Meet the ultimate Audi Coupe that blends an alarmingly shortened chassis and body from an Audi 80 with the front end of an A4 and the wider buttocks of a previous generation A6 sedan.
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Audi of America has launched a new advertising campaign that will most likely generate a similar response from the competition in the premium segment. Under the tagline “Car Carrier”, the two Audi commercials feature a BMW owner that goes nuts when he sees a truck full of brand new automotive metal from Ingolstadt.
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All 3-Series models are doing their bit to keep sales high. According to a study released by R.L. Polk & Co., from 2008 through this past February, the 3-Series sedan covered around 60 percent of the model's retail registrations, with the coupe, convertible and station wagon versions accounting for the rest of the sales.
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The first A4 and A6 models were delivered to Indonesian customers earlier this month, with the German company planning to assemble around 2,700 cars per year by 2015, including 2,000 A4 models, exclusively for the Indonesian market.
Audi said the Indonesian car market is forecast to grow by 15 percent this year, with sales in the premium segment expected to double over the next five years.
“After having done so in key markets like China and India, we’ve now found an outstanding partner for local assembly of our Audi models in Indonesia: INDOMOBIL/Garuda Mataram Motor,” said Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production at AUDI AG.
"As one of the most important countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia is one of Asia’s most dynamic growth regions. We’d like to contribute to this growth, since growth is an important component of Audi’s brand strategy,” Dreves said.
But the Japanese automaker isn't about to throw in the towel, not just yet. Marking one of its largest advertising campaigns in years, Suzuki has launched an ambition set of edgy ads pitting the Kizashi against similar sized models in the luxury segment such as the Mercedes-Benz C350, Audi A4 and the Volvo S40.
In each case, the Kizashi is shown in a side-by-side test with one of the aforementioned models plus an outsider, and by that we mean a motorized sofa, a man covered in a bubble-wrap suit and a stretch limousine. Well, you can't blame Suzuki for not having a sense of humor. Scroll down to watch all three ads in the videos below.
Source: Suzuki & Autonews
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But the Japanese automaker isn't about to throw in the towel, not just yet. Marking one of its largest advertising campaigns in years, Suzuki has launched an ambition set of edgy ads pitting the Kizashi against similar sized models in the luxury segment such as the Mercedes-Benz C350, Audi A4 and the Volvo S40.
In each case, the Kizashi is shown in a side-by-side test with one of the aforementioned models plus an outsider, and by that we mean a motorized sofa, a man covered in a bubble-wrap suit and a stretch limousine. Well, you can't blame Suzuki for not having a sense of humor. Scroll down to watch all three ads in the videos below.
Source: Suzuki & Autonews
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"This record is yet another milestone in the history of Audi in China," remarked Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG. "We were the first premium brand in China 22 years ago and have been the unrivaled market leader in this segment ever since – a success story we're extremely proud of."
As demand in China for luxury cars continues to boom, Audi believes it can reach the next million there by 2014.
"Over the entire year, we will deliver well over 200,000 cars to customers in China," stated Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, President of Audi China. "And we have already set our sights firmly on the next sales target: We intend to reach the second million within the next three years."
The history of the brand from Ingolstadt in China began in 1988 with a license agreement between Audi and FAW covering the assembly of the Audi 100 with imported parts kits. In 1995, the VW Group and FAW formed a new joint venture resulting in the local production of the Audi 200 a year later. In Changchun today, the company with the four-rings produces the long-wheelbase A6L and A4L and, since 2009, the Q5 for the Chinese market.
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Thanks to some minor revisions to the front seat back and rear bench designs, room in the back is said to have increased by 44 millimeters (+1.7-inches) without affecting seating comfort [according to Seat] or luggage space.
Under the hood, Seat has equipped the 143-hp 2.0 TDI CR Diesel version with the continuously variable Multitronic gearbox. The transmission on this model offers a sport program that delivers gear shifting at higher rev speeds, and a 7-speed manual mode controlled via steering wheel mounted shift paddles.
According to Seat, this combination returns an average fuel consumption of 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers, which is equal to 40.6 mpg US and 48.7 mpg UK.
Other changes include the revised tail lamps featuring LED technology and the addition of a new 230 V socket on the central console.
More details including availability will be released at the Paris motor show.
Continuing its love affair with blacked-out Audis, German tuning boutique Avus Performance swiped the covers off its latest pumped up model, the A4 Avant Black Arrow. The car displayed here is equipped with a 2.7-liter turbo diesel engine that has been enhanced with a Stage 1 ECU upgrade boosting output from 190bhp and 295 lb/ft of torque to 230bhp and 358 lb/ft.
And if you don't own the 2.7 TDI model, no need to worry as the tuning firm said that it offers performance upgrades for the 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI diesel engines as well.
Besides the blacked out exterior and the engine massage, the Black Arrow package for the A4 Avant also includes massive 21-inch alloy wheels in a glossy black finish and a lowering suspension kit.
Along with the supercharged S5 Sportback, Audi's Frankfurt motorshow stand will also host the world premiere of two more new models, the A3 with a new 1.2 TFSI and the Euro-6 compliant A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro. Starting off with the A3, the 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection produces an output of 105 HP and 175Nm (129lb.-ft.) of torque between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.Initially paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the small displacement engine propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.1 seconds and the five-door Sportback, in 11.3 seconds. Both versions reach a top speed of 190 km/h or 118 mph) and, on average, consume 5.5 lt of fuel per 100 km which is the U.S. equivalent of 42.77 mpg.
European sales of the A3 and A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI will begin in the first quarter of 2010.
Moving on the A4, Audi is introducing to the range a 3.l0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine with a new common-rail injection system that generates up to 2,000 bars of pressure. It also comes with a new eNOX catalytic converter, integrated within the end of the exhaust system that reduces residual nitrogen oxides.
The new diesel that complies with the emission limits of the EU's Euro 6 standard, expected to become law in 2014, allows the A4 sedan to return a combined fuel economy of 6.7 lt /100km and the Avant, 6.8 lt/00km (35.1 and 34.6 mpg U.S).
Power is transferred to all wheels through a six-speed tiptronic with the A4 sedan needing only 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint and the A4 Avant, 6.3 seconds. In both models top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h or 155mph.
*The cars shown in the article are not the A3 1.2 TSI and A4 3.0 TDI quattro as Audi has yet to release photos of the specific models
Audi has announced official pricing for the U.S. market 2010 S4 sedan and A5 and S5 Cabriolet models. The two S models that are powered by a 333HP 3.0-liter supercharged V6 will arrive at Audi showrooms in late August while the A5 Convertible will enhance the firm's range in the Fall. Set to compete against the BMW 335i, the 2010 S4 sedan is priced at $45,900 for the six-speed manual gearbox model and at $47,300 for those that prefer the S-Tronic twin-clutch transmission.
When equipped with a manual transmission, the S4 delivers a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of 4.9 seconds, compared to a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds for the previous S4 V8 manual while the its also more fuel efficient than its predecessor returning 18 mpg city/27 highway, compared to the previous-generation 2008 S4 V8 manual ratings of 13 mpg city/20 mpg highway.
The A5 Cabriolet that features a fully automated soft top will be offered with a base 2.0-liter TSI engine and a range topping 333HP 3.0 TSI for the S5 model. The front-wheel drive A5 Cabriolet 2.0T Mutlitronic is priced at $42,000 while the Tiptronic Quattro model at $44,100. As for the S5 Cabriolet, it starts from $58,250.
Buyers should be aware that Audi will add a $825 destination charge, taxes, title, options and dealer charges to all MSRPs.
