• Coupe and Spyder variants are first Audi production models with rear wheel-drive as a limited edition
• 50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
• Available to order in the UK later this month priced from £110,000 OTR
• Stephan Winkelmann, MD Audi Sport GmbH: “R8 V10 RWS successfully brings driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets”

Neckarsulm, September 11, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH is extending its R8 model series to include new derivatives with rear-wheel drive. Limited to 999 units worldwide, and available to order in the UK later this month priced from £110,000 OTR, the Audi R8 V10 RWS and R8 Spyder V10 RWS will be exclusively rear-driven (Rear Wheel Series) and will be built by hand at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory.

“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”

Matt black design elements, optional films

The purebred character of the new R8 variant is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade (of the Coupé) is finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body colour.

Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupé is available with an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats are available as an option. The dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units.

5.2 FSI engine – one of the last naturally aspirated engines in its segment

The mid-mounted V10 engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS produces 540PS. It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. The 5.2 FSI engine powers the Coupé from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and beyond to a top speed of 198mph (Spyder: 197mph). With the top closed, combined fuel economy in the R8 V10 RWS amounts to 22.7mpg, corresponding to 283 grams CO2 per kilometre. With the top open, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams CO2 per kilometre.

Specially tuned chassis setup allows controlled drifts

The Coupé weighs 1,590 kilograms (without driver), 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) less than the R8 Coupé with all-wheel drive which needs additional components like propshaft, multi-plate clutch and centre differential. The Spyder is 40 kilograms lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kilograms (without driver). The axle load distribution of 40.6:59.4 (Coupé) and 40.4:59.6 (Spyder) together with chassis and handling tuning specially adapted for rear-wheel drive provide for particularly entertaining driving.

The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit. The electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The new Audi Q2 enters the stage - an urban model with rough edges, its own independent character and entirely new geometrical design elements. It stands out with its confident appeal, boasting powerful TFSI and TDI engines with 116-190 horsepower and comes with optional permanent quattro all-wheel drive system. Its equipment leaves nothing to be desired and consists of features that were previously reserved for the upper class. And the connectivity? Exemplary with Audi smartphone interface and the latest generation of infotainment and sound systems.

4.19 meters long. 1205 kg weight. 2.60 meter wheelbase. A superior Cd value of 0.30. Those are the base figures. Even more spectacular is what you see: an SUV which at first glance already shows its muscles. With broad shoulders and angular styling, it is brimming with energy and confidence. Experience the Audi Q2.

Driving dynamics and efficiency are not mutually exclusive for the Audi Q2. The new SUV comes with six engines - three petrol and three diesel. Depending on the engine there is a six gear manual gearbox or an S tronic dual-clutch with seven gears. And four of the units are available with permanent four wheel drive.

Article source: www.audi.com

• New flagship Audi A8 and two concept cars
• Show cars with intelligent Audi AI technologies for levels 4 and 5
• Additional highlights: Audi A4 Avant g-tron and two new R and RS models

Ingolstadt/Frankfurt am Main, September 8, 2017 - Progress in three levels: Audi is showcasing its autonomous driving strategy at the IAA 2017. The new Audi A8 incorporates conditional automated driving at level 3 as standard. Two concept cars will also be demonstrating the Audi vision for level 4 and level 5. They also provide insights into the brand’s future Audi AI technologies. Other production models – from overtly performance-focused to ultra-efficient – round off the motor show presence of the brand with the four rings.

Conditional automated driving at level 3 as standard: the new Audi A8

The new A8 is the world’s first volume-production car to be designed for conditional automated driving at level 3 in accordance with international standards. On highways and multi-lane motorways with a physical barrier separating the two directions of traffic, the Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes over the driving task in slow-moving traffic up to 37mph. The system handles starting from a standstill, accelerating, steering and braking in its lane. If the driver has activated the traffic jam pilot via the AI button on the centre console, they can take their foot off the accelerator and their hands off the steering wheel for longer periods. Unlike at level 2, they no longer need to monitor the car permanently and, depending on current national regulations, can turn to other activities supported by the on-board infotainment system. The driver must remain alert and capable of taking over the task of driving when the system prompts them to do so.

The Audi AI traffic jam pilot is based on two technologies, which Audi is the first manufacturer anywhere in the world to incorporate as standard: The central driver assistance controller (zFAS), which generates an image of the surroundings while driving by fusing sensor data. At the same time, a second data fusion takes place in the radar control unit. Meanwhile, the laser scanner, the second innovation, provides detailed information on vehicles cutting in and on the roadside peripheral structures, for instance.

Introduction of the Audi AI traffic jam pilot requires both clarity regarding the legal parameters for each country and specific adaptation and testing of the system. Moreover, varying worldwide homologation procedures and their deadlines must be observed. For these reasons, Audi will initiate series production of the traffic jam pilot in the new A8 incrementally, depending on the legal situation in the respective country.

Highly automated at level 4: concept car with new technology

This Audi study is an SUV coupé measuring 4.90 metres in length. Based on the Audi e-tron Sportback concept, it adopts the concept’s dynamic lines, the progressive lighting technology, the functionally elegant interior and the electric quattro drive with three electric motors and a combined peak output of 370 kW.

A new highlight of the study is intelligent technologies which reduce the driver’s workload and open up many opportunities for spending time in the car pleasantly and usefully. These systems are summarised under the term Audi AI and, in many cases, use strategies from the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. They are networked seamlessly with the cloud and with other vehicles (car-to-X) – giving them the capability to learn and think in a proactive and empathetic way. Thanks to these systems, the driver gains more time, more safety, more efficiency and more customisation. For highly automated driving at level 4 the SUV coupé uses a next-generation zFAS. It provides information for the highway pilot which can take over the driving task at speeds of up to 80mph and automatically change lane.

Autonomously on course for the future: concept car drives at level 5

The second Audi concept car for the IAA is heading autonomously into the future. It offers its occupants entirely new freedoms where they no longer have to concentrate on road traffic. Passengers can use the extra time for something other than driving. To this end, the show car combines many new features in the area of connectivity, communication and operation, which make travelling extremely comfortable. Thanks to Audi AI these systems are intelligent and forward-thinking.

The new concept car from the Ingolstadt-based automaker is designed primarily for long journeys. It is powered by four electric motors. The car is situated in the D segment, the automotive top tier, and has a range of between 435 and 497 miles. The interior and exterior design of the full-size model is spectacular and groundbreaking. It offers brand-new possibilities which an all-electric, self-driving car opens up for designers.

Further premieres and activities: efficient, sporty and connected

With the A4 Avant g-tron and A5 Sportback g-tron which can now be ordered (not available in the UK), Audi is making an attractive offer for climate-friendly and, at the same time, economical mobility. Its 2.0 TFSI delivers 170PS and 270 Nm (199.1 lb-ft) of torque and, fitted with the seven-speed S tronic, consumes just 3.8 kilograms of natural gas (CNG) for every 62 miles travelled on the NEDC cycle. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 102 grams per kilometre and fuel costs of around four euros (as at: September 2017). The total range is 590 miles, up to 310 miles of which can be in gas mode. The g-tron fleet is especially eco-friendly when running on Audi e-gas. Until the end of May 2018, the brand with the four rings will be offering to supply every customer with e-gas as standard, in other words at no extra charge. In the well-to-wheel analysis, Audi e-gas reduces CO2 emissions by 80 percent**.

Audi Sport GmbH will be celebrating two world premieres as part of IAA 2017. The fourth generation of the high-performance Avant is another impressive chapter in the success story of the first RS model, the RS 2 Avant. The Audi subsidiary will also be showcasing for the first time a limited special model with rear-wheel drive.

Audi and HERE Technologies are forging closer links all the time. In the new A8, the automaker is already using multiple services and new technologies from HERE, one of the leading software companies for digital navigation maps and location-based services. Audi itself has a stake in HERE, with both companies looking to work together even more closely in future. They will jointly be presenting their products in the New Mobility World that is part of the IAA.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Power outputs of TFSI, TDI and e-tron models to be denoted by two numbers starting this autumn with the all-new A8

• Designations taking effect worldwide for all drive types
• Clearly defined hierarchy in each model series
• Audi A8 the first model with new type designation

Ingolstadt, August 23, 2017 – Audi is adopting a standardised nomenclature for the power output designations of its model range which will apply worldwide. The names of the model series – from Audi A1 to Audi Q7 – will remain unchanged. Within the model families, combinations of two numbers will replace the various type designations previously used. The new designations stand for the specific power output and apply both to cars with combustion engines and to e-tron models with hybrid and electric drives.

The reference value for the new model designations is the power output of the individual model in kilowatts (kW). Audi is therefore creating sub-classifications within the range based on performance levels, each identified by a two-numeral combination. For example, the numeral combination “30” will appear on the rear of all models with power outputs of between 81 and 96 kW (110PS and 130PS). And “45” represents power outputs of between 169 and 185 kW (230PS and 252PS). In each case the numerals appear along with the engine technology indicator – TFSI, TDI, g-tron or e-tron.

The number combinations identifying the performance levels in the Audi product range increase in increments of five, and they represent the hierarchy within both the respective model series and the brand’s overall model range. According to the new nomenclature, the spectrum will initially range from the Audi A1 25 TFSI with 70kW (95PS) to the Audi A8 55 TFSI with 250kW (340PS). A special place in the line-up is occupied by the high-end, high-performance S and RS models and the Audi R8. They will retain their classic names in reference to their top position in the model range.

“As alternative drive technologies become increasingly relevant, engine displacement as a performance attribute is becoming less important to our customers. The clarity and logic of structuring the designations according to power output makes it possible to distinguish between the various performance levels,” explains Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Board of Management Member for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG.

The changes will kick off with the new Audi A8 generation in the autumn of 2017. First among the two six-cylinder engines to be redesignated will be the 3.0 TDI with 210 kW – as the Audi A8 50 TDI, and the 3.0 TFSI with 250 kW – as the Audi A8 55 TFSI.

In the coming months, all Audi model series launched on the market will be assigned the new performance designations beginning when they are offered for sale. Audi will change the designations of the remaining model series in the current product range in time for the new model year changeover in the summer of 2018.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk