Audi’s parent company Volkswagen already produces some of the cleanest-burning, most fuel-miserly diesel engines in the world. The Jetta TDI was recently released in the U.S. and has been making waves for its hybrid-like efficiency. So it’s natural that Audi would want to show off its green credentials with a new diesel sedan of its own, and it has done so with the A4 TDI concept e, introduced at the Paris Motor Show. Based on the brand-new A4 platform, the new concept gets a 2.0L four-cylinder common-rail direct-inject turbodiesel derived from the unit powering the Jetta TDI. That mill sees tweaks to its valvetrain and cooling systems, lowering its power output a bit to 120-horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque, but increasing its fuel efficiency a great deal.

Added to the powertrain is a start/stop system that keeps the engine from idling when not needed and regenerative braking, which charges a secondary battery that keeps all your goodies running while the engine’s off. The engine has also had its efficiency-robbing power steering pump removed and the rear brakes are now electrically actuated as well. All of this, plus many other small details, adds up to a remarkable 59 miles per U.S. gallon in EU combined testing! Its 10.5 second run to 60 won’t win any drag races, but considering the cost of fuel and pending eco-legislation in the world’s largest markets, we’d imagine that the technologies on this car will go from concept to production in short order.

We were never particularly fond of the last generation Audi S4. With 4.2-liters of V8 hanging precariously over the front axle, it provided adequate thrust, but never delivered the dynamic thrills we used to associate with the twin-turbo’d V6 fitted to the B5 platform.

Apparently Audi agrees, and in a move to further differentiate its lineup – while also providing some competition to the all-conquering BMW 335i – it’s fitted the new S4 with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 putting out 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. With a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system sending 60 percent of the power to the rear wheels, the 2009 Audi S4 is ready to do battle and we’re truly looking forward to our time behind the wheel.

For all the details, check out our previous post on the 2009 Audi S4 and peruse our live gallery from the Paris Motor Show.

Ever wonder what an Audi R8 would look like if it were to transform into a speedboat? Neither had we, but maybe it would look a bit like this machine, developed by a Swedish company named Vizualtech. The most notable styling element of the R8 are its contrasting blades of color just aft of the doors, and these make the transition to Vizualtech’s catamaran along with the integrated fuel-filler. At the rear are large openings with strakes that mimic the look of the R8’s hind-end nicely. One thing that the Audi doesn’t have are this catamaran’s gull-wing doors. We expect Audi to drop a V10 engine in the R8’s engine bay soon enough, and this sea worthy ship will feature one of its own, though powered by biodiesel and making about 320-horsepower. Top speed falls a bit behind the vehicle that inspired its design at 110 miles per hour, but that’s supercar speed on the water.

Audi made a bit of a splash earlier this year with the announcement that the new-for-’09 S3 would be available in either the three-door style or the more practical Sportback five-door hatch. Equipped with a high-pressure 2.0-liter turbo engine with 265-horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, the S3 can scoot to sixty in just 5.5 seconds, all while getting nearly 30 miles per gallon. Making the most of that power is the firm’s new seven-speed twin-clutch S-Tronic gearbox, which we’ve had nothing but good things to say about in its past six-speed incarnation. That gearbox will command a £1,450 premium over the standard manual transmission for our European friends. That price will also include twin steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, another first for the S3. Total cost for the three-door stands at £28,920, while £29,420 will get you an S3 with Sportback. Of course, Quattro all-wheel drive comes standard on both. Sadly, the whole S3 package is available only in Europe.

The idea of a small, efficient vehicle is not new to Audi. Perhaps you remember their A2, the aluminum premium super mini that despite its technological innovations wasn’t a market success. But those were different times, when “premium car” was associated with the image of a luxurious sedan. With the current volatility in oil prices, going for smaller cars is not only smart, but also trendy. And because fashion is of high importance with the upper classes, the little green cars with luxury trimmings become quite plausible.

As VW has the Up/Space Up pair already in works, we can imagine that the new Audi will share the same platform. This gives us the approximate sizes and proportions. A slightly elevated floor is also necessary to provide battery space in an electric vehicle. The “service hatch” first used on the A2 could also make a comeback on the EV, especially if we consider that it makes a good place for a plug-in socket.

Add to that some chrome and lacquer finishes, LEDs and fiber optics in the lights, some fancy wheels and there you have it: small, electric, trendy and premium.

source:worldcarfans

Now that Audi has begun production and sales of the new A4 sedan and wagon, it’s time to start rounding out the lineup. At next week’s Paris Motor Show the next generation S4 will debut and marks the introduction of a new powerplant for the S-series lineup: a supercharged 3.0L TFSI V6. The supercharger uses a pair of four vane rotors and sits in the valley of the engine block, with air fed through a pair of intercoolers to the combustion chambers where a direct injection system provides the fuel.

With 333 hp and 325 lb.-ft. of torque fed through either a six-speed manual gearbox or a new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, the S4 sprints to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds. Like the more subdued A4, the S4’s quattro system delivers 40 percent of the torque to the front axle and the remaining 60 percent to the rear. As with previous S models, the S4 get a more aggressive looking front and rear fascia and a new 18-inch wheel design. Inside, the S4 gets more supportive sport seats and the usual assortment of trim upgrades.

Our European friends will be able to get their mitts on both sedan and Avant wagon variants of the S4 starting next March. Here in the U.S. we’ll have to wait until the fall and we’ll also have to make do with the sedan only. Pricing should be similar to the current model at about $48,610.

Audi announced today that the new top-of-the-line Q7 V12 TDI quattro that was introduced in production form at this year’s Geneva Show in March (see here) will finally make its way to dealers towards the end of 2008. Equipped with a massive 6.0-liter V12 diesel engine (the first of its kind to be offered in a passenger vehicle) generating an output of 500 HP and an awe-inspiring maximum torque of 1,000 Nm or 737.56 lb-ft, the, Q7 V12 TDI quattro accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.5 seconds and has an electronically capped top speed of 250 km/h (155mph).

Audi gave up the details on the European-spec A3 earlier this year, but it took until today for it to disclose what changes will carry over to the U.S. model when the 2009 A3 goes on sale later this month.

A cursory inspection of the exterior and specs doesn’t reveal much, but dig a little deeper and the revisions become obvious. The fascia has been tweaked with a few cues from the recently revamped A4, including new LED daytime running lamps, and redesigned rollers fill the wheel wells, hiding Audi’s optional Magnetic Ride suspension system.

The five-door’s powertrain choices remain, with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four or a 3.2-liter V6, and all-wheel-drive is finally available as an option on the 2.0T model. Previously, Audi’s hill-start assist was only available with the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, but it’s now standard on models fitted with the six-speed manual.

Pricing has been set at $26,920 for the front-wheel-drive, six-speed manual model equipped with the 2.0T, while the top of the line 3.2-liter Quattro variant comes in at $36,975.

The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has legally commencing amidst the automaker’s announcement overly it has matured a GT3 version of the R8 sports car labeled “R16″ internally by its presume overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 procedures prohibit AWD) parts a six-speed sequential gearbox, often times production-spec suspension components, additonally an updated front end and a larger rear wing calculated to still be it planted to the tarmac. No a good deal more tech specs hold continued revealed at now time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the wheel for the prototype’s roll-out, and purchaser deliveries are innate to take place imminent fall. Look for the car to see wheel-to-wheel action against the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 over the 2009 European racing season. We patiently await its inclusion in a times ahead Gran Turismo update so the we can try it out, too.