The RS Q3 features a host of trademark RS design details providing a muscular feel to the SUV. These include the distinctive bumpers and black high-gloss honeycomb radiator grille and Xenon plus headlights at the front of the car. At the rear of the car there is the RS roof spoiler, diffuser and single branch oval tailpipe. With a host of RS-styling cues, the design leaves no questions as to this car’s purpose.

This model also features striking 20-inch alloy wheels as standard and can be specified in the optional exclusive colour of Sepang blue.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Frugal new 1.6-litre diesel engine joins the premium compact cabriolet line-up alongside new quattro versions and wider S tronic availability

• Entry-level 1.6 TDI version is now ready to order, capable of 72.4mpg with CO2 emissions of just 104g/km
• S tronic transmission available for 150PS 2.0 TDI (six-speed S tronic) and 140 PS 1.4 TFSI CoD (seven-speed S tronic) models
• quattro permanent all-wheel drive offered in conjunction with the 1.8 TFSI engine
• A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI priced from £25,890 OTR for the SE to £29,265 OTR for S line

Longer spring days have just been complemented by the potential for lengthier spells of top-down driving between fuel stops in the new Audi A3 Cabriolet, which this week adopts a 1.6-litre TDI engine capable of over 72mpg. Drivers who value tenacity in corners and increased capability in adverse weather as highly as economy can also now opt for new quattro all-wheel-drive versions of the 180PS A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI. The additions to the originally three-strong A3 Cabriolet range can be ordered now, as can new S tronic twin-clutch-equipped versions of the 1.4 TFSI 140PS Cylinder-on-Demand and 2.0 TDI 150PS versions. All the new variants will reach their first UK customers in the summer.

Positioned as the efficiency champion in the cabriolet line-up, the particularly frugal 1.6 TDI lowers CO2 emissions to just 104g/km and can achieve up to 72.4mpg according to the combined cycle test. Initially available to order exclusively as a six-speed manual, the A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI needs 11.4 seconds to reach 62mph from rest and can continue to a top speed of 124mph.

Peak power from the 110PS four-cylinder unit is available between 3,200-4,000rpm and peak torque matches the similarly efficient 1.4 TFSI with Cylinder on Demand at 250Nm between 1,500-3,000rpm. Customers can choose the all-new A3 Cabriolet 1.6 TDI with SE, Sport or S line specification options, all of which include features such as the MMI Radio with DAB digital reception and powered retractable colour monitor, preparation for SD card-based satellite navigation, air conditioning or climate control, light and rain sensors and an automatic fabric hood that opens and closes in less than 18 seconds.

Sport models also feature the Audi drive select system which fine-tunes driving characteristics, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered sports suspension and front sports seats, while S line models are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and S line interior and exterior design enhancements. Sport and S line models also feature a fully automatic acoustic fabric hood which is insulated by three layers of fabric to mute road noise even more effectively.

All-weather traction for the open-top compact class
Sun-seekers who also want to enjoy their A3 Cabriolet at its best in less clement weather can also now opt for a 1.8 TFSI petrol model which offers the added reassurance of quattro all-wheel-drive. At the heart of the all-wheel drive system is a hydraulically actuated and electronically controlled multi-plate clutch which can send power from the front to the rear axle in just a few milliseconds. The clutch, which now operates without a pressure reservoir, weighs significantly less than the previous unit.

In the interest of better axle load distribution, it is located at the end of the prop shaft, in front of the rear differential. Inside it is a package of plates which rotate in an oil bath. During normal driving, the clutch sends most of the engine’s power to the front wheels, but if they start to break traction it can transfer torque in varying degrees to the rear axle almost instantaneously by pressing the sets of plates together under control.

Peak torque increases from 250Nm in the front-wheel-drive version to 280Nm in the quattro, which combined with the optimal traction helps to bring about a slight improvement in the sprint time to 62mph from 7.8 to 7.6 seconds. Top speed is 145mph, and combined fuel economy stands at 42.8mpg with emissions of 154g/km.

Greater choice of transmissions
The slick-shifting S tronic transmission is also now more widely available for the A3 Cabriolet, extending its reach to the 1.4 TFSI model with Cylinder on Demand technology and to the 150 PS 2.0 TDI. Carrying a premium of £1,480 over a manual equivalent in each case, S tronic can operate as a conventional automatic, albeit with exceptionally rapid gear shifts, but also allows drivers to shift gear with the central selector lever or with paddles on the steering wheel. When combined with the Audi drive select dynamic driving system (standard on Sport and S line), efficiency mode enables a free-wheeling function to further reduce fuel consumption.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

No performance car is complete without the roar of a high powered engine and reverb through its exhaust pipes. The Audi RS 7 Sportback is no exception to this rule, and with its quadruple exhaust system split on a dual branch it makes an impression both acoustically and visually thanks to its powerful sound and oval tailpipes.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005, the Q7 marked Audi’s first foray into the SUV market. Fitted with quattro permanent four wheel drive and adaptive air suspension it is able to carry 7 in complete comfort on or off-road. All Audi Q7’s are supremely powerful however the Q7 V12 TDI is worth particular mention. With a 6.0 litre V12 twin-turbo diesel engine – the largest diesel engine fitted to a production car and a direct descendant from the engine fitted to the Le Mans winning R10 TDI – it is capable of 0-62mph in a little more than 5 seconds.

Introduced in 2006 with a choice of a 3.0 litre TDI engine or 4.2 FSI petrol V8 the imposing Audi Q7 is as well-appointed as it is practical. With seven seats, quattro all wheel drive and adaptive air suspension fitted as standard it is a true ‘go-anywhere’ vehicle. Available with a wide range of luxurious options, including 4 zone climate control which allows rear occupants to set their individual temperature, a sophisticated BOSE Surround Sound system and Audi Lane-Change Assistant, a system which monitors the area behind the vehicle and alerts the driver if there is a vehicle in the their blind spots – ideal when overtaking.

In 2007 a powerful 4.2 litre V8 TDI engine was added to the range, followed a year after by the ultimate incarnation of the range, the Q7 V12, which features a 6.0 litre twin turbo diesel engine and 500PS.

A facelift in 2009 saw the introduction of an 8 speed tiptronic transmission and a resulting reduction in CO2 figures across the range.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk