2009 Audi S8 Quattro Carbon Fiber Premium Pkg Hard Loaded Wow on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Rivian R1T, Mini Cooper Electric owners happiest with their EVs

The J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study is out, and there's change at the top. With the swelling adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S. over in the past two years especially, the third year of the EVX study changes focus to first-time EV buyers. Those two factors encouraged change at the top of both premium and mass-market segments. Among premium EVs, the Rivian R1T pickup scored overall victory in its first year of eligibility with a satisfaction score of 794 out of 1,000. The Tesla Model 3 takes second place with 759 points. Tesla had won the top two premium spots in the study in 2021 and in 2022. The average score in the premium segment was 756. The Tesla Model Y (754), Audi E-Tron (735), and Polestar 2 (724) filled out the list of the five eligible models this year. Among the ten eligible mass-market vehicles, the Mini Cooper Electric nabbed the overall win by scoring 782. The Kia EV6 came second with 762 points, keeping Kia in the top two; the Kia Niro EV won the mass-market segment the previous two years. The Ford Mustang Mach-E (742), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (738), and Volkswagen ID.4 (735) completed the top five, the Niro EV (733) in sixth. All were above the segment average of 730. The four models fell below the segment average were the Ford F-150 Lightning (723), Chevrolet Bolt EUV (716), Chevrolet Bolt (711), and Nissan Leaf (698). How are the scores derived? J.D. Power worked with EV app maker and research firm PlugShare to get owner responses in ten areas: accuracy of stated battery range; availability of public charging stations; battery range; cost of ownership; driving enjoyment; ease of charging at home; interior and exterior styling; safety and technology features; service experience; and vehicle quality and reliability. Brent Gruber, executive director of the EV practice at J.D. Power, said, "Recent vehicle launches from both new brands and traditional automakers have had a profound effect on what factors are most important in the ownership experience. Today’s EV owners are looking for quality, reliability, driving enjoyment, safety and technology features." The Mini, in fact, scored highest of any premium and mass-market EV in the studyÂ’s highest-weighted index factor, quality and reliability.

Audi confirms new Q1 to cross over into smaller territory

The latest Q3 is smaller in every dimension than the Q7 that launched Audi into the crossover back in 2006. It's over two feet shorter, four inches narrower, five inches lower and rides on a wheelbase that's nearly a foot and a half shorter. But in Audi's eyes, it's still not small enough.
That's why the German automaker has just confirmed that it will proceed with production of the oft-rumored Q1 crossover. The new line will form just one of 11 new models which Audi aims to launch by the end of the decade, and will be built starting in 2016 at the main plant in Ingolstadt where Audi currently makes the A3, A4 and A5.
Audi isn't saying much else about the Q1, confirming only that it will be based on a modular transverse-engine platform. But contrary to the brand's Quattro-centric image, it has been rumored to be offered in front-drive form only. One way or another, the business case for expanding Audi's crossover range is as suitably rock solid: The Q family accounts for over a quarter of Audis sold worldwide, with the Q5 accounting for over half of that to stand as the most popular in the range.

Audi drives Laurel Canyon in reverse

With all its many twists and turns and narrow lanes, driving down Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Los Angeles demands your attention under the best of conditions. The driver caught on this video, however, is clearly not giving it his best. The driver behind the wheel of this new Audi – an S5 or maybe even an RS5 coupe, if our eyes and the low resolution don't deceive us – opted to drive down the canyon road entirely in reverse, with a woman in the passenger seat. The incident was caught on video by one Kevin Zanazanian, another motorist following behind. (Or would that now be considered in front? We're all turned around here). Fortunately the driver appears to have taken things at a rather leisurely pace. Which is a good thing, or at least a mitigating factor. While cars are designed to be able to back up, unless you're a stunt driver on a closed set, they're not meant to do so at speed. But then they're not meant to be driven backwards for extended lengths of time or distance, either. That's why local authorities are reportedly trying to track down the driver, who could have been held accountable for any number of infractions had he been caught in the act - including driving right through a red light, backwards, from the turning lane, across Hollywood Boulevard. With the video footage now in hand, the LAPD's West Traffic Bureau is reportedly working to determine who it belongs to, and who can be held liable for this stunt. With no injuries or damage reported, KTLA reports that the charges (however many of them) would not amount to more than misdemeanors. Related Video News Source: KTLA Government/Legal Audi Videos audi s5