Official 2015 Audi TT Teaser Sketches Surface Online

Who knows if these official 2015 Audi TTsketches were leaked or…cough, cough….if acertain UK publication is all too cozy with the folks over at Ingolstadt in a 'friends with extended benefits' kind of way, but whatever the case, here they are.

The drawings show the new TT's evolutionary redesign that adds sharper lines to an all too familiar shape. And yes, with the exception of the TT's coupe roofline, the rest of the car is more or less identical to the Detroit auto showShooting Brake Concept.

Once Audi wakes up from its British sleepover, it may provide some additional information about the MQB platform-based sports car, which is scheduled for a world premiere at the upcoming2014 Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March.

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Audi plans electric quattro all-wheel drive

Audi is planning to mix electric drive with its quattro all-wheel drive system

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Some of Audi's future technology plans have been revealed in new technical patents.

Not all patents make it into series-production cars, but two engineering ideas — one very simple and one very complex — look set to enter production within the next few years.

The simple idea suggests using hinged flaps between the spokes of an alloy wheel. The flaps move radially over the spokes as the wheel speeds up, creating a completely flat wheel cover. 

According to Audi’s application, fully enclosed wheels not only smooth airflow at speed but also help to improve the car’s overall aerodynamic performance, thanks to changes in air pressure under the car. As the car slows, the wheel flaps open again, but the flaps are also temperature sensitive, so they can open up if the braking surfaces become too hot.

The second patent appears to show a new-generation Audi all-wheel drive system which uses an electrically driven rear axle. This is a logical progression for the traditional quattro system, combining rapid-reacting all-wheel drive and electric drive.

However, the description says Audi is seeking a patent for a software system that uses the wheel sensors to detect the point at which one of the wheels might break traction on a slippery surface. 

This can be important on hybrids, because using the regenerative braking (where the electric motor acts as a brake while also generating electricity) can cause wheels to slow too quickly and lose grip. 

Audi’s innovation appears to allow brake regeneration forces — which are usually fixed in an electric car — to vary according to the road conditions. By detecting the small differences in rotational speed between the front and rear axles, the system can also determine the friction coefficient of a road surface in real time. 

Even though this new quattro proposal is primarily designed to incorporate a hybrid transmission into a 4x4 drivetrain, it could also result in the most intelligent and quickest-reacting all-wheel drive system yet.

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Audi Expands Q3 SUV's UK Range with New Base 1.4-liter TFSI

Whereas in North America, Audi will launch theQ3 this fall exclusively with a 200hp 2.0-liter TFSI, in Europe, the Ingolstadt brand offers a lot more powerplant options, with the UK market now gaining a new 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit that slots in at the entry price point under the 138bhp (140PS) 2.0-liter TDI model.

The Q3 with the 1.4 TFSI is available to order in conjunction with SE and S line trims priced from £23,870 OTR to £28,115 OTR.

Producing a maximum output of 148bhp (150PS) and peak torque of 250Nm (184 lb-ft), the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine is available exclusively with front-wheel-drive and a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic transmissions.

The manual-gearbox model goes from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 9.2 seconds (S tronic: 8.9 seconds), has a top speed of 124mph or 200km/h (S tronic: 126mph or 203km/h) and returns a combined fuel economy of 47.9mpg UK with CO2 emissions of 136g/km (S tronic 45.6mpg UK and 145g/km).

According to Audi, the Q3 1.4 TFSI has a 19 per cent BIK figure equating to a tax liability for a 40 per cent taxpayer amounting to £1,800 per annum (for the first year).

Along with the introduction of the 1.4-liter petrol version, the German brand is expanding the range of available trims with the S line Plus specification for all quattro models in the UK.

Carrying a £2,350 premium over S line trim, the Plus replaces the 18-inch wheels with 19-inch rims, while adding privacy glass from the B-pillar rearwards, perforated leather and Alcantara mix for the seats, cruise control, the Audi parking system plus and SD card-based satellite navigation via the 6.5-inch colour display.

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2015 Audi Q3 Compact SUV Coming to the U.S. This Fall

The growing interest in smaller SUVs and crossovers combined with the fact that German luxury rival BMW is already offering the X1 and Mercedes-Benz will soon launch the GLA in the States, has convinced Audi to move ahead and bring its Q3 to this side of the Atlantic.

Audi said it will host the U.S. premiere of the Q3 compact SUV at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next week before it goes on sale as a 2015 model this fall at an, as of yet, undisclosed price, but surely less than the bigger Q5 that starts at $37,300.

The Q3 will launch with a single engine option, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline four with 200-horsepower paired to a standard six-speed Tiptronic transmission driving the front-wheels or optionally, all four wheels through Audi's 'quattro' system.

“Coming off the recent A3 family announcement we are now for the first time entering into the premium compact class of SUVs with the introduction of the Audi Q3 into our line-up,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “Our growing SUV family will now offer three distinct products in the premium SUV category; and like the successful Q5 and Q7, the Q3 will continue with the established standards they started with regards to utility, technology, craftsmanship and performance.”

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Audi Trademarks SQ2, SQ4, Q9 and f-tron Names

You’ve probably heard that Audi is planning tolaunch 11 new models in the following years, and now we have an idea of what these models will be. A series of recent Audi trademark registrations and applications discovered by British magazine Autocar suggests that most of these new models will be crossovers.

For instance, Audi registered the “SQ2” name, which hints at a high-performance version of an upcoming compact SUV that could be called the Q2. If you’re wondering what will the Q2 look like, Audi’s 2012 Crosslane Coupé concept (pictured) may offer an idea.

Audi has also trademarked the “SQ4” moniker, which would designate a high-performance variant of the upcoming Q4, said to be a rival for the Range Rover Evoque. There’s even an application for the “Q9” nameplate, which could hint at a large luxury crossover that would sit above the Q7 in Audi’s range. Whether there will also be a Q8, remains to be seen.

The “f-tron” name has also been trademarked by Audi, hinting at a possible fuel cell-powered production model. The f-tron would add to existing e-tron and g-tron models, which designate electric/hybrid vehicles and natural gas vehicles, respectively.

The fact that Audi applied for these names doesn’t necessarily mean they will all be used on production models, as carmakers sometimes apply for trademarks to protect their intellectual property. Audi didn’t comment on the trademark applications and registrations.

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Audi Presents New 181HP 2.0L Diesel and LED Headlamps for A3 Range in the UK

A much peppier diesel-fuel engine has been added to the Audi A3 lineup in the UK. The new 2.0-liter TDI delivers 181hp (184PS) and peak torque of 380Nm (280 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 3,250rpm, and supplements the 148hp (150PS) version which has been available since launch.

Compliant with 2014 EU6 emissions standards, the new diesel unit will initially be offered in the A3 three-door and five-door Sportback models beginning in September, with on-the-road prices ranging from £24,375 to £30,055, and shortly after, in the four-door A3 Saloon as well.

It will be offered on front-wheel drive models with a six-speed manual gearbox, and on all-wheel drive quattro variants with a six-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Audi says the 181hp A3 2.0 TDI with a stick shift can complete the 0-62mph (100km/h) sprint in 7.3 seconds and continue to a 145mph (233km/h) top speed, while returning up to 68.9mpg UK in the combined cycle test, and emitting 108g/km of CO2.

Along with the new powerplant option, Audi is adding available LED headlamps to the A3 range. In SE and Sport models, buyers can specify them as part of a new LED lights package costing £2,000, which also includes LED rear lights, light and rain sensors and LED ambient interior lighting. In S line and S3 models, they are offered as a stand-alone option priced at £795.

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Audi Introduces 2014MY A4 SE Technik with Equipment and Engine Upgrades in the UK

Audi is looking to increase its UK sales of the A4Sedan and Avant model with a revised 2014MY SE Technik trim grade that comes with additional equipment features and upgraded engine, but at the same time, carries a lower premium than before.

Along with the previously standard Milano leather upholstery, HDD navigation, Audi Music Interface and front and rear parking sensors, the SE Technik models now gain 18-inch alloy wheels (excluding TDIe model) and metallic paint, while the Germans also lowered the premium from £1,350 to £1,000, stating that this package represents "a customer saving of £3,025 compared with the cost of specifying the various items individually".

As with all 2014MY A4s, the SE Technik models are available with a revised engine lineup that includes the EU6-compliant 118bhp (120PS) and 168bhp (170PS) versions of the 1.8-litre TFSI, the 2.0-litre TFSI, which received a power boost from 208bhp (211PS) to 222bhp (225PS), and three 2.0-liter TDI diesels with 134bhp (136PS), 148bhp, (150PS) and 158bhp (170PS).

On the road prices start range from £24,960 to £32,220 for the A4 SE Technik sedan, and from £26,260 to £33,520 for the Avant (station-wagon).

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Audi Announces Prices and Specs for UK Market A3 Saloon

The first ever sedan interpretation of the A3series is now available for order from Audi's UK network with first deliveries in September. The new A3 Saloon is offered with an initial range of three powerplants with on-the-road prices starting from £24,275 for the base 2.0 TDI Sport and topping out at £28,105 for the 1.8 TFSI S Line.

More specifically, engine options begin with the 1.4-liter TFSI petrol rated for 138bhp (140PS) that takes 8.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 62mph (100km/h), and can reach 135mph (217km/h). It returns a combined economy of 60.1mpg UK with CO2 emissions of just 109g/km.

Next up is the second petrol unit, a 1.8-liter TFSI delivering 178bhp (180PS). Headline figures include a 7.3-second 0-62mph (100km/h) acceleration time, a 146mph (235km/h) top speed, combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg UK and CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

Diesel options are currently limited to the 148bhp (150PS) 2.0-liter TDI that manages the 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds, tops out at 137mph (220km/h), is capable of returning up to 68.9mpg UK and has a CO2 output of 107g/km.

The sedan model is 140mm longer and 110mm wider than the five-door A3 Sportback, while also offering 45 liters more luggage space at 425 liters total.

There are two trim grades available, the S Line and Sport. Both come with a sports tuned suspension, but customers can specify them with a more comfort-oriented standard suspension at no extra cost. The S Line adds 18 inch wheels (instead of the Sport's 17-inch rims), an aero kit, part-leather-upholstery and LED daytime running lamps, among other features.

Audi said more engines and the option for its quattro permanent all-wheel drive system will be added later in the year.

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Audi Prices New 349HP SQ5 from $51,900* in the U.S.

The first ever "S" variant of any Audi crossover, the new SQ5, will reach U.S. showrooms later this summer with a starting price of $51,900 (equal to €38,900 at today's exchange rates), which doesn’t include a destination and delivery fee of $895. Though not a direct competitor, you could say that the 300hp BMW X3 xDrive35i ($44,700) with the optional ($3,000) M Sport package is a fairly close rival.

With the SQ5, Audi chose to develop two different models for Europe and North America, with the former sporting a 308hp (313PS) 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 diesel and the latter a 349hp (354PS) 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine.

For the American SQ5, Audi quotes a 0-60 mph (96km/h) sprint time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph (250km/h). An 8-speed automatic and Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system come as standard.

Other highlights on the SQ5 include standard 20-inch wheels (or optional 21-inch rims), S model front and rear bumpers with Platinum Gray grille and diffuser, leather sport seats and steering wheel inside, along with an array of tech features such as keyless start, stop and entry.

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