it will build its first volume electric vehicle in 2018. The vehicle will take the form of a battery-powered crossover, previewed by the E-Tron Quattro concept (pictured) at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September. With these and other additions, Audi aims to expand its range to 60 models by 2020. Audi launched into the crossover market with the debut of the original Q7 in 2005. It has since expanded its high-riding lineup with the arrival of the Q5 in 2008 and the smaller Q3 (in overseas markets at least) in 2011. The Q2 is one of several new crossovers said to be in the works at Ingolstadt, including a potential slant-back crossover coupe to be dubbed Q6 and a Q4 to put the TT Offroad concept into production. Audi Group invests in the future - Capital expenditure of more than ˆ 3 billion in 2016 - Audi CEO Rupert Stadler: "Continuing with high levels of investment in future technologies to enhance strong position" - Axel Strotbek, Board of Management Member for Finance and Organization: "Gaining financial scope through further cost optimization" - Audi Board of Management Member for Human Resources Thomas Sigi: "Looking for experts in areas important for the future" Audi will lay the foundations for future growth in 2016.

2015 Audi RS7 Dynamic Edition is a pretty car for a pretty penny

Making its world debut at the New York Auto Show, and commanding a $40,250 premium over the base RS7, is Audi's new 2015 RS7 Dynamic Edition that arrives with an MSRP of $146,045 (including destination and delivery). The range-topping hatchback is designed to showcase Audi's exclusive program, which allows customers to choose choose from the automaker's long list of options and then take the customization one step further with bespoke paintwork, upholstery, bodywork and wheels.
The interior features Black Valcona leather seats with Crimson Red honeycomb stitching, and matching Crimson Red seat belts. The contrasting color is carried through to the stitching on the dashboard, center armrest, door panels, shift boot and center console. Carbon fiber inlays provide additional contrast. The exterior is offering in four colors (Ibis White, Suzuka Gray metallic, Daytona Gray pearl and Phantom Black pearl), with each arriving with performance-oriented DRC suspension (with three-stage adjustable dampers), 21-inch Gloss Black wheels, Tornado Red painted brake calipers and sport exhaust. A carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser and carbon fiber engine cover complete the package.
Like the standard RS7, the Dynamic Edition arrives with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 rated at 560 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. With an eight-speed automatic transmission, running through Audi's Quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a sport differential, the four-passenger vehicle will crack the 60 mph acceleration benchmark in a reported 3.7 seconds - and, thanks to cylinder-on-demand technology, it avoids a gas-guzzler tax. The RS7 Dynamic Edition arrives at dealerships in early summer.

Audi fires head of R&D, Wolfgang D"urheimer

According to Car and Driver, citing a report in Germany's Der Spiegel magazine, Audi has fired Wolfgang Dürheimer, the brand's head of research and development.
Dürheimer had originally signed on as Audi's R&D boss in September 2012. Prior to that, he had served as the head for both Bentley and Bugatti, and was formerly the development chief at Porsche (where he is credited with helping get the original Cayenne into production, a move that ushered a new era of profitability for the company). Dürheimer moved to Audi following a management shakeup within the Volkswagen Group in mid-2012.
During his time at Bentley, Dürheimer spearheaded the brand's efforts to launch an SUV. But at Audi, he reportedly quickly put a stop to costly projects such as the R8 E-Tron and the rotary range-extender engine for the A1 E-Tron. Furthermore, Car and Driver reports that Dürheimer shuffled the reporting structure within the brand's design department, and that VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn had apparently disagreed with him several times on the styling direction for the brand.