New Carbon Edition versions of latest Audi Sport stars now available as even more attractive and highly specified alternatives to ‘standard’ cars

• New Carbon Edition versions of RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Coupé available to order from today priced at £71,625 OTR and £75,400 OTR respectively (premiums of £10,000 and £12,500 over standard cars)
• Additions include extensive CFRP detailing, including full roof on RS 5, 20-inch milled alloy wheels, privacy glass, RS sport exhaust, RS matrix LED headlamps
• New 2.9 TFSI with 450PS and 600Nm of torque delivers 0-62mph in as little as 3.9 seconds (RS 4 Avant 4.1 seconds), 155mph top speed which can be increased to 174mph
• Standard specification includes quattro drive with rear sport differential, Audi Virtual Cockpit with RS-specific displays, MMI Navigation Plus, Audi connect infotainment services
• RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control, and dynamic steering also available
• State-of-the-art driver assistance, safety and connectivity systems

New Carbon Edition versions of the recently reintroduced Audi RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Coupé are about to turn up the desirability dial for devotees of the latest 450PS Audi Sport stars. The new special editions, which will not be production limited, add motorsport-inspired Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) detailing, including a fully exposed CFRP roof in RS 5 versions, as part of a wider package of upgrades that further enhance the appeal of these hallmark models. Both Carbon Edition variants become available today, the RS 4 priced at £71,625 OTR and the RS 5 at £75,400 OTR. The first RS 5 Carbon Edition models will arrive in the UK in December, followed by their RS 4 counterparts in March 2018.

Beyond the striking, exposed CFRP roof which is reserved exclusively for the RS 5, both new editions incorporate a Carbon Matt Aluminium Styling Pack adding a CFRP finish for the front spoiler (and the rear in RS 5), sill extensions, a diffuser insert and interior inlays along with CFRP door mirror housings.

A matt aluminium finish for the radiator grille with its integral matt titanium quattro logo, for the window surrounds and for the front horizontal under-grille bar complement the carbon detailing, as do privacy glass and larger 20-inch ‘5-arm peak’ design alloy wheels in anthracite matt black, which replace the standard 19-inch design. The surfacing and the milled slots in the sides of the spokes in these very special aluminium wheels can only be achieved through the use of a very intensive milling process that has until now been reserved only for models in the super sports category or those designed purely for competition use. Red brake callipers – another feature of the Carbon Edition upgrade – are visible through the front wheels.

Milled wheels shave off 8kg

One significant benefit of the advanced one-piece milled wheel design in the Carbon Edition models is a weight saving of 2kg per wheel versus standard forged equivalents. In the RS 5 Carbon Edition the 8kg overall saving is also supplemented by an additional 3kg reduction achieved by incorporating the carbon roof. These parings contribute to weight loss of up to 80kg and 60kg respectively in the latest RS 4 and RS 5 models versus their predecessors.

Under the sculpted bonnet of both Carbon Edition models a CFRP engine cover embellishes the six cylinder heads of the formidable new 2.9-litre biturbo TFSI with its 450PS output and mighty 600Nm torque peak – a substantial 170Nm more than its V8-powered predecessor. In these special models the new engine breathes through an upgraded RS sport exhaust system which amplifies its soundtrack and is controllable via the standard Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system.

To enable the driver to capitalise on the phenomenal performance as fully as possible, the Carbon Edition models also feature an upgrade to RS matrix LED headlamps capable of automatically dipping or deactivating individual lighting diodes to create corridors of light around leading or oncoming vehicles or objects, helping to increase visibility without dazzling. The RS matrix LED units also include dynamic front indicators to complement the standard dynamic rear installations.

In both versions the huge power reserves of the biturbo TFSI are unlocked by an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimised shift times, and supported by the reworked five-link front and all-new five-link rear RS-specific suspension they contribute to an innately responsive, precisely controlled and highly rewarding driving experience. In common with all RS models the new Avant and Coupe headliners are affixed to the road by quattro permanent all-wheel drive, and like their ‘standard’ UK specification RS 4 and RS 5 counterparts are also factory fitted with the quattro sport differential which actively distributes torque between the rear wheels to promote even greater handling adjustability.

For the most committed drivers Audi Sport also offers optional RS sport suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning.

Inside, CFRP inlays continue the theme, and the deeply contoured Fine Nappa leather-upholstered RS super sport seats in black with contrast honeycomb stitching in Crescendo Red look and feel ready for whatever challenges the road presents to their occupants. The RS-specific, fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit is a standard feature of all UK RS 4 and RS 5 models, and in tandem with the 8.3-inch high resolution screen in the centre of the dashboard displays richly detailed navigation mapping, audio listings and web-based information courtesy of the standard MMI Navigation Plus and Audi Connect Infotainment module. The embedded Audi Connect SIM includes a data package offering flat-rate, ultra-fast LTE internet connectivity in the UK and Europe-wide free of charge for three years. Smartphone-based content can also be displayed on the central monitor via the standard Audi Smartphone Interface.

Highlights from the extensive list of safety-focused features of all RS 4 and RS 5 variants include multi-collision brake assist and the Audi Side Assist blindspot warning system. Customers can enhance protection even further by choosing cost-effective option bundles including the Driver Assistance Pack – Tour and Parking Assistance Pack Advanced offering features such as Active Lane Assist, Cross Traffic Assist Rear and Turn Assist to de-stress virtually every aspect of a drive, from reversing out of a space on to a busy road to negotiating a difficult junction.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

• Coupe and Spyder variants are first Audi production models with rear wheel-drive as a limited edition
• 50 kilograms lighter than R8 Coupé V10 (Spyder 40kg lighter)
• Available to order in the UK later this month priced from £110,000 OTR
• Stephan Winkelmann, MD Audi Sport GmbH: “R8 V10 RWS successfully brings driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets”

Neckarsulm, September 11, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH is extending its R8 model series to include new derivatives with rear-wheel drive. Limited to 999 units worldwide, and available to order in the UK later this month priced from £110,000 OTR, the Audi R8 V10 RWS and R8 Spyder V10 RWS will be exclusively rear-driven (Rear Wheel Series) and will be built by hand at the Böllinger Höfe R8 factory.

“The R8 V10 RWS is made for purists,” said Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Audi Sport GmbH. “A limited-edition special model for customers with an appreciation for essential driving enjoyment, the R8 V10 RWS is an absolutely exclusive offer. With its mid-mounted V10 engine and rear-wheel drive, it successfully brings the driving concept of our R8 LMS racing car to the streets.”

Matt black design elements, optional films

The purebred character of the new R8 variant is underscored by the matt black grille of the Singleframe and the matt black air apertures at the front and rear of the car. The upper sideblade (of the Coupé) is finished in gloss black, the lower blade in the body colour.

Similar to the R8 LMS GT 4, the Coupé is available with an optional red film running over the bonnet, roof and rear end. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. Bucket seats are available as an option. The dashboard bears an emblem “1 of 999,” indicating the limited number of units.

5.2 FSI engine – one of the last naturally aspirated engines in its segment

The mid-mounted V10 engine of the Audi R8 V10 RWS produces 540PS. It delivers its peak torque of 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. The 5.2 FSI engine powers the Coupé from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds (Spyder: 3.8 seconds) and beyond to a top speed of 198mph (Spyder: 197mph). With the top closed, combined fuel economy in the R8 V10 RWS amounts to 22.7mpg, corresponding to 283 grams CO2 per kilometre. With the top open, these figures are 22.4mpg and 286 grams CO2 per kilometre.

Specially tuned chassis setup allows controlled drifts

The Coupé weighs 1,590 kilograms (without driver), 50 kilograms (110.2 lb) less than the R8 Coupé with all-wheel drive which needs additional components like propshaft, multi-plate clutch and centre differential. The Spyder is 40 kilograms lighter than the R8 Spyder V10, weighing in at 1,680 kilograms (without driver). The axle load distribution of 40.6:59.4 (Coupé) and 40.4:59.6 (Spyder) together with chassis and handling tuning specially adapted for rear-wheel drive provide for particularly entertaining driving.

The chassis setup and control systems allow controlled drifts if the driver chooses “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system and sets the Stabilisation Control ESC to “Sport”. The ESC intervenes reliably at the limit. The electromechanical power steering is completely free of torque steer and enables precise handling. The Audi R8 V10 RWS is fitted as standard with black-finished, 19-inch, cast aluminium wheels in a five-spoke V-design, with 245/35 tyres up front and 295/35 at the rear.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

• World debut of RS 4 Avant at the IAA 2017
• 2.9 TFSI engine offers substantially more power and efficiency
• Available to order in the UK later this month priced at £61,625 OTR
• First UK deliveries in early 2018
• Audi Virtual Cockpit and sport differential standard for UK cars

Neckarsulm, September 12, 2017 – Audi Sport GmbH celebrates the world debut of the new Audi RS 4 Avant at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, and at the same time Audi UK is enlisting the new figurehead of the A4 range in its ranks. Opening for ordering later this month priced at £61,625, the latest bearer of the RS badge combines tremendous everyday usability with exceptional performance from a 2.9 TFSI engine delivering 450PS and 600Nm of torque via standard quattro drive.

“The Audi RS 4 Avant is our RS icon with an incomparable history,” commented Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “In common with all our RS models, it blends immense power output with superlative everyday utility. In China, the Audi RS 4 will provide fresh impetus for growth as the only high-performance Avant in its segment.”

Roof edge spoiler creates distinctive rear end

When creating the fourth generation of the Audi RS 4 Avant, the designers took inspiration from many motorsport details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO. Massive air inlets with typical RS honeycomb structure and the wide, flat Singleframe grille define the front end. The optional Matrix LED headlights display tinted bezels. Compared to the Audi A4 Avant, the wheel arches are 30 millimetres wider and are given added emphasis by the quattro blisters.

At the rear end, the RS-specific diffuser insert, the oval tailpipes of the RS exhaust system and the RS roof edge spoiler make for a distinctive look. The exterior colour Nogaro blue, pearl effect available optionally from Audi exclusive recalls the first generation of the high-performance Avant from 1999. The new Audi RS 4 Avant rides on 19-inch forged aluminium wheels as standard; 20-inch wheels are available as an option.

0 to 62mph in 4.1 seconds, RS sport suspension and Audi drive select as standard

The V6 biturbo develops 450PS in the new Audi RS 4 Avant. Its peak torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) – 170 Nm (125.4 lb-ft) more than the previous model – is available across a broad engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. It is key to how the Audi RS 4 is able to sprint from 0 to 62mph in 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 155mph. With the optional RS dynamic package, the top speed increases to 174mph. In the combined cycle test the RS 4 Avant is able to return up to 32.1mpg (199 grams of CO2 per kilometre) - an efficiency gain of 17 per cent over the previous model. The new Audi RS 4 Avant weighs 1,790 kilograms - 80 kilograms (176.4 lb) less than previously.

The power of the 2.9 TFSI biturbo is supplied to the permanent all-wheel drive via an eight-speed tiptronic with optimised ratios. Audi also offers a rear sport differential enabling torque division between the rear wheels for enhanced handling adjustability, and in the UK this feature is standard.

The standard-fit RS sport suspension sets the Audi RS 4 Avant another seven millimetres lower than the standard A4 with sport suspension. RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) is available as an option, as are ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. Drivers can define their own individual personal driving experience using the standard dynamic handling system Audi drive select.

Interior with sophisticated materials and digital racing-style cockpit

The black interior underscores the character of the Audi RS 4 Avant. The RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern, the flat-bottomed RS leather multifunction sport steering wheel, the shift gate and the illuminated door sill trims are all adorned with the RS emblem. In the Audi virtual cockpit which is standard in the UK, RS-specific displays indicate the g-forces, tyre pressures and torque. The styling packages gloss black, carbon with aluminium attachments and carbon with black attachments provide further scope for customisation. The Audi exclusive programme caters for just about any other special request.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

• New flagship Audi A8 and two concept cars
• Show cars with intelligent Audi AI technologies for levels 4 and 5
• Additional highlights: Audi A4 Avant g-tron and two new R and RS models

Ingolstadt/Frankfurt am Main, September 8, 2017 - Progress in three levels: Audi is showcasing its autonomous driving strategy at the IAA 2017. The new Audi A8 incorporates conditional automated driving at level 3 as standard. Two concept cars will also be demonstrating the Audi vision for level 4 and level 5. They also provide insights into the brand’s future Audi AI technologies. Other production models – from overtly performance-focused to ultra-efficient – round off the motor show presence of the brand with the four rings.

Conditional automated driving at level 3 as standard: the new Audi A8

The new A8 is the world’s first volume-production car to be designed for conditional automated driving at level 3 in accordance with international standards. On highways and multi-lane motorways with a physical barrier separating the two directions of traffic, the Audi AI traffic jam pilot takes over the driving task in slow-moving traffic up to 37mph. The system handles starting from a standstill, accelerating, steering and braking in its lane. If the driver has activated the traffic jam pilot via the AI button on the centre console, they can take their foot off the accelerator and their hands off the steering wheel for longer periods. Unlike at level 2, they no longer need to monitor the car permanently and, depending on current national regulations, can turn to other activities supported by the on-board infotainment system. The driver must remain alert and capable of taking over the task of driving when the system prompts them to do so.

The Audi AI traffic jam pilot is based on two technologies, which Audi is the first manufacturer anywhere in the world to incorporate as standard: The central driver assistance controller (zFAS), which generates an image of the surroundings while driving by fusing sensor data. At the same time, a second data fusion takes place in the radar control unit. Meanwhile, the laser scanner, the second innovation, provides detailed information on vehicles cutting in and on the roadside peripheral structures, for instance.

Introduction of the Audi AI traffic jam pilot requires both clarity regarding the legal parameters for each country and specific adaptation and testing of the system. Moreover, varying worldwide homologation procedures and their deadlines must be observed. For these reasons, Audi will initiate series production of the traffic jam pilot in the new A8 incrementally, depending on the legal situation in the respective country.

Highly automated at level 4: concept car with new technology

This Audi study is an SUV coupé measuring 4.90 metres in length. Based on the Audi e-tron Sportback concept, it adopts the concept’s dynamic lines, the progressive lighting technology, the functionally elegant interior and the electric quattro drive with three electric motors and a combined peak output of 370 kW.

A new highlight of the study is intelligent technologies which reduce the driver’s workload and open up many opportunities for spending time in the car pleasantly and usefully. These systems are summarised under the term Audi AI and, in many cases, use strategies from the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning. They are networked seamlessly with the cloud and with other vehicles (car-to-X) – giving them the capability to learn and think in a proactive and empathetic way. Thanks to these systems, the driver gains more time, more safety, more efficiency and more customisation. For highly automated driving at level 4 the SUV coupé uses a next-generation zFAS. It provides information for the highway pilot which can take over the driving task at speeds of up to 80mph and automatically change lane.

Autonomously on course for the future: concept car drives at level 5

The second Audi concept car for the IAA is heading autonomously into the future. It offers its occupants entirely new freedoms where they no longer have to concentrate on road traffic. Passengers can use the extra time for something other than driving. To this end, the show car combines many new features in the area of connectivity, communication and operation, which make travelling extremely comfortable. Thanks to Audi AI these systems are intelligent and forward-thinking.

The new concept car from the Ingolstadt-based automaker is designed primarily for long journeys. It is powered by four electric motors. The car is situated in the D segment, the automotive top tier, and has a range of between 435 and 497 miles. The interior and exterior design of the full-size model is spectacular and groundbreaking. It offers brand-new possibilities which an all-electric, self-driving car opens up for designers.

Further premieres and activities: efficient, sporty and connected

With the A4 Avant g-tron and A5 Sportback g-tron which can now be ordered (not available in the UK), Audi is making an attractive offer for climate-friendly and, at the same time, economical mobility. Its 2.0 TFSI delivers 170PS and 270 Nm (199.1 lb-ft) of torque and, fitted with the seven-speed S tronic, consumes just 3.8 kilograms of natural gas (CNG) for every 62 miles travelled on the NEDC cycle. That is equivalent to CO2 emissions of 102 grams per kilometre and fuel costs of around four euros (as at: September 2017). The total range is 590 miles, up to 310 miles of which can be in gas mode. The g-tron fleet is especially eco-friendly when running on Audi e-gas. Until the end of May 2018, the brand with the four rings will be offering to supply every customer with e-gas as standard, in other words at no extra charge. In the well-to-wheel analysis, Audi e-gas reduces CO2 emissions by 80 percent**.

Audi Sport GmbH will be celebrating two world premieres as part of IAA 2017. The fourth generation of the high-performance Avant is another impressive chapter in the success story of the first RS model, the RS 2 Avant. The Audi subsidiary will also be showcasing for the first time a limited special model with rear-wheel drive.

Audi and HERE Technologies are forging closer links all the time. In the new A8, the automaker is already using multiple services and new technologies from HERE, one of the leading software companies for digital navigation maps and location-based services. Audi itself has a stake in HERE, with both companies looking to work together even more closely in future. They will jointly be presenting their products in the New Mobility World that is part of the IAA.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk