Audi has decided to expand its A4 range with a couple of options that we think consumers will like. There's now a base A4 2.0T FrontTrak which uses front-wheel drive and is paired to Audi's multitronic CVT. The FrontTrak model is said to yield fuel economy ratings of 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, giving it the "best in class" title. Additionally, consumers can now opt for a six-speed manual transmission with A4 2.0T Quattro models, with fuel efficiency ringing in at 22 and 30 mpg, respectively.

The base MSRP for the FrontTrak is $31,000, while the six-speed manual Quattro will command $31,850. Extra goodies like a sunroof, leather seating, and Sirius satellite radio come as standard equipment. Both of these models are expected to hit dealerships by early 2009.

Additionally, if you own a 2009 Audi A4 or have test driven one, we want to know what you think of Ingolstadt's latest mid-sizer. Click on over to our forum page and give us your feedback about the 2009 A4 Sedan or Avant.

Click through the post for Audi's official press release.

Audi has big plans for Detroit. Many unveilings are planned for this event and the German automaker is no exception. Audi has already released details about its new V-10 powered R8 supercar, along with some sketches of an A7 four-door coupe concept (above) that may also appear at the show.

According to some inside information, the A7 concept will strongly resemble the production model due late next year. Several teaser sketches have been released by Audi, showing uniquely short overhangs reminiscent of the TT coupe, and a pair of highly tapered headlamps. The images also revealed a straight roofline that slopes down that blends directly into the rear hatch.

The A7 is expected to begin with a 204 horsepower 2.8-liter model, followed by a 300 horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged version, and then a 394 horsepower 4.2-liter V-8. Finally, an RS7 would most likely be added on later with a predicted 600 horsepower, twin-turbocharged, 5.0-liter V-10 engine.

Other models rumored to be on the Audi show stand next month will include a new turbodiesel A4 saloon designed for the U.S. market, the new 300 horsepower 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 A6 range, and the 265 horsepower TTS sports coupe.

+ Motor Authority: Audi reportedly prepping A7 concept for Detroit Auto Show

http://www.carzi.com/2008/12/09/audi-a5-s5-cabriolet-revealed/

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There's really no reason to complain about the current Audi R8, what with it's powerful V-8 engine, bold appearance, and all-wheel drive. However, Ingolstadt's best have upped the ante with the new R8 V-10 5.2 FSI, set to debut this January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It's no secret that the R8 shares a lot of its underpinnings with the Lamborghini Gallardo, and now the Lambo's ten-cylinder engine makes its way down the food chain and into Audi's supercar.

The 5.2-liter V-10 is said to produce 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. This means that the newest R8 will be able to sprint from zero to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds and will carry on all the way to a top speed of 196 mph. Both the six-speed manual and R-tronic transmissions will be available. This R8 also gets a set of all-LED headlamps as well as a new rear diffuser where a set of twin exhausts replace the quad pipes on the eight-cylinder R8. Larger air intakes also beef up the area near the side blades in order to force more air into the larger engine.

Pricing is said to start around $180,000, and we'll be sure to give you our full impressions when the car is unveiled this January. Until then, have a look through our gallery or click through the post to read Audi's official press release.

Audi announced today that its factory team will not participate in the American Le Mans Series in 2009. The Audi factory team, which has dominated the series since it joined in 2000, will take the opportunity to create a more formidable presence in the European arena, particularly the 24-Hours of Le Mans race, with its newly developed R15 sport prototype (rendering pictured above).

Though some may see this as a symptom of economic difficulties, for Audi motorsport and American race fans, the hand that taketh away also giveth. The Audi R15 sport prototype will premiere at the 12-hour race in Sebring, Florida on March 21, 2009. The company will also make the new R8 LMS available for customer use in the GT3 class. Americans can look forward to a different ALMS, as well as the hope of still seeing Audis driven by the capable hands of non-factory teams.

Scroll down to read the complete press release.

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We’ve long since recognized that the needs, whims, and wants of the Chinese auto market are difficult, if not impossible, for outside observers to predict. We still remember being a bit stunned when we first found out about the seemingly inscrutable popularity of the Buick brand in the country, the never failing supply of copy cat cars that crop up there, and even the drastic measures taken to reduce smog at the Summer Olympics.

We were, at first read, similarly baffled to hear that Audi was developing a long-wheelbase A4 just for China. It turns out that stretching just about any size sedan is a perfectly normal thing to happen in the market, owing largely to the high percentage of cars that are chauffer driven in the nation. So Audi’s graceful new A4, never under much consideration as a limousine here in the U.S., makes for a natural fit for the “L” treatment in the Far East. We learn a little every day.

Have a closer look at the lengthened Chinese A4L in our gallery above or scroll down below to read the press release. 

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Introduced to the world this past August, it seems that Audi and racing team ABT Sportsline are spending some time at the Nürburgring with this, supremely wild R8 GT3.

The hugely winged and kitted R8 is said to have been fitted to the requirements of a GT3 race car, meaning that all of its 500 horsepower is directed to the rear wheels only—as four-wheel drive isn’t permitted in the formula. That prodigious shove from the V-10 engine is handled through a six-speed sequential gearbox. We’ve heard rumors that the racy R8 was clearing the ‘Ring in laps of around eight minutes, forty seconds, which isn’t bad considering the recently rainy driving conditions.

Have a closer look at the super R8 GT3 in our gallery above, or scroll down below to read a few words penned by the spy shooter himself.

The Audi TTS, which was revealed at last January's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is just about ready to be sold in the States, and official pricing has been announced. The TTS Coupe will start at $45,500, with the TTS Roadster priced from $47,500. This pricing reflects a $10,300 premium over the base TT models.

Under the hood, the TTS is powered by Audi's revised 2.0 TFSI engine, cranking out 265 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Coupe will go from zero to 60 miles an hour in just 4.9 seconds, while the Roadster adds two tenths of a second to that time. Fuel economy should still be relatively good for cars in this segment, with both models yielding 21 city and 29 highway miles per gallon. Power is routed through the S-tronic dual-clutch system capable of 0.2-second shift times and Quattro all-wheel drive is standard. Top speed in both cars is electronically limited to 155 miles per hour.

Audi is also working on an even more powerful TT-RS, though there's still no official word if that car will be coming to America.

+ Motor Authority: Audi announces U.S. pricing for TTS Coupe and Roadster

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Since the Audi Mileage Marathon is essentially a contest to see which team of journalists can achieve the best fuel economy out of each vehicle, it's only fitting that some rules and regulations are put into place. Each car is fitted with a data logger that tracks the fuel consumption and average speed of each car, so even if we were to reset the in-dash trip computer, our overall results would not change. Points are awarded for the best fuel economy and the highest average speed, with more weight put on economy.

A team of IMSA officials traveled along with the Audi folks and monitored all fuel stops. Teams are not allowed to add any fuel themselves, and only one tank of gas is allotted per day. Just before we reach the hotel each night, we stop off at a Shell station where the IMSA folks fill the tank, record how much fuel was used, and seal off the fuel door with a signed sticker.

As for car modifications, we were told that the tires were inflated to the maximum pressure to give the best fuel economy. Bob Massa, a Michelin spokesperson, told us that even if we over-inflated the tires, it wouldn't do us any good, as the specific low-rolling-resistance tires outfitted on these cars were made for optimum economical driving. One team did, however, tape up the front end of a Q7 to eliminate any sheetmetal gaps, though these modifications did not improve their numbers in any way.

Click through the gallery to see some of the IMSA folks regulating our drive, and stay tuned for more impressions from the Mileage Marathon.

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After having taken over for my colleague Steve Ewing here at the Audi Mileage Marathon, we have successfully embarked on our first day of travel here in Wave 3, having journeyed from downtown Denver to Durango. Along our day of driving, my new co-driver, Roosevelt Gist and I clambered aboard Audi Q7 #1, a number that would sadly not prove to be prophetic for our first day’s mileage.

Throughout our day’s journey we remained at higher altitudes, a factor that inevitably came into play even with forced-induction engines like our fleet of Audi TDIs. That said, our mileage struck us as very impressive, as we eeked out an unofficial figure 29 miles per gallon—this, despite basically spending the entire day above 6000 feet and as high as about 11,000 feet. Although official mileage results have not been tabulated through the use of the mysterious black boxes mounted beneath the load floor in the cargo hold (we’ll learn our day’s ranking later this morning), we hear that others have garnered average highs of as 30-31 mpg on their dashboard readouts.

(Click through to read on)