All-New Audi RS4 Avant Is A Wild Wagon With 450-Horsepower

New RS4 Avant storms into Frankfurt with a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds.

Audi Sport made a splash at the Frankfurt Motor Show last night with the reveal of the rear-wheel drive R8 V10 RWS. If that wasn’t already a headline reveal, Audi's Sport division has now lifted the wraps off the all-new generation RS4 Avant, storming into Frankfurt with some serious performance upgrades over the standard S4 Avant. Powered by the same twin-turbo, 2.9-liter V6 engine lifted from the RS5 Coupe, this wild wagon produces a whopping 450-horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.

The power output is the same as the last-gen model, but torque has risen by 125 lb-ft thanks to turbocharging. As a result, the new Audi RS4 Avant only needs 4.1 seconds to accelerate from 0-62 mph, before topping out at an electronically limited 155 mph. An optional RS dynamic package is also available, which boosts the top speed to 174 mph. Power is sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a rear-mounted differential is available as an optional extra. Matching its potent performance are a host of brash exterior upgrades, including aggressive air vents, oval exhaust tips, and a roof-mounted rear spoiler to set it apart from its standard sibling.

According to Audi, the design is inspired by the legendary 90 quattro IMSA GTO race car, with a familiar RS honeycomb structure, a wide, flat Singleframe grille, and wheel arches that are 30 mm wider than the regular AV Avant. It also harks back to the original first-generation RS4 Avant that launched in 1999, sporting the a similar Nogaro Blue paint finish available only from Audi exclusive. Compared to the standard A4 Avant, the new RS4 Avant sits seven millimeters lower to the ground and is fitted with 19-inch wheels. A set of 20-inch wheels can be optionally fitted. The cabin contains a head-up display and digital Audi Virtual Cockpit with RS-specific displays that indicate the g-forces, tire pressures and torque.

It can also be tailored to personal tastes with a wide range of customization options through Audi’s Exclusive program. Orders for the new Audi RS4 Avant will start this fall, with prices starting from €79,800 ($95,674) in Germany.

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The All-New Audi A5 And S5 Cabriolets Are Here And Sportier Than Ever

Torsional rigidity is up, power is up, interior space is up.

Audi finally unveiled the all-new A5 and S5 over summer, and now that winter is right around the corner the German automaker has decided to reveal the new A5 and S5 Cabriolets. The two droptops are more or less identical to the hardtops on which they are based, which is a good or bad thing depending on your opinion regarding Audi’s design changes (or lack thereof). For the record, we like the look of the new A5/S5. As such the new A5/S5 Cabriolet also gets our coveted nod of approval.

Like the hardtops, the Cabriolets are longer than the models that came before them, with overall length up 1.8 inches. Interior space has been increased, with the wheelbase gaining half an inch. Shoulder room in the rear is up by more than an inch and knee room has been increased by 0.71 inches. Usually bigger isn’t better when it comes to new models, but with convertibles you obviously want to add all the interior space you can. However, the larger size of the A5 and S5 Cabriolets shouldn’t hurt drivability. Audi says torsional rigidity is up 40% over the outgoing models and claims a weight cut of 88 pounds. There’s a new five-link suspension on the front axle and adaptive dampers are also available.

Engines on offer in Europe include a few diesel power plants, but in the US it's almost a lock that we'll miss those. The A5 Cabriolet will feature a 2.0-liter turbo-four making 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. The S5 Cabriolet will have a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 rated at 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are found in the A5/S5 hardtop. The A5 will be available with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in Europe, with no word yet on whether the FWD model will make it stateside. The S5 will be Quattro-only. Both models will be mated to an eight-speed automatic. No word on whether a manual will be an option. The S5 Cabriolet does 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Inside the new A5/S5 Cabriolets get a cool new(ish) bit of tech: seat belt microphones! The mics are designed to make giving voice commands easier when the top is dropped. There’s also an 8.3-inch infotainment screen and buyers can spec a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Audi’s full suite of driver aides, including its Virtual Cockpit, are present and accounted for. Both models will be on sale in Europe by spring 2017 with a release stateside following shortly thereafter. Autoblog reached out to Audi and learned that the automaker would not be bringing the new A5 and S5 Cabriolets to the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

All-New 2019 Audi A6 Teased Ahead Of Geneva Reveal

Guess what? Looks just like an A8.

The 2018 Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner and any brand with a stake in the European market is falling all over itself to hype what it will be showing—a not-so-easy task with all the world’s supercars in attendance. Compared to some of those carbon-fiber-constructed monsters, Audi’s reveal seems positively normal. An all-new fifth-generation A6 sedan is coming to town and Audi has started things with a teaser video announcing, “The countdown has begun…”

Note Audi's YouTube summary with the hashtag #AudiGIMS, clearly the automakers Twitter brand for the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. The teaser video doesn’t show much, but it does show enough to see that it clearly follows in the footsteps of the Prologue-inspired 2019 Audi A8.

The next-generation Audi A6 is expected to get nearly all the same bells and whistles as the A7, such as Level 3 autonomous driving hardware, Virtual Cockpit, and dual console displays. Audi's usual lineup of turbocharged engines and 48-volt hybrid systems are also in the cards. The current "C7" Audi A6 debuted in 2010 for the 2011 model year. In 2015, Audi refreshed its midsize executive sedan and added new levels of tech to the car. While the model has traditionally offered a diesel variant, don't expect one in the U.S.—you know, for obvious reasons. However, we could get the RS6 Avant on U.S. shores, and that would be just fine by us.

All-New Audi TT Previewed in Official Design Sketches

New model to be unveiled at Geneva 2014.

As we await its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi has served up a pair of design sketches of the new, third-generation TT. Combining design elements of the original Bauhaus-inspired model with more angular, technical detailing, the latest TT coupe is being brought more in line with the carmaker’s R8 supercar. Newly shaped headlamps, a single-frame grille, reformed air duct, and a repositioned four-ring emblem moved to the leading edge of the clamshell hood are all some of the new model’s features.

Traditional design cues include flared wheelarches and large wheel houses, a heavily curved roofline, prominent shoulder line running the entire length of the flanks, and a liftback-style tailgate. Using VW Group’s MQB platform, the new TT’s outer body is formed from steel and aluminum to keep the car below its predecessor’s already-low 1,200kg curb weight. Power will come via a range of turbo-four pots, including a 177-hp 1.8-liter unit and 217-hp 2.0-liter, mated to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed dual clutch S-tronic. The cabin has been suitably upgraded and was revealed earlier this year at CES.

Upon release, Audi will add a 296-hp version of the 2.0-liter engine to the lineup in the form of the new four-wheel drive TTS coupe. A range-topping TT RS will follow in 2015, preceded by a two-seater roadster variant that could debut in Paris in September.

All-New 2019 Audi Q3 Is Slightly Bigger And Even Sleeker

The second-generation Q3 has arrived and it's packed with futuristic technology.

The luxury crossover segment is hot these days and the all-new 2019 Audi Q3 has arrived at the perfect time. Audi has unveiled its second generation compact crossover featuring more aggressive styling and larger overall dimensions.

Let’s start with the styling. One look and you’ll notice direct design cues taken from the also-new Q8 flagship, specifically the flared fenders that offer a more muscular look. Audi’s new corporate front end is also on display with its crisp Teutonic lines. The headlight design with LEDs is narrower than before, as is the case with all new Audis. The rear end styling is also very Audi with LED taillights and integrated exhaust tips.

In general, we like the new sheet metal, especially the character line above the fenders. Perhaps one of the most important things to know about the new Q3 is its larger dimensions. It’s grown in length by an extra 3.8 inches, nearly an inch wider, and a 3-inch longer wheelbase. Interior dimensions are also roomier but, strangely, Audi has not released those specific numbers. Along with increased leg, head, and shoulder room, the rear seat slides almost 6 inches and receives a 40/20/40 split. Cargo space has also been increased. The outgoing model offered 16.7 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats up, and 50.3 folded flat. The new Q3 increases those dimension to 18.7 and 53.9, respectively.

As with any Audi past, present and future, the interior quality is impeccable. The new styling is very attractive, highlighted by Audi’s now standard digital instrument cluster. Buyers can upgrade to the outstanding Virtual Cockpit system which sports a large 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. The center console is comprised of an 8.8-inch touchscreen that controls the infotainment system, with an optional 10.1-inch touchscreen on top-of-the-line Q3s. Like the exterior, the interior borrows a lot of styling from the Q8, which is no bad thing.

And like the Q8, the new Q3 comes packed with futuristic technologies. One interesting example is called natural-language voice control that’s said to be a big improvement over past voice control systems thanks to cloud connectivity. Other tech bits include traffic and parking information, better internet search capabilities, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available, as is adaptive cruise and lane keep assist.

Under the hood are a few engine options, but not all of them will make it to the US. European buyers will receive the entry-level 1.5-liter gasoline engine. There’s also a diesel option that will surely remain in Europe. More than likely, Americans will be offered the familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with either 190 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque or 230 hp with 258 lb-ft.

A seven-speed dual-clutch will be the sole transmission option. All-wheel drive will be standard in Europe, but chances are Audi will offer a FWD version for the US. Sales will commence in Europe this November. A launch date for the US and official pricing was not announced, though we expect a base price in the mid-$30,000 range.