Three coveted trophies go to the Audi A3 Cabriolet, A6 and TT Coupé at this year’s Auto Express New Car Awards

• Audi A3 awarded Best Cabriolet – priced from £26,125 OTR
• TT wins Best Coupé category – pricing starts at £29,810 OTR
• Best Executive trophy goes to the Audi A6 for the second consecutive year – available in SE, S line or Black Edition from £32,295 OTR
• Audi A1 commended in Best Premium Small Car category

In another stellar year for Audi, three of its most popular models have received best-in-class honours in the annual Auto Express Awards. The enduring appeal of the Audi A6 and A3 Cabriolet has been enough to secure both models a second consecutive triumph this year as Best Executive Car and Best Cabriolet respectively, while the third generation TT, a newcomer to the awards, takes its first victory as Best Coupé.

Commenting on the hat-trick for Audi, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief Steve Fowler remarked: "These models are at the top of their game and it’s easy to see why they have garnered such high praise this year. Staying ahead of the curve in these hotly contested classes is no mean feat, but that’s exactly what the A6 and A3 Cabriolet have achieved for the second year in succession. The third generation TT is a new submission to our awards this year, and with even more clean-cut styling, a noticeably more sporting slant than its predecessors and the breathtaking virtual cockpit for good measure it’s a no less deserving recipient of a class award."

André Konsbruck, Director of Audi UK, added: "An Auto Express Award based on the opinions of the magazine’s respected road test team is highly valued by all of us at Audi, so to receive three simultaneously is particularly gratifying. Our wins bear testament to the relentless and very significant investment in product development which keeps Audi in the vanguard of automotive design, engineering and technology."

The Best Executive Car trophy is yet another testimonial for the Audi A6 and in particular the TDI ultra, which the esteemed magazine has named as its pick of the bunch. Just a few weeks ago an A6 TDI ultra set a new GUINNESS World Records title for driving to the most countries (14) on a single tank of fuel. The unmodified example completed a staggering 1158.9 miles and averaged 75.9mpg with no need for a fill-up at the pumps. This extraordinary economy return easily surpassed the official 67.3 mpg figure specified by the NEDC. Its EU6-compliant 2.0 TDI engine also emits just 109g/km of CO2 when fitted with the latest generation of S tronic transmission, which features an innovative free-wheeling function combined with start-stop technology to further reduce fuel consumption. Developing 190PS and 400 Nm between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm also equips the A6 Saloon with a 0-62 mph sprint time of 8.2 seconds and 144 mph top speed.

The 2.0 TDI ultra engine is also available in the A6 Avant, which offers an impressive 565 litres of luggage capacity and a maximum trailer load of 2,000kg. The increase in weight over the saloon is kept to a minimum thanks in part to GFRP springs fitted as standard on the rear - a first on an Audi series production model - and efficiency is remarkably well matched despite the extra space and practicality – up to 64.2 mpg combined is possible, corresponding to emissions of 114g/km.

TT goes straight to the top

In its very first year as a contender in the Auto Express New Car Awards, the all-new TT has impressed the judges enough to take the category win. An impressive 50kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to further advanced aluminium and steel hybrid construction around the Audi Space Frame, its revolutionary interior was the first to feature the stunning all-digital virtual cockpit that is now available for the new Q7 and will make its way into the forthcoming Audi A4. The renowned quattro all-wheel drive system can of course be specified in conjunction with the punchy 230 PS 2.0 TFSI engine, and as an alternative a front-driven ultra version featuring the 2.0 TDI unit with 184 PS is capable of 62.8mpg combined and 116g/km.

Another winning year for the A3 Cabriolet

Ranked at the very top of the Auto Express convertible list is the four-seat A3 Cabriolet. Along with its retractable fabric roof and three comprehensively equipped trim specifications (SE, Sport and S line), a broad range of TFSI and TDI engines are available. The most efficient is the frugal 1.6 TDI with 68.9mpg capability and 110 g/km CO2 output, and the most potent is the 300PS S3 Cabriolet, boasting a 5.4 second 62mph sprint time and 155mph top speed.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

• Stunning Audi prologue concept originally shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show makes its UK public debut in west Sussex
• All-new Audi R8, RS 3 Sportback and Q7 e-tron quattro also among the 35 highlight cars on the new-look Audi stand
• RS 3 Sportback concludes its ‘Born Restless’ campaign with a special run up the hill
• New Q7 available to drive on expanded ‘Home of quattro’ off-road course along with other ‘Q’ and allroad quattro models
• All-new R8 to feature in the Supercar Hillclimb from Friday
• Special appearances by Audi Le Mans stars Benoît Tréluyer, André Lotterer, Oliver Jarvis and R18 e-tron quattro fresh from La Sarthe
• Nick Mason to pilot the 1939 Auto Union Type D twin-supercharger
• Hannu Mikkola will once again attack the hill in the Audi Sport quattro S1 E2

Audi is heading for the hill with a fleet studded with stars from its past, present and future, and that can only mean one thing – the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed is almost upon us. Between June 25 and 28 the anticipated 200,000-plus visitors to the world famous celebration of cars and driving in the rolling Sussex countryside will be able to peruse a new-look Audi stand that not only houses the latest and greatest exponents of Vorsprung durch Technik, but is also packed with more exciting and immersive visitor attractions than ever before.

Situated in a prominent new position opposite the Formula 1 paddock, affording an even clearer view of the trackside action, the redesigned Audi stand will play host to a total of 35 highlight cars. Chief among these will arguably be the visually arresting prologue concept imagined under the direction of Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte and touching tantalisingly on the future stylistic and technological direction of A6, A7 Sportback and A8 models.

For many the star car could, however, equally be the all-new R8 with its 610PS V10 engine and 200mph-plus capability, or the latest five-cylinder, 367PS RS 3 Sportback. Both newcomers can be seen on the main stand as well as in the supercar run on the Hillclimb.

Friday visitors to the legendary estate will witness the RS 3 Sportback making light work of the hill in the final part of its Born Restless tour - www.audi.co.uk/rs3 The actual example of the 4.3-second and 174 mph Sportback that undertook challenges everywhere from a tidal causeway to an ice hockey pitch will be unleashed for a run up the hill at maximum attack, before its 367 PS and 465NM might is physically restrained by tie-down straps on the stand. A second car will then take over for additional hill sprints over the weekend.

Also on Friday the young and hugely talented British Audi Le Mans driver Oliver Jarvis will be behind the wheel of the R8 and making the very best use of its 3.2-second 0-62mph sprint time and seemingly physics-defying quattro all-wheel-drive grip. R8 runs will continue through the weekend.

The technological marvel that is the sub-50g/km Q7 e-tron quattro hybrid is also likely to be one of the must-sees on the stand. Due to arrive on UK roads early next year, this version of the premium SUV is the second series production e-tron model following the acclaimed A3 Sportback e-tron, and features a six-cylinder diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain that can offer up to 34 miles of local emissions-free motoring and a combined range of over 870 miles.

R18 e-tron quattro fresh from Le Mans

An e-tron with six less seats but arguably even more crowd-pulling potential will also be making the journey to west Sussex fresh from its recent nail-biting tussle with Porsche in Le Mans. The number 7 R18 e-tron quattro LMP 1 sports prototype of Marcel Fassler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer will be blasting up the hill with Benoît at the helm, and the sportscar star will be making guest appearances on the stand during the weekend with three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer.

While they mull over their personal choice of Audi star car, visitors to Goodwood who have arrived in an Audi and can present their Audi key to stand staff will be able to enjoy complimentary soft drinks in an exclusive terrace area, or take a ringside seat in a VIP trackside grandstand. Strawberries and cream will also be served on the terrace at certain points on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Access to the advanced digital ‘sideshows’ elsewhere on the stand will be open to all. Among these will be the ‘You vs quattro’ challenge which allows visitors to pit their reaction times against those of the latest quattro system – the names of top performers will be displayed on a leaderboard for all to see throughout the weekend.

Also open to all will be a competition to win a place on the new format Audi driving experience at Silverstone Circuit involving top performers in the Audi range such as the 450PS RS 5 Coupe and the 310PS TTS. Entries can be submitted via competition iPads on the stand, by contacting stand staff or by completing one of the entry forms that will be included in the thousands of giveaway bags that will be distributed during the event. For those wanting a foretaste of what they could expect for real, or not yet old enough to occupy the driving seat, a virtual off-road experience is also available to take users on a digital tour of the Silverstone programme.

In addition to the main stand, the home of quattro driving experience has also expanded considerably for 2015. This challenging off-road course with its varying terrain can be tackled by visitors in a total of 24 models including the all-new Q7, the Q5, the Q3 and allroad versions of the A4 and A6.

In keeping with Audi Tradition

The contemporary stars on the stand will also be complemented perfectly by luminaries from the rich history of Audi. Goodwood wouldn’t feel complete without a beautiful and evocative Auto Union ‘Silver Arrow’ Grand Prix car, and this year it is the turn of the 1939 Type D to be piloted up the hill by Pink Floyd drummer and regular Auto Union ‘works driver’ Nick Mason. Equipped with a 485 PS 12-cylinder, twin-supercharged motor, the single-seater was the most powerful of the pre-war Auto Union racers and can reach a top speed of over 200 mph.

Continuing the motorsport heritage theme, rally legend Hannu Mikkola will return in the ever-popular Audi Sport quattro S1 E2 for another race against the clock on the 1.16-mile course.

Audi Tradition will also wheel out two vintage NSU Bullus and Sportmax motorcycles, and the latter will be ridden up the hill by two-time motorcycle world championship runner-up Ralph Waldmann.

As in previous years, the vast majority of members of the team representing the brand at Goodwood will be employees of Audi UK who will be willingly devoting their time to meet, greet and inform the thousands of guests who are expected to stop by at one of the Audi facilities over this fascinating and atmospheric weekend.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Latest Audi compact executive models feature a wealth of innovation to refine and enhance every aspect of the driving experience

• Completely new A4 Saloon and Avant models will be available to order in UK in late summer ahead of first customer deliveries in late 2015 (Saloon)
• Up to 120kg lighter than outgoing models, up to 21 per cent more fuel efficient
• Wide four and six-cylinder engine range with outputs from 150PS to 272PS
• Line-up includes new 2.0 TFSI with revolutionary combustion system and 2.0 TDI ultra with sub-100g/km CO2 output (17-inch standard wheel)
• All-new platform and redeveloped six-speed manual, seven-speed S tronic and eight-speed tiptronic transmissions
• Lowest-in-class 0.23 drag coefficient (saloon) for exemplary refinement
• Standard equipment highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights with LED DRLs, Audi smartphone interface, Audi drive select, three-zone climate control and 7-inch colour MMI monitor
• In-car technology options include the Audi virtual cockpit, predictive efficiency assistant, traffic-jam assist, rear cross-traffic assist, collision avoidance assist and turn assist

More powerful, more efficient, more intelligent: the new Audi A4 and A4 Avant feature numerous premium technologies which set higher benchmarks for their class. Elegant design blends with an innovative control concept, and lightweight construction meets new, efficient drivetrain solutions. The A4 and A4 Avant are also ahead of their peers in terms of infotainment and assistance systems. As a result, UK customers who will begin taking delivery of their cars in late 2015 can look forward to a truly high-tech experience ― an innovative synthesis of technology and aesthetics.

When it comes to aerodynamics, the two new models dramatically outpace the competition. The A4 Saloon has the best drag coefficient in its class at 0.23, and the A4 Avant pierces the air almost as cleanly with a 0.26 figure. The new models also have impressively low CO2 emissions which in the 2.0 TDI ultra dip below 100g/km.

The most powerful engines are two TDI six-cylinder units with up to 272PS. Driver assistance and infotainment systems are of luxury quality. A new generation of four-cylinder TFSI engines with newly developed combustion methods sets benchmarks in terms of fuel consumption, emissions and performance for four-cylinder petrol engines.

At 4.73 metres long and with a wheelbase of 2.82 metres – the new Audi A4 and A4 Avant have a confident stance on the road. A prominent horizontal line on the front and rear emphasises the car’s width. The flowing design with concise lines communicates the sporty elegance of the brand. The Singleframe grille is wide and low; the optionally available headlights in LED and Matrix LED technology (including dynamic indicators) make technology a visual trademark.

Up to 120 kilograms lighter

Compared with the previous model, the car’s dimensions have grown but its weight has been reduced significantly – by up to 120 kilograms, depending on the engine. The body of the new Audi models is one of the lightest in its class thanks to an intelligent material mix and lightweight construction.

The Audi A4 is a leader in its class also in terms of noise levels. All occupants enjoy generous space; the smooth lines emphasise the width of the interior. The front of the dashboard features a broad band of air outlets and a large decorative surface. At night, optional discreet contour lighting illuminates the doors and the central console. The quality of workmanship is uncompromisingly high. Colours and materials follow a new line concept allowing customers even more freedom during configuration.

Sensor-controlled opening of luggage compartment: the A4 Avant

The luggage compartment of the new A4 Avant offers storage space of 505 litres, which is the highest value in this class. With the rear seats folded down and loaded to the roof, a volume of 1,510 litres is available. The electric luggage compartment cover and electric tailgate are standard equipment. An optional extra is sensor control for opening and closing the tailgate.

The two new models offer an abundance of intelligent technologies, the use of which is even more intuitive with the new Audi MMI display and control concept. Technological highlights of the new A4 include the Audi virtual cockpit, the Audi Matrix LED headlights, the Audi smartphone interface, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound, the Audi phone box with wireless charging, the head-up display, and new driver assistance systems and Audi connect services.

Information and fascination: the Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI

The focus here is on two innovations. The optional Audi virtual cockpit, a fully digital combination instrument, features a 12.3-inch LCD screen that displays the most important information in brilliant high-resolution graphics, with great detail and sophisticated effects.

The MMI control concept in the centre console is also a newly designed feature and acts as the main control element. The top-end infotainment system, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and a large 8.3-inch monitor, has a touchpad in the rotary controller to zoom in and out and to enter characters. The entire MMI control logic is similar to that of a smartphone and includes an intelligent free-text search function. The new, more natural, voice-control system also understands input in normal everyday language, such as “I want to call Peter Miller.”

Concentrated computing power

MMI Navigation plus is backed by the computing power of the second-generation modular infotainment platform, which allows Audi to bring consumer electronics innovations into the vehicle quickly.

If customers order a car with MMI Navigation plus, they automatically receive the Audi connect hardware module, which connects the A4 and A4 Avant with the Internet via the high-speed LTE network. Passengers can surf the Internet and send and receive e-mail with their mobile devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot while the driver can use the tailored services of Audi connect.

The Audi smartphone interface is a new standard feature. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms and displays smartphone contact and information such as navigation mapping on the MMI screen. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna and charges them inductively according to the Qi standard. For discerning hi-fi fans, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound is available, which introduces the additional dimension of height. The new Audi tablet can also be used as flexible rear seat entertainment.

Powerful six and four-cylinder engines

The new Audi A4 and A4 Avant will launch with seven engines - three TFSI and four TDI. Their power output has increased significantly and ranges from 150PS to 272PS, but fuel consumption has been reduced by up to 21 percent. CO2 dips below 100g/km in the 2.0 TDI ultra Saloon. All engines combine high efficiency with outstanding responsiveness and refinement. This applies in particular to the two 3.0 TDI six-cylinder engines.

The new Audi A4 has a groundbreaking innovation for the petrol engines: The 2.0 TFSI ultra with 190PS uses an absolutely new combustion method that makes it especially efficient. During the model lifecycle, a g-tron version will be launched in markets with the appropriate infrastructure which can use natural gas or the sustainably produced Audi e-gas as fuel.

S tronic, tiptronic and manual transmission

The powertrain and the chassis of the new Audi A4 and A4 Avant have been completely redeveloped. The six-speed manual transmission, the seven-speed S tronic (now also available for front-wheel drive) and the eight-speed tiptronic have been redesigned; the automatic transmissions now offer a fuel-saving freewheeling function. Wheel-selective torque control supplements the work of the front-wheel drive and the quattro drive. For the most powerful TDI, Audi will offer the sport differential on the rear axle as an option from 2016.

Driving dynamics

The handling of new A4 makes a great leap forward. The suspension and steering filter out disturbances such as an uneven road surface, but communicate to the driver important information such as increases in lateral forces and tracking. This performance is based on the redeveloped five-link axles and the electromechanical power steering. They lay the foundation for dynamic handling and first-class ride comfort while also reducing fuel consumption. Additional options are dynamic steering, which varies its ratio according to the car’s speed and the steering angle, and suspension with adjustable shock absorbers with which the driver can for the first time select between two settings: sports or comfort. Both of the suspension settings are included in the Audi drive select driving-dynamics system, which is standard equipment in the UK.

Widest range in its class: driver assistance and safety systems

The Audi A4 and A4 Avant set the benchmark in their class with numerous driver assistance systems. The predictive efficiency assistant helps drivers to save fuel, Audi active lane assist helps them to stay in lane and the Stop&Go adaptive cruise control including traffic-jam assist eases driving in slow-moving traffic. One special feature of traffic-jam assist is its control strategy. It takes into account a large number of parameters such as road markings and the traffic ahead. Some more innovations that make important contributions to safety are parking assist, rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist and the Audi pre-sense systems. Camera-based traffic-sign recognition is also available.

The two new Audi A4 models will be available to order in the UK later this summer - deliveries of the Saloon will begin towards the end of the year and the Avant will follow in early 2016. Their standard equipment is even more comprehensive than that of their predecessors. It includes 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, the Audi smartphone interface, keyless go, a Bluetooth interface, Audi drive select, a 7-inch MMI colour display and three-zone climate control.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS confirms title after A6 TDI ultra is driven to 14 countries on a single tank of fuel

• 14 countries and 1158.9 miles covered on one tank of diesel
• Audi A6 TDI ultra averaged 75.9mpg overall
• The #RecordRoadTrip began in Maastricht at 9.48am (GMT) on Tuesday 9 June and ended in Hungary at 12.44pm (GMT) on Wednesday 10 June
• 28 hours of driving completed almost non-stop by Andrew Frankel and Rebecca Jackson
• World record galvanises the Audi ultra philosophy of pioneering efficiency

Audi and the RAC have officially set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title by driving to 14 countries on a single tank of fuel. The unmodified Audi A6 TDI ultra chosen for the challenge comfortably exceeded its official 67mpg-plus potential by averaging a remarkable 75.9mpg and completing a total of 1158.9 miles without the need for a fuel-stop.