2003 Audi A4 Base Sedan 4-door 1.8l on 2040-cars

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2014 Audi A3 Cabriolet cleans up the Messe [w/video]

If we're being honest, the outgoing Audi A3 Cabriolet never really flicked our Bic. That was just fine, of course, because Audi never brought it to North America. This new model, however, might have a different future.
And while Audi has yet to officially decide on this car's North American future, this Frankfurt Motor Show debut clearly has a better sense of proportion and aggression to it, and we're excited about its powertrain solutions, too. For the European market, Audi is promising TFSI gasoline engines in either 1.4- or 1.8-liters, along with a 2.0-liter TDI diesel, all being available in front- and all-wheel drive. Audi has also confirmed its first-ever S3 Quattro Cabriolet, which figures to combine a quick 18-second top drop and its hard-hatted sibling's even quicker 296-hp 2.0-liter turbo.
Even though Audi has been better about bringing its high-performance models to North America and has a new emphasis on growing its A3 business in our territories (including a US-minded sedan bodystyle), we would still be a bit surprised to see an S3 Cabriolet popping its entry-level top in dealers in a couple years' time. Having said that, we do think this A3 Cabriolet is almost a lock. Be sure to take a good, long look at our gallery, video and the official press release below.

2014 Audi RS7 [w/video]

The subject of what makes up a true "supercar" is a difficult one, fraught with personal connotations and the rare ability to bring close colleagues into heated confrontation with one another in the blink of an eye. I say this because, while the 2014 Audi RS7 most certainly does not make the supercar cut on a few levels to my way of thinking - not rare enough, expensive enough or wearing an appropriately evocative body - it is unquestionably an "everyday supercar" of remarkable ability. And, pertinently, it is one that proved willing to ply its trade in every version of winter that Michigan had to offer it.
I had winter four ways during my week-long loan with the RS7. A period of crisp temperatures and dry roads, presided over by light blue skies as wide as the horizon, soon gave way to spitting, freezing rain blanketed in slightly misleading warmer air. Then there was snow. Not the massive blanket we saw in the first week of the New Year, but more than enough to see my neighbors stocking up on Ice Melt and replacing their shovels for the season. Finally, temperatures dropped to the mid teens, cottony snow compressed into a hard pack and all residual moisture on the mostly cleared roads morphed into the very slickest of ice. Timeless curses were uttered by cranky commuters in smoking breaths. Pure Michigan.

Upcoming Audi Q1 rumored to get high-performance SQ1 variant

The Audi Q1 isn't due for another two or three years, yet Auto Bild reports already that it will come in RS and SQ1 trims. According to the report, the RS Q1 will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, putting it about 70 hp and 8 lb-ft beyond the next-most-powerful gasoline engine in the standard range.
Depending on how you like your gumption served, however, the first SQ1 - like its European SQ5 sibling - go the diesel route with a 2.0-liter TDI fitted with twin turbos for 231 hp and 368 pound-feet of torque. That's an improvement of 47 hp and 88 lb-ft over the most powerful diesel engine said to be offered on the regular Q1.
The report goes on to say that there should be g-tron (natural gas) and e-tron versions of the Q1, and buyers will get a deep toy chest of assistance packages to equip it with. Starting price in Europe is expected to be around 25,000 euros, which, if correct, would make it 4,000 euros less dear than the Q3 in Germany.