New generation of Audi A8 is unveiled in Miami

Audi has chosen a different event to present the third generation of its flagship sedan, A8. Instead of an auto show, it has been presented in a design event, Design Miami, a name that reveals its location and objectives in a very concise way. Audi, on the other hand, spent pages and pages describing its new car. We'll give you an idea of all things it offers, but first have a look at the vehicle.



The new A8 is built over the ASF (Audi Space Frame) architecture, which relies basically on aluminium to produce a very stiff and light body. Although it is bigger than the previous A8, its body is 6.5 kg lighter. And by bigger you can understand almost 10 cm more in length. The new A8 is 5.14 m long, 1.95 m wide, 1.46 m tall and presents a wheelbase of 2.99 m. Most of the length gain can be credited to the increase in wheelbase, what reflects in a roomier car.

In what relates to the heart of the car, there will be, at first, three options: two V8 engines, petrol and diesel, and a turbodiesel V6. The 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine delivers 372 bhp and 445 Nm, while the 4.2-litre V8 turbodiesel engine produces 350 bhp and amazing 800 Nm. The 3-litre TDI V6 is able to reach 250 bhp and 550 Nm, but, in the future, there will be a weaker version available, good for 204 bhp.

All engines will be able to use a new eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, similar to the ones already present in Lexus and BMW products. A pneumatic suspension, adjustable to the way people intend to drive the car, complete the package of relevant information about the new A8. All the rest relates to infotainment and other stuff that we do not really care about. When we get the chance to seat behind the steering wheel and drive it, we will be more specific about them.


































Source: Audi

OFFICIAL! - Audi presents the first five-door coupe of the world, the new A5 Sportback

Audi will celebrate its centennial in 2009 and it is expected to present a lot of new products until the end of the year. R8 Roadster, A7 and, until these two machines decide to show up, the new A5 Sportback, the first five-door coupe of the world.



Although it looks like a coupe, it would be more accurate to call the A5 Sportback as a fastback, due to its rear door, but the fact is a fastback usually does not have such an elegant shape.

With prices that start at 33,650 euros, it has a 480 l luggage compartment and six engine options, three petrol units and three diesel powerplants. The petrol options are two 2-liter four-cylinder TFSI with 180 bhp (132 kW) and 211 bhp (155 kW) and a 3.2-liter V6 with 265 bhp (195 kW). As for the diesel units, there is a 2-litre four cylinder engine that generates 170 bhp (125 kW) and two V6 units, the first a 2.7-litre able to generate 190 bhp (140 kW) and the second a 3-litre that pumps out 240 bhp (176 kW).

The new A5 Sportback is 4.71 m long, 1.85 m wide and 1.39 m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.81 m. Tomorrow Audi will present another new car. We would bet on the R8 Roadster. Let's see if we are right.





















Source: Audi