Month: October 2015

The new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and the new Audi RS 7 Sportback performance offer more power output than ever before. The 4.0 TFSI now produces 445 kW (605 hp) and maximum torque of 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft). A particular highlight of the engine is an overboost function allowing the driver to temporarily draw on up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft). The two RS high-performance models sprint like supercars from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 3.7 seconds, an improvement of 0.2 seconds over the respective base RS model. They need just 12.1 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h (124.3 mph), 1.4 seconds less than the base RS models. With the optional dynamic package, top speed can be increased from 250 to 280 and 305 km/h (155 to 174 and 189.5 mph), respectively. Despite the output boost of 33 kW (45 hp), the sonorous V8 biturbo power unit consumes just 9.6 and 9.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (24.5 and 24.8 US mpg), respectively, corresponding to 223 and 221 g CO₂(358.9 and 355.7 g/mi).

These top figures for power and efficiency are made possible by the technological expertise of Audi and quattro GmbH. Engineering skills and long years of experience with RS high-performance models went into further optimizing the 4.0 TFSI, from the specific engine management system with increased rpm and boost pressure to the Audi cylinder on demand (COD) system, which only activates four of the eight cylinders when under part load.

The standard eight-speed tiptronic has been designed for extreme sportiness in both the new RS 6 Avant performance and the new RS 7 Sportback performance. The driver can choose between the modes D and S or change gears manually either by tapping the selector lever or by using the shift paddles on the RS multifunction sport leather steering wheel. In manual mode, a shift indicator in the driver information system or optional head-up display indicates the rev limit.

quattro permanent all-wheel drive delivers the power to the road and flexibly distributes torque as needed via the center differential. In the standard configuration, 40 percent flows to the front axle and 60 percent to the rear axle. The wheel-selective torque control intervenes as necessary. Audi also equips the quattro drivetrain with an optional sport differential on the rear axle with active torque distribution between the inside and outside wheel.

With its dynamic setup, the standard RS adaptive air suspension lowers the body of the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance by 20 millimeters (0.8 in). The integrated damping control varies as a function of the road conditions, driving style and the mode chosen in Audi drive select. Audi offers the tauter RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) as an alternative. An additional option is dynamic steering with a continuously variable steering ratio.

The driver can adjust the function of key components using Audi drive select, including the steering, engine and sound management, the tiptronic and the optional sport differential. New in the performance models: Similar to the new Audi R8 high-performance sports car, the driver can switch between the modes auto, comfort, dynamic and individual without taking his or her eyes off the road using a special button on the RS multifunction sport leather steering wheel.

The new RS performance models come standard with exclusive 21‑inch cast aluminum wheels shod with size 285/30 tires on the RS 6 Avant performance and 275/30 tires on the RS 7 Sportback performance. The four internally ventilated brake disks have a weight-saving wave design; as an option, Audi offers carbon fiber-ceramic disks. Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) has a Sport mode and can be deactivated if need be.

Striking design details reinforce the preeminent position of the two new RS performance models. These include the sportily designed bumpers with large air inlets up front and the heavily profiled diffuser insert at the rear, the gloss black honeycomb grille typical of the RS models and the flared side sills. The RS performance-specific exterior is distinguished by a quattro logo on the air inlet duct and add-on parts in matt titanium look. Audi offers the new exclusive paint finish Ascari blue, metallic as an option.

The sportily elegant interior of the RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance comes standard with RS sport seats with pronounced side bolsters and integrated head restraints. Audi offers the seats in the color combination black and blue with the optional RS performance design package. This includes new seat upholstery in an Alcantara/leather combination with a honeycomb pattern and matching contrasting stitching on the armrests, control elements and floor mats. Rounding out this interior combination are knee pads in Alcantara and carbon twill blue inlays. This sophisticated and exclusive carbon material is interwoven with a blue thread. The dial instruments feature black faces, white dials and red needles.

The new Audi RS 6 Avant performance costs 117,000 euros in Germany; the new Audi RS 7 Sportback performance 121,700 euros. The two new models will be available at dealers beginning in November.

“The very high position in the Consumer Reports confirms the real substance offered by the Audi model range in the United States,” commented Luca de Meo, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. “By offering our U.S. customers convincing products, we have paved the way for a continuing positive development in the American market.”

The brand with the four rings builds on its strong performance in the “Consumer Reports”. It was already the best European manufacturer in the past three years (2012: 8th, 2013: 4th and 2014: 5th). Audi now advances to 3rd in the rankings. Its closest European rival brand is in 10th place and the closest European premium competitor in 11th place.

“Consumer Reports”, which is issued monthly, is published by the consumer protection organization of the same name. The magazine has over seven million subscribers. As a nonprofit publication it is held in high regard and its guidelines provide a guarantee of strict impartiality. Every year, “Consumer Reports” examines thousands of products in more than 50 laboratories.

For their latest reliability ranking, the U.S. experts evaluated information on over 740,000 automobiles submitted to them by their readers and online users over the past twelve months.

The Audi S1 won the “small car” category and banished the competition after garnering 29.2 percent of the votes from a total of 13,600 readers. The S1 is the most dynamic member of the most compact model family from Audi. Its turbocharged two-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 170 kW (231 hp) – and as a true quattro, the Audi S1 puts this performance to the road through all four wheels.

The RS 6 Avant finished at the top of the “Sedans and station wagons over 100,000 euros” category. A total of 26.7 percent of participants selected the 412 kW (560 hp) eight-cylinder sports model from the Audi subsidiary quattro GmbH for first place.

Audi took home a total of four second-place honors in the reader survey: The Audi RS 3 Sportback,* Audi S3 Sedan,* TTS Coupé* and R8 V10 Plus* each won silver in their groups. The Audi RS 5 Coupé* took home a third place finish.

The award ceremony was held on October 19, 2015, in Stuttgart.

Fuel consumption of the models named above:

Audi RS 6 Avant:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 9.6 (24.5 US mpg);
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 223 (358.9 g/mi)

Audi S1 quattro:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.3 – 7.0 (32.2 – 33.6 US mpg)**;
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 168 – 162 (270.4 – 260.7 g/mi)**

Audi RS 3 Sportback:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.3 – 8.1 (28.3 – 29.0 US mpg)**;
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 194 – 189 (312.2 – 304.2 g/mi)** 

Audi S3 Sedan
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.1 – 6.9 (33.1 – 34.1 mpg)**;
CO₂ emissions, combined in g/km: 164 – 159 (263.9 – 255.9 g/mi)**

Audi TTS Coupé:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.3 – 6.7 (32.2 – 35.1 US mpg)**;
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 168 – 155 (270.4 – 249.4 g/mi)**

Audi R8 V10 plus:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.3 (19.1 US mpg);
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 287 (461.9 g/mi)

Audi RS 5 Coupé:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 10.5 (22.4 US mpg);
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 246 (395.9 g/mi)

** Fuel consumption, CO₂ emission figures and efficiency classes given in ranges depend on the tires/wheels used.

18 races, ten victories, 21 podiums, ten fastest race laps and eight pole positions: The Audi RS 5 DTM was the strongest car in the 2015 DTM season. Still, in the end, this tally was only enough for the brand with the four rings to take second, third and fourth place in the drivers’ classification, second place among the manufacturers, and third place in the teams’ classification. Jamie Green was 19 points short of winning the drivers’ title and the margin in the title race of the manufacturers’ classification, with 602 versus 595 points, was even smaller.

“This was a bitter-sweet ending of the season for us,” said Dieter Gass, Head of DTM at Audi Sport. “The fans got to see an impressive performance of the Audi RS 5 DTM and a superb one-two-three win once more. In spite of a difficult starting base, the manufacturers’ title was within our reach today, but we let it slip away. It was aggravating that we incurred two drive-through penalties.”

The first one was imposed on Nico Müller (Audi Financial Services Audi RS 5 DTM) for a pit stop violation (‘unsafe release’). On lap 16, there was a collision between Christian Vietoris (Mercedes) and the two Audi drivers Miguel Molina (Teufel Audi RS 5 DTM) and Adrien Tambay (Playboy Audi RS 5 DTM), which meant the end of the race for Tambay, who had been running in position four in the early stage. “That I was punished for this mystifies me,” Molina said, wondering about the penalty.

The Audi A5 DTM selection turns heads with its special racing design. The front lid, doors and rear window are emblazoned with dynamically designed DTM, quattro and Audi Sport logos. The Misano red paint finish contrasts with high-gloss black add-on parts on the front, sills and rear, giving added emphasis to the sports appeal of this limited-edition model. The front apron and the large air inlets with their rhombus-pattern grilles also contribute to its special looks. The cast aluminum wheels by Audi Sport embrace a five twin-spoke design in matt titanium look. Their dimensions are 9J x 20, for 265/30 R 20 tires.

With the door open, the entry lighting projects a DTM logo onto the road. The special edition’s door sill trims, too, display the Audi Sport label and there are dark-tinted windows at the rear. The interior is dominated by the highly contoured bucket seats adopted from the RS model. Their backrest covers and the inlays in the door and side trims and center console are in Misano red. Red stitching enhances the seats and leather multifunction sports steering wheel, the flattened rim of which is partly trimmed in Alcantara. The pedals are in stainless steel.

The hood of the Audi A5 DTM selection conceals the powerful 3.0 TDI engine with an output of 180 kW (245 hp) and 580 Nm (427.8 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the two-door model from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The A5 DTM selection achieves average fuel consumption per 100 kilometers (62.1 miles)

of 6.3 liters (6.3 US mpg) with 162 grams of CO₂ per kilometer (260.7 g/mi). A seven-speed S tronic transfers the engine power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

Audi has restricted the production run for the A5 DTM selection to 50 cars, at a price of EUR 74,540 in Germany. The spectacular coupé is the third DTM special edition built by the brand with the four rings. Its predecessors – the A4 Sedan in 2005 and the A5 Coupé in 2013 – carried the spirit of Audi in the German Touring Car Masters from the racetrack to the road.

Fuel consumption of the models named above:

Audi A5 DTM selection:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.3 l/100km (37.3 US mpg)**;
Combined CO₂ emissions in g/km: 162 g/km (260.7 g/mi)**

** Fuel consumption, CO₂ emission figures and efficiency classes given in ranges depend on the tires/wheels used.