Audi security is lauded yet again in Thatcham

Six awards for new models and perennial favourites in 2012 British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards

  • Audi wins six category awards in British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards, presented by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, Thatcham on Thursday October 11
  • Theft resistance of new Q3 compact SUV recognised with an award for the first time - A1 premium sub-compact, new generation A4 and A5 Cabriolet ranges, Q5 SUV and A8 L W12 saloon also honoured

Six Audi models have today been the recipients of coveted category trophies in the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards, held at the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre in Thatcham, Berkshire. 

As usual the judges used the New Vehicle Security Assessment(NVSA) process to assign NVSR star ratings to vehicles based on ‘theft of’ and ‘theft from’ protection. The new Q3 compact SUV has undergone the process for the first time this year, and has come through with flying colours, achieving the top rating in the compact SUV category. The four other winners were already members of the Thatcham hall of fame and have remained at the top of their game – they include the A1 premium subcompact, the A4 compact executive, the A5 Cabriolet, the Q5 mid-size SUV and the A8 L W12 high performance luxury saloon.

Commenting on this seventh run of success for Audi, Director of Audi UK Martin Sander said: “I’m delighted to see so many Audi ranges emerging from the rigorous Thatcham judging process with top marks – in most cases our cars are second only to our homes in terms of the investment we make in them, and these awards prove that Audi takes the same absolutely uncompromising approach to protection of that investment as it does to every other aspect of vehicle development.”

Peter Shaw, Chief Executive of Thatcham, also added his take on proceedings: “Audi has regularly featured among the top performers at the vehicle security awards and with six separate category winners in 2012, this year is no exception. Audi has once again demonstrated an unswerving commitment to keeping its customers safe and secure, no matter what class of vehicle they drive.”

Since the awards began in 2006, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand has secured no less than 26 BIVSA category wins, bearing testament to its absolute commitment to security.

This remarkable success has been achieved with the help of features including Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser technology with interior ultrasonic protection and anti-tow sensors, Thatcham Category 4 locking wheel bolts and extensive covert and overt marked parts. These not only bring peace-of-mind for Audi customers, but also help to drive down running costs by reducing insurance premiums.

Picture caption

Six Audis steal the BIVSA limelight– The Q3 SUV underwent the tough Thatcham security test regime for the first time this year, and along with the A1, the A4, the A5 Cabriolet, the Q5 and the A8 L W12 scored top marks in the theft of and theft from security categories.

The winning Audi models

City car / supermini – Audi A1

Compact executive car – Audi A4

Open-top car – Audi A5 Cabriolet

Performance car – Audi A8 L W12

Crossover – Audi Q3

Compact 4x4 – Audi Q5

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Audi A3 review by TopGear

The definitive example of rock-solid, sensible, impeccable German engineering. Lovely chassis and a good breadth of ability.

  • Comfort

    It rides nicely too, with decent compliance over small-depth irritations in the surface and softness on bigger stuff. If the road has a lot of three-dimensional corners, you might want better damping. There's also an optional set of magnetic ride dampers. Link them to the standard suspension, and you might well have the answer.

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Performance

    The A3 launches with three engines, a sweet 1.4-litre TFSI and a punchy, silky-smooth 1.8-litre TFSI. The one most people will buy though, is the 150bhp 2.0-litre TDI. Again, this is all-new, and is astonishingly quiet. Nothing wrong with its power delivery, torque-filled punch or freedom to rev, either.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Cool

    Too boring to be really cool. 

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Quality

    Excellent – Audi knows how to make cars feel nicely put together. Prod and push this cabin – you won’t be disappointed. Prod it again after 100,000 miles – ditto. 

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Handling

    Because the new A3 has been engineered to use lightweight parts, particularly up front, it has a lithe lightness on the road that the old A3 never had. Seriously - the handling is light-footed and playful in a way no mainstream Audi has yet managed. It grips hard, hardly understeers, and even generates a semblance of feedback through the steering.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Practicality

    Only comes in a three door initially, but rest assured more doors will follow in due course. 

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Running costs

    The 2.0-litre diesel is the one to go for if money-saving is your bag: 68.9mpg and just 106g/km of CO2. That's good.

    Rated 8 out of 10

Article source: www.topgear.com

Audi A5 Sportback review by Top Gear

Beautifully built and beautiful to look at. But we have a question for Audi. What's the point of the A5 Sportback?

  • Comfort

    Unlike the A5 coupe, this is a proper family car with proper back seats. But, mysteriously, there’s only two of them, so one of your triplets is going to have an uncomfortable journey.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Performance

    Five engines are available: two petrols (a 1.8 TFSI and 2.0TFSI) and two diesels (2.0 and 3.0 V6). None of them throw up any surprises. The two-litre TDI is as strong and refined as ever, however the two-litre petrol is so much smoother and quieter it's enough to put you off diesel for life, especially if you don't notch up too many fuel-consuming motorway miles.

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Cool

    More funk than a rep-saloon, but not as much as a stealth-spec A5 coupe. The Sportback definitely says something about you... we’re just not quite sure what.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Quality

    No surprises here - the interior is built to Audi's high standards and it's all very similar to the Audi A4 saloon. However, look closely and there are one or two places that aren't up to scratch because they will. Scratch, that is.

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Handling

    Somehow in the transition from A4 saloon to A5 Sportback, things have gone a bit soft. There's more body roll than in the A4/A5 and a floaty feeling on motorways, which on our test route, were as smooth as boiled sweets. Audi reckons the spring and damper rates are identical to the coupe, but it doesn't feel like it.

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Practicality

    Swing open a rear door and all seems pretty normal. Legroom is the same as the A4 saloon and headroom is down by just 5mm, which isn't a bad payoff for that sloping roofline. But look closer and you'll notice the lack of a middle seatbelt. Audi is selling this thing as a four-seater, which would be fine if the rear seats were artistically sculpted to cuddle your torso. But they're not. It's just a regular bench with a raised cushion where the middle seat would usually be. Despite the new arty silhouette the boot has a wide and unobstructed aperture through which to load your stuff. At 480 litres, luggage space is exactly the same as the A4 saloon, only more accessible as the hatch opens its big, yawning mouth.

    Rated 7 out of 10

  • Running costs

    The 2.0TFSI and TDI models are very cost effective to run. Expect 45.6mpg from the petrol and 60.1mpg from the diesel. However, if you're after more power, go for the 3.0-litre TDI.

Article source: www.topgear.com

Audi Q7 review by TopGear

The Audi Q7 is the one Audi that shouts too loudly.

  • Comfort

    Air suspension makes light work of most stuff, but the Q7’s body control does come with some downsides – it can be a bit firm on UK roads. The bonus for that extreme exterior size is a humongous interior – you won’t be left wanting for space. And it cruises sublimely. 

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Performance

    The 3.0-litre TDI is the most suited to this car, and it's far less aggressive than the 4.2-litre TDI. The 3.0-litre TFSI petrols are better sounding, but do you need to rev that high? The V12 TDI - all 500 horses and 737 torques - will hit 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and return 25mpg. Yes, it's powerful, but why would you?

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Cool

    Only cool if you’ve recently won the Lottery. Even then not really. 

    Rated 3 out of 10

  • Quality

    Generally good, though small niggles in the cabin you might notice over other Audi product. This car was made for America, where anything better than a 70s Chevy is deemed awesome. 

    Rated 8 out of 10

  • Handling

    Remarkable for such a big car, the Q7 manages to hustle with the best of them thanks to adjustable air suspension as standard across the range. Still big though, and you never quite forget it. 

    Rated 6 out of 10

  • Practicality

    This thing is massive, so no worries about space inside. The only thing is, it’s genuinely massive; it only fits in a standard British parking space if the wing mirrors are folded in, and even then you can’t get out of the damn thing. On a British country lane it feels enormous. Not for the nervous. 

    Rated 5 out of 10

  • Running costs

    Diesel if you care about mpg, but all the engines are in high tax brackets. Residuals are good though. 

    Rated 1 out of 10

Article source: www.topgear.com

S5 Coupe A ride to suit you

Not all driving situations are the same. The optional Audi drive select changes handling and response at the touch of a button to suit how you want to drive. There are five modes: comfort, dynamic, auto, individual and efficient.

For long-distances, comfort adjusts your set-up to create a more relaxing ride. Dynamic changes the settings for a sportier driving experience, adjusting steering and throttle response. The auto mode adapts the system depending on the current driving situation while individual, which is available in conjunction with a Satellite Navigation system, allows you to configure the dynamics of the car to your own preferences depending on what special equipment is fitted. The efficiency mode shifts gears up earlier and down later as well as energy-efficient operation of ancillaries helping to promote more fuel-efficient driving.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

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