Audi TT News

The hotter quattro all-wheel drive coupe is powered by a turbocharged direct injection 2.5-litre TFSI five-cylinder engine that can trace its origins back to Audi’s motorsport heritage and in recent years various Volkswagen commercial vehicles. The tweaked five-cylinder develops 250kW at 6500 revs and 450Nm from 1600 revs, allowing the car it hit 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds and sail on to a governed top speed of 250km/h.However, buyers can option up the car with a $3900 carbon package that lifts top speed to 280km/h. The six-speed manual only coupe is priced at $133,700 and is squarely aimed at the Porsche Cayman S. Audi Australia expects to sell around 80 a year, according to managing director, Joerg Hofmann. “Our RS models, while niche, are always very popular for buyers wanting the ultimate in performance,” Hofmann says.The RS will make up just 5 per cent of overall TT sales, with the volume playing remaining the 2.0 TFSI. Audi product planning boss, John Roberts, says the TT RS would not replace the 3.2 TFSI TT. “There is room for both,” he says. “The 3.2 is still available and it will remain a part of the lineup.”Nor would Australia get a Roadster version of the TT RS, he says. “We have no plans for the Roadster version,” he says.The RS benefits from the newest generation TT’s larger, longer and lighter construction than the previous generation. The four-seater tips the scales at just 1450kg, thanks to its aluminum space frame body. The car uses 69 per cent alloy construction up front and steel at the back. It rides 10mm lower than the standard car and is coupled Audi Magnetic Ride to provide a more stable and dynamic ride while the car is specified with beefier brakes.Flick the sports button on the centre console and it will adjust the car’s acceleration response, exhaust note and firms up the ride.Visually it gets special RS-design elements including a specific diamond-look grille, large side air inlets and brushed alloy exterior mirrors, as well as a fixed rear wing spoiler, a striking diffuser insert and oval exhaust pipes. Australian-specification vehicles get 19-inch alloys, DVD-based navigation with glovebox-mounted CD changer, TTRS bucket seats in Nappa leather, short-shift, manual gearbox for lightning fast changes and a hill start assist.Apart from the $3900 carbon package, adaptive headlights are $780 and a premium Bose sound system costs $1377.The TT RS debuted at the Geneva Motor Show early this year. 

The Frankfurt Motor Show literally roared to life this morning when a classic BMW 507 roadster ran laps of a custom-built oval track inside the German carmaker's $30 million stand.

With this $70,900 addition to the TT range, Audi is claiming the ground for having the first turbodiesel sports car on the road. They are also claiming fuel supremacy, pointing out that they now have 21 models under the 7l/100km bar, while BMW has only nine and Mercedes-Benz has eight. The common-rail engine in the TT TDI develops 125kW of power at 4200rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1750-2500rpm, which gets it to 100km/h in 7.5 secs and to a top speed of 226km/h. However it uses just 5.3L/100km – making it the most frugal engine in the Audi range apart from the 1.9TDIe. A variable vane turbocharger, electriconically controlled, adjusts exhaust gas flow for fast spooling and torque build-up, while swirl flaps control tumble effect. It has a high level of exhaust gas recirculation, and lower combustion temperature, both of which join with the diesel particulate filter in taming emissions to 139g/km. A short-throw six-speed manual transmission drives all four corners through Audi’s signature quattro drive, with its hydraulic multi-plate clutch rear-mounted for better weight distribution. Sadly, there’s no DSG version, as – while Audi admits they have other 2.0-litre turbodiesels with the twin-clutch gearbox – they believe the manual six is the 'best combination for that sports car 2 TDI'. Like the other TT models, the body uses space frame technology, with the body shell 69 per cent aluminium and 31 per cent steel — with the steel section all at the rear to aid the weight distribution – resulting in a total weight of 1370kg and high rigidity. Equipment includes 17” alloys wheels, Bluetooth, electrically retractable rear spoiler, six-CD changer and all the usual goodies. But there is a long range of options to trick up the car – and the price – including magnetic ride suspension at $3178 and a nav/inof/entertainment system for $4450 Audi is aiming for sales of 500 TT Coupes this year, with about 60 Roadsters on top of that, which would bring them about level with last year’s sales. And they’re tracking well so far, with 387 sold. They expect the TDI to account for 15 per cent of sales, with the 2.0 TFSI taking point at 50 per cent, the TTS at 20 per cent, and the new entry level 1.8 TFSI at 15 per cent. But with the TDI they are looking for a different buyer, marketing head Immo Buschmann says. “This is for the person who is looking for emotion of a sportscar but also does a lot of driving and so is looking at fuel cost and environment,” he says. “They will be confident enough to drive a diesel sportscar, technologically-oriented so they understand the tech, and – dare I say — more intelligent.” But Audi is also embarking on an education process to ‘continue to communicate about progressive performance and diesel’, with a targeted approach to current TT owners or those in other segments with TDI engine. And there are plenty of those, with TDI taking up a fair share in models across the Audi stable. Diesel accounts for 97 per cent of the A8, 93 per cent of the Q7, 53 per cent of the Q5 and 41 per cent of both the A5 and A6. Also joining the TT family is the 1.8-litre TFSI, which becomes the new entry level for the range at $64,900. The engine – borrowed from the A3 and A4 is a 118kW/250Nm compact and light unit that – also mated to a six-speed manual transmission – has a 0-100km/h time of 7.2 seconds, and logs an official fuel figure of 6.7l/100km. The third newcomer is the $76,900 2.0 TFSI quattro which joins its front-wheel twin with 147kW and 280Nm mated to a S-tronic transmission. And there’s a Roadster version on the way at $81,900.  

And the car industry is not immune from being saddled with these potentially damaging problems.Apart from Ford's recent problems with brake hoses and brake booster valves on E-Gas Falcons the other ‘big two’ carmakers have had their fair share of recalls.Holden has had five recalls for its VE Commodore and Statesman range since its introduction in 2006, involving things like fuel vapor lines, fuel lines and defective valves on LPG cars.ToyotaToyota had a range of recalls for its Camry, HiLux, RAV4, Yaris and LandCruiser over the past three years. Most, like a headlight dimmer switch on a Camry, have been minor. Others, like the potential fire hazard stemming from a poorly installed insulator pad on a Yaris, raised alarm bells among some customers.NissanLast week Nissan was forced to recall 11,743 Maximas and 4972 Muranos because of a vibrating air intake in the engine bay.AudiEven the luxury German brands are not immune. Last year Audi had to recall its TT for a piece of rear side trim in its cars that unless fixed, could potentially injure passengers.Mercedes-Benz This year Mercedes-Benz has recalled its M-Class off-roader for a possible glitch in its electric rear hatch. It was also forced to recall S-Class sedans fitted with active body control because of problems with the front lower ball joints on its suspension. On some high-mileage vehicles, the front suspension could fracture on rough roads. Faulty left and right windows in the Viano van also required the replacement.BMWOf the German carmakers, BMW has fared better. It has not had a official government recall since 2006.Volvo Volvo has had three recalls this year of its S80, XC70, V70 and new XC60 for engine cooling fan problems and windscreen wiper problems with the S80 and XC70.JaguarJaguar, once widely ridiculed for its poor quality cars, has come a long way over the past few years. Jaguars these days have no less, or no more, problems with recalls than some of the other luxury brands. Last year it experienced some minor problems with the XF range involving wiring and rear seatbelts.In all cases, recalls by carmakers are handled quickly and responsibly. If you want to check out whether your vehicle has had a recall, go to www.recalls.gov.au

Million dollar extravagance alongside budget buggies, runaway horsepower side-by-side with eco warriors. Its the eclectic mix that makes the Geneva one of the most anticipated events on the annual motor show circuit.As major car manufacturers battle for survival in the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, its all spit, polish and business as usual inside the Palexpo complex in the world's banking capital.Bentley, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Maybach spruiked their million-dollar babies alongside a tiny Smart, Chrysler's European debut for its vision of an electric future and a full range of real-world hybrid and dual-fuel models.There were the wild and wacky concepts — fewer than in the halcyon days, an acknowledgement that times are tough — and a mix of models that will grace showrooms in the coming year.Also fighting for attention were the usual array of specialists like Brabus, Startech and Zagato adding even greater gloss and performance to mainstream models as well as tiny Euro operations producing outlandish stars of their own imagining — badges such as Sbarro, Gumpert, Spyker and Koenigsegg.So, what were the stars of the 2009 Geneva Show?Ask a hundred people and you will probably get 100 different answers, but from a purely personal point of view here is one version of a Top 10. Citroen DS Inside Concept: A concept in name only, the little Mini rival will spearhead Citroen's new DS naming convention when it launches next year. Sleek, stylish and boasting a hybrid-diesel powertrain, the DS (the manufacturer says that stands for different spirit) caught the eye and the imagination with emotional, if not styling, hints of the truly radical DS on the 1950s.Hyundai ix-onic concept: Gone are the days when you looked on a Korean concept with a sense of synmpathy. While the ix-onic is clearly an exaggeration of the marques next SUV generation there is enough about it to whet the appetite. As important as the styling is the news that the ix-onic carries DSG gearbox and stop/start eco-technology. Look for for it all in the next generation of Tucson compact SUV next year.Pagani Zonda Cinque: A personal favourite. Not so much a car as a piece of very, very fast art. The latest offering from designer Horatio Pagani uses the company's own bespoke carbon-titanium material to shape a truly gorgeous body — and it goes. Zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and back to zero in 2.1. Enough sauid. Chevrolet Spark: Far more super-realistic than super-car, the little Spark is none-the-less an excellent example of its kind. Developed from the General Motors Beat concept shown in New York two years ago, the Spark is a bright rendition of a city car which, despite its name, is not electric nor even hybrid. On sale in Europe this year, don't be surprised if it comes under serious consideration for life with a Holden badge.Mercedes E-Class Coupe: The outstanding model from the new E-Class range. While the sedan version of the new generation E-Class had been seen in Detroit in January this was the Coupe's first outing — and well worth the wait. A really pretty rendition of a true coupe style.Audi TT RS: There was no shortage of new Audis in Geneva with the A5 and S5 Cabriolets on show but they were put in the shade by this hot version of the cool TT. What really sets this one apart is the use of a rorty 5-cylinder engine which is a hint to a wider future use of the powerplant behind the four-rings badge.Maybach Zeppelin: Outrageous, outlandish and unapologetically designed to shout "look what I've got that you don't", the latest Maybach earns its spot in the top 10 for offering a stone interior as an option. The high-tech process for bending Indian granite around complex surfaces is more Jetsons than Flintstones and about as left-field as anything seen in a production car. Aston Martin One-77: Another conspicuous statement of wealth, this super-exclusive super-car — only 77 are being made — exudes power and style. Everything about this car is special, right through to the unique 7.3-litre V12 massaged out of the company's standard 6.0-litre unit by Cosworth. It is believed at least one of these beauties is heading for Australia.Jaguar XFR: It has been a little while coming but Jaguar has put some real bite into its award-winning XF range with the arrival of the high-performance R version. Without over-burdoning the car with fancy, garish aero bits there is little doubt the XFR looks the biz. The 5.0-litre supercharged V8 under the bonnet doesn't hurt, either. Fiat 500C convertible: Not really a convertible in the contempory sense of the word, this latest rendition of the insufferably cute Fiat 500 is a must-have fashion accessory. The rollback sot top is true to the style of the original 1950s car with the centre of the roof rolling back to open the passengers to the skies without the complicated engineering of removing roof rails or C-pillars.

The unusual engine design was the heart of the original Quattro that revolutionised performance motoring in the 1980s, as well as dominating the World Rally Championship. Now the feisty five is coming back for a fast-car pacesetter called the TT RS. It won't be spitting flames or roaring through an open exhaust like the engines used in the Quattro coupes which convinced the world that all-wheel drive was the best way to put big power on the ground, but Audi is promising more than 225kW to turn the go-faster TT into something special. "It will be a sensation little rocketship," claims the spokesperson for Audi Australia, Anna Burgdorf. The final figures will not be revealed until the TT RS makes its public debut in a fortnight at the Geneva Motor Show, but Audi is hinting at a four-second sprint to 100km/h and a potential top speed well beyond its electronically-limited 250km/h. The TT RS will be built as both a coupe and convertible, with a bunch of body tweaking work to reflect the muscular potential of the 2.5- litre engine hooked to its quattro drive system. The bad news is a price-tag beyond $100,000, based on today's TT S at $98,900. But the good news is that car TT RS will definitely come to Australia. It will be sold as a coupe only - the convertible is considered too limiting - and the timing is around six months after the first deliveries in Europe. "The car will come to Australia. It will definitely come in 2010 but it's very hard to tie down a date at this stage," says Burgdorf. She cannot comment on details, including the move away from inline fours and V6s to the new five, but says the TT RS is definitely not a show car or a limited-edition tease. "It is a production car. What will be shown on the stand at Geneva is the production car," she says. "We don't know the answer on production numbers, but it is a regular production model. And the engine is a new one that allows the TT to perform extremely well with good fuel economy."   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

This global financial crisis thing is half in the mind, asserts Audi Australia managing director Joerg Hofmann, who has vowed to increase the resurgent marque’s market share in 2009

Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Hawkins, Sandra Sully and Ian Thorpe all drive shiny new Audis, Laura Csortan has a Cadillac, Jim Stynes and Matt Shirvington drive Volvos and horse trainer David Hayes has a BMW.But none of them pays.It cost Michael Clarke more than $250,000 to slide Lara Bingle into a raunchy new Aston Martin V8 Vantage but car brands are so keen to connect to potential buyers that they are happy to loan cars to A-list celebrities and sports stars.Most of the cars are high-cost flagship models, from the Audi TT coupe and Q7 four-wheel drive to the Volvo XC90 SUV and the Cadillac CTS which goes on sale in Australia next month.The list of occupations of the ambassadors is almost as long as the companies involved, including athletes, environmentalists, radio jocks and fashion folk.Audi runs such a big freebie fleet that rival brands call it the United Nations - because it has so many 'ambassadors' - at an estimated cost of more than $1 million.The German brand currently has 18 ambassadors on its books, with Collette Dinnigan, Cathy Freeman, Sarah Murdoch, Grant Hackett and George Gregan among its other famous faces.Volvo has environmentalist David Ireland on its books, as well as Shirvington and footballer Matt Giteau."It is another way of raising awareness of the brand. It helps us to break through into areas where we might not otherwise have had a foothold," says Volvo spokesperson Laurissa Mirabelli."Our assocation with Matt Giteau and Matt Shirvington takes us into the sporting world, which is a new area.And she says Volvo has plans to sign more drivers."We will be expanding our program into other new areas," Mirabelli says.At Saab, Sigrid Thornton is a long-term ambassador and chef George Calombaris has also come on board.Sometimes the celebrity association goes beyond a car, with driver training as part of the package. And many A-listers get a taste for the deal through the Celebrity Race at the Australian Grand Prix, which has been backed in the past by BMW, Mini and Fiat.Homegrown brands Holden and Ford are part of the program, with the red team backing Deborah Hutton and the Australian netball team and the blue-oval brand taking on cricketers Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey, as well as Stephanie Gilmore.But BMW has wound back from the days when Felicity Kennett, James Morrison and Ken Done flew its flag."People are much more savvy these days. Having ambassadors is less relevant when people are more interested in the value, the technical innovation and whether the brand is something they aspire to own," said BMW Australia spokesman, Toni Andreevski."Just because a celebrity drives a car does not make it any more relevant to their purchase."And Mercedes' best-known brand rep, retired racer Mick Doohan, actually pays for his hot AMG Benzes - although not full retail."Mick is more of an enthusiastic customer," said David McCarthy of Mercedes-Benz Australia."Certainly, Mick's invovlement with AMG is very beneficiial when you see the reaction when he drives our cars in classic rallies. But, beyond that, we don't see much value."It's good to raise the profile, but how do you assess the value? The public is pretty aware."Another motorsport legend, Sir Jack Brabham, has been getting cars and bikes from Honda for decades, and is now on a team with fashion designer Akira Isogawa, Geoff Cox and Suzie Wilks."We get good value for money from our celebrities," said Honda's Mark Higgins.But Mazda has also wound back and only has Olympian Michael Klim, surfer Serena Brooks and radio personality Andy Lee on its books."It's very low-key. Everyone knows it's a commercial relationhip but we don't tend to use our celebrities like other car companies," said Mazda spokesman, Glenn Butler. CAR COMPANY BRAND AMBASSADORS:AUDI:Collette DinniganJennifer HawkinsShannon BennettAlisa CamplinJohn EalesCathy FreemanSarah MurdochAdam GilcristGeorge GreganGrant HackettMatt MoranZali SteggallSandra SullyIan ThorpeSteve WaughTodd Woodbridge BMW:David Hayes CADILLAC:Laura Csortan FORD:Andrew SymondsMatthew HaydenMichael HusseyMitchell JohnsonStephanie Gilmore HOLDEN:Deborah HuttonAustralian netball team HONDA:Geoff CoxSuzie WilksSir Jack BrabhamAkira Isakawa  MAZDA:Andy LeeSerena BooksMichael Klim MERCEDES:Mick Doohan SAAB:Sigrid ThorntonGeorge Calombaris VOLVO:Matt ShirvingtonDavid IrelandMatt GiteauJim Stynes 

Audi says the 2.0 TDI quattro coupe and roadster are the first production sports cars in the world to be powered by diesel engines. And it's quite a powerplant, if the numbers are any indication - the two-litre, four-cylinder offers 125kW of power and a decent 350Nm of torque. That's enough for a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.5 seconds and a 226km/h top speed for the 1370kg Coupe, or 7.7 seconds for the 1415kg Roadster, which claims a 223km/h top speed. The TDI engine comes into its own on thirst. A fuel consumption figure claimed by Audi is just 5.3 litres/100km. Both are built with what Audi calls “hybrid design.” It uses an aluminium forward structure and a steel rear end, which the company says aids weight distribution. The TDI version of the TT is on Audi Australia's wish list and was described as “likely” as the company wants to develop its turbodiesel presence in Australia. The TT range also will be expanded on the petrol engine front, with the introduction of a model with more performance than that provided by the 1.8-litre turbo four or the 3.2-litre V6. A TTS quattro will soon be added to the shopping list, with a two-litre TFSI direct-injection turbocharged engine producing 200kW and 350Nm, which will be available from 2500rpm through to 5000rpm. The two-litre powerplant has been strengthened and re-engineered to offer higher performance in the TTS quattro, with work done on the head, block, rods and pistons, with the turbocharger boost up to as much as 1.2 bar and an upgraded intercooler. The intake and exhaust systems have also been revamped to provide better breathing. Although the torque figure is identical to the new TDI model, having 200kW of power on tap helps get the TTS to 100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds when driving through the optional dual-clutch S tronic gearbox, on the way to a top speed of 250km/h. The TTS also is fitted with a magnetic ride adaptive damping system, which Audi says will provide a decent ride quality in standard mode. Opt for the “Sport” setting and the TTS drops its sports suspension ride height by 10mm and delivers dynamic handling, according to the German manufacturer. Aluminium is used extensively in the front suspension construction and high-performance brakes sit behind the 18in alloy wheels. The TTS models are expected in Australian Audi showrooms from next month; June 2008.  

The Ingolstadt marque — whose launches have a clockwork regularity — will by July have introduced an insane station wagon, a cute cabrio, a sexy coupe and their crucial mid-size sedan.The RS6 Avant, TTS, A3 cabrio and their all-important BMW 3 Series rival, the new A4, will be showcased at the Melbourne International Motor Show. With the atmo V10-powered S6 sedan obviously considered on the soft side, the RS6 Avant cops a twin-turbo version good for 426kW/650Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint time of a claimed 4.6 seconds.Essentially an all-wheel-drive family wagon with near-supercar performance, it's priced at $259,000. As one of Audi's typically gnomic marketing blurbs puts it, the uber-wagon buyer is “likely to be a highly successful 45- to 64-year-old businessman with a family.” Right ...By contrast, the TTS — available locally in coupe or cabrio form from July — will be driven by one who is a “culturally-minded 25- to 64-year-old with a strong interest in fashion, architecture and design.” Of course.Packing the same hugely enhanced version of the 2.0-litre direct injection turbo four that motivates the S3, the range-topping TTS gets quattro all-wheel-drive and a choice of S-tronic robotised manual or a proper 6-speed manual transmissions. If you happen to be “25 to 54 years with an active, outgoing approach to life and a love of the outdoors” then you'll just love the A3 Cabriolet. Apparently.At a time when drop tops are hardening up, this one retains a lightweight soft top. Due here in July, it will want to be pretty good if it's to succeed — not so much against BMW's 125i, but Volkswagen's Eos.But it's those between “30 and 54 years with a young family, and likely to be in a management role with an interest in design, technology and computing” that Audi really needs to land with the largely new A4 sedan.Due in April, pricing for the sedan (the wagon follows later) has been announced. It starts at $50,900 for the 1.8 TFSI manual and $53,500 for the multitronic auto; $54,900 for the 2.0-litre TDI diesel in auto and $88,500 for the 3.2-litre FSI quattro tiptronic.A 2.7-litre TDI multitronic, at $67,900, follows in May or June, with a 2.0-litre TFSI quattro later in the year.Built on the MDS platform already available in the S5 and A5 coupe, the A4 should have the same marginally improved ride and handling.