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2015 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron

A little more than a year ago, I drove an Audi A3 E-Tron prototype - an early concept electric vehicle built on the outgoing second-generation A3 platform. While I was impressed with the technology, its 3,800-pound weight, 10-second 0-60 time and 90-mile range will likely put it only mid-pack, at best, among its future competitive set. But Audi promised bigger and better things would come.
I didn't have to wait long. Immediately following the Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi asked me come drive its all-new successor built on the company's third-generation A3 chassis. Compared to last year's model, the new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) boasts a lighter curb weight, quicker acceleration and six times the range. Calling it improved is an understatement. Best of all, it's heading to production.
Technically speaking, the 2015 Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron is a parallel hybrid, meaning its electric motor is sandwiched between a combustion engine and an automatic transmission - either, or both, is capable of powering the front wheels. The gasoline-powered engine is a direct-injected and turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, rated at 150 horsepower. The transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A 75-kW electric motor sits between the two. Water is used to cool the gasoline engine, the electric motor and the battery pack - there are three independent closed loops.

597-hp Audi RS7 Performance coming to US

The Audi RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback certainly aren't hurting for power. Their 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8s offer mountains of muscle as tall as the Alps. However, the engineers at the Four Rings are pushing those peaks just even higher for the new Performance versions of the pair. Tweaks to the engine management, bring horsepower up to 597 ponies and 516 lb-ft of torque. Temporary overboost can take the twist to 553 lb-ft, though. This high-performance duo can haul passengers with aplomb by hitting 62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds – two tenths quicker than a regular RS. Even more impressive, the 12.1-second run to 124 mph also takes 1.4 seconds less than the standard version. Top speed remains the same 155 mph, but the optional Dynamic Package takes off the limiter to let the RS6 reach 174 mph and the RS7 go 189.5 mph. The eight-speed tiptronic remains from the standard RS versions, and it routes power through the Quattro all-wheel drive system with a 40:60 front-rear split. An optional sport differential at the back can also provide some extra assistance. Both Performance models come standard with an adaptive air suspension, but for those willing to spend a little more a stiffer RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control is available, as well. The Performance pair launches in Germany at the beginning of November, but there's reason to get excited in the US, too. Audi spokesperson Mark Dahncke confirms to Autoblog that the RS7 Performance is coming here. More details about it should arrive around the Los Angeles Auto Show, he said. Related Video: Plus performance: the new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance 4.0 TFSI now with 445 kW (605 hp) and up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) Like a supercar: from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds New model designation hones brand's sporty profile Even more performance coupled with outstanding efficiency – that is what is behind the new "performance" model designation at Audi. The Audi RS 6 Avant performance* and Audi RS 7 Sportback performance* further hone the brand's sporty profile. Their 4.0 TFSI engine with 445 kW (605 hp) and up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb ft) of torque push acceleration (3.7 seconds) nearly to levels usually reserved for supercars. Fuel consumption remains unchanged at 9.6 and 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers (24.5 and 24.8 US mpg), respectively, corresponding to 223 and 221 g CO2 per km (358.9 and 355.7 g/mi). These are best-in-segment figures.

Volkswagen profit jumps as it warns of a cooling auto market

FRANKFURT, Germany — Volkswagen says its profits jumped 44% in the third quarter thanks to a more profitable mix of vehicles in its lineup but warned that global car markets are slowing more than expected and lowered its forecast for annual sales. After-tax profit rose to $4.42 billion (3.98 billion euros) as revenues rose 11% to $68.27 billion (61.42 billion euros). The sales margin of 7.8% exceeded the goal of 6.5-7.5% as vehicles bringing higher profits took a larger share of sales. The Wolfsburg-based automaker pointed to the headwinds facing the industry by saying that it expects "vehicle markets will contract faster than previously anticipated in many regions of the world." It said sales would be "on a level" with last year's record of 10.8 million vehicles. Previously it had expected a slight increase. The company said its profits would be in the lower end of its forecast range. Global automakers are facing a slowdown in sales amid disputes over trade and from pressure in the European Union and China to develop and sell low-emission vehicles that require heavy investment in new technology. Ford and Renault have issued profit warnings in recent days, while Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars, lost money in the second quarter and is expected to outline a cost-cutting strategy for investors on Nov. 14. Volkswagen is leading the push into electric vehicles in Europe by launching its ID.3 battery-powered compact car at prices it says will make zero local emission vehicles a mass phenomenon. The company was able to increase earnings in the quarter despite an 18% rise in spending on research and development.