2001 Audi A6 Quattro Base Sedan 4-door 4.2l on 2040-cars

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5 stars in Euro NCAP crash tests for 5 new cars available in U.S.

Seven new cars have received a full five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests. Of these, five are available in the United States: the Audi E-Tron, Lexus UX, Toyota Corolla, RAV4 and Mazda3. The Renault Clio and the Volkswagen T-Cross also took part, also receiving five stars. The Mazda3 hatchback was the fourth car in Euro NCAP history to reach an adult occupant protection score of 98%, after the Volvo V40 and XC60 and the Alfa Romeo Giulia. No NHTSA ratings for the Mazda3 or the Audi are yet available, but the Lexus and the Toyotas have all received five-star NHTSA safety ratings as well. Those three were tested as hybrid variants by Euro NCAP. Audi's first fully electric vehicle, the E-Tron, scored 91% in Euro NCAP's adult occupant rating, with unavailable knee airbags bringing down the score. The Mazda and the Toyotas offer them for the driver only, and the Lexus has the passenger's knees covered as well. The Lexus UX managed a 96% adult occupant score, close to the Mazda, and it provided better pedestrian safety (82%) than the Audi (71%), despite neither, or none, of the test vehicles having an active hood to catch pedestrians. As for the Toyotas, the Corolla, tested in both sedan and hatchback guises, scored 95% for adult occupant safety, with the RAV4 a couple notches down at 93%. Still, the five-star rating means all these vehicles are a very safe choice in their respective classes. Michiel van Ratingen, secretary general of Euro NCAP, states how important it is that even family hatchbacks perform well and have the latest safety tech available. "It is encouraging to see that all manufacturers did well, regardless of type of powertrain or class of vehicle tested," said van Ratingen. "New cars on the market continue to offer more advanced technology as standard, systems that were not even considered an option a few years ago." More crash test videos are available on Euro NCAP's YouTube channel. Audi Lexus Mazda Toyota Car Buying Safety audi etron lexus ux

2015 Audi S8

You've gotta hand it to the Audi A8. Last year, Mercedes-Benz launched the truly stunning S-Class, putting the rest of the high-dollar luxury flagship class on notice. With the brand-new S-Class turning heads and garnering all sorts of praise from the automotive press, classmates like the BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Audi A8 started to look, well, old. But Audi didn't see fit to just let its big sedan carry on and let the Mercedes take the cake.
So when Audi refreshed its A8 line for the 2015 model year with only minor updates, I kind of shrugged it off as just a quick way to keep the big sedan fresh until an all-new, hopefully S-Class-trumping version arrives. But then I drove the S8 pictured above, and I'm no longer so sure the Merc's shadow is as big and imposing as it once was.
Spoiler alert: the Audi S8 is simply fantastic.

2017 Audi A4 Allroad ups the Avant

Can't decide between a wagon and a crossover? Audi offers both, of course, but it will also split the difference with the new A4 Allroad Quattro. It's based on the latest A4, but offers the extra cargo space, rugged look, and increased ride height of a crossover, without the added bulk that usually goes with it. Unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show, the new A4 Allroad starts life as an A4 Avant wagon, but features a number of upgrades that ought to appeal to the elegantly outdoorsy among us. All-wheel drive comes standard, of course, and ride height is increased by a little less than an inch. Combined with the larger wheels, that nets 1.3 inches more ground clearance for getting through snow banks and whatnot. The suspension uses a five-link setup at both ends. The rugged look is further accentuated by the flared fenders, new rear bumper, underbody guard plates, and roof rails. Otherwise it's essentially the same as the new A4 we've already seen. Motivation is provided by a range of TFSI and TDI engines ranging from 150 horsepower to 272, mated to either a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch, or eight-speed automatic transmission. That, of course, is on a global scale, with details on US pricing and availability to follow. In the meantime, you can scope out the live images from the floor of the Cobo Center in the gallery above, and the full details in the press release below. Perfect companion in any situation: the new Audi A4 allroad quattro - 34 millimeters (1.3 in) more ground clearance and "offroad" mode - Extroverted, individual design and extensive equipment - Powerful TFSI and TDI engines, quattro drive standard The new Audi A4 allroad quattro* embodies a unique concept: It combines high driving comfort with off-road qualities, thus enjoying a unique position in its segment. Thanks to the standard quattro drive and increase ground clearance, it also keeps on driving where the paved road ends. The new Audi A4 allroad quattro is defined by its individual look. The powerfully flared wheel arches and the rear bumper attract attention. They are finished in matt structure gray or painted in the body color. The robust underbody guard and the rear diffuser are finished in selenite silver. The sporty, distinctive front end with jagged headlights, unique bumper and model-specific air intakes underscores its extroverted character. Vertical chrome slats adorn the sculpted Singleframe grille.