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Audi Blog, Performance, Tuning, Motorsport, and Modification News
Published on 07-13-2011 04:41 AM
No secret Audi is trying to expand as fast as possible to catch and pass BMW. In order for that to happen, a plant in the US is a necessity. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler confirmed a North American plant will be built. During an interview with the Automotive News he stated, "It is totally clear that we need new production capacity in the U.S., the question only is when." What will be rolling off the lines? SUV's mostly, likely the upcoming Audi Q6. ...Published on 07-12-2011 07:30 PM
Anyone else bummed out about this? Yes, the Q3 is a tiny little SUV and apparently the Audi brass thinks it is too small for the US market. We consider this a downer since Audi teased a high performance version of the Q3 which is destined for production. For performance enthusiasts, it would have been a nice entry level performance SUV option. Audi still tends to withhold a good amount of models from the American public which we hoped was a trend that would change after the TT-RS. Oh well, hopefully we still get a performance version of the Q5. ...Published on 07-12-2011 12:01 AM
The new H&R sport system lowers the Audi RS3 by 20 mm up front 25 mm in the rear. Comfort is said to not be sacrificed and handling improved. To improve the handling further, a coil-over system is also being offered along with a set of wheel spacers. What many will no doubt be waiting for is the Clubsport variant of the coil-over suspension which will work with the previously mentioned suspension products. ...Published on 07-11-2011 02:21 AM
The owner here is going with a larger displacement B5 S4 motor with a large single turbo hoping to set some record 1/4 mile times. It looks like record times should be in reach considering on the previous setup which made less power the car went 10.58@140. This particular car belongs to a guy who goes by the name of Guruman and he seems intent on setting some records. He is now aiming for deep into the 9's at mid 140's+ and we do not doubt it will be possible. ...Published on 07-09-2011 02:50 AM
The price on this car is much higher than the car it will inevitable be compared to by most, the BMW 1M. The only reason for that is that BMW does not have a Z4 model which compared favorably with the TT-RS. In that context, the TT-RS is not priced badly at all especially vs. the current Z4's available as well as the Boxster and SLK. Also keep in mind the TT-S starts at the $47,000 mark meaning an extra $10k puts you in the RS. ...Published on 07-08-2011 04:25 AM
This is a great drag race to see but not really all that surprising. The Audi wins the race by virtue of its AWD launch and DSG transmission. Whomever was driving the 1M launched poorly. The 1M had the higher trap speed by 3 MPH so it is the faster car. Makes you wonder how the 1M would do with a DCT transmission. The video calls the Audi an automatic (not this again) and suggests it would win by a larger margin in the rain (as if drag racing the rain is smart or desired) leading both comments to sound, well, stupid. ...Published on 07-07-2011 05:19 AM
11.0@127.3 is pretty fast, right? Well, it is, but compared to the stock numbers MotorTrend hit of 11.6@122.1 it really isn't all that impressive. Now magazines aren't really the best at drag racing but we would expect a much bigger performance gain than that, especially with horsepower that is supposed to be in the 700 range. Output is supposed to be boosted by 185 horses and 132 pound-feet of torque with the positive displacement blower. ...Published on 07-05-2011 07:58 AM
So all the Q3 RS discussion has been confirmed and a prototype does exist. The Q3 launch event was held in Switzerland and Audi decided to show up with a Q3 sporting the TT-RS drivetrain. The small SUV has the 2.5 TFSI turbo 5 cylinder as rumored and it is mated to a 7 speed DSG gearbox. Some people are saying it is detuned to 300 horsepower others are saying it has the full 340 hp. Either way, the car is a year away but it is coming. US prospects are getting dimmer as Audi is likely not to bring this generation of the Q3 over. ...Published on 07-05-2011 02:35 AM
This video is reminiscent of the Truth in 24 documentary. As you know by now (you know this by now, right?) Audi won the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hour race despite numerous setbacks which included losing 2 of their 3 cars. This video gives a nice recap and is well worth watching for motorsport or even casual automotive fans alike. ...Published on 07-03-2011 04:24 PM
Audi was not able to overcome the dominant start positions of the Mercedes cars. Considering that Mercedes had 5 of first 6 starting positions, Audi did quite well to take 3-4-5 for some valuable points in tough, wet conditions. Martin Tomczyk finished in 3rd place which means he will now fall out of the top spot in the driver standings with Bruno Spengler taking over 1st. Back and forth we go... ...Published on 07-02-2011 07:13 AM
A few days ago we told you Audi planned to bring a performance version of the Q3 to market. It didn't take long for renderings of the car to pop up. We don't know if it will be an RS or S model but the graphic design artist decided to go with RS. There are also rumors that it will get the exact same powertrain as the TT-RS meaning 340+ horsepower paired to a 7 speed DSG. ...Published on 07-02-2011 02:50 AM
Kind of an odd statement to make, isn't it? Audi says it will announce in September if it will produce the Quattro Concept. We are guessing they didn't pick the month of the Frankfurt Auto Show for fun. Plus, wouldn't it be a big letdown to just wait until the big auto show to say you are not building it? Rumors abounded that they already approved it for production so we are betting Audi will say yes when the world is watching them. If not, talk about building people up for a letdown. ...Published on 07-01-2011 02:40 AM
RENNtech is really diversifying its offering from just Mercedes performance parts. From Bentleys to now Audi's they seem to be targeting the VW group as well. This exhaust system differs from your standard R8 offering by offering valves. There are three modes the driver can adjust; cruise, sport, and open. The exhaust bolts into the stock mounting points and comes with a remote to adjust the sound level. ...Published on 06-29-2011 02:50 AM
Auto Motor Und Sport is reporting that recently in Zurich Audi CEO Rupert Stadler let it slip that a Q3 with the TT-RS 2.5 liter 6 cylinder turbo motor is coming. This will be a sport version of the Q3 which likely means the S badge. 'SQ3' may be the name but we need to see what precedent Audi sets for naming their performance SUV's when the higher performance versions of the Q5 arrive. We just hope this vehicle makes it to the USA as an SUV with the low curb weight of the Q3 and the power potential of a TT-RS will be a nice little platform. ...Published on 06-28-2011 02:57 AM
This is really just an awesome video showing off MRC Tuning's widebody B5 S4. We have no idea what widebody kit it is running or if it is custom but the car looks awesome. We also really like that it is not all show but has plenty of go with the 2.7 twin turbo motor's displacement increased to 3.0 liters. Turbos are K24 hybrids but we are not too sure of the power level. If you haven't heard of MRC before, they are UK based tuner who we will likely be hearing more from. ...Published on 06-26-2011 09:54 PM
Remember the chrome R8 we told you was going to be auctioned off? Well, the car was such a hit Audi donated a second R8. The first R8 was actually submitted twice with the winner putting it right back up for auction where it generated even more money. All in all, just under $1 million dollars was generated by the two chrome R8's Audi donated. Audi UK stated: “We are absolutely delighted to have been instrumental in raising such a magnificent sum for Sir Elton’s charity." ...Published on 06-25-2011 04:00 AM
No, this isn't some Saudi prince's idea of gaudy indulgence. Audi created this chrome R8 to support the EJAF White Tie & Tiara Ball. What is that? Well, it's a ball hosted by Sir Elton John annually that benefits the Elton John's AIDS Foundation. Basically, a bunch of rich people gather to throw away a few dollars they can easily spare and everyone gets to hang out with Elton John feeling like they are making a real difference bidding on chrome R8's. Definitely a nice gesture on Audi's part to donate the car. ...Published on 06-24-2011 09:47 PM
This is a potentially interesting development. In reveling details to Automobile Magazine about the Q6 it seems Audi let it slip that the Q6 would come with the 3.0 TFSI but with a turbo instead of the supercharger, "Under the hood it will offer a revised 3.0-liter TFSI V-6, which drops the supercharger in favor of a single turbo." The Q6 isn't scheduled to arrive for a few more years so don't expect this motor in current generation Audi's. ...Published on 06-23-2011 11:41 PM
As you no doubt know (being an avid Audiboost reader, right?), APR released their pulley upgrade for the 3.0 TFSI supercharged V6's. These pictures show the process of installing the pulley on a B8 S4 which does not seem to be too difficult. So, go ahead and order up your pulley and do your own install. Pictures are courtesy of Elite Motorsports who did the install on this S4. ...Published on 06-22-2011 09:51 PM
A few days ago we posted an article detailing the Insideline test of the 2012 A7 which has the same supercharged V6 motor as this A6. Well, the A6 put up similar numbers although it hit 102 mph vs. 101. Basically, the cars are a wash with the A6 only being about 30 pounds lighter. The numbers are pretty good but imagine what they would both do if they had DSG's instead of automatics. ...
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