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The Euro-spec Audi R8 Spyder will soon be available with a more powerful version of the automaker’s 4.2-liter V8 engine. The EU5-approved FSI unit gets ten more horses, going from 420 to 430 horsepower. It also gets an energy recuperation system that comes into effect during coasting and braking. The run from zero to 62 miles per hour takes 4.8 seconds, and a 186-mph top speed is possible “in the appropriate circumstances” (i.e., out on the Autobahn).

For the six-speed manual you’ll need £95,545 ($147,759 USD based on current exchange rates), while the not-so-great R-Tronic will require £100,855 ($155,966 USD). The hardtop R8 will also be getting this upgraded engine, and both will be available in January of next year. Don’t worry – the new engine will be coming to the U.S., as well. The press release on Audi UK’s new V8 is after the jump, and high-res photos are in the gallery below.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder

Audi UK offering upgraded 4.2L V8 for R8 Spyder

The clever wrenches at the German tuning powerhouse MTM have gotten a hold of the Audi RS5. Always ones to turn fast faster, the group claims to have squeezed the car’s top speed to 188 mph. But instead of focusing on pulling even more horsepower from the already staggering 4.2-liter V8, the company simply upped the factory speed limiter to allow for a more potent v-max. MTM will politely ask for a check for $1,429 (at current conversion rates) for the upgrade, which isn’t exactly pocket change. According to MTM, the car still produces 450 horsepower, though the company will be happy to supply you with a new free-breathing exhaust system that just might turn an extra pony or two loose.

In addition to the lofty top speed, MTM has rolled out a hefty selection of wheels just for the RS5. We’re guessing a new set of tires will probably be in order if you plan on bumping up against that new 188 mph top end, too. Eventually, the company plans to roll out a complete suspension for the car. And here’s hoping they come up with some equally competent brakes in the process.

[Source: MTM]

MTM releases first round of upgrades for RS5, raises top speed to 188 mph

After running around the rumormill for several months, Audi has finally confirmed it will offer a 4.2-liter V8 powered version of the R8 Spyder, in addition to the V10 model. Thankfully, the R8 Spyder 4.2 is available with a six-speed manual in addition to the R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox.

Like other R8s – with the exception of the recently announced GT – the 4.2 Spyder is packing standard Quattro all-wheel drive and the top mechanism remains the same fully-powered fabric unit found in the V10 model. Those who opt for the lesser engine will have to make do with conventional dampers and 18-inch wheels, although the magnetic ride dampers and 19-inch rolling stock that are standard on the V10 are available at a “slight” increase in cost. The eight-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers remain standard issue with the optional carbon ceramic rotors and pads still available as an option in Europe. Since Audi has not issued any new images of the Spyder 4.2 yet, there are probably no visual differences aside from the wheels and badging.

The V8 Spyder goes on sale in Europe in the third quarter, but no announcement has been made about U.S. availability… yet.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder

Officially Official: Audi announces 4.2 V8-powered R8 Spyder

If there’s to be a singular automotive theme guiding us into this second decade of the 21st century, it’s downsizing. If not in dimensions, then in displacement. Automakers, forced to adhere to higher government-mandated fuel economy standards and lower CO2 emissions, are beginning to collectively reduce engine size while attempting to maintain the thrust consumers demand.

The newest posterchild for this movement comes in an unlikely wrapper: the 2011 Audi Q7. Packing the same supercharged 3.0-liter V6 found in the S4 sports sedan, Audi bids adieu (or is that Auf Wiedersehen?) to the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year and brings with it the 2011 A8’s eight-speed automatic transmission. We tackled the congested highways and byways in and around Ingolstadt to see if the revised Q7 has the goods to placate both bureaucrats and buyers, while taking a deeper look into Audi’s new powertrain strategy. Click through to the jump to see if we can make sense of it all.

Photos by Damon Lavrinc / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside

First Drive: 2011 Audi Q7 downsizes with an upside

Even though we won’t see the production version of the standard Audi A7 until this year’s Paris Motor Show, the men and women in Ingolstadt are already prepping a hotted-up version of the swoopy four-door coupe (we still aren’t used to typing that), as seen here in this latest set of spy shots. Rumors have stated that a RS7 Sportback might debut alongside the A7 in Paris, complete with a 580-horsepower V10, and it would certainly be show-stopping if Audi could pull off having all three variants of the A7 range on hand.

As for the car spied here, we spot larger air intakes, a more robust wheel/tire package, bigger brakes and quad exhaust pipes, seemingly proving that this A7 will definitely arrive wearing an S badge. However, the camouflaged beast isn’t as muscular as Audi’s RS models, which leads us to believe that the mid-range S7 is what’s under all of the swirly paper. As for what’s housed beneath the hood, your guess is as good as ours, but something along the lines of Audi’s new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 or the free-breathing 4.2-liter V8 could be in order. Scroll through the gallery below to see the S7 prototype from all angles.

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: First look at Audi S7

The all-new A8 and updated Q7 won’t be the only vehicles in Audi’s line-up to benefit from the automaker’s new eight-speed gearbox. According to dealer order guides released for the 2011 model year, the octo-cog-swapper is set to proliferate throughout the Audi line-up in the next year, with the automaker aiming for around 70% of it U.S. sales volume to come equipped with the new gearbox.

For the 2011 model year, the A4 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan and Avant will come packing the eight-speed tranny, along with the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro coupe and cabriolet (the manual six-speed will only be available on the coupe). In addition, the revised Q7, with its new high- and low-output 3.0-liter supercharged V6s (cribbed from the S4 and A6), will replace the 3.6-liter V6 and 4.2-liter V8 for the 2011 model year. Both engines, along with the new 3.0-liter TDI, will come equipped with the eight-speed auto.

Finally, Audi quietly revealed the 2.0 TFSI inline-four-equipped Q5 at the New York Auto Show, and part of the new package will also include the eight-speed ‘box.

Sales of the eight-speed automatic-equipped models will begin this fall, each delivering improved fuel economy, quicker downshifts and, thanks to its compact packaging, no additional weight gain over the standard six-speed tiptronic.

Eight-speed automatic transmission available on A4, A5 and Q5 this fall

2011 Volkswagen Phaeton – Click above for high-res image gallery

As impressive of a vehicle as the seminal Volkswagen Phaeton may have been, the uber-luxe German sedan was an unqualified flop of an experiment here in the United States. In some other parts of the world, though, VW’s BMW and Mercedes-Benz (not to mention VW-owned Audi) competitor is still going strong.

Hence, VW has seen fit to give the Phaeton a mild update for the 2011 model year, and it tellingly used the Beijing Motor Show as the platform to reveal its top-shelf sedan. In case you missed the exterior changes, take a closer look at the front and rear fascias, where you’ll find tighter lines and new LED lighting.

It’s inside the cabin where the Phaeton gets the bulk of its improvements. Included in the refresh is VW’s latest navigation technology, along with a helpful seeing-eye camera that can monitor speed limit and no passing signs and inform lazy drivers of the data. There is also a lane-departure system that keeps the car between the proper lines and Dynamic Light Assist that adjusts the headlights to keep from blinding oncoming traffic.

Powertrain options remain the same as before, with a 450-horsepower 6.0-liter W12 engine taking top billing over a 335-hp 4.2-liter V8 and a 3.6-liter V6 that puts out 280 ponies. Finally, those looking to save a few bucks at the pump can opt for a 3.0-liter diesel V6. Check it out for yourself in the high-res image galleries below.

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Beijing 2010: 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton ups the luxe

Beijing 2010: 2011 Volkswagen Phaeton ups the luxe

German tuning company MTM doesn’t necessarily do things the conventional way. Remember the Bimoto, the twin-engined Audi TT that could hit 244 mph? Yeah, different. That’s why we weren’t surprised to see this modified Audi R8 come across our desks. MTM has done some conventional tuning with the car – like supercharging the 4.2-liter V8 – but it’s also performed a procedure we’ve yet to see. The front-wheel drive portion of the Quattro system has been removed, making the car a pure rear-driver. According to MTM, this change provides a “complete new driving experience behind the Audi steering wheel and pure driving pleasure.”

To share this experience with their customers, MTM is now offering a GT3-2 conversion for any V8-powered Audi R8. The package includes the aforementioned supercharger system, which is good for 560 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, carbon fiber aero parts, larger front and rear brakes, adjustable Bilstein suspension, MTM’s unique Bimoto forged wheels and more. Hit the jump for more details and check out the high-res images in the gallery below.

[Source: MTM]

Continue reading MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive

MTM Audi R8 GT3-2: 560 horsepower and rear-wheel drive

It’s been a little while since anything with an RS badge came our way from Ingolstadt, but it if you believe the whispers floating around the Web these days, there may be hope for a U.S.-spec Audi RS5 just yet. Automobile is reporting that the company is seriously mulling bringing the S5’s meaner brother to our neck of the woods.

The Kingdom of Quattro pulled the sheets off of the sinister coupe at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and our jaws have been on the floor ever since. Under the hood sits a tweaked 4.2-liter V8 with 450 horsepower at the crank. The mill is bolted to none other than the Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system, complete with a new torque-vectoring rear diff.

Automobile hasn’t gone so far as to name a source for the rumors, which leads us to take this one with a Q7-sized grain of salt. Still, if it were true, we may have our sticky paws on an RS5 by summer 2012, right around the same time the refreshed A5 is scheduled to hit the U.S. Keep your fingers crossed and your hopes down.

[Source: Automobile]

Rumormill: Audi RS5 headed for the States?

“White Beast” is quite a fitting name for this tuned-up version of the Audi S5 coupe. It isn’t just an aerodynamic package – oh, no – Germany-based Senner Tuning AG has given the S5 a bit more grunt from its 4.2-liter V8 mill, as well as slightly revised suspension geometry and a daub of upgraded interior refinement.

The tuning starts under the hood, where a performance air filter and exhaust system have been added, managing to churn out a claimed additional 25 horsepower and 25 pound-feet of torque, bringing the overall output numbers to 379 and 350, respectively. On top of that, Senner has raised the S5’s electronically limited top speed from the standard 155 miles-per-hour to an Autobahn-friendly 177 mph. What’s more, the four-pipe exhaust now include sport silencers, and we assume the aural grunt from this S5 is quite a treat for the ears. (White Beast, indeed.)

Visually, Senner has added a new front fascia, mimicking that of the Audi RS5, as well as a rear lip spoiler, LED taillamps and a new rear apron. Large 21-inch wheels better fill out the wells, and the suspension has been lowered (40 millimeters in front, 35 in back) to give the car a more aggressive road stance. Inside, a carbon fiber interior trim package has been added, as well as a new tachometer display screen.

The cost of the White Beast tuning kit? €18,990 (about $25,500 USD). Click through the post to read the full press release and have a look for yourself in the gallery below.

[Source: Senner Tuning]

Continue reading White Beast: Senner Tuning AG takes on Audi S5

White Beast: Senner Tuning AG takes on Audi S5

We already know that Audi plans to fit the standard R8’s 420-hp, 4.2-liter V8 into its all-new Spyder variant early next year, and now comes word that at least one more version of the R8 is in the pipeline and that the R tronic sequential automatic might not be long for this world.

According to company insiders speaking with Car and Driver, the herky-jerky gearbox will likely be dispatched in favor of Audi’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. There’s no word on the amount of torque the DCT can handle, but considering how much better the R8 V10 performed with the standard sequential tranny, we’d suspect that the dual-clutch setup will make its way onto the V8 models only. And if you’re worried about the gated six-speed manual being nixed from the options list, don’t be – it will continue to be available on all models.

C&D also reports that a sportier version of the R8, inspired by the LMS model, could be in the cards, packing more power (think: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera) and a not-so-insignificant weight reduction thanks to the liberal use of carbon fiber. Expect that to only be available on the V10 model and yes, a fully-electric version based on the original e-tron concept is supposedly on the way and due to arrive in a few year’s time.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Report: Audi R8 to spawn sportier model, dual-clutch gearbox cometh

The one thing on our minds as Audi unveiled the RS5 here in Geneva is whether or not the car will come to the United States. We can’t get a definitive answer from the German automaker, and although we’re guessing the chances are fairly slim, we were told not to completely rule it out. Audi has listed the base price of the car only in Euros (77,000), but we’ll hold on to hope until Audi officially states the car won’t be sold across the pond.

Why do we want the RS5 in the U.S. so bad? For starters, it’s got a 450 horsepower version of Audi’s tried and true 4.2-liter V8 paired to the legendary Quattro AWD. Combine that with perhaps the best looking coupe designs on the market today and you’ve got one heck of an appealing sports car. Hit the jump for the newly released press release or check out our live photos in the high-res gallery below.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Audi RS5 is a 450-horsepower two-door tease

Geneva 2010: Audi RS5 is a 450-horsepower two-door tease

Volkswagen is apparently content to sell lots and lots of diesel Touaregs and sees no need to market the new hybrid model as a loss leader to get market share. While U.S. pricing for the 2011 Touareg has yet to be announced, the new configurator is up on VW’s German retail site. On that side of the world, the Touareg will be available with either a 3.0-liter V6 or 4.2-liter V8 diesel in addition to the hybrid. The 3.0 starts at €50,700 (approx $68,400) which includes the hefty value added taxes paid in Europe, so it’s not directly comparable to what we paid here.

Those that need extra acceleration and towing power can get the V8 TDI for €70,800. If you want that limited electric drive capability, you’ll have to fork over a minimum of €73,500 (approx. $99,100) for the privilege. That’s a premium of over $30,000. With our limited command of German, we’re not sure how they match up on a comparably equipped basis, but it’s obviously going to take several lifetimes of ownership to make that up in fuel savings over the V6 diesel.

[Source: Volkswagen]

Volkswagen Touareg hybrid costs almost €23K more than diesel in Germany

The Audi R8 Spyder was introduced at Frankfurt with a stonking V10 powertrain nestled snugly in its boot, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the righteous 525-horsepower mill will be the R8 droptop’s only source of power. Our West Coast friends at Inside LIne insist that the more reasonable 4.2-liter V8 that powers the “base” R8 is going to be offered as well… eventually.

The availability of a V8-powered Spyder could drop the price of entry by $30,000 or more, and it could prove to be an attractive option to potential customers who are more interested in the R8 Spyder as a fashion statement than as a near-supercar with outstanding performance. IL estimates that a V8-powered, topless R8 could arrive in showrooms sometime next year.

Who knows, perhaps Audi will find it in its collective heart to utilize the updated, better-breathing 450-hp 4.2-liter that is scheduled to arrive under the bonnet of the RS5 – not a bad consolation prize for a luxury car buyer looking to become part of the 500 Horsepower Club.

[Source: Inside Line]

V8-powered Audi R8 Spyder in the pipeline?

Episode #167 of the Autoblog Podcast is a fine quartet of Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Chris Paukert and Dan Roth. We breeze through the Autoblog Garage, filled with a snow-tired Camaro, a pair of Audi cabrios and a Kia Forte Koup, before hitting the news.

Audi’s updated RS5, with a clear-voiced 4.2-liter V8 is up first, followed by the want-it-now BMW 5 Series Touring. We’re not done with Europe yet, kicking around the Mercedes-Benz F800 and Citroën DS3 Racing before heading across La Manche to check out the Lotus Proton PHEV and then discuss Kia’s Magentis renderings. Wrapping it up, we surmise what Chrysler’s purported refreshes might turn out to be and talk about the overwhelming crush of Toyota recall and Congressional hearing news before taking some questions and calling it a night.

Direct fanmail to Podcast at Autoblog dot com, review the show in iTunes, fill out our survey or even leave us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Until next week, hit up Joystiq and Engadget when podcast loneliness sets in. Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #167 – Excitement builds for Geneva

Autoblog Podcast #167 – Excitement builds for Geneva

Over the weekend, we got our first look at official images of the new Audi RS5 when a brochure leaked out onto the interwebs, but it didn’t contain any technical details of the latest product from Quattro GmbH. Thankfully, our friends in Ingolstadt have seen fit to drop that information on us this morning, and as we suspected, they have opted to go with an upgraded version of the engine that served so well in the late RS4.

The 4.2-liter V8 remains naturally aspirated, but its breathing has been improved to bring the maximum output up to 450 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The power peak comes up at 8,250 rpm, just shy of the 8,300 rpm redline, and maximum torque is delivered throughout the range between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The RS5 comes out the factory with the ability to accelerate to 62 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds on the way to a governed top speed of 155 mph. Owners that wish to exceed that speed can have the governor unlocked, enabling a terminal velocity of 174 mph.

As usual with higher performance Audi models, Quattro all-wheel-drive is the order of the day for power distribution. However, unlike other recent applications that have used a Torsen center differential, the RS5 features the first use of a new crown gear differential with electronically controlled clutch pack. The torque split can be varied from the nominal 40:60 front-to-rear to as much as 70 percent front or 85 percent rear. An optional active torque vectoring rear differential is also available to further improve the RS5’s handling. The only available gearbox in the RS5 is a new seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission (DCT). Hopefully now that Audi has a high-output DCT, we’ll also see it replace the dreadful R-Tronic unit in the R8 soon.

The RS5 will get its public debut in Geneva next week and goes on sale in Europe this spring for a base price of €77,000 (about $104,000). Sadly, U.S. Audi spokesman Christian Bokich tells Autoblog that there is nothing to announce right now about plans for the RS5 in this market.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Officially Official: Audi RS5 hitting Geneva with 450-hp 4.2L V8

Officially Official: Audi RS5 hitting Geneva with 450-hp 4.2L V8

The next über-model from Audi’s Quattro GmbH division won’t officially debut in Geneva for another week, but images from its brochure have already made their way onto the web. The Audi RS5 coupe will no doubt take the performance of Audi’s B8 platform to levels beyond the much-loved and departed RS4. What we don’t know at this point is how high that level will go, and what the motive power will be.

It’s probably safe to assume it’ll fall somewhere between the 420 horsepower of the Audi RS4 and the 571 hp of the current Audi RS6. Since the V10 used the R8 and RS6 isn’t really in keeping with Audi’s current engine-downsizing philosophy (not to mention that the 10-cylinder probably wouldn’t fir into the smaller A5’s engine bay), perhaps we’ll a turbo or supercharged version of the 4.2-liter V8 in the current S5, or a maybe even a more severely amplified version of the 3.0-liter TFSI V6 from the S4. Either way, we can’t wait to get our hands on the RS5. A tip of the hat to Liam!

[Source: AUSmotive.com]

Leakage alert: Audi RS5 brochure images surface ahead of Geneva