2010 Audi Premium Plus Cabriolet on 2040-cars

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This is the 2017 Audi S4 Avant

As we saw a few months ago, the new S4 sedan (which will go on sale in the US later this year as a 2017 model) ditches the supercharger and adopts turbocharging for its newly-developed V6. It also loses an option for a manual gearbox, and will only be available with an eight-speed automatic. As is the way of such things, the new wagon version (Avant in Audi-speak) doesn't differ from its sedan twin in any substantive mechanical way. There are two major differences. The first is of course the form factor; the second is where it will be sold. This is not an American proposition, so don't hold berate your local Audi dealer. If you want one, move to Europe after it goes on sale later this year. This is a shame, but not a surprise. Audi is in the midst of slotting a CUV into every possible micro-niche it can find, including the upcoming Q2 that the company teased this week. Unfortunately, that means Americans will miss out on the sizable cargo area (17.8 - 53.3 cubic feet, compared to just 17 cu ft in the S4 sedan's trunk) and lower center of gravity when compared to a typical CUV. If you want a S4 Avant here in the States, the closest you can get is the A4-based Allroad, which packs the familiar 2.0-liter TFSI engine and eight-speed auto. Too bad; the S4 Avant is a great-looking wagon. Related Video: Insert your press release here!From 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.7 seconds with fuel consumption of less than 7.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (31.8 US mpg) – the new Audi S4* and the new Audi S4 Avant* are advancing to the peak of the competitive field with strong performance and exemplary efficiency. Its newly developed turbo V6 engine outputs 260 kW (354 hp). New solutions in networking and assistance systems round out its features. Audi is transferring many technologies from the full-size class into the mid-size class. Lightweight and strong: the 3.0 TFSI The strong heart of the two new S models from Audi is a newly conceptualized 3.0 TFSI engine. The direct gasoline injection engine with turbocharging has an output of 260 kW (354 hp) and produces a hefty torque of 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft) from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. In terms of power and torque, it surpasses the previous model while achieving considerably lower figures in weight and fuel consumption. The turbo V6 engine accelerates the Audi S4 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.7 seconds, and on up to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph).

Audi to unveil S1 hot hatch at Geneva Motor Show

Audi has been toying with the idea of a hot hatch based on the A1 premium city car for some time now. It rolled out the 500-horsepower A1 Clubsport Quattro concept at the Wörthersee gathering a couple of years ago, then put its form (with half the power) into limited production with the 252hp A1 Quattro (pictured above) shortly thereafter. What it hasn't done is offer a mainstream S1 that people can actually get their hands on, but that's all about to change.
Following spy shots of numerous prototypes, Auto Express claims to have it on good authority that the new S1 will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. Though likely less aggressive in its visual impact, the S1 is expected to get almost as much power as the aforementioned A1 Quattro, with a 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder sourced from the larger S3 but detuned to 230 hp.
A six-speed dual-clutch transmission is expected to drive all four wheels - something for which the platform was not originally designed but was later adapted to accommodate - though the availability of a six-speed manual remains in question. Unfortunately the A1 was never destined for the North American market, so as much as we might want one (and as much as Ingolstadt may be motivated to take a bite out of the Mini market), we wouldn't expect to see it roaring into American showrooms.

Porsche says it found 'irregular' software as Germany recalls diesel Cayenne

BERLIN - German Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt on Thursday announced a recall of Porsche Cayenne models equipped with 3-liter diesel engines after finding potentially illegal emissions controlling software in the vehicles. Dobrindt told reporters he was withdrawing certification for the vehicles, which will need to undergo a software update to regain legal status. Sports car maker Porsche AG is owned by Volkswagen, which in 2015 admitted to systematic manipulation of engine management software to cheat emissions tests. Porsche on Thursday said it had discovered "irregular" engine management software during an internal probe into emissions. Porsche also said it had agreed to recall the vehicles to fix the problem. "The producer will of course bear 100 percent of the costs," Dobrindt said. "There is no explanation why this software was in this vehicle." The minister said: "We have examined Porsche Cayenne vehicles of the 3 liter TDI Euro 6 Mark - during tests these vehicles deploy a so-called defense strategy, which isn't activated in real traffic." "In our view that is a kind of test recognition, which we regard as an impermissible deactivation strategy." "Even if there is a modern exhaust gas cleaning system in these vehicles, if this software is nonetheless there it is illegal, does not meet the legal requirements and needs to be removed," Dobrindt said. He also said that Porsche would quickly be in a position to bring the software into conformity with the law. Dobrindt also said there were some 7,500 vehicles of this type certified in Germany and some 22,000 certified in Europe. "We don't know how many are with dealers. These are the cars that fall under the certification ban." The Porsche Cayenne model shares components with a sister model, the Volkswagen Touareg. Asked about Volkswagen's Touareg model, Dobrindt said: "On the technical question, it is assumed that this vehicle has a similar parameter set but identical construction does not mean that the same software was used in it but it is assumed that the same software was used." He said the Transport Ministry was, however, checking that and a hearing with Volkswagen would show whether that was the case or not, adding: "The probability is high." Volkswagen CFO Frank Witter had no immediate comment about the Porsche recall on a VW earnings call also held on Thursday.