Video: Audi reveals "Vampire Party" 2012 Super Bowl commercial

Taking a jab at the likes of Twilight and True Blood, Audi of America has officially revealed their 2012 Super Bowl commercial. Bearing the tagline "Daylight, now in a headlight," the one-minute ad-spot humorously shows the power of Audi's patented LED headlight technology when the new S7 pulls up to a midnight "Vampire Party." All perfectly matched to a soundtrack of Echo & The Bunnymen's "Killing Moon." Video after the jump.



Although we like the ad, the recent "Ahab" commercial would have been our pick for Super Bowl airtime. What are your thoughts?

Source: Audi of America (YouTube)

Read More »»

Video: Supercharged, 600+ HP Audi RS4 by MRC Tuning

Our friends from MRC Tuning are at it again. Adding to their portfolio of projects (and brilliant videos) including a 204 mph B5 S4 and 820 hp RS6, the British tuning firm has revealed this supercharged B7 Audi RS4. Affectionately called "The Road Warrior," this latest film by NisusHD features everything we love about MRC's featurettes; stunning camera work, exhaust flames and a great soundtrack. Video and more details on the car after the jump.



MRC Tuned Audi RS4 (B7)

Horsepower: 612 (620PS)
Torque: 465 lb/ft (630 NM)
TTS Supercharger
MRC Cold air feed (deflapped intake, ported, decoked)
Milltek Exhaust
Brembo 380mm Brake Upgrade

Film by NisusHD
Source: MRC Tuning via Vimeo

Read More »»

Audi voted "most admired company in Germany" in recent survey

According to the recent "Imageprofile" survey by manager magazin, Audi is the "most admired company in Germany." Compared against 170 companies from 10 different business sectors, Audi was voted number one by a pool of roughly 4,050 company board members and managers. "Audi’s win shows that it pays to strive hard for better products. The outstanding image of this company is not the result of trendy marketing, but rather of the hard work of engineers and designers. Vorsprung durch Technik – this slogan is clearly the right mantra for Audi." stated Dr. Arno Balzer, Editor-in Chief of manager magazin. Full press release after the jump.

Hamburg, January 19, 2012 - Audi is the most admired company in Germany, according to an independent survey by manager magazin. The magazine announced yesterday in Hamburg that the company had prevailed in the “Imageprofile” survey against 170 companies from ten business sectors. In the survey of roughly 4,050 company board members and managers, the carmaker from Ingolstadt secured first place for its effective image development.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, accepted the honor yesterday evening in Hamburg. Stadler told the 200 invited guests: “The overall win in this well-respected study honors all Audi employees.” He stated that the employees have dedicated themselves to the company over many years and with virtually limitless enthusiasm.

Their efforts have paid off: from innovation, management quality and customer focus to financial stability and sustainability – Audi earned excellent marks in all of the evaluation criteria.

In his laudatory remarks, Dr. Arno Balzer, Editor-in Chief of manager magazin, said: “Audi’s win shows that it pays to strive hard for better products. The outstanding image of this company is not the result of trendy marketing, but rather of the hard work of engineers and designers. Vorsprung durch Technik – this slogan is clearly the right mantra for Audi.”

For its “Imageprofile” analysis, manager magazin surveyed 4,050 company board members, managing directors and top executives. The survey is conducted every other year and is considered to be of massive importance in the corporate world. In 2012 the results of the survey were presented for the 16th time.

Source: Audi AG

Read More »»

Audi's 2012 Super Bowl commercial to feature S7 and LED technology

Though still much a mystery, Audi of America has today released a hint of what to expect from this year's Super Bowl commercial. In addition to the all-new, 2013 Audi S7, the 60-second TV-spot will highlight the brand's signature LED technology. "With LED, there’s no mistaking an Audi. Since pioneering the technology nearly ten years ago, LED lights have established the Audi persona have become one of the most recognizable features on the road," said Scott Keogh, Chief Marketing Officer, Audi of America. "Like our LEDs, this year’s Super Bowl spot will be unmistakably Audi." Full press release after the jump.

HERNDON, Va. January 17, 2012 - Audi today revealed details of its highly-anticipated Super Bowl advertisement, slated to run in the first quarter of the big game on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012. In the upcoming 60-second spot, the brand’s signature LED headlights will take center stage along with the new 2013 Audi S7 sedan. The story theme remains undisclosed.

“With LED, there’s no mistaking an Audi. Since pioneering the technology nearly ten years ago, LED lights have established the Audi persona have become one of the most recognizable features on the road,” said Scott Keogh, Chief Marketing Officer, Audi of America. “Like our LEDs, this year’s Super Bowl spot will be unmistakably Audi.”

At 5,500 Kelvin, Audi LED headlights are the closest re-creation of daylight available, providing numerous safety benefits, such as helping drivers’ eyes perceive more contrast experience less strain. Traditional lights take 0.2 seconds to engage, while LEDs are immediately activated making driving safer, faster. In addition to safety, LED lights save resources by using 50-percent less power required from the alternator – which in turn reduces the load put on the vehicle’s engine – and can last the lifetime of a vehicle.

Throughout February, enthusiasts can visit Audiusa.com to interact with LED-themed content and learn more about Audi’s signature technology, including its design, safety, efficiency and performance benefits. Beginning on January 29, visitors to the Audi Forum in New York can explore an interactive LED-focused digital experience.

The all-new Audi S7 combines thrilling performance, stunning design, and intelligent efficiency technologies in a package that further enhances Audi’s exciting new A7 five-door coupe. Audi MMI Navigation plus comes standard on the S7, which includes Audi connect™ enabling Google Maps™ and Google Search™ as well as a Wi-Fi® hot spot for up to eight devices. The Audi S7 is fitted with the new 4.0 liter TFSI® with 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

Super Bowl XLVI marks the brand‘s fifth consecutive time as an advertiser in the big game. San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners is creating the spot.

In last year’s “Release the Hounds” spot, Audi became the first Super Bowl advertiser in history to tag an ad with a Twitter hashtag. The adventurous spot, featuring the new Audi A8 flagship sedan, was a parody of individuals attempting to escape from the confines of old luxury as portrayed in a luxury prison. The spot also featured a comical cameo by legendary musician Kenny G.

In 2010, Audi’s Super Bowl ad showcased a soundtrack created by rock legends Cheap Trick and featured the A3 TDI “Green Car of the Year” clean diesel vehicle, showing how easy being green can be. The brand’s 2009 spot featured actor Jason Statham in a series of high-speed chase scenes involving luxury competitors, sending the message that luxury is evolving. In 2008, the brand’s first Super Bowl spot delivered a parody of the movie “The Godfather,” signaling that Audi was ready to take on the perceived luxury leaders.

Source: Audi of America

Read More »»

Video: Tom Kristensen, Leena Gade and Allan McNish at AUTOSPORT International 2012

From recapping last year's ILMC season, to hinting at what to expect from Audi in the 2012 WEC, Audi Sport's Tom Kristensen, Leena Gade and Allan McNish were on hand for some Q&A at last week's AUTOSPORT International in Birmingham, England. In addition to speaking of Audi Sport's team engagements, Kristensen, Gade and McNish also spoke briefly of 2011's personal achievements and extracurricular activities; such as McNish's Sport quattro drive and Kristensen's white-knuckle AC Cobra Daytona coupe run at Goodwood. Overall, a must-watch for the Audi Motorsport fan.



AUTOSPORT also got some one-on-one time with Allan McNish, which we've included below.



Source: AUTOSPORT (YouTube)

Read More »»

Video: Audi releases Moby-Dick inspired "Ahab" TV commercial

Audi of America has just released their latest television ad campaign. Titled "Ahab," Audi's new tv-spot channels Herman Melville with a story of a tow-truck driver, forever haunted by the elusive quattro-driven Audi; a car that, no matter what the conditions, never seems to get stuck. As always, another brilliant piece of advertising from Audi. Videos after the jump.









Update 1/13/12: Audi of America has released an official press release this morning regarding the new "Ahab" ad campaign which we've included below.

HERNDON, Va. January 13, 2012 - Audi today announced a new advertising and marketing campaign to celebrate its innovative all-wheel drive technology, quattro™. Audi quattro is the top-selling luxury all-wheel drive system in the world, providing superior traction and handling and a balanced drive no matter the road condition. Audi is the only premium manufacturer to offer all-wheel drive on every one of its models.

The new campaign, with the tagline “the legendary Audi quattro,” consists of a :60 television spot that will kick off during the National Football League division playoffs on Jan. 14. The ad will also air nationally as a :30 spot. Entitled “Ahab,” the spot turns to one of the all-time classics in American literature for inspiration to help demonstrate the superiority of the Audi quattro all-wheel drive system on the toughest winter roads. The spot re-imagines Herman Melville’s epic struggle between obsessed sea captain and the elusive white whale, but in Audi’s modern incarnation, Ahab is a tow truck driver battling snowdrifts and whiteout conditions and his nemesis, the Audi quattro.

“Audi quattro has been a part of the brand’s DNA for over 30 years and is core to the performance and design of Audi vehicles,” said Scott Keogh, Chief Marketing Officer, Audi of America. “With this new campaign, Audi aims to celebrate its pioneer technology and continual commitment to its development, while increasing Audi’s brand image and awareness, particularly of our all-wheel drive experience.”

In addition to the “Ahab” broadcast spots, the campaign utilizes multiple platforms to bring to life the Audi quattro story, including display and mobile banners on weather and ski sites, online video placements and banners in enthusiast communities, refreshed content on Audi’s “30+ Years of quattro” Facebook app and a new quattro playlist on YouTube.

As the first manufacturer to develop all-wheel drive technology for production sedans, Audi introduced quattro over three decades ago, setting the benchmark for driver confidence and performance. The advantage of all-wheel drive was most apparent when Audi introduced quattro to the World Rally Championship in 1981, resulting in an astounding 24 wins and a number of World Championships. The technology was so superior that it was later deemed an “unfair advantage” and banned from road racing altogether after repeatedly dominating the field.

Today, in that same competitive spirit, quattro all-wheel drive continues to be refined. In Audi vehicles with a longitudinal engine configuration, quattro is essentially a mechanical system with a self-locking center differential and continuously variable torque distribution. Audi quattro instantly responds to wheel speed differences and dynamically adjusts power to the wheels with the best traction. It is supported by advanced electronic control systems that together offer numerous benefits over other all-wheel drive systems. Featuring a 40:60 rear torque bias, the latest version of quattro offers sports car-like performance and handling, distributing traction to all four wheels for quicker off-the-line power and the ability to take on a 37.5 degree incline.

Audi quattro all-wheel drive is available on all models, including the new 2012 Audi A6, one of Audi’s most innovative and technologically-advanced models to date. The A6 boasts an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 L TFSI® supercharged V6 engine with 310 horsepower, and makes up to 2,000 decisions per second to assist the driver. Safety in the all-new Audi A6 is enhanced by a thermal imaging camera with Night Vision Assistant as well as the Audi Pre-Sense Plus safety system. Other intelligent features include head-up display and a MMI® Touch pad that recognizes handwriting in multiple languages. Audi is the first company worldwide to feature factory-installed wireless internet, enabling features such as Audi connect™ for real-time weather, traffic news and live fuel prices, and MMI Navigation with 3-D Google Earth™ images.

Source: Audi of America (YouTube)

Read More »»

Report: VW considering replacing VR6 with Audi's 2.5-liter turbo 5-cylinder

Car and Driver is reporting that Volkswagen is currently considering replacements for the brand's iconic VR6 powerplant in their U.S. models. Now, before any of you die-hard VR6 fans reach for the comment box, one engine Volkswagen is currently considering is a detuned derivative of Audi's 2.5 TFSI (à la TT RS/RS3). VR-who? Of course, the decision has yet been made. However, if the people's car does choose Audi's new turbo-five, C/D reports it'll likely find a new home in the U.S.-spec Passat, Touareg and possibly more models—and be built in the USA.

For more information, check out the full article at Car and Driver.

Source: Car and Driver

Read More »»

All-new Audi A6 allroad officially revealed

So it seems today is allroad-day here at quattroholic.com. Following earlier news from Audi of America of the A4 allroad's addition to the 2013 U.S. model lineup and subsequent allroad-owner photo contest, Audi AG has revealed this; the all-new Audi A6 allroad. Based on the current C7-platform Audi A6 Avant, the new A6 allroad features all the standard off road-themed styling cues as well as more performance and greater fuel efficiency than it's predecessors. More details and photo gallery after the jump.

By definition, the allroad is a vehicle designed to keep driving even after the asphalt ends. And like its A4-bodied little brother, the new A6 allroad certainly looks the part. From the widened wheel arches, skid plates and raised ride height, Audi's latest A6 allroad shows a clear evolution from past models. In addition to the standard features we've come to expect from the better-than-an-SUV wagon, the good folks in Ingolstadt have even given the car an exclusive new color called Java Braun (photos of which can be seen in the gallery below).

Under the hood, the new Audi A6 allroad offers the choice of one gasoline and three diesel 3.0-liter V6 engines. A 310 horsepower, supercharged 3.0 TFSI and a range of 204 hp, 245 hp and 313 hp 3.0 TDIs producing 332, 428 and 479 lb/ft of torque (respectively). In it's most powerful form (boasting the twin-turbo, 313 hp, 3.0 TDI), the new A6 allroad is capable of a sprint from 0-100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 5.6 seconds on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

Look for the new Audi A6 allroad to be available in Germany this spring starting at a list price of €54,600. For more information, check out the official press release following the photo gallery below.










Press Release:

The new Audi A6 allroad – the Avant for any kind of road

Ingolstadt, January, 10th 2012 - The first two generations of the allroad quattro from the years 2000 and 2006 were winners, and Audi hopes to build on this success with the third generation. Universally talented, the new A6 allroad quattro extends the range of uses for the A6 Avant because when the asphalt ends, it just keeps on driving. Performance has improved and fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model.

Body and exterior design
The new A6 allroad quattro is 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 (4.82 ft) meters tall, making it a few millimeters bigger than the Avant. It follows the Audi ultra lightweight construction principle familiar from the sedan, with aluminum components making up roughly 20 percent of its body. Total vehicle weight has been reduced by as much as 70 kilograms (154 lb) compared with the previous model.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro has a sportily distinctive road stance. It features balanced proportions, sharp lines delineate taut surfaces and the roof line flows into flat D-pillars. Audi offers progressive LED technology as an option for the headlights and tail lights. The xenon plus headlights can be combined with adaptive light, which ensures that the road is always properly illuminated for the situation at hand.

The body of the new A6 allroad quattro sits six centimeters (2.36 in) higher than that of the A6 Avant. Setting it apart are, in particular, the trim strips on the side sills, the more widely flared fenders and the single-frame grille with vertical slats. Stainless steel covers protect the underbody at the front and rear of the car, and the exhaust system ends in two large, flattened tailpipes. The roof rails are mounted on double bars.

The wheel well edges, the bumpers and the sills are painted in a contrasting color. Audi also offers a full paint finish in combination with the optional aluminum exterior package. The color Java Braun is available exclusively for the new A6 allroad quattro.

Interior and luggage compartment
The interior of the Audi A6 allroad quattro offers plenty of space thanks to the long wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). It features a lean, elegant design, exemplarily clear ergonomics and superior workmanship. A function that depicts the car’s pitch has been added to the MMI operating system, the soft keys of which are gleaming aluminum. MMI comes as standard, as does the onboard computer with efficiency program. A comprehensive package of restraint systems helps to mitigate the consequences of an accident.

Visual cues differentiating the A6 allroad quattro include the carpeting and the instrument panel, which are black throughout. Other refined details include the interior color Santos Brown and the optional aluminum inlays. The door sill trims are also made of aluminum and are emblazoned with “allroad.”

The luggage compartment of the new A6 allroad quattro has a capacity of 565 liters (19.95 cu ft). Latches in the luggage compartment make it easy to fold down the rear seats, increasing luggage capacity to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft). Standard equipment features underscore the practical character of the new model – a rail system with an included load-securing kit for dividing the luggage compartment as needed, tensioning straps on the left wall and a double loading floor.

Equipment and Audi connect
Audi offers a broad choice of options for the new A6 allroad quattro. The head-up display projects important information onto the windshield. Ambient lighting bathes the interior with subtle LED light, and the widely adjustable deluxe front seats are optionally available with a ventilation and massage function. Additional highlights include four-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic glass roof and the convenience key, which can stay in the driver’s jacket pocket.

Topping the modular range of infotainment options is the hard drive-based navigation system MMI Navigation plus with touchpad operation (MMI touch) and whole-word voice control. Its power-retractable eight-inch monitor displays extremely sharp, high-contrast images. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System boasts 15 speakers.

The new A6 allroad quattro is also state of the art when it comes to connection technology. The optional Bluetooth car phone online connects it to the Internet via UMTS, and a WLAN hotspot lets the passengers surf and e-mail. Tailored services for the driver, such as the all-new Audi traffic information online or Audi music stream web radio, are delivered right to the car. Attractive services from Google, including Google Earth, Google Street View and voice-activated POI search, are also available.

Driver assistance systems
The Audi assistance and safety systems lend even more confidence to driving. The radar-based adaptive cruise control with stop & go function always keeps the new A6 allroad quattro at the proper distance from the car ahead. At speeds below 30 km/h (18.64 mph), the system initiates maximum braking in the event of an impending collision. ACC stop & go works closely together with the Audi pre sense safety system, which is available in a number of configurations.

Audi active lane assist helps the driver to maintain the lane; Audi side assist helps when changing lanes. The night vision assistant with marking of detected persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. The driver information system with rest recommendation function detects when the driver is getting tired and recommends taking a rest.

A variety of high-end systems help take the stress out of parking. The park assist system with 360° display takes over the steering; the parking system plus with 360° camera provides good vision in all directions. Four small wide-angle cameras record images of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings, which can then be displayed from a variety of perspectives on the MMI monitor.

Drivetrain
The new A6 allroad quattro is available with a choice of four powerful and highly cultivated V6 engines – one TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI units. All are three-liter engines with turbocharging and direct injection. They make use of important technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system and innovative thermal management. Their fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model.

The 3.0 TFSI, which is boosted by a mechanically driven compressor, produces 228 kW (310 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the A6 allroad quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to a electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (26.43 US mpg).

The three variants of the 3.0 TDI produce 150 kW (204 hp), 180 kW (245 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp); torque values are 450, 580 and 650 Nm (331.90, 427.79 and 479.42 lb-ft). The entry-level version consumes on average just 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (38.56 US mpg), corresponding to 159 g CO2/km (255.89 g/mile). Audi will soon offer a particularly low-emissions clean diesel version of the 180 kW (245 hp) engine. The twin-turbo 3.0 TDI developing 230 kW (313 hp) is a powerful, great sounding engine. It accelerates the A6 allroad quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.6 seconds; the top speed is an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

The most powerful TDI delivers its power to a smooth and fast-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The three other engines are paired with the seven-speed S tronic, a sporty dual-clutch transmission. With their wide ratio spreads, the automatic transmissions are major contributors to the efficiency of the A6 allroad quattro. The driver can operate them manually, including via optional paddles on the steering wheel.

The quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is paired with torque vectoring. During dynamic driving this system brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve, which are under a reduced load, before they can slip. This further enhances traction and handling. The optional sport differential distributes the power in continuously variable proportions between the rear wheels.

Chassis
The chassis of the A6 allroad quattro combines sportiness with comfort. The new electromechanical power steering is sensitive and highly efficient. The optional dynamic steering adjusts the steering ratio to the speed driven.

With the Audi drive select system, the driver can vary the function of the steering, the air suspension, the gas pedal, the automatic transmission, the sport differential, the automatic air conditioning, the lighting and the adaptive cruise control. In Efficiency mode, these systems work as economically as possible; their function can be very freely configured in Individual mode.

The adaptive air suspension, which combines air suspension with controlled damping, comes as standard. It lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button. This allroad mode is suitable for rough terrain. Furthermore, the driver can select a lift mode at low speeds. An additional ten millimeters (0.39 in) enables the new Audi A6 allroad quattro to also handle major irregularities in the road surface.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro rolls on 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels and 235/55-size tires. Audi and quattro GmbH offer optional wheels measuring 18, 19 and 20 inches in diameter. The large brakes provide powerful deceleration. The driver can activate a hill descent assist function for steep downhill passages. This limits the speed to between 10 and 20 km/h (6.21 and 12.43 mph), depending on the surface.

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro will be available in Germany from spring 2012. The 3.0 TDI developing 150 kW (204 hp) has a list price of €54,600.

Source: Audi AG

Read More »»

Audi USA launches ‘Memorable Mile’ photo contest to find the best Audi allroad owner story

Celebrating the allroad's return to the U.S., Audi of America has launched the "Memorable Mile" photo contest. The contest was created for current Audi allroad owners to tag an image and story about themselves and their vehicle to Audi's various social media channels. From there, Audi USA will pick ten winners that will receive a VIP trip to Deer Valley to test drive the all-new 2013 Audi A4 allroad. For more information on how to enter, check out the official press release after the jump.

HERNDON, Va., January 10th, 2012 - Starting today, Audi invites enthusiasts to share an image and brief story of themselves with their Audi allroad for a chance at winning a VIP trip to Deer Valley during the USSA Freestyle International World Cup in Park City, Utah, to test drive the all-new allroad. The “Memorable Mile” contest officially kicks off today and ends on Jan. 17, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Current Audi allroad owners can share their story and images via any of Audi social media channels, including Twitter, Google+, Flickr or Instagram. Posts must be tagged with #myallroad for consideration. For those who are not registered users of these social media sites, submissions can be emailed to myallroad@audi.com.

Audi will select 10 winners to take part in an all-inclusive VIP trip to Deer Valley to test drive the all-new Audi allroad. Winners will be notified between the dates of Jan. 18 - 20, 2012, and must be ready to book flights within 24 hours of being selected. Travel for this trip will take place from Feb. 1 - 5, 2012. Please visit http://audi.us/allroadcontest to view the official rules.

Making its re-entry into the U.S. market for the first time since 2005, the Audi allroad returns with iconic design and functionality blended with segment-leading technology. The new features 211 horsepower with 258 pounds-foot of torque that makes it faster and more fuel efficient than its predecessor. The new allroad also features a longer wheelbase for ride comfort and more headroom for front passengers. Audi offers several advanced technology features for the allroad, including adaptive front lighting, Audi side assist, Audi connect™ with factory-installed wireless internet and onboard MMI® Navigation system with Google Earth™ maps and real-time SiriusXM Traffic information, for a true aerial view of the route.

Source: Audi of America

Read More »»

Audi at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

Although no all-new production models made an appearance this year in Detroit, the 2012 North American International Auto Show did set the stage for many exciting developments for American quattroholics. From the Q3 Vail Concept ushering in U.S. sales of the Q3 line, to the North American debuts of the newly facelifted A4/A5 range (including the new-for-the U.S. A4 allroad and RS5) and even confirmation of a 3.0 TDI & TFSI engine coming to the A8; Motown previewed the many new and exciting models North American Audi fans have to look forward to in 2012. Video and photo gallery after the jump.
















More news from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show:

Audi Q3 Vail Concept ushers in Q3 line to the U.S.

Audi USA replaces A4 Avant with new A4 allroad

Audi A8 3.0 TFSI and TDI coming to the U.S. later this year

Photos: Audi AG and United Pictures

Read More »»