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Audi sends off second-gen TT with a few enhancements

The Audi stand at the Geneva Motor Show this year was the focus of a lot of attention with the reveal of the all-new TT, ushering in the third generation of the stylish sports coupe and roadster. But before the second-gen model gets the old heave-ho, Audi is giving it a few enhancements to send it out on a high note.
Stylistically, the 2015 Audi TT and TTS, both coupe and convertible, get a new single-frame grille and LED daytime running lights to make it better match its stablemates. The interior gets some upgraded equipment as well, but enthusiasts will be more intrigued by the optional Competition Package available on the TTS.
Like the package Audi rolled out to celebrate the 500,000th TT made, the new TTS Competition Package gets a fixed rear spoiler, five-spoke alloys, baseball-stitched leather seats with contrasting stitching and a choice of yellow or gray paints for the exterior.

Audi SQ7 could come to US with TDI power

When Audi released the new SQ7 TDI, we couldn't help but wonder whether it would ever see an American road or showroom. And the answer is: maybe. When reached for comment on the prospect of the new diesel performance ute making its way to North America, Audi USA spokesman Mark Dahncke told Autoblog that "the SQ7 is not officially signed off on for the US, but we are optimistic." Those are encouraging words, even if they stop short of official confirmation. For those who missed the announcement in the wake of the Geneva Motor Show last week, the new Audi SQ7 TDI is a technological tour de force. It packs a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine, augmented by two turbochargers and an electric compressor to produce 435 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. It debuts a new 48-volt electrical system that powers one of the compressor and the electromechanical adaptive suspension. And just for good measure, it also features an eight-speed automatic transmission, a four-wheel steering system and all-wheel drive. The vehicle represents the first time Ingolstadt has applied the S performance badge to its largest model, and though initially announced for Europe, Dahncke's optimism leaves us hopeful in turn that it could steam its own way to American shores. If that optimism proves justified, the next big question is whether it will stick with the diesel engine or switch to a similarly powerful engine burning gasoline to more closely match American preferences – much as it did in bringing the smaller SQ5 to the US. But Dahncke tells us they "expect it to be a TDI if it does come." The decision to market a powerful diesel SUV in America would be a bold move on Audi's behalf, particularly in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal. The debacle is still fresh on the public's mind, having rocked the entire Volkswagen Group of which Audi is part – and historically a major proponent of diesel propulsion. If approved for the US market as proposed, the SQ7 TDI would far outshine the diesel versions of the Mercedes GL-Class, Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, and Range Rover currently available – not to mention the 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 240 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque in many of Audi's models (which are, at the time of this writing, affected by a stop-sale in the US). Related Video: Featured Gallery Audi SQ7 TDI View 27 Photos Image Credit: Audi Green Audi Crossover SUV Diesel Vehicles Luxury Performance audi sq7

2015 Green Car Of The Year finalists announced, run alt-fuel gamut

The 2015 edition of the Green Car of the Year award is following right in the footsteps of previous years with a variety of alt-fuel powertrains making the just-announced finalists list. You've got your plug-in vehicle (the BMW i3), your compressed natural gas (the Chevy Impala Bi-Fuel), your high-efficiency diesel (the Audi A3 TDI), your 40+ mile-per-gallon gas engine (the Honda Fit) and, finally, a car that can do a little bit of everything (the VW Golf). The Golf is available – at least in some parts of the US – with three different powertrains: a 2.0-liter diesel, a gasoline engine and all-electric drive. The Impala can burn either natural gas or gasoline in its 3.6-liter engine. The A3 is an efficiency champ, able to get 73.5 mpg on some European tests. The i3 can be a pure electric vehicle or come with a short range extending engine. And the Fit brings 41 miles to the gallon in a practical, affordable package. The GCOY award is announced every year at the Los Angeles Auto Show by Green Car Journal. The committee doesn't just take the fuel-saving technology into account, but also a vehicle's "availability to the mass market." Last year, the Honda Accord Hybrid/Plug-In Hybrid won top honors, following up on wins from the Ford Fusion models (plug-in hybrid and hybrid) for 2013, the Honda Civic Natural Gas for 2012 and the Chevrolet Volt for 2011. FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2015 "GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR"" Green Car Journal to Reveal Winner of 10th Annual Award at LA Auto Show" Press & Trade Days, November 20 LOS ANGELES, CA (October 21, 2014) – Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the magazine's high-profile 2015 Green Car of the Year® program. The 2015 models include the Audi A3 TDI, BMW i3, Chevrolet Impala Bi-Fuel, Honda Fit, and VW Golf. The Green Car of the Year® award, an honor widely recognized as the auto industry's most important environmental accolade, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year® program each year, a reflection of the auto industry's expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important "green" vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005.