Category: Audi

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AUDI A3 1997-2015

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2001 Audi A3

Audi is often in the forefront of vehicle design and the A3 is a classic example. The company was the first of the upmarket German marques to make the bold, some thought foolhardy, move to smaller, relatively affordable cars. Prior to the Audi A3 you had to spend upwards of $60,000 to get into one of the big make Germans. The A3 dropped the starting price to under $40,000 (keep in mind we are talking 1997 dollars, here). Many predicted small cars would devalue the prestige rating of the large… Read more

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AUDI RS3 IS REDHOT SPORTS HATCH

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By EWAN KENNEDY in Rome Many cars that perform well on the road let us down when pushed to the limit under controlled conditions on racetracks. So when our invitation to the launch of the all-new Audi RS3 at the Vallelunga circuit an hour’s drive from Rome we knew they were confident, or had made a mistake. There was no mistake. Audi RS3 stormed around Vallelunga, an F1 homologation venue, without putting a wheel out of place when we took it to the ragged edge of grip. Steering by the… Read more

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AUDI A7 H-TRON: THE WAY OF THE FUTURE?

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My first comment while driving the Audi A7 h-tron was straight to the point. “It feels very normal” I told Dr Friedrich G Wilhelm, one of the senior engineers on the Audi h-tron project, who was in the passenger seat. Then realised I had probably said the wrong thing when describing a futuristic Audi prototype crammed full of leading edge technolgy. It’s hard to get Germans, let alone German engineers, openly excited, but a big smile spread over his face and he replied in an excited voice, “Normal. That’s exactly… Read more

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AUDI A5 SPORTBACK IS AS SMOOTH AS IT LOOKS

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The A5 range is a series of many wonders – the svelte coupe, blisteringly fast S5 and RS5 and, of course, the gorgeous Sportback. Cars this old shouldn’t still be this pretty. Based on the sober but sleek A4, the A5 takes those themes, lowers the package to a sportier altitude and manages to improve the proportions with a hatchback. It isn’t cheap but for the buyer looking for practicality and prettiness, the A5 Sportback has many charms. VALUE The A5 range starts at $68,200 for the 1.8-litre petrol front-wheel-drive… Read more

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AUDI S1 … WAY-HEY

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Spoilt. That’s what we are. If you’re in the market for a hot hatch, you can have your pick of German-built and French ones from as little as $27,000. There isn’t a dud among them now that the VW Polo GTI has had a bit of an update and you can pick and choose your style. Audi’s S1 is aiming to be kind of the kids with its stiffly-priced S1. Set the finances aside and consider for a moment what’s on offer. As it turns out, a lot. VALUE Starting… Read more

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AUDI REVAMPS ITS A6

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Audi has given its medium-large model, the A6 sedan a major makeover visually, mechanically and in its technology. The biggest change is the introduction of new design engines, as well as significant changes to existing engines. The sporty S6 variant has also been upgraded. We have also driven the new five-door hatchback (Sportback) which we’ll cover in a separate story. The redhot RS models will be introduced within a few months. The crossover cousin of the A6, all-new the Audi Q7 will be coming to us towards the end of… Read more

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NEW AUDI TT – CLASSIC STYLE AND MODERN INNOVATION

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In 1995 a group of automobile designers in four just weeks knocked up the concept of a new sports coupe, which was later to be described as one of ‘the most influential automotive designs in recent times’. Within three years the first-generation Audi TT, closely based on that show car, was launched onto a welcoming market. The second-generation evolution hit the streets in 2006; now a new iteration of the compact sports coupe continues the revolution. While calling on cues from the modern Audi R8 high-performance sports car, with its… Read more

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AUDI A3 DROP-TOP IS AS GOOD AS IT LOOKS

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When it seems like every second week brings a whacky new niche model based on a premium hatchback platform, it’s good to sit behind the wheel of the oldest spin-off in the motoring world – the convertible. Audi’s A3 Cabriolet reached our shores late last year in time for a summer holiday for those brave enough to bare their bonces to our harsh sun and we spent a week lathered in sunscreen to see if Audi’s niche obsession has delivered on the basics. VALUE The Cabriolet range starts at $47,600… Read more

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SIZZLING AUDI S1 JOINS THE HOT-HATCH CLUB

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The Audi S1 Sportback is the hottest member of the new A1 lineup. This hot-hatch is the real deal, with the sprint from zero to 100 km/h taking only 5.9 seconds – that was big petrol V8 territory not that many years back. Though we should point out the little Audi has the advantage of being driven through all four wheels. But where the big V8 would have been turning petrol into tyre smoke at the start of its sprint the Audi has instant grip from all four tyres. DESIGN… Read more

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AUDI A8 OFFERS LIFT IN LIFESTYLE

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The Audi flagship, the A8 sedan, has undergone a refit resulting in its now including an impressive arsenal of luxury and technological sales firepower. Shining light of the Audi halo car is the innovative headlamp system which introduces Matrix LED technology in which the high-beam comprises 25 small, individual light-emitting diodes per unit that can be dimmed individually. This enables the headlights to react to oncoming traffic or vehicles in front and blank out light with precision while continuing to fully illuminate the rest of the road. Our test car,… Read more