The Audi R8 LMS proves the brand’s lightweight design expertise, meets highest safety standards and features even more sophisticated aerodynamics than its predecessor.

Even more race car technology, lightweight design par excellence, more efficient aerodynamics, and a level of safety that surpasses the requirements of the regulations: These are the qualities with which the new Audi R8 LMS is prepared to continue the success of its predecessor.

Between 2009 and 2015, the drivers of the first generation of the customer sport race cars won 28 drivers’ titles, seven 24-hour races, and three 12-hour races around the globe. 200 GT3 race cars were manufactured by Audi in Neckarsulm and customers contest more than 300 worldwide races in them per year.

Article source: www.audi.com

Sharpened Coupé and Sportback models deploy an all-new platform and cutting edge infotainment to mix business with pleasure perfectly

• SE, Sport and S line specification available on both models
• Three TDI and two TFSI engines join the A5 Coupé range
• Five-door Sportback configurable with one TFSI and two TDI engines from launch
• Flagship S5 available in both body styles with 354PS and 500Nm
• Audi Drive Select, three-zone electric climate control, Twin leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-operated tailgate, Audi Smartphone interface and Audi connect Safety and Service comprise standard specification
• Wide range of technology available such as Matrix LEDs, Audi Phone Box, Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound System, Audi virtual cockpit
• Pricing starts from £30,700 OTR for the Coupé in 2.0 TFSI form and from £38,005 OTR for the A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI quattro Sport (SE pricing will be announced at a later date)
• 4.7-second S5 Coupé and Sportback both priced from £47,000 OTR

Less than a month after its European debut at Paris, the successor to the five-door Audi acclaimed for wrapping high functionality in a captivating coupé-like silhouette is ready to order in the UK. Sporting a host of technological advancements that encapsulate Vorsprung durch Technik under its sharpened and toned skin, the A5 Sportback joins the equally attractive new Coupé which has been available since late September. It will touch down here a couple of months after its two-door relative in February 2017.

Heading up the highly intelligent new range, and available to order at the same time in both Coupé and Sportback form is an even faster, more powerful and more efficient S5 quattro, now featuring a turbocharged V6 TFSI. Power has ramped up to 354PS, propelling both three-door and five-door versions to 62mph in just 4.7 seconds.

Broad portfolio of powertrains

A choice of three TDI and two TFSI power units are available in the new A5 Coupé and Sportback. The four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI both produce 190PS and can be configured with either a six-speed manual or 7-speed S tronic transmission. An ultra version of the TDI in the Coupé offers the same power, torque (400Nm between 1,750 and 3,000rpm) and 0-62mph performance (7.7 seconds), but combines this with the potential for even greater economy returns of up to 70.6mpg combined and 105g/km compared to the already impressive peak of 67.3mpg combined and 111g/km for the 'standard' 2.0 TDI.

A 2.0 TFSI producing 252PS and 370Nm of torque is mated exclusively to quattro all-wheel drive. In the Coupé, 0-62mph takes a mere 5.8 seconds (6.0 for the Sportback) and both top out at 155mph. The combined 47.9mpg potential and 136g/km is unchanged regardless of the silhoutte.

At the top end of the scale, a V6 TDI with 218PS is offered in conjunction with quattro drive and S tronic transmission in the Coupé, and appears in 286PS* form exclusively linked to an eight-speed tiptronic in the Sportback. The former boasts a 6.2-second 62mph sprint time and 155mph top speed despite CO2 of as little as 119g/km and up to 58.9mpg combined.

Drawing on a turbocharged V6 TFSI powerplant that delivers 354PS and 500Nm between 1,370 and 4,500rpm, the S5 Coupé and Sportback share 4.7-second zero to 62mph capability, and both can reach a limited top speed of 155mph. An integrated exhaust manifold, new combustion technology and a freewheeling function embedded in the standard eight-speed tiptronic transmission all contribute to lower consumption than that of the predecessor, resulting in 38.2mpg combined for the Coupé (37.7mpg for the Sportback) and a shared CO2 value of 170g/km.

SE, Sport and S line specification

In keeping with the rest of the Audi range, the hierarchy for A5 Coupé and Sportback consists of SE, Sport and S line specification levels. The lead-in SE option now features more equipment than ever, including a host of infotainment and driver assistance systems.

These range from the Audi Smartphone Interface connection hosting Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and the front and rear Audi Parking System Plus to the Audi pre-sense City which warns the driver of a imminent collision and can initiate emergency braking and the multi-collision brake assist, capable of reducing further impacts through full braking. Also new to the A5 range is the Audi connect Safety and Service package. Fitted as standard, an embedded SIM card enables occupants to dial an emergency or assistance call service with a one-touch button function inside the car.

All SE models are fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, and come equipped with xenon headlights aided by LED daytime running lights. Further highlights include Audi Drive Select, a deluxe three-zone electronic climate control system and a power-operated tailgate for Sportback models (coupé models come fitted with an electric boot lid release mechanism).

Sport models build on this further by incorporating an LED interior lighting pack, electrically adjustable sports seats with 4-way lumbar support upholstered in Twin leather, SD card-based MMI navigation and a three-month free trial of Audi connect.

Standout features on the sharper S line in addition to the customary visual enhancements are 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension, LED front and rear lights with dynamic rear indicators and front sports seats upholstered in leather/Alcantara.

S5 Coupé and Sportback set the pace

On the top rung, the S5 quattro models are of course marked out by S specific upgrades that subtly convey their performance potential. In addition to the customary quad oval tailpipes and aluminium-effect door mirror housings, S5 logos adorn the grille, front wings and rear. Partly polished 19-inch alloy wheels conceal S sport suspension and specially tuned brakes, while a matt aluminium finish extends to the rear diffuser, inlays surrounding the air inlets and radiator grille. The vibrant Misano red and Navarra blue paintwork are also exclusively available for this model.

Inside, Fine Nappa leather extends to the front S super sports seats, combining lumbar support, pneumatic adjustment and a massage function. MMI navigation plus and a three-year subscription to the Audi connect suite round out the interior upgrades.

Separately on S5 models, a sport differential can complement the quattro drivetrain for more targeted torque distribution to the rear wheels, improving stability and agility in fast corners.

Progressive technology

Naturally, the most forward-thinking technological advancements can now supplement the already extensive standard equipment list, from the Audi virtual cockpit and Matrix LED lights to a head-up display and Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. In terms of driver assistance, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go incorporates a traffic jam assist function capable of taking over braking, acceleration and steering inputs at speeds of up to 37mph to take the strain off stop-start traffic. A similarly innovative feature is the predictive efficiency assistant, which uses route data to calculate when free-wheeling or engine braking can be automatically applied to boost overall mpg.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Technology awards celebrating the best in-car tech on the market recognises the virtues of the ‘hugely adaptable’ Audi virtual cockpit

• Tech of the Year Award: Audi virtual cockpit
• Most user-friendly tech – cars under £25,000: Audi A3
• Best in-car connectivity – cars under £25,000: Audi A3

The pin-sharp graphics, rich array of on-board driving data and split-second response rates of the all-digital Audi virtual cockpit have earned it the coveted title of ‘Tech of the Year’ in the inaugural Car Tech Awards, adjudicated collaboratively by a panel of automotive and tech journalists from leading digital brands, Carbuyer and Alphr.

First introduced on the Audi TT in 2014, the highly functional Audi virtual cockpit is now an established feature of the premium brand’s interior architecture, extending to more than half of the model range from the spine-tingling R8 to the newly introduced Q2 compact SUV. It also can be specified across the new Audi A3 range, which has been separately praised in two more Car Tech Awards categories for its switched-on approach to user friendly tech and connectivity in the under £25,000 bracket.

Editor of CarBuyer, Stuart Milne explained the rationale behind the win: "We were endlessly impressed with virtual cockpit, and the more you use it, the better it gets. Its performance is outstanding, graphics are crisp and when the 12.3in screen is given over to navigation functions, mapping has never been clearer. With all this in mind, virtual cockpit is a must have feature across most of Audi's models."
"If there’s one piece of in-car technology that defines 2016, and will lead the way over the coming years, it’s Audi virtual cockpit."

The truly innovative instrument panel

The Audi virtual cockpit comprises a TFT display with a 12.3-inch diagonal and a resolution of 1440 x 540 pixels. It displays exceptionally sharp and highly detailed graphics. Working in the background for the cockpit is a high-performance Tegra 30 processor supplied by Audi’s partner NVIDIA. The fully digital display enables a wide range of information to be presented clearly and directly in the driver’s field of view. This includes the classic values for speed and rpm, but also navigation, communication and entertainment information.

The driver can switch between two views by pressing a button on the steering wheel. In Infotainment mode, a central window dominates the view. It offers plenty of room for lists in the Phone, Radio and Media areas or for the navigation map that can furnish practically the entire screen when desired. The tachometer and speedometer are displayed as small dial instruments on the right and left. In a second, classic view, they appear about as large as analogue instruments, and the middle window is smaller. For the Audi S and RS models as well as for the Audi R8, there is a third screen with a dynamic emphasis. It is dominated by the tachometer and provides additional technical information.

The driver operates the Audi virtual cockpit from the multifunction steering wheel. Using switches on the left spoke, the driver pages through the menus for the on-board computer, audio system, and – depending on the installed features – the phone and navigation system. Located on the right side of the steering wheel are the volume control, the voice control button, telephone express controls and the skip function for quickly changing the radio station or song.

In keeping with its MMI logic, Audi modifies the colour scheme of the display according to the base menu being used – orange for the Media menu and green for the Phone menu, for instance. At the lower edge are permanent displays of outside temperature, time of day and odometer readings as well as warning and information symbols.

The latest Audi A3 range encapsulates Vorsprung durch Technik with a host of standard and optional equipment at the forefront of in-car infotainment and connectivity. Connecting an iPhone or Android handset seamlessly to the car is now instantaneous thanks to the standard Audi smartphone interface, and for all SE Technik models upwards, SD-card based MMI navigation is supplemented with a three-month free trial of the comprehensive Audi connect infotainment portfolio. This opens up a wealth of information accessible directly from the MMI screen, covering news, weather and travel updates, Twitter integration, Google Earth and Street View and useful information such as a fuel station price checker.

The audio-visual experience can be enhanced even further with options such as the wireless charging facility of Audi Phone Box, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch and a high-performance Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Popular Black Edition specification reaches Audi compact SUV as part of a package of range-wide styling and equipment enhancements

• Revised Q3 range priced from £26,600 OTR to £36,945 OTR available to order from October 11, 2016 and due in the UK by the end of the year
• New specification line-up replaces SE, S line Navigation and S line Plus with Sport, S line Edition and Black Edition
• Exterior enhancements and equipment upgrades across the board
• Four TDI and TFSI engines offering up to 62.8mpg with CO2 of as little as 117g/km

The dark and brooding good looks of the Black Edition models that have been mainstays of the Audi A4, A5, A6 and A7 Sportback ranges have inspired a new Q3 Black Edition that spearheads a wholesale update of the perenially popular compact SUV line-up. The new top flight Q3 and the sharper, even better equipped versions that sit below it will become available later this month priced from £26,600 OTR, and will reach their first customers towards the end of the year.

As part of the programme of revisions the current Q3 specification structure, starting with SE, moving to S line Navigation and then on to S line plus, has shifted further upwards. At entry level, SE becomes Sport through the addition of SD navigation as standard and through styling enhancements that lend an even more purposeful air, including larger front air vents and a body-coloured front diffuser.

S line Navigation models become S line Edition by gaining standard interior features such as cruise control and the Audi Parking System Plus, and by adopting a new look for the front end, which now incorporates a distinctive horizontal strut spanning its full width, above which are air inlets with more pronounced surrounds and a new diamond-pattern mesh design. They flank a more eye-catching Single Frame grille with a new high gloss finish which is also shared by the air vents.

The main attraction in the range is now the Q3 Black Edition, which stays true to the concept introduced so successfully elsewhere in the Audi range. Replacing the S line plus model, it builds on that version’s already extensive specification with features such as standard metallic paint, privacy glass from the B pillar rearwards and a Bose sound system upgrade, but its key point of differentiation is of course the distinctive black treatment for many of its parts. These start in the cabin with piano black inlays, and continue outside to take in everything from the 19-inch alloy wheels, wheel arch cappings and Single Frame grille surround to the roof rails, rear spoiler and tailpipes, all of which are finished in gloss black.

Extensive specification

Aside from the now range-wide satellite navigation, standard equipment for all Q3 models is plentiful, and includes Audi Music and Bluetooth interfaces, sensor control for parking (rear only in the Sport, front and rear in the S line Edition and Black Edition), for lighting and for wiper function, dual-zone climate control and a Concert audio system with DAB radio linked to a 6.5-inch manually retractable colour monitor. Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights feature as standard in Sport versions, while S line Edition and Black Edition specification levels upgrade to all-weather LED headlights and dynamic ‘scrolling’ rear indicators which illuminate sequentially within two-tenths of a second from the inside out in the direction the driver intends to turn.

Under the skin, two TDI diesel and two TFSI petrol engines are available, depending on the chosen specification. The 1.4-litre TFSI with Cylinder-on-Demand technology brings 150PS and the option of either manual or S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission. It gives the exclusively front-wheel-driven Q3 1.4 TFSI a 0-62mph sprint time of as little as 8.9 seconds (S tronic), but also 51.4mpg capability (manual) based on the combined cycle test. Above it in the petrol line-up is a 2.0-litre TFSI unit with 180PS, which can be linked to either manual or S tronic transmission and works with quattro all-wheel-drive without exception.

Forming the diesel contingent are two four-cylinder, 2.0-litre TDIs with outputs of 150PS and 184PS. When linked to manual transmission and Sport specification with its 17-inch wheels, the 150PS version has the potential to return up to 62.8mpg with CO2 output of just 117g/km.

The 2.0-litre 150PS TDI engine can work with either manual or S tronic transmission and can channel its output through either the front wheels only or through all four with the help of the quattro system. The 184PS version also offers two transmission options, but deploys its heightened power and torque solely via quattro drive.

Audi drive select as standard

The composed agility of the Q3 chassis imparts a nimble feel that belies its SUV dimensions, and the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system - a standard feature of all Q3 models – enables drivers to make the most of it by adjusting throttle response, automatic transmission shift points and operating characteristics of other optional components such as the damper control system to suit personal preferences.

Up to five adults can enjoy the ride in comfort and with space to spare, and their luggage can be equally comfortably accommodated in the 420-litre load compartment, which in S line Edition and Black Edition versions is accessible at the touch of a button thanks to powered tailgate operation. When the back seat is free, its split backrest can be folded to liberate a total of 1,325 litres of cargo capacity.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk