Rendered: Audi RS1

First off, let us say that Audi has no intention of building this car. But we can still dream right? Here's a rendered speculation from our friend and Wheels Weekly resident automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin, of what an Audi RS1 (or A1 RS) would look like.



Source: TheophilusChin.com

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Bam Margera's new Audi R8

Looks like Bam Margera has a new ride. Here are a couple of shots of Bam's new, black on black Audi R8 4.2. As far as we know, this is Bam's second Audi, following a Nogaro Blue B5 S4 he had years ago. We have to say, the black matching side blades look great, especially with the fresh Pennsylvania snow as a backdrop.



Source: @RYANGEE_photo (TwitPic) via @BAM_MARGERA (Twitter)

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Audi to debut A1-based e-tron at Geneva?

French auto blog, Le Buzz Auto is reporting that Audi will debut a third e-tron concept at next week's 2010 Geneva Motor Show. As you may recall, Audi's most recent Geneva-themed press release states that Audi "will be presenting the Audi RS 5, the near-production Audi A8 Hybrid show car and an additional concept car." If "Le Buzz" is correct, that "additional concept car" may be a new, smaller e-tron variant based on the Audi A1 platform.

We can not confirm any validity of this claim, however this rumor makes perfect sense. Considering that both Frankfurt and Detroit were used as an arena to debut different e-tron models, we would not be surprised if next week's buzz will be over the A1-based "Geneva e-tron."

English translation of the Le Buzz Auto article

Source: Le Buzz Auto (French)

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Video: Audi A1 Test Drive - Pure driving experience

Heading into next week's Geneva Motor Show, Audi has released yet another new video of the A1. Showcasing how the A1 actually drives; DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock takes the Audi A1 for spin around the track along with Dr. Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at Audi.



For more videos like this, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Press Release:

Audi A1: Pure driving experience

- Direct-ratio, electrohydraulic power steering
- ESP stabilization system with electronic axle differential lock
- Winkelhock: “Benchmark in the small compact class!”

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 26, 2010 - With its agile handling and direct steering, the new Audi A1 is just a lot of fun. Dr. Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at AUDI AG, tested the A1 together with DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock. The verdict was as follows:

The new Audi A1 offers a very sophisticated chassis, balanced weight distribution and a low center of gravity. “That is a guarantee for maximum driving enjoyment,” says Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at AUDI AG. Because it connects the driver to the road, the steering is one of the most important components of a sporty car. The A1 therefore comes standard with electrohydraulic power steering that has a very direct 14.8:1 steering ratio and is also more efficient than a purely hydraulic system.

Another factor for the agile and safe handling of the A1 is the perfect tuning of the front axle bearings, the stabilizer bars, the springs and the dampers. The rear axle features a torsion-beam suspension with the springs and dampers separated. “The car is very well sprung. It swallows up bumps of almost any size without any amplification of the motions,” says DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock when describing his impressions.

One new Audi technology is on board every version of the A1 – the ESP stabilization system with an innovative electronic axle differential lock. The brakes are applied slightly to the inside wheel in a curve, allowing more torque to be transferred to the wheel on the outside of the curve. The vehicle is very agile and the handling remains neutral even longer.

“After driving the Audi A1 for the first time, my opinion is clear: It’s the benchmark in the small compact class,” says Winkelhock.

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Audi RS5 - Full hi-res photo gallery

The Audi RS5's world debut at the Geneva Motor Show is now just days away. In anticipation for the event, we have a ton of new, hi-res photos of Audi's latest RennSport bahn-burner for your viewing pleasure. Be sure to check back next week as we will have plenty of photos and full coverage of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, including photos of the RS5 "in the flesh."

Click here for full details of the new RS5

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Video: Dahlback Audi Sport Quattro tears up frozen pond

There's something about watching an Audi quattro snow drift that makes any quattroholic hope for a blizzard. This video however, puts all other winter joyrides to shame. Watch as this Dahlback Audi Sport Quattro, equipped with studded snow tires, tears across a frozen Swedish pond.



This clip comes from Swedish motoring program Motorjournalen. Unfortunately, the entire video is in Swedish, so we have no idea what is being said (and it looks like there's some pretty interesting commentary). Fortunately, the sound of the Sport Quattro's turbo 5-cylinder is a language anyone can understand.

Source: YouTube

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Video: A look at the infotainment system of the Audi A1

One of the key features of the new Audi A1 is that luxuries found in larger, more expensive models are now available in a compact, affordable package. This video shows the key points of the A1's infotainment system; including features such as Audi MMI, Bluetooth and Bose surround sound system.



Audi A1: Clever - and communicative - Infotainment and multimedia systems from the luxury segment - Many opportunities for customization - BOSE surround sound system the best in this vehicle category

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 25, 2010 - The networked person will feel at home here: The Audi A1 offers a rich multimedia world with state-of-the-art technology taken directly from the luxury segment. Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at Audi, explains the fine details:

The new A1 is clever, communicative and informative. Its range of infotainment and multimedia systems is unrivalled in its category – the compact segment – in terms of versatility, high quality and innovation.

The infotainment system is modular in design. The standard chorus radio forms the basic building block. One level up is the concert radio, which features a separate, retractable screen. The high-resolution, 6.5-inch diagonal color display is unique in this vehicle class. A further option is “Ready for Nav,” which turns the radio into a navigation system. The necessary hardware is already installed in the car and the customer can purchase an SD card with navigation data at any time.

Topping the range is MMI navigation plus – a high-end media center. The high-resolution, fold-out 6.5-inch monitor has graphics with brilliant 3D optics; even the navigation map is three-dimensional. With the new Audi voice control system, the customer can enter a complete navigation address in one go. The selection of music tracks and albums from the jukebox can also be done purely by voice.

As in larger Audi models, the MMI terminal is integrated in the center console and can be operated just as easily. The large rotary pushbutton includes a small joystick, which can be used for scrolling in the navigation map. The soft and hard keys also allow the customer to move through the menu and to access individual features.

MMI navigation plus features a hard drive that can store up to 20 GB of music data. There’s also a card reader. State-of-the-art mobile players can be integrated via a Bluetooth interface or the Audi music interface. MMI navigation plus features an audio and video DVD player, presents the cover art, and plays songs in MP3, WMA, AAC, or MPEG4b format.

For discerning multimedia fans, other modules are available – a Bluetooth module, a CD changer, a digital radio tuner and two fine sound systems. Music can also be transmitted via wireless Bluetooth from a cell phone to the vehicle.

New and unique in this vehicle category is the BOSE surround sound system. This high-end system has a ten-channel amplifier with an output of 465 watts; the amplifier powers 14 speakers including subwoofers in 5.1 surround sound to ensure a premium sound experience. The BOSE woofers in the doors are illuminated by LEDs and optical fibers as standard. Here too the A1 is ahead of its competitors.

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Source: Audi

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Justin Timberlake to present Audi A1 at Geneva Motor Show

Considering Justin Timberlake is helping Audi "bring sexy back" as new brand ambassador; it's only fitting that JT officially present the all-new Audi A1 to the world at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Also, it should be noted that in addition to the A1, RS5 and A8 Hybrid; Audi plans a "surprise" premiere at Geneva. Project Anniversario perhaps?

Geneva: Justin Timberlake presents Audi A1

* Live satellite broadcast of the Audi press conference
* Premieres: A1, RS 5, A8 Hybrid show car and a surprise
* Downlink and service offers for TV, radio and online media

The 80th Geneva Motor Show will serve as the backdrop for several spectacular Audi premieres. International star Justin Timberlake will be unveiling the new Audi A1 during the press conference starting at 1:30 p.m. (CET) at the Audi stand. In addition, Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, and Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, will be presenting the Audi RS 5, the near-production Audi A8 Hybrid show car and an additional concept car.

Source: Audi

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