
A highly-charged atmosphere is guaranteed on the Audi stand at the 2011 Frankfurt Show as the futuristic A2 concept is confirmed as the third all-electric Audi design study to take the limelight for the Vorsprung durch Technik brand. Although more familiar in form than the two radically styled urban concept electric studies, the four-seat A2 concept is similarly forward-looking. Its exceptionally weight-conscious and space-efficient packaging is achieved using state-of-the-art multi-material hybrid construction, and its space-age specification includes contact-free battery charging, ‘by-wire’ steering and braking, LED matrix lighting technology and a semi-autonomous running mode. Read more…

The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show will play host to four new high-performance Audi S models sharing one remarkable new eight-cylinder engine which enables them to counterbalance outputs of up to 520PS with the potential for up to 29mpg*. The new bi-turbo V8, incorporating cylinder on demand technology and a host of other advances, replaces the naturally aspirated V10 FSI engine in the all-new S6, S6 Avant and S8 models, and in the process improves economy by as much as 25 per cent. It is also at the heart of a completely new addition to the S quattro Series – the new S7 Sportback.
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Luxury class grandeur meets compact class efficiency in the Audi A8 hybrid, which this week has been given the green light for series production beginning in 2012, and will reach the UK late next year. Employing a four-cylinder petrol engine for the first time in an Audi model at this level, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s latest paragon of economy will offer performance befitting its 245PS and 480Nm outputs, despite delivering more uncharacteristic sub-148g/km CO2 output and all-electric, completely local emissions-free running at speeds of up to 62mph.
The Audi flagship model is designed as a highly efficient parallel hybrid. Its 2.0-litre TFSI engine, which has been modified in some areas, generates an output of 211PS and makes a 350 Nm torque peak available between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. The combustion engine works together with a disc-shaped electric motor which generates 40 kW (54 PS) and 210 Nm. Read more…

An open-air Spyder version of the outlandish Audi urban concept is ready to make light work of the Frankfurt Motor Show next month (September 17-25) alongside the recently announced Sportback model. These radical and weight-optimized 1+1-seat technical studies are not descended from any previous Audi model – their development is based on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. Read more…

Audi is once again exploring new horizons with the Audi urban concept, a 1+1-seat, ultra-light car for congested urban spaces. The technical study confounds conventional car categories – the Audi urban concept combines elements of a racing car, a roadster, a fun car and an urban car into one radical new concept.
The Audi urban concept car is not descended from any previous model – its development is based on the strict principles of lightweight construction, efficiency and reduction. The result is a concept car with no unnecessary weight, and one that concentrates on the pure essence of dynamic motion. Read more…

Subtle re-sculpting and significant re-engineering will enable new generation Audi A5 and S5 Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet models to slip even more elegantly, more nimbly and more cleanly through the air. Beyond their measured exterior and interior styling updates, infotainment technology advances and chassis modifications, the three ranges are also characterised by CO2 emission reductions of up to 22 per cent thanks to new and heavily revised engines and additional efficiency measures. UK orders for the new A5 and S5 models, which will be priced from £25,540 OTR, can be taken from September, ahead of first deliveries in December.
The key objective in updating the three ranges was to deliver major gains in efficiency without compromising on performance that fulfils the promise in the taut and muscular lines of the A5. This has been achieved primarily by introducing two new engines and completely redesigning others, but also by extending engine start-stop technology right across the range and replacing the hydraulic power steering system with a new electromechanical unit that demands no engine input when the wheel is in the straight-ahead position. Read more…