Monthly Archives: February 2014

Audi RS6

Limited Edition ABT RS6-R

ABT will be officially introducing the new Audi RS6-R Avant during the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.  Pictures show #1 of 25 cars to be produced.

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The aftermarket specialists at ABT will be introducing an upgrade kit for the popular Audi RS6 Avant, which has been named the RS6-R Avant. The model in question will be coming with a full body kit, with a custom stainless steel exhaust system, with a height-adjustable sprint kit, with 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 295/25 Dunlop tires, with a modified cabin, coming with sports steering wheel, red carbon fiber applications, bespoke floor mats, embroidered headrests and more.


Power to the new Audi RS6-R Avant, signed by ABT, is being provided by a 4.0 liter V8 twin turbo engine, which is producing a total output of 730 HP (537 kW) and 920 Nm (628 lb-ft) of torque. This is more than most supercars are producing and the standard model is coming with “just” 560 HP (412 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque. No specification details have been announced yet. Additional info on the new Audi RS6-R Avant, made by ABT, is limited for the moment and will be announced during the Swiss automotive event.

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Audi S1

2014 Audi S1 and S1 Sportback

Audi premium subcompact joins the S quattro family with the help of a new TFSI engine delivering 231PS via renowned all-wheel-drive system

· New Audi S1 available in the UK from mid-March priced from £24,900 OTR, five-door S1 Sportback from £25,630 OTR – first deliveries in spring

· Powered by new 2.0 TFSI engine channeling 231PS and 370 Nm through six-speed manual transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive

· 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds, top speed 155mph, combined MPG 40.3, CO2 162g/km (three-door)

· First Audi series production subcompact to employ all-wheel-drive

The World Rally Championship-winning Audi S1 of the 1980s has a new and fittingly thrilling namesake – the 2014 Audi S1 takes the proven framework of the A1 premium subcompact hatchback as its basis, injects it with 231PS of TFSI-derived thrust and shores up the result with quattro all-wheel-drive, which appears for the first time in a series production car in this segment. The new Audi S1 and five-door S1 Sportback will be available to order in the UK from mid-March priced from £24,900 OTR and £25,630 OTR, and will begin arriving here in the spring.

“The Audi S1 offers all the virtues of a sports car, great performance, direct handling and permanent quattro drive that puts the power to the road in a superior way,” says Prof. Dr. Hackenberg, Audi Board Member for Technical Development, adding: “The quattro drive has a large following of fans, which is sure to become even larger thanks to the offering in this segment.”

The firepower for the latest entrant to the S quattro Series is supplied by a new 2.0-litre TFSI engine linked to a short-shift six-speed manual gearbox. Good for 231PS and 370 Nm (272.90 lb-ft) of torque, it can propel the Audi S1 and S1 Sportback from 0 to 62mph in 5.8 and 5.9 seconds respectively, and on to a top speed of 155mph, while still upholding the A1’s reputation for impressive economy.

Up to 40.3mpg is achievable in the three-door version, or 39.8mpg in the Sportback, equating to 162 and 166 grams of CO2 per kilometre respectively.
Like all Audi S models, the S1 and the S1 Sportback apply their power to the road cleanly and resolutely via quattro permanent all-wheel drive. At the heart of the system is a hydraulic multi-plate clutch located on the rear axle and operated by control software tuned specifically to suit the character of an S quattro model. The electronic differential lock with the fine-tuned wheel-selective torque control is a function of the Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC). It features two-stage deactivation and supplements the work of the multi-plate clutch with additional finely metered braking intervention on the inside wheels – the interaction of both systems makes for extremely agile, precise and stable handling.
S-specific sports suspension
The suspension configurations in the two high performance hatchbacks have been extensively reworked, as has the electromechanical power steering. Modified pivot bearings on the front axle sharpen response when turning, and at the rear a four-link design replaces the torsion beam suspension used for ‘standard’ A1 models. Damper settings are also adjustable via the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, which appears for the first time at this level in the S1 and also allows the driver to vary the response of the throttle and the operating parameters of the electronic climate control across a number of settings, including one designed to optimise efficiency.
17-inch wheels with 215/40 R17 tyres will be standard in the UK, with 18-inch alternatives available as an option, and a larger brake master cylinder and large brake discs – the front pair measuring 310 millimetres in diameter – ensure suitably steadfast deceleration.
Striking ‘S’-specific styling aligns the S1 with the thirteen other members of the performance-oriented S quattro series, as do standard xenon plus headlights, which are linked here to LED rear lights with new, horizontally structured graphics. Two new exterior colours – Vegas yellow and Sepang blue – supplement the available paint finishes, and to add more visual drama an optional quattro exterior styling package incorporating a sculpted roof spoiler will also be available.
The interior of the two most compact S models is finished in dark tones. The high gloss air vent sleeves have a piano black finish, the instruments feature S-specific dark-grey scales, and in contrast the pedal caps are in brushed stainless steel. Sports seats with combination Milano leather and Olympic cloth upholstery are standard, as are creature comforts including electronic climate control, a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection and SD card reader linked to a 6.5-inch retractable colour display, a Bluetooth interface and a Driver’s Information System.
From the options list customers can choose S sports seats in black Fine Nappa leather with more pronounced bolsters and integrated head restraints for even more rigid in-seat support, or opt for a quattro interior styling package which includes these and adds a choice of three colours – high gloss black, red or yellow – for sections of the backrest. The quattro styling package also adds enhancements such as a flat-bottomed leather multi-function steering wheel with contrast stitching in silver, red or yellow, door armrests in black leather with contrast silver or yellow stitching or in steel grey with contrast red stitching, air vents in high gloss black with a red ring and a high gloss black, red or yellow finish for the centre console. Black floor mats with double piping in contrasting colours complete the look.
More familiar optional features available for the S1 include the advanced key keyless access and ignition system, hard disk-based MMI navigation plus, the Bose surround sound system and mobile phone preparation – High with Audi connect. The Audi connect option gives passengers access to an array of Internet-based services such as Google Earth and Google Street View and enables them to surf and send e-mails on their mobile devices via a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Audi RS2, Audi RS4

20 year anniversary of the Nogaro RS

It is almost exactly twenty years since the once clearly defined boundary between versatile estate car and extreme sports car was blurred by the Audi Avant RS2, so the trailblazer for a high-performance breed which continues to flourish is being commemorated by the new RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection. The new special edition will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show with Nogaro blue paint finish and exclusive equipment.

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The customised Nogaro blue, pearl effect paint finish is the most immediately apparent tribute to the esteemed RS2 in the anniversary model. In addition, the frame of the Singleframe grille and the window surrounds are painted high-gloss black, and the roof rails matt black. The RS sports exhaust system terminates in two oval, high-gloss black tailpipe trims.

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450PS: the high-revving V8
Under the bonnet of the Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection sits a high-revving V8 naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 4,163 cc. The 4.2 FSI delivers 450PS of power at 8,250 rpm, with peak torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The resonant eight-cylinder engine powers the anniversary model from 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and takes it to a governed top speed of 174mph. Its combined fuel economy is 26.4mpg – for a CO2 equivalent of 249 grams per kilometre.
With its high efficiency and tall top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to fuel efficiency. The driver can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift operate automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or the steering wheel paddles.

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The core of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive is the self-locking crown gear centre differential. The compact and lightweight component distributes torque at a default ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axles. This ratio can be broadly varied as required – with up to 70 per cent of the power going to the front and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rear. The crown gear centre differential cooperates with the wheel-selective torque control, which makes handling at cornering limits even more dynamic through selective, small brake impulses. At the rear, the standard sport differential also actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection rides on 265/30 series tyres. Behind the gloss turned finish 20-inch wheels in 5-V-spoke design gleam red-painted brake calipers bearing RS emblems. The brake discs featuring a wave design are internally ventilated, perforated and joined to the aluminium brake disc chambers by pins. Carbon-fibre-ceramic front discs are available at extra cost. The Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) offers a sport mode and can also be entirely deactivated as required.

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Black and blue: the interior
In the purposefully styled interior, Audi offers two different upholstery versions for the electrically adjustable S sport seats with their integrated head restraints. In both cases, the side sections are covered with black Valcona leather; the Alcantara trim for the centre sections and door trim inserts are coloured either black as well or Nogaro blue – in homage again to the Audi Avant RS2. The armrests are covered with black leather, with blue contrasting stitching providing accents. Black or Nogaro blue piping frames the black floor mats.

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Black leather with blue stitching also refines the steering wheel rim and the selector lever boot. Blue threads run through the carbon inlays. A badge on the RS selector lever knob of the S tronic and the logos on the door sill trims refer to the special status of the anniversary model.

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The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection will be available in mainland Europe later in 2014 as a limited edition. The possibility of UK specification production is still under discussion.

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A modern classic: the Audi Avant RS2 from 1994
The Audi RS2 of 1994 was the first RS model from Audi and also the first high-performance model from the brand to combine full everyday suitability with a dynamic character, becoming the founder of a whole family of performance-focused models. Audi developed the RS2 in conjunction with Porsche, with assembly taking place at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Its appearance alone was indicative of the power of the first RS model. The front bumper featured powerful air inlets, and the grille was painted black. The exterior mirrors came from Porsche, the rear was embellished by a full-width band of light, and the emblems were large-sized. The RS2 optionally left the assembly line with an exclusive Nogaro blue paint finish, recalling the two victories achieved by Frank Biela on the Nogaro circuit in the French Touring Car Championship of 1993.
The engine drew on Audi’s extensive experience in touring car racing. The 2.2-litre five-cylinder engine delivered 315PS by way of a large turbocharger, high boost pressure, expanded air ducting and adapted engine management. At 3,000 rpm 410 Nm (302.40 lb-ft) of torque was available, with the limiter only taking effect at 7,200 rpm. The RS2 accelerated from 0 to 62mph in 5.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 162mph. A six-speed manual transmission delivered the power to the quattro drivetrain, which had a manually activated locking differential at the rear axle.
The suspension with its all-round transverse links was derived from the set-up of the performance car which laid the foundations, the Audi S2. The shock absorbers were even firmer and the springs were shortened. Porsche supplied the 17-inch wheels, the large, internally ventilated brake discs and the red-painted four-piston calipers.
The interior was dominated by Silk Nappa leather and Alcantara in the colour anthracite, blue or silver grey, and the Recaro seats were electrically adjustable. The instruments bore white dials, while small indicators on the centre console kept the driver informed about the oil pressure, oil temperature and vehicle system voltage. CFRP inlays were optionally available.
Audi offered the RS2 at a base price of £39,500 in the UK. Within a construction period of barely two years 2,908 units were produced – more than the quantity originally planned.