The blog have given a very positive review of the Audi S4. 

They say: ‘This is the most addicting S4 Audi has ever made.’

‘This S4 does something that previous generations just haven’t. It’s in the way everything is tied together-no single part of the driving experience dominates any other. It’s a quality that’s increasingly rare in modern cars and difficult to describe. Everything seems to work together toward the common goal of producing a smile on the driver’s face.’

‘The engine is something we can picture God himself using, yes, but even the steering is good. It takes a scant 2.2 turns of the wheel to go from lock to lock, and there’s quite a bit of feedback, too.’

Audi is expanding its RS line of cars even further with the confirmed launch of the Audi TT RS and Audi TT RS Roadster at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show (5-15 March).

Last Friday, February 20th, Audi released the first official details and images of the Audi TT RS and Audi TT RS Roadster.  In a return to an engine layout successfully used in the 80’s rally cars, Audi is bringing back 5 cylinder engines to power the Audi TT RS. With turbocharged direct fuel injection the 2.5-litre engine is capable of delivering over 300hp, 331 lb-ft, a top speed of 155mph and acceleration from 0-62 mph under 5 seconds.

The Audi TT RS has quattro all-wheel drive system, a lightweight aluminium body using the Audi Space Frame principle plus all the high-end tech of the Audi RS model line, the new Audi TT RS will be one Audi’s stars at this year Geneva Motorshow.

Technical Note

Five cylinder engines are noted for combining the best aspects of four and six cylinder engines. They generate more power and torque than four cylinder engines, while maintaining the fuel economy of smaller four cylinder engines.

Audi have defied the credit crunch and have gone ahead of their rivals in the European premium car sector

In January, Audi overtook its premium competitors for new-vehicle registrations in Western Europe. Audi sold 45,124 new vehicles in this region in January – far more than either of its key competitors. While the overall market has come under intense pressure, Audi managed to considerably increase its market share. Audi accounted for 5.1 percent of new Western European vehicle registrations in January 2009. Audi’s market share for the same month last year was 3.9 percent.

Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG, Commented

“We have moved our product offensive into the overtaking lane. Particularly in economically strained times, it is crucial that we at Audi offer our customers precisely what they want. We must offer appealing and sporty models which stir enthusiasm among Audi fans – vehicles that are also highly energy-efficient and low on fuel consumption. In 2009, we will remain on the offensive.”

During the first half of 2009 alone, six new Audi models are scheduled to launch. Peter Schwarzenbauer added:

By 2015, we expect to offer Audi customers 40 different models, all loaded with forward-thinking technologies. To this end, we invest some two billion euros annually in product development.”

The market research institute Simpson Carpenter conducted a representative survey to determine which vehicles constitute Germans’ dream cars. The results show that  Audi has become Germany’s most beloved automotive brand. The German trade journal auto motor und sport published similarly positive opinions about Audi. Indeed, 100,000 of its readers selected the Audi A4, Audi A6, and the new Audi Q5 as the best vehicles of 2009

Further details on Audi model upgrades:

A3 TDIe Sport:
Within the A3 range, the increasingly popular A3 1.9 TDIe three-door and five-door Sportback are available with a complimentary upgrade.

Additional features of the A3 1.9 TDIe Sport include 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, dual-zone electronic climate control and a three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel.

A4 Executive SE:
Standard versions of the 143PS A4 2.0 TDI Saloon and Avant models, the most popular engine choice for A4 buyers, are also now available with an Executive SE upgrade.

On top of existing SE model equipment, including three-zone climate control, a 10-speaker, 180 watt sound system and automatic headlight and wiper operation, the new Executive SE specification also adds an alloy wheel upgrade to a 17-inch 10-spoke design, an Audi Symphony audio system with six CD autochanger, cruise control and mobile phone preparation.

A5:
The A5 Coupe range will also be enhanced, with the frugal 2.0-litre TDI model will be upgraded to Sport specification, which adds striking 18-inch 10-spoke V-design alloy wheels, sports suspension and sports seats.

It will also feature the mobile phone preparation package and cruise control.

A6 SE:
Standard versions upgrade to SE specification offering full Milano leather upholstery, mobile phone preparation and an auto-dimming rear view mirror, and also incorporate DVD satellite navigation, a colour Driver’s Information System and a CD changer.

As its name already suggests, the Audi A4 allroad quattro will be a car with no boundaries, with permanent all-wheel drive and increased ground clearance, the A4 allroad can handle just about any type of surface.

Featuring all the technological specifications found in the A4 model line plus a range of powerful and highly energy efficient engines combined with the high tech S-tronic and Audi drive select, the Audi A4 allroad is guaranteed to deliver the best driving experience, on and off the road.

The design of the Audi A4 allroad is based on the Audi A4 Avant. With crisp lines, curved surfaces and striking details give this model a sporty elegance as well as a respectful look.

Three engines will be available, at entry level a 208hp 2-litre TFSI petrol engine averaging 29mpg. Climbing up the tree there will be a 170hp 2.0 TDI with an average of 36.8mpg and, at the top of the tree a 237hp 3-litre V6 diesel engine with a fuel consumption of 33.2mpg on a combined cycle.

The new Audi A4 allroad quattro will go on sale in the UK this summer with prices starting at £29,500.

Audi Sport Team Joest is partaking in the notorious 12-hour race at Sebring, Florida on 21 March with two Audi R15 TDI’s.

The US endurance classic will act as stern test and dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

Fourtitude says the new Audi R15 TDI is packed with numerous technically innovative detail solutions and differs significantly from its predecessor model the R10 TDI which was undefeated at Le Mans.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich explains: ‘So far the R15 TDI has performed as we expected. Now it must also prove itself in race conditions. Sebring is a particularly hard race and is therefore perfectly suited to reveal even the smallest of weaknesses.’

The Audi R8 triumphed on its debut at Sebring and on the premiere of the R10 TDI in 2006 Audi landed the first victory worldwide for a diesel powered sports car.

In total Audi has won the 12-hour race at Sebring eight times, not bad eh!

The new Executive SE Audi A4 and Executive S Audi A4 line models will enhance the sports appeal of the Audi A4 and Audi A4 Avant with cost effective specifications upgrades.

The SE equipment list features 17-inch 7-arm alloy wheels, climate control, Audi concert CD audio system and automatic wiper and headlight control,  the new Executive SE specifications brings an upgrade to 17-inch 10-arm spoke alloy wheel, Audi Symphony audio system with six CD auto-changer, cruise control and mobile phone preparation.

All the Executive SE Audi A4 line specifications adds an extra value of £635 over the standard Audi A4 SE model, which saves the buyer a total of £480 compared with the cost of adding each item individually.

The Audi A4 S line is a more sporting Audi A4 and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, unique body design, xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and the S line sports suspension lowered by 20mm and it is available to all A4 Saloon and Audi A4 Avant models.

The new Audi A4 Executive S line model are new for 2009 and come with top end specifications such as Alcantra and leather combination sports seats, Audi Symphony audio system, cruise control and mobile phone preparation.

The Audi A4 Executive S line adds an extra £635 to the value of S line models, saving buyers £650 if items were added individually.

Once again, Audi models have qualified for the finals of the World Car of the Year Awards, the Audi A4 / Avant has been nominated as a finalist in the World Car of the Year category while the Audi RS6 Avant is also nominated as a finalist in the World Performance Car of the Year.

WCYA are administered by a non-profitable association and have no affiliation with, nor are influenced by any automaker, publication or auto show, the awards were officially launched in 2004 and the inaugural World Car title was first handed in 2005 to the Audi A6.

Finalist were selected by a group of 59 renowned international automotive journalists from around the world, all jurors hold a significant reputation within their own regions and countries.

Winners of the WCYA will be announced at a press conference during this year’s New York International Auto Show.

The Audi A4 / Avant is competing against some heavy weight vehicles like the BMW 7 series, the Jaguar XF and the Nissan GT-R just to name a few. See full list of eligible vehicles here.

While the Audi RS6 Avant is competing against names like the Lamborghini LP560-4 Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, Porsche 911 Carrera and Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG. See the complete list of vehicles here.

The Awards also determine winners for World Green Car of the Year and World Design of the Year.