26Jul
Everyone’s getting more and more tech-savvy these days. With state-of-the-art multimedia and navigation systems in cars these days and are becoming an essential part of the driver’s daily life, top carmakers all fight for the top spot. Mercedes Benz has COMAND, BMW has iDrive, Lexus has a brand new haptic technology with Enform, it goes without saying that Audi’s MMI won’t get left behind.
The latest updated versions of Audi’s MMI and nav system has entered the market and is set to come out with the TT, A3, and R8 models. The updated version can compute the faster route easily due to a new 600MHz processor. The radio-nav technology called RNS-E can be used together with the car’s music system and can read as much as 32GB SD memory sticks.
The biggest upgrade is the higher resolution for the 800×480pixel 6.5inches screen. A split screen view can easily project the speed limits from highways and freeways. Drivers can also scroll the topographic map horizontally or vertically.
Read more »
17Jul
As Audi aims to fulfill its goal of expanding its fleet to a total of 40 units from the today’s 23 cars, new sedans, coups, and soft-roaders are being introduced to the market. Following the 2008 release of the A5 cabrio, the S5, and the Audi Q5 SUV in North America, Audi is planning to release the A7 coupe with four doors by late 2010.
The new A7 4-door coupe will be rolling of stores as a 2011 model. Audi is beefing up its Neckarsulm factoriy by spending millions of Euros to produce the A7. The production of the new member of the brood will start late next year, so American consumers will most likely enjoy the new car by 2011.
According to an insider, the A7 will get a variety of engines under its hood. There are buzzes that a V10 capable of producing about 600hp will be fitted in. Hybrid versions using the combo of diesel and electric engines are also said to be on the works.
Read more »
07Jul
The 2009 Audi A3 is offered in the United States in two engine variants with a 2.0L to 3.2L displacement. Outside the U.S. Audi gives consumers a wider range of choice with the TDI diesel and gasoline engine options. The A3 gets two new engine variants with 90 hp and 105 hp TDI 1.6L engines.
The powerplant that outputs 105 hp is very efficient with fuel mileage recorder at 57.37 mpg or about 4.1L going for 100km. The carbon dioxide per kilometer emission is also excellent at 109g. The impressive figures were made possible with technologies implemented like the energy recovery setup and the start stop system.
The fuel economy of the A3 was improved by 3% due to the energy recovery technology which basically utilizes the kinetic energy of the car’s brakes while slowing down. The energy gathered is used to rid the alternator of its load. The alternator uses the resources of the engine which inevitably consumes fuel in the normal process.
Read more »
03Jul
As the auto industry reforms its sales goals and market approach, everyone is also into developing hybrid electric vehicles to meet demands for more fuel efficient and environment-friendly forms of transportation. Audi is also well in the race and they plan to release the Hybrid Audi Q5 SUVs by 2011 in the United States.
Competitors like Lexus leads the pack with the development and soonest to be released RX 450h and BMW following closely with their ActiveHybrid X6.
According to sources, Audi engineers are planning to put a petrol-hybrid under the hood of the Q5. Since the features of the SUV are very similar to the platforms of the A5 and the A4, consumers may eventually get hybrid variants of them. Audi plans to release a Q5 hybrid with a combo of electric and turbocharged diesel powerplant.
Read more »
