Audi unveiled two new A1 models today at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. First revealed online a few weeks ago, most of you are already familiar with the A1 Sportback - a slightly bigger, five-door incarnation of Audi's premium compact. Although the A1 Sportback was Audi's headliner in Tokyo, all eyes were on the special edition, A1 "Samurai Blue." Designed as an homage to the Japanese national soccer team (nicknamed the "Blue Samurai"), the A1 Samurai Blue represents both Japan's blue and white team colors with red accents for the Japanese flag. Full video recap, photo gallery and press release from Audi at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show after the jump.
2011 Tokyo Motor Show Gallery:
Audi A1 "Samurai Blue" Gallery:
Audi A1 "Samurai Blue" Press Release:
Audi unveiled “A1 SAMURAI BLUE” at the Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo, 2011-11-30 - Audi has unveiled a unique A1 at the Tokyo Motor Show: Glistening in the colors of the Japanese national soccer team, the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE shows Audi’s respect for the Japanese national soccer team. Audi plans to sell the SAMURAI BLUE as a one-off model and donate a part of the profit for a charity.
“Blue Samurai” is the nickname for Japan’s national soccer team. Blue and white are the colors of the soccer jerseys for both men and women. The Japanese men are the reigning Asian champions, while the women have been even more successful in the world soccer arena: this year they won the championship title in the World Soccer Cup held in Germany.
Blue and white are also the colors of the Audi A1 SAMURAI BLUE, accentuated by the red of the Japanese flag. The 18-inch wheels with their exclusive polygonal design are likewise painted red. The interior equipment is black, with contrasting stitching in blue and corresponding colorful accents for the air vent nozzles, inlays, center console and floor mats. With its powerful 1.4 TFSI engine and 90 kW (122 hp), the A1 SAMURAI BLUE has strong acceleration and high speed, while the sports suspension with 225 millimeter wide, 18-inch wheels give the car the agility of a top league soccer star.
An Audi A1 Limited Edition is also planned to sell in 2012, with its design based on the SAMURAI BLUE.
Source: Audi AG
Video: Audi AG via our YouTube channel (QuattroholicVideos)
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Audi A1 'Samurai Blue' and A1 Sportback unveiled at 2011 Tokyo Motor Show
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Audi achieves highest-ever U.S. annual sales
With year-to-date sales of over 102,055 vehicles, Audi is reporting today a new all-time annual U.S. sales record - over a month before year's end. Considering Audi has reported record U.S. sales figures for each month this year, we can't say we're surprised. Eclipsing the previous sales record of 101,629 set at the end of 2010, today's figure marks the second time Audi has topped the "100,000 mark" in the brand's more than 41 year history in the United States. Full report after the jump.
HERNDON, Va., Nov 29, 2011 - With just over a month remaining in 2011, Audi of America achieved a new annual sales record over the hectic holiday shopping weekend. With 102,055 sales of premium cars and SUVs already reported this year, the Audi brand eclipsed the previous sales record of 101,629 set at the end of 2010.
Audi also established a new annual record with its Certified pre-owned sales. Audi CPO sales through the end of the Thanksgiving weekend totaled 33,102 vehicles, up 32% from a year earlier. The previous annual sales record for Audi CPO business was 32,108 vehicles sold in 2008.
The record set for new car annual sales marks the second time the Audi brand has topped the 100,000 mark since it established its U.S. business more than 41 years ago. Audi momentum has been evident throughout the year as sales set new records in every month of the year to date. Audi expects to register its 11th record month of 2011 when full November sales totals are reported later this week.
“The Audi momentum story began a few years ago with the restructuring of our U.S. business model and the steady arrival of exciting new models that have captured the imagination of the American premium car customer,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “Through precarious economic conditions, we have held fast to this plan along with our dealers who have devoted record levels of investments in their franchises.”
Source: Audi of America
Video: 2013 Audi A4, S4, A4 allroad quattro - Driving scenes & details (10 videos)
Following the 30-40 second-long trailers originally included in the 2013 Audi A4/S4's official reveal last month, Audi has now released full driving scenes and exterior/interior details of the newly facelifted A4 series. Below, we've included a total of ten videos, highlighting every aspect of the new A4, S4 and A4 allroad quattro.
Source: Audi via our YouTube channel (QuattroholicVideos)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Strong Audi presence set for 2011 Race of Champions
With a total of four "factory" drivers on hand, Audi will be represented at the 2011 Race of Champions with its strongest lineup ever. Filipe Albuquerque, Mattias Ekström, Tom Kristensen and Timo Scheider were each invited to participate in this year's meeting of the world’s best race and rally drivers. In addition to four great drivers, Audi will deploy the 525-hp R8 LMS as the most powerful competition vehicle in the field. The 2011 Race of Champions will be held at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf, December 3rd and 4th. Full report and photo gallery after the jump.
Ingolstadt, November 25, 2011 – Audi will be represented at the 2011 Race of Champions at the ESPRIT arena in Düsseldorf on December 3 and 4, 2011 with its strongest line-up ever. As many as four Audi "factory” drivers will compete with Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel & company. In addition, the brand with the four rings is deploying the 525-HP Audi R8 LMS to the meeting of the world’s best race and rally drivers as the most powerful competition vehicle in the field.
Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal), Mattias Ekström (Sweden), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Timo Scheider (Germany) were invited to participate in the eagerly awaited meeting that attracted more than 64,000 spectators last year. Consequently Audi has good chances of providing the best of the best at the Race of Champions yet again.
Three times the two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekström has previously won the title at the Race of Champions. In 2006, at the finale in Paris, the Audi factory driver sensationally defeated local hero Sébastien Loeb, who has meanwhile become the eight-time World Rally Champion. Both in 2007 in London and in 2009 in Beijing, the Swede prevailed against Michael Schumacher. In 2010, Ekström was unable to run due to a conflicting commitment in the DTM finale at Shanghai (China). Yet last year it was again an Audi racer – at that time still employed by Audi Sport Italia –, the Portuguese Filipe Albuquerque, who prevailed against the world’s elite.
"The successes of our drivers at the Race of Champions show the high level of driving skills that exist at Audi,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "I think this was made obvious by our triumphs in the DTM and at the Le Mans 24 Hours as well.”
At the Race of Champions a select group of the world’s best race and rally drivers traditionally competes against each other in identical vehicles. The most powerful competition vehicle in 2011 is the Audi R8 LMS that already impressed the participants at last year’s event in Düsseldorf. With a track record of more than 110 victories in just three years, the mid-engine sports car from quattro GmbH has meanwhile become one of the world’s most successful GT3 vehicles. This year, among other events, the Audi R8 LMS won the 12-hour race at Bathurst (Australia) and the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) in which over 60 GT3 sports cars competed.
In Düsseldorf, the Audi R8 LMS will run on an about one-kilometer parallel track that is being specifically set up for the Race of Champions at the ESPRIT arena. Featuring a width of 7.5 meters, the circuit is the widest one in the history of the event that dates back all the way to 1988.
Tom Kristensen, who with eight victories under his belt is the most successful Le Mans racer of all time, has been competing at the Race of Champions since 2001, and thus longer than any other entrant. "The Race of Champions is a fantastic event, that’s why I always enjoy returning to this race,” says the Audi factory driver. "The audience is enthusiastic and I look forward to competing again with Mattias (Ekström) in the ROC Nations Cup.”
In 2005, Ekström and Kristensen as "Team Scandinavia” won the Nations Cup on the eve of the single event. Most recently, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel prevailed four consecutive times. Aiming to break the winning streak of "Team Germany” are not just Ekström and Kristensen but also the two-time DTM Champion Timo Scheider who together with Formula One racer Timo Glock is forming the "SAT.1 Team Germany 2.” "Obviously, Team Germany with two Formula One World Champions has the favorite’s role,” says the Audi factory driver. "But I’m sure that Timo (Glock) and I will not just have a lot of fun in Düsseldorf but will be competitive too.”
This also applies to title defender Filipe Albuquerque. The second-best newcomer of the 2011 DTM season, who achieved his first DTM podium at Valencia at the start of October, was the sensational winner of last year’s ROC in Düsseldorf. "I’m really looking forward to compete again in the Race of Champions and to defend my title,” explains the Portugese.
The comeback of Mattias Ekström, who will contest the Race of Champions again after a one-year break, is being awaited with particularly eager anticipation. "In 2010, it was pretty painful having to watch the action from a distance,” says the Swede who won three DTM races and the Spa 24 Hours this year – the latter at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS by the way. "I’m very much looking forward to being part of it again this year.”
Source: Audi Motorsport
Auto Bild names Audi R8 GT "Sports Car of the Year 2011"
Under the category of "Production Supercars," the editors of Auto Bild SportsCars have named the Audi R8 GT "Sports Car of the Year 2011." While relatively unknown here in the States, Auto Bild's award is one of the most coveted in the German automotive industry. In addition to the R8 GT's win, five other Audi models ranked in the top three of their respective classes; including the Q7 V12 TDI in "Production SUV," the RS3 in "Production Compact Cars," the RS5 in "Production Coupés," the A6 Avant in "Production Station Wagons" and the R8 GT Spyder in "Production Convertibles." Full report after the jump.
Essen/Ingolstadt - The Audi R8 GT is “Sports Car of the Year 2011” in the category “Production Supercars.” 2011 marks the 10th time that a jury from the Auto Bild SportsCars trade journal has awarded the prize, which was presented this evening at the Essen Motor Show.
Stephan Reil, Head of Development at quattro GmbH, accepted the award, one of the most coveted in the German automotive industry, for the Audi R8 GT before some 450 invited guests. 70,976 readers of the magazine took part in this year’s anniversary voting for “Sports Car of the Year 2011.”
The Audi subsidiary, quattro GmbH is responsible for the development and production of the Audi high-performance sports car. Its 5.2-liter V10 engine produces 412 kW (560 hp), making it a driving machine with excellent longitudinal dynamics and lateral acceleration as well as lightning-fast, virtually instantaneous reactions. The engineers have reduced the weight of the Audi R8 GT by another 100 kg (220.46 lb) compared with the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph). Its average ECE fuel consumption is just 13.9 liters per 100 km (16.92 US mpg).
173 cars that had previously proven their worth in more than 300 tests and road reports were nominated in 17 classes, which were further broken down into Production, Tuning and Limited Production. Besides the winner, five other Audi models were placed in the top three of their respective classes: the Q7 V12 TDI in the category “Production SUV,” the RS 3 Sportback in the category “Production Compact Cars,” the RS 5 in “Production Coupés,” the Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro in “Production Station Wagons” and the R8 GT Spyder in the category “Production Convertibles.”
Source: Audi AG
Friday, November 25, 2011
ABT Sportsline builds Audi R8 GTR police car for "Tune it! Safe!" campaign
As part of the German initiative for "safe and serious tuning" known as Tune it! Safe!, renowned VW/Audi tuning firm ABT Sportsline has created a very special police car (or rather, Polizei fahrzeug). Based on the 640 horsepower ABT Audi R8 GTR, this year's campaign car turned more than a few heads at its official debut today at the Essen Motor Show. More info after the jump.
Underneath the Polizei-spec paint scheme, is a standard ABT R8 GTR (as if anything about the that is "standard"). Which includes a whole host of upgrades such as; 640hp engine tune, 19" ABT CR wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, sport exhaust, sport suspension, carbon fiber aero kit, roll bar and more. From there, ABT added Foliatec's "official police foil decor" and Hella RTK-7 police roof lights - all making for one police car we wouldn't mind being pulled over by.
For more information on both this car and the Tune it! Safe! campaign, check out tune-it-safe.de
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
2012 Audi A6 tops Consumer Reports midsized luxury sedan ratings
With an overall test score of 93, the new 2012 Audi A6 now ties the previously tested Infiniti M37 for the top spot in Consumer Reports' midsized luxury sedan ratings. Although that statement is impressive enough in its own right, its worth noting that the new C7 A6 makes a huge jump from the previous generation's score of 79. "The redesigned Audi A6 is an impressive car and a joy to drive," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT. Full report and test video after the jump.
YONKERS, NY - The redesigned Audi A6 has been significantly improved and now ties the Infiniti M37 for the top spot in Consumer Reports' midsized luxury sedans Ratings. The Audi was tested as part of a group of four luxury sedans in the magazine's January issue.
The Audi achieved an Excellent overall test score of 93, the same as the previously tested M37. The A6's big jump in score from the 79 of the last A6 tested is the result of an inviting combination of strong acceleration, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a quiet, well-finished interior.
"The redesigned Audi A6 is an impressive car and a joy to drive," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center in East Haddam, CT.
The full report on midsized luxury sedans will be available on www.ConsumerReports.org on November 22nd and in the January issue of Consumer Reports on newsstands December 6. Updated daily, Consumer Reports.org is the go-to Website for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs on breaking news and car buying information. Check out CR's ongoing Twitter feed at @CRCars.
Fuel economy has not been a high priority for luxury-car buyers, but erratic gas prices and higher federal fuel-economy standards on the horizon are increasingly making automakers look for ways to improve gas mileage even in this category. The four cars tested in this group-the Audi A6, Infiniti M35h, Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, and Saab 9-5-approach the goal in different ways.
Those include hybrid and diesel drivetrains, lightweight materials, seven-or eight-speed automatic transmissions, and supercharging and turbocharging which lets a car squeeze more power from a smaller engine. The result: gas mileage for these tested vehicles is among the best in the category, although the cars' overall performance varies dramatically, from the top-rated Audi to the bottom-rated Saab.
The fuel economy champ in this class is now the E350 BlueTec, which received an "Excellent" road test score and is powered by a diesel engine. Its tested overall fuel economy of 26 mpg edges out the hybrid M35h's 25 mpg. The trade-off is some engine noise at low speeds.
The M35h is Infiniti's first hybrid and received an Excellent road test score. The gas-electric system helps deliver quick acceleration and fuel economy that's on par with some four-cylinder family sedans, but its power delivery tends to be jerky and abrupt and its handling and braking are not quite up to that of the conventional M37. That detracts from an otherwise outstanding package.
The redesigned Saab-9-5 is disappointing in this rarified class. It shares a platform with the Buick LaCrosse and Regal, its former GM cousins, but the 9-5 doesn't measure up well to those models or its competitors. Despite its excellent fit and finish and fairly nimble handling, it has a noisy four-cylinder turbocharged engine, a stiff ride, impaired visibility, and relatively slow acceleration. Overall, it doesn't score high enough to be recommended.
Also included in the January issue is an Auto Test Extra test of the Mini Cooper Countryman S, a small SUV that has more room than the typical Mini but retains the Mini line's sporty good looks, agility, very good fuel economy and fun-to-drive feel. It scored a Very Good road test score but suffers from a stiff ride, noisy cabin, and confusing controls.
This group includes recently introduced or redesigned midsized luxury sedans. The Audi A6 was redesigned for 2012 and the Saab 9-5 was redesigned for 2011. The Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec is the diesel version of the previously tested gasoline-powered Mercedes-Benz E350.The Infiniti M35h is the recently introduced hybrid version of the previously tested M37 sedan. The Mini Cooper Countryman was introduced in 2011.
None of the vehicles in the test group are Recommended. The 9-5 didn't score high enough, and Consumer Reports does not have sufficient reliability data for it. The others are too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data. Consumer Reports only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
Prices for the tested luxury sedans ranged from $46,655 for the 9-5 to $58,655 to the M35h. The well-equipped Mini Cooper Countryman S cost $32,500.
The A6 succeeds in many areas; it's agile, comfortable, quiet, and quick. It also rides smoothly, has a sumptuous and accommodating interior, and returns commendable fuel economy. Handling is nimble and the quick steering gives good feedback. The Audi A6 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus ($56,295 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 310-hp, 3.0 liter supercharged V6 engine that is buttery smooth and delivers excellent acceleration. It gets 22 mpg on premium fuel in CR's own fuel economy tests, impressive given the car's quickness and the added weight of its all-wheel-drive with premium fuel. The eight-speed automatic transmission has almost imperceptible shifts. Braking is Very Good. The interior is finely finished and includes many high-tech features.
The E350 is a quiet and luxurious sedan with a very well-finished interior, comfortable seats and a substantial feel. Handling is agile for its size and the Mercedes is quiet and steady on the highway, but some diesel engine noise is noticeable at low speeds. The Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec ($57,525 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 210-hp, 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine that provides abundant torque and returns an impressive 26 mpg in mixed driving. The seven-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly overall, except for the occasional bumpy shift. Braking is Very Good. The cabin is very well finished, but controls can be complicated.
The hybrid system of the M35h tends to be jerky and abrupt, detracting from an otherwise commendable driving experience. The M35h has nimble handling and a firm yet supple ride. It's quiet inside, especially when the car is in electric mode, but the engine is oddly loud when it idles. The Infiniti M35h ($58,655 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 360-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and electric motor that gets 25 mpg overall on premium fuel. Braking is Very Good. The seven-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The cabin is rich looking. The hybrid battery robs a lot of trunk space.
Consumer Reports' engineers see the 9-5 as a poor value, even given Saab's typical generous price incentives. Handling is fairly nimble but the stiff ride feels jittery even on the highway. The Saab 9-5 Turbo4 Premium ($46,655 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 220-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers OK performance and 22 mpg on premium fuel but lacks the refinement of many V6s; a V6 is available with all-wheel-drive, but most 9-5s will have the tested four-cylinder engine. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts very smoothly and responsively. Braking is Very Good. The interior is nicely-finished but thick roof pillars and small windows impede visibility.
The four-door Countryman can seat four comfortably, unlike other Minis. It has quick steering, fantastic agility, minimal body lean and strong tire grip. A trade-off for its sporty charter is a stiff ride that is jittery even on the highway. Road and wind noise permeate the cabin. The Mini Cooper Countryman S ALL4 ($32,500 MSRP as tested,) is powered by a 184-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers very good acceleration and gets 26 mpg overall with premium fuel. The six-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Braking is Very Good. Lots of interior detailing forms a whimsical interior environment but the eccentric controls and displays can be frustrating. Only one suitcase fits in the back with the rear seats up, but folding the seats creates more room.
Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8 million subscribers to its magazine, website and other publications. Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.
Source: Consumer Reports
Video: Inside Line tests 2012 Audi R8 vs. 2012 Porsche 911 (991)
While putting the new 2012 Porsche 911 (991) Carrera S through its paces at their test track, the folks at Edmunds Inside Line realized they also happened to have a 2012 Audi R8 4.2 lying around - the perfect ingredients for a heads-up test of brothers from another mother. Granted, Inside Line refrained from naming an actual winner of their comparo, but you know who's number one in our book. Video after the jump.
See how both cars stack up in the full report at Inside Line.
Photo: Edmunds Inside Line
APR Motorsport to field Audi R8 LMS in 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Series
APR Motorsport has announced today that the Opelika, Alabama-based race team will contest the first Audi R8 LMS in North America in next year's GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series. APR Motorsport’s Audi R8 LMS will make its race debut at the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28-29, 2012. Full press release after the jump.
November 23, 2011 (Opelika, AL) – APR Motorsport is proud to announce that it will become the first team to compete in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series with the Audi R8 LMS, when the team takes the green flag for January’s 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 28, 2012 – and, hopefully, is first to the checkered flag on January 29.
Passion for the Audi brand runs deep at APR. Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR, was an aspiring driver and Audi enthusiast who raced Audis in the Motorola Cup – the predecessor to GRAND-AM. After leaving his driving ambitions to build APR into the largest aftermarket and motorsport company for Audis worldwide, Hooks returned to competition as a principal in APR Motorsport. The team was the first to race Audi’s newest and hottest sedan, the B8 model generation Audi S4, in the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Being the first team to field the R8 LMS in North America is a natural progression for APR Motorsport.
The winning pedigree of APR Motorsport’s brand-new Audi R8 LMS, the first example built for the Rolex Series, is undoubtedly strong as well. Examples of the Audi R8 LMS have taken victory more than one hundred times in races in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. Now, APR’s customers – as well as Audi fans from Ingolstadt to Alabama – will cheer on the APR Audi R8 LMS as it seeks to add to the win tally.
Building upon experience gained in the CTSCC, APR Motorsport will now have the Rolex Series’ Grand Touring class looking over its shoulders with the series’ newest major contender, the Audi R8 LMS. Using the same team and infrastructure that has made the team a force to be reckoned with in the CTSCC, the team will now look to shake up the status quo of the Rolex Series – which has seen the series dominated by the same three manufacturers over the past several seasons.
The Audi R8 LMS, which is already a proven platform for success in GT racing the world over, will have the rest of the GT field looking over its shoulders. APR Motorsport also remains committed to discovering and developing the best driving talent found today in GRAND-AM.
Teams hoping that this will spell and end to APR Motorsport’s efforts in the CTSCC will be disappointed, as the team will continue its CTSCC program in 2012, with an exciting announcement about that program coming soon. APR Motorsport will make further announcements about drivers for the APR Audi R8 LMS, as well as marketing partners, in the coming weeks.
APR Motorsport’s Audi R8 LMS will make its on-track debut – dressed in the distinctive APR Motorsport livery – at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Raceway on January 6-8, 2012.
Source: APR Motorsport
Martin Tomczyk leaving Audi; joins BMW for 2012 DTM season
After 11 years with Audi Sport, 2011 DTM Champion Martin Tomczyk will be trading in his four rings for a roundel come next year's DTM season. While a report of Tomczyk's official departure was released by Audi Sport on Monday, news of him joining BMW officially broke today. Tomczyk is the fourth works driver signed to BMW Motorsport's new DTM team, joining Andy Priaulx, Augusto Farfus and former Mercedes rival, Bruno Spengler. Full Audi Sport press release after the jump.
Ingolstadt, November 21, 2011 – DTM Champion Martin Tomczyk seeks a new sporting challenge. The 29-year-old man from Rosenheim will no longer compete for Audi in the 2012 season.
"I won the Championship for Audi after eleven years together. The entire Audi Sport team and in particular Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich have always been behind me throughout the many years we spent together,” explains Martin Tomczyk. "I’m delighted that I could repay the trust by winning the 2011 championship title together with team Phoenix. Despite this joint success, and after careful consideration, I have now decided to accept a new challenge. To conclude, I would once again like to thank everybody with whom I have worked together during my eleven years at Audi Sport and assure every single individual that these years were, in hindsight, something very special.”
Tomczyk started his DTM career in the 2001 season as 19-year-old in Team ABT Sportsline with the Abt-Audi TT-R and was, at that time, the youngest DTM driver in history. In 2003 he became Audi factory driver in the ‘S line Audi Junior Team.’ Since 2004 he has competed with the Audi A4 in the DTM, initially for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline and for the first time in 2011 for Audi Sport Team Phoenix. In his sixth DTM season in 2006 he finally recorded the first of his seven DTM race wins to date. By winning the championship title in 2011 at the wheel of a year-old car he achieved the greatest victory of his career up to now.
"It goes without saying that we deeply regret that he decided, at this moment in time, to seek a new challenge after his most successful DTM season with Audi,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "I can, however, completely understand that after eleven special years of highs and lows with Audi he would like to try something new – after all by winning the DTM title at the wheel of an Audi A4 DTM he has achieved exactly the goal for which he was worked so hard for many years. I’m personally delighted that Martin showed his many critics this year because I always believed in him. I can understand that to start he viewed the transfer to team Phoenix and a year-old car as demotion. But it gave, as I hoped, his career new impulses. I always enjoyed working together with Martin. He is a complete professional who I personally hold in high regard. I wish him all the best for the future.”
How Audi will line up in the DTM next year will be decided over the forthcoming weeks. In Mattias Ekström (Sweden) and Timo Scheider (Germany) the brand with the four Rings has two DTM Champions under contract who have both won the championship twice for Audi. No less than eight of the nine Audi drivers mounted the podium at least once in the DTM in 2011. Audi currently plans to contest the DTM 2012 with a maximum of seven cars.
Official BMW Motorsport press release can be found here.
Source: Audi Motorsport/BMW Motorsport
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
1000+ hp Underground Racing twin turbo Audi R8 V10 for sale on eBay
Remember Underground Racing's insane 1000+ horsepower, twin turbo Audi R8 V10 that we posted back in September? Well, if you've been wanting one (and have a spare $250k laying around), here's your chance. Found on eBay, the seller notes that this 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI sports UR's stage 3 twin-turbo kit, boosting horsepower north of 1000 whp on 93 octane pump gas and nearly 1,300 whp on race fuel! Seeing as the listing notes this is "the only Audi that Underground Racing has built so far, 1 of 1," we imagine it's the same car from UR's promotional video (which we're more than happy to repost after the jump).
For more pictures and information, check out the full listing at eBay.
Leaked ETKA scans reveal Audi RS3 'Plus', 'S1' and Q3 2.5 TFSI power figures
So it seems a new batch of ETKA data has been leaked. In case you're not already familiar, ETKA is the Volkwagen Group's official electronic parts catalog and has been a notorious source of leaked intel on all kinds of pre-production Audi vehicles. This latest round of scans sheds some light on a new RS3 "Plus," A1 "quattro 2.0" and Q3 "quattro 2.5." More intel after the jump.
Thanks to an earlier round of leaked ETKA scans, we know that Audi AG has a TT RS "Plus" planned; raising the European car's horsepower to the 360 ponies currently offered in the U.S. model. That said, the 360 hp RS3 "Plus" revealed above, makes perfect sense considering the car's shared powertrains. Noting the last column in scan above, we should officially see this RS3 "Plus" by May of 2012.
Next is the A1 "quattro 2.0" or (2.0 TFSI quattro as its moniker would likely read). Revealed back in January, we've known a quattro drivetrain would eventually reach the A1. In addition to that, we've been expecting an S1 or even an RS1 to eventually be revealed. While the scan only refers to the car by it's engine/quattro designation, we're think a 250 horsepower, 2.0 TFSI quattro would be worthy of an "S" badge on the grille. That is of course, unless the S1 moniker steps on the toes of one of the most potent four-ringed rally cars of all time (a problem BMW encountered when naming the 1M). Either way, as the scans reveal, we should know for sure by March of 2012.
Finally, the TT RS/RS3-derived, 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder powered Q3. While we've known this vehicle has existed for some time now, these scans prove the crossover/SUV will boast 30 less horsepower than the European TT RS and RS3, with a total 310 hp under the hood. Despite lacking an "S" or "RS" in its model designation, this should be one potent (and very tunable) Q3. Like the RS3 Plus noted above, we'll likely see something official by May of 2012.
Source: Paraisomotor via Fourtitude
