2014 Audi RS7 Spy Photos - Future Cars-News

These spy photographs seem too good to be true—they suggest that Audi is working on a higher-performance version of its sleek A7 hatchback. We’ve already caught the 2012 S7 out testing, but an RS7? The air intakes on this prototype suggest an RS model, but the quadruple exhaust tips and the unchanged body are S trademarks. RS models typically—though not always—have dual oval exhaust tips and, more important, a modified, significantly wider body.
Since an RS6 is a sure thing, though, adding an RS7 would be quick work for the Neckarsulm-based Quattro GmbH. The A7, after all, is nothing more than a rebodied A6; even the dashboard is identical, save for the detailing. That’s no knock against the A7; its shapely body’s Italianate style serves the lightweight, high-tech platform exceptionally well, making the A6 look strangely conservative. The RS6 treatment will change some of that, but the RS7 should be a stunner.
Big Shoes, Filled
The RS6 and RS7 will be powered by an ultra-high-performance version of the turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that will be fitted under the hood of the S6, S7, and S8, as well as the upcoming entry-level Bentley Continental GT. While the S models will stay well under 500 hp, the RS cars should deliver close to 600 hp. They need to fill the shoes of the outgoing RS6, after all, a car that produced a mighty 580 hp from a twin-turbocharged V-10.
The power will be transmitted to all four wheels through a rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive system. We expect a ZF eight-speed automatic to be the only option, as Audi's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission can't handle the massive torque of this engine. A torque-vectoring rear differential will be standard.
The new engine will be lighter than the outgoing RS V-10, and these weight savings come on top of a vehicle platform that already is significantly lighter than the one it replaces. Thus, the power-to-weight ratio will be far superior to that of the last RS6—a most welcome change. Says a high-ranking Audi engineer: "The last RS6 has focused too much on straight-line performance. We want to put more emphasis on cornering ability." There's more: "We want to bring back the feeling of raw power that the first RS6 gave drivers. That means more sound, more responsiveness, more connection between car and driver." That's very good, and it will pertain to the RS7 derivative as much as the next RS6.
Will the RS7—or the RS6—come to the U.S.? Perhaps, but it’s far from certain. Audi will be watching the RS5 closely, and if that car does well here, a 2013 launch for the four-ringed Cadillac CTS-V, BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG fighters is a distinct possibility.

 

by http://www.caranddriver.com/

2013 Audi S6 4.0T Official Photos and Info - Auto Shows - News

Car enthusiasts are an impatient lot. No sooner had we first seen Audi’s all-new A6 than we and many “Audisti” worldwide began speculating about the S6 variant. We had a pretty good idea of what it would look like—Audi’s S models tend to be pretty conservative—and what it would have underhood. (We also tortured ourselves dreaming of the sedan’s inevitable accompanist, the not-for-the-U.S. S6 Avant.) Finally, as it unveils the 2013 S6 at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, Audi has provided all the details, if not fulfilled our wagon dream.
Will It Be Quick? Ja!
Both S6 models (as well as the S7) are powered by Audi’s new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 4.0-liter V-8, which produces 420 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, the latter from just 1400 rpm. That’s a little less horsepower and a little more torque than the 435 hp and 398 lb-ft produced by the detuned Lamborghini-sourced 5.2-liter V-10 in the previous S6. It is also a full 100 hp and 173 lb-ft down on the output of the same engine in the S8 that is also being introduced in Frankfurt. The S6’s dual-clutch transmission features seven forward ratios, which the driver can select manually via aluminum paddle shifters. Quattro all-wheel drive will again be standard, this time with an optional torque vectoring differential between the rear wheels.
At a relatively dainty 4177 pounds (4299 for the Avant), the 2013 S6 is roughly 300 pounds lighter than the outgoing car, and the new A6’s architecture achieves a more-optimal front/rear weight distribution to boot. We could never break the five-second mark to 60 mph in the outgoing S6—the best we managed was 5.4 seconds—but Audi says that the new one should be able to do the trick in 4.8 seconds.
In addition to being lighter and achieving max twist at lower revs, the V-8 is said to be a whopping 25 percent more fuel-efficient than the old V-10. This is thanks to cylinder deactivation, smaller individual cylinders, and the fact that, well, that there are two fewer of them. When all eight are lit, Audi boasts of a sonorous, carefully tuned engine note that we can’t wait to hear for ourselves.
We expect that the new S6 will not only be quicker in a straight line, but will be dynamically superior in part due to upgraded brakes and the standard Audi Drive Select system, which allows the customization of various chassis and powertrain settings. The ride height is dropped by 0.4 inch from the A6, but we don’t expect it to be as skateboard-stiff as the previous S6. Just how much smoother it is may depend on which of the seven available 19- or 20-inch wheel designs one chooses—or which ones Audi decides to offer in the U.S.
Subtle on the Outside, Sportier on the Inside
The 20s, of course, will probably look best, especially if the optional carbon-ceramic brakes are sitting behind them. Frankly, the exterior could use some added sass, as indistinguishable as it is from workaday A6s except in the most subtle of ways. The key differentiators up front are the double-bar slats in the grille and chrome spears bisecting the outboard intakes; in back, a lip spoiler sits on the trunk and the rear bumper accommodates the S-signature quad exhaust tips. The S6 will get two exclusive color choices: Estoril Blue and Prism Silver.
The interior contains a few subtle upgrades to add a measure of sportiness to the A6’s otherwise elegant furnishings, including aluminum shift paddles, metallic pedals and MMI controls, unique gauges, an aluminum shift lever, and a smattering of S6 badges. Audi says that all of the A6’s premium options will be offered on the S6 as well. Three styles of seats will be available, including two sport varieties, and the standard upholstery is a mix of leather and Alcantara. As for pricing, Audi hasn’t said yet. Expect that—as well as how much of this kit will be made available to Americans—to be revealed closer to the start of sales in fall of 2012.
The biggest question mark now surrounds just how well the new S6 drives, and that we hope to find out soon. Of course, we’re also looking forward to full details on the RS6—you see, we’re never satisfied.

 

Audi A2 Concept - Auto Shows News

Audi must be looking to take over this year’s Frankfurt auto show completely. It has already announced a slew of concept cars and new production models that will debut at the show, and now has revealed some sketches of its seventh Frankfurt debutant, the electric A2 concept. (The A2 joins the S6 sedan and Avant, S7, S8, the Urban Concept, and the Urban Concept Spyder.)
Audi is referring to the A2 concept as a “premium-class space concept,” and the company claims the small car will comfortably seat four—although, at less than 12.5 feet long, it is roughly the same size as a Mini Cooper hatchback, which definitely does not comfortably seat four. The interior looks like it was designed with functionality in mind, though, featuring reconfigurable and removable seats on thin tracks built into the flat floor. For more stowage, the bottom seat cushions fold up to reveal hidden compartments. The floor is covered in a ribbed coating of recycled polyester, and the door panels are polyurethane.
The concept is loaded with contemporary Audi connectivity tech, including Bluetooth, wireless internet, Google Earth and Street View navigation screen overlays, Audi traffic information, and Google point-of-interest search. Most of the controls are manipulated via futuristic touch-sensitive surfaces, so despite the tech overload, the overall look of the interior is clean, uncluttered, and straightforward. The exterior look is handsome, with the tallish profile lending the A2 the look of a smaller and lower Audi Q5. The chunky concept’s stance is helped by its two-piece 18-inch wheels.
It’s Electric
The A2’s front wheels are powered by a transverse-mounted, 116-hp electric motor that is fed by a 31-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that lives in the car’s sandwich floor. Like almost all electric cars, the A2 makes do with a single-speed transmission. According to Audi, its concept weighs less than 2535 pounds (1150 kilograms), thanks to a body constructed from aluminum and carbon fiber. If your garage happens to be wired with a 400-volt, three-phase connection—and whose isn’t—Audi says the A2’s battery will need just an hour and a half to fully recharge. The more common 240-volt connection will top off the pack in four hours. Audi also designed the concept to work with inductive charging, although it neglected to say how long juicing up with this method would take.
Audi says the A2 has a driving range of 124 miles, and that it can whir from 0 to 62 mph in just 9.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 93 mph to maximize the car’s range. Drivers can activate a semi-autonomous driving mode on the go. The concept may be high-tech, but it rides on a relatively humble MacPherson-strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension.
Pretty Lights
Audi amped up the A2’s exterior flair with lights—lots of lights. The deep character line that runs from the trailing edge of the headlights back to the tips of the taillights is packed with dynamic lights that can perform a number of functions. When the driver activates the A2’s turn signal, pulses of light run down the side of the car in step with the turn indicators. During braking, a spear of red light extends forward from the taillights in proportion to braking force. As if identifying Audis at night weren’t easy enough already, with their signature LED head- and taillight accents, the A2’s side array also acts as a giant marker light.
Ensuring that the body-side lighting doesn’t steal the show, the A2 concept’s headlights and rear fog light feature advanced lighting technology as well. The car’s head- and taillights utilize matrix-beam lighting, which Audi is referring to as the next step in LED technology—it’s essentially a cluster of LEDs and small reflectors that intensify the headlight’s beam. The rear fog light’s glow is produced by five laser diodes, an approach similar to the one BMW announced just last week. When visibility is good, their light is invisible. In the rain or fog, however, the beams strike the water particles in the air and become clearly visible as a floating triangle. In addition to the fancy lights, you can unlock the doors using hand gestures after “approach sensors” determine your proximity to the car.
We will see the Audi A2 concept in the flesh when it is revealed in Frankfurt. Look for it next to the other Audi debut. And the other one. And the other one, and the other one, and. . .

by caranddriver.com