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Audi introduces Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI in Shanghai

Audi made a name for itself with its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and is rapidly expanding its range of E-Tron hybrids. And now it's bringing the two together for the first time with the new Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI. The company's first vehicle to combine a turbocharged engine, hybrid assist and all-wheel drive, the Audi Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI boasts all the enhancements wrought on Ingolstadt's new flagship crossover, but with a range of over 633 miles – nearly 33 of them on electric power alone. The powertrain pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four with an electric motor that combine to deliver 367 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That's said to be enough to send the hybrid luxury crossover to 62 in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed in excess of 136 miles per hour, while boasting fuel efficiency of a claimed 94 miles per gallon. Unfortunately, however, the Q7 E-Tron is earmarked only for specific Asian markets – namely China, Singapore and Japan. So don't count on seeing this hybrid crossover in US showrooms any time soon – at least not in this specification. Ingolstadt, 2015-04-16 Great class, minimal emissions – the new Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro - First TFSI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive - Best-in-class: up to 53 kilometers (32.9 mi) electric range - Maximum efficiency with hybrid management and heat pump - Available for Asian markets The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro marks the first time that Audi has combined a TFSI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive. Audi developed it specially for Asian markets (China, Singapore and Japan). It is sporty, comfortable and at the same time supremely efficient. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in under six seconds while consuming just 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (94.1 US mpg) according to the measurement method specified in China for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Audi is presenting the Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro at Auto Shanghai. According to the measurement method specified in China for PHEVs, the large SUV can cover up to 53 kilometers (32.9 mi) solely on the electricity stored in its lithium-ion battery – quietly, powerfully and with zero local emissions. Total range is 1,020 kilometers (633.8 mi). The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro will be available beginning in 2016. Sporty power and minimum consumption The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro has sporty power.

Audi bringing new TT Roadster to Paris

The TT may be first and foremost a coupe, but in presenting the third-generation model, Audi has toyed with all sorts of body-styles. There's been the prototypical coupe, of course, but also shooting brake and crossover concepts. The one thing it hasn't shown us is the convertible model, but that ends today as Audi takes the wraps off the new TT Roadster and TTS Roadster.
Set to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next month, the new TT Roadster naturally follows its fixed-roof counterpart's lead closely, but with the addition of a folding fabric roof mechanism. Made of magnesium, aluminum, steel and plastic, the mechanism weighs 6.6 pounds less than its predecessor's, helping keep the center of gravity lower. It also folds flatter to allow for more luggage space, and can deploy or retract in ten seconds at speeds up to 31 miles per hour. With the roof up it's also quieter, and with a drag coefficient of 0.30, Audi claims it's the slipperiest in the segment.
Of course, Audi's also worked to keep the weight down and rigidity up. As a result, the 0-62 sprint only takes an extra 0.2 seconds, quoted in the TTS Roadster at 4.9 seconds instead of 4.7 in the TTS coupe. Top speed remains pegged at 155 miles per hour. That, of course, is with the top-spec, 310-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four, but Audi will also offer the less potent 184-hp version as well as a 2.0-liter TDI, mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed DCT, though specific performance figures for each version were not disclosed in the press release below.

VW CEO lost his job over buggy software that delayed new models

It says a lot about the state of the auto industry and where it's going that software problems have cost the CEO of a carmaker his job. Volkswagen ousted Herbert Diess as chief executive officer after severe software-development delays set back the scheduled launch of new Porsches, Audis and Bentleys. This was untenable considering buggy software postponed the debut of VW’s initial rollout of ID models, and customers are still having to drop off their cars at the dealer for updates the company has struggled to make over the air. Sure, Diess also didnÂ’t do enough to make allies and became increasingly isolated due to his hard-nosed leadership style. In his push to transform the company into an electric-vehicle leader, he repeatedly clashed with labor leaders by warning VW was losing out to Tesla and needed to cut thousands of jobs. But failures at the carmakerÂ’s software unit Cariad ultimately eroded DiessÂ’s support from the powerful Porsche and Piech family that calls the shots. Back in December, VW overhauled its management board, stripping Diess of some responsibilities while tasking him to turn around Cariad. While thereÂ’s been a lot of re-arranging since then, Diess didnÂ’t manage to make the issues go away. Discord at Cariad has pushed back the rollout of important new models including the electric Porsche Macan, a high-volume sport utility vehicle for the division thatÂ’s planning an initial public offering in the fourth quarter. AudiÂ’s new line of Artemis EVs has been delayed by around two years to 2027. And VWÂ’s ultra-luxury brand Bentley may not be able to go all-electric by the end of this decade as planned because of the software issues, Automobilwoche reported earlier this month. “Taking over the ship at Cariad seems to have been DiessÂ’s downfall,” said Matthias Schmidt, an independent auto analyst based in Berlin. VWÂ’s solutions to challenges tend to reflect its status as an industrial behemoth: itÂ’s able to throw lots of money and people at its problems. But modernizing the company for the digital age is going to take bringing in talent and building skillsets outside its traditional zones of expertise. Drivers increasingly demand intuitive user interfaces and services that could create new revenue streams, if done correctly. “Software is the key to the future,” TeslaÂ’s Elon Musk tweeted when one of his followers asked about VW switching CEOs. Diess certainly didnÂ’t lack ambition.