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Autoblog Podcast #344

Doug DeMuro from Plays With Cars, Infiniti Q50, Subaru BRZ STI, Porsche Macan
Episode #344 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth and Executive Editor Chris Paukert are joined by Doug DeMuro, author of Plays With Cars and prolific internet autowriting presence. Topics include the latest spy shots of the Porsche Macan, the 2014 Infiniti Q50, and the teaser images we've recently seen of a Subaru BRZ wearing STI badges. As always, we start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #344:

The Audi RS3 LMS looks hot and ready

Audi had several reveals this week at the Paris Motor Show, but nothing was more batty than the new RS3 LMS race car. Audi's latest hot homologation car starts with the all-new RS3 sedan, removes all of the unnecessary bits and adds all the racing-spec equipment you could want. The result is a full-prepped, relatively affordable factory race car. That relatively affordable part is very important. Audi Sport, the division behind the R8 LMS as well as the R and RS road cars, designed the RS3 LMS for the still-new TCR FIA-spec racing series. The cars will cost about $112,000 USD for the club sport version and $145,000 with the six-speed sequential transmission. Not bad for a fully FIA-friendly factory machine. The new TCR series races follow other FIA series like Formula 1 and WEC. <p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p> All that cash get's nets you a pretty badass looking car, especially in Audi's black and red paint scheme. As you can see in the photos, the RS3 LMS is far wider than the standard sedan, which is fairly compact by modern standards. The requisite giant rear wing is present, as is the big front splitter. The RS3 LMS ditches the new road car's dual exhaust for a cool looking single, center-exit pipe. Inside, it's all bare metal and plastic, ditching any semblance of road-going civility. Under the hood, the RS3 LMS loses the new 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five and replaces it with Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbocharged four. In this application, the engine pumps out a healthy 330 horsepower. Audi claims a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. Audi says customer deliveries will start in December, so look for the new car on track starting in 2017. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Audi RS3 LMS: Paris 2016 View 10 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Audi RS 3 LMS View 11 Photos Image Credit: Drew Phillips Motorsports Paris Motor Show Audi Racing Vehicles 2016 paris motor show

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.