Audi competes in the 80th running of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 16–17, 2012 with a total of four LMP1 sports cars. Two of the four cars in action will be equipped with hybrid drive for the first time. Audi Sport Team Joest also follows a two-pronged approach in the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) during the 2012 season.

Following the first win for a TFSI engine (2001) and the historical first triumph for a diesel powered car (2006) the brand with the four rings targets yet another technical milestone at the world’ s most famous and most important endurance race. “To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans. As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive – just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race.”

Audi Sport Team Joest has entered two cars for the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Audi plans to field additional cars at selected races such as the 12-hour race at Sebring (USA) and in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) which doubles as a dress rehearsal for Le Mans for the Audi squad.

At the 80th running of the French endurance classic, Audi competes with the start numbers ‘1’ and ‘2’ (hybrid drive) as well as ‘3’ and ‘4’. As stipulated by the regulations one driver per car is now nominated. Those drivers are André Lotterer, Allan McNish, Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis.

The new Audi sports prototype with hybrid drive will be presented at the end of February. The first competitive outing follows in the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps on May 5. For the World Championship opener at Sebring on March 17 Audi Sport Team Joest relies once again on the Audi R18 TDI that proved victorious at Le Mans last year. Audi has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a total of ten times since the year 2000 and is, as a result, the most successful brand by far in race’s recent history.

- Audi Motorsport

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The first two generations of the allroad quattro from the years 2000 and 2006 were winners, and Audi hopes to build on this success with the third generation. Universally talented, the new A6 allroad quattro extends the range of uses for the A6 Avant because when the asphalt ends, it just keeps on driving. Performance has improved and fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model.

Body and exterior design

The new A6 allroad quattro is 4.94 meters (16.21 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.47 (4.82 ft) meters tall, making it a few millimeters bigger than the Avant. It follows the Audi ultra lightweight construction principle familiar from the sedan, with aluminum components making up roughly 20 percent of its body. Total vehicle weight has been reduced by as much as 70 kilograms (154 lb) compared with the previous model.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro has a sportily distinctive road stance. It features balanced proportions, sharp lines delineate taut surfaces and the roof line flows into flat D-pillars. Audi offers progressive LED technology as an option for the headlights and tail lights. The xenon plus headlights can be combined with adaptive light, which ensures that the road is always properly illuminated afor the situation at hand.

The body of the new A6 allroad quattro sits six centimeters (2.36 in) higher than that of the A6 Avant. Setting it apart are, in particular, the trim strips on the side sills, the more widely flared fenders and the single-frame grille with vertical slats. Stainless steel covers protect the underbody at the front and rear of the car, and the exhaust system ends in two large, flattened tailpipes. The roof rails are mounted on double bars.

The wheel well edges, the bumpers and the sills are painted in a contrasting color. Audi also offers a full paint finish in combination with the optional aluminum exterior package. The color Java Braun is available exclusively for the new A6 allroad quattro.

Interior and luggage compartment

The interior of the Audi A6 allroad quattro offers plenty of space thanks to the long wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). It features a lean, elegant design, exemplarily clear ergonomics and superior workmanship. A function that depicts the car’s pitch has been added to the MMI operating system, the soft keys of which are gleaming aluminum. MMI comes as standard, as does the onboard computer with efficiency program. A comprehensive package of restraint systems helps to mitigate the consequences of an accident.

Visual cues differentiating the A6 allroad quattro include the carpeting and the instrument panel, which are black throughout. Other refined details include the interior color Santos Brown and the optional aluminum inlays. The door sill trims are also made of aluminum and are emblazoned with “allroad.”

The luggage compartment of the new A6 allroad quattro has a capacity of 565 liters (19.95 cu ft). Latches in the luggage compartment make it easy to fold down the rear seats, increasing luggage capacity to 1,680 liters (59.33 cu ft). Standard equipment features underscore the practical character of the new model – a rail system with an included load-securing kit for dividing the luggage compartment as needed, tensioning straps on the left wall and a double loading floor.

Equipment and Audi connect

Audi offers a broad choice of options for the new A6 allroad quattro. The head-up display projects important information onto the windshield. Ambient lighting bathes the interior with subtle LED light, and the widely adjustable deluxe front seats are optionally available with a ventilation and massage function. Additional highlights include four-zone automatic air conditioning, a panoramic glass roof and the convenience key, which can stay in the driver’s jacket pocket.

Topping the modular range of infotainment options is the hard drive-based navigation system MMI Navigation plus with touchpad operation (MMI touch) and whole-word voice control. Its power-retractable eight-inch monitor displays extremely sharp, high-contrast images. The Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System boasts 15 speakers.

The new A6 allroad quattro is also state of the art when it comes to connection technology. The optional Bluetooth car phone online connects it to the Internet via UMTS, and a WLAN hotspot lets the passengers surf and e-mail. Tailored services for the driver, such as the all-new Audi traffic information online or Audi music stream web radio, are delivered right to the car. Attractive services from Google, including Google Earth, Google Street View and voice-activated POI search, are also available.

Driver assistance systems

The Audi assistance and safety systems lend even more confidence to driving. The radar-based adaptive cruise control with stop & go function always keeps the new A6 allroad quattro at the proper distance from the car ahead. At speeds below 30 km/h (18.64 mph), the system initiates maximum braking in the event of an impending collision. ACC stop & go works closely together with the Audi pre sense safety system, which is available in a number of configurations.

Audi active lane assist helps the driver to maintain the lane; Audi side assist helps when changing lanes. The night vision assistant with marking of detected persons reduces the stress of driving in the dark. The driver information system with rest recommendation function detects when the driver is getting tired and recommends taking a rest.

A variety of high-end systems help take the stress out of parking. The park assist system with 360° display takes over the steering; the parking system plus with 360° camera provides good vision in all directions. Four small wide-angle cameras record images of the vehicle’s immediate surroundings, which can then be displayed from a variety of perspectives on the MMI monitor.

Drivetrain

The new A6 allroad quattro is available with a choice of four powerful and highly cultivated V6 engines – one TFSI gasoline engine and three TDI units. All are three-liter engines with turbocharging and direct injection. They make use of important technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system and innovative thermal management. Their fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 20 percent compared with the previous model.

The 3.0 TFSI, which is boosted by a mechanically driven compressor, produces 228 kW (310 hp) and 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the A6 allroad quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.9 seconds on the way to a electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). It consumes 8.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (26.43 US mpg).

The three variants of the 3.0 TDI produce 150 kW (204 hp), 180 kW (245 hp) and 230 kW (313 hp); torque values are 450, 580 and 650 Nm (331.90, 427.79 and 479.42 lb-ft). The entry-level version consumes on average just 6.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (38.56 US mpg), corresponding to 159 g CO2/km (255.89 g/mile). Audi will soon offer a particularly low-emissions clean diesel version of the 180 kW (245 hp) engine. The twin-turbo 3.0 TDI developing 230 kW (313 hp) is a powerful, great sounding engine. It accelerates the A6 allroad quattro from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.6 seconds; the top speed is an electronically regulated 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

The most powerful TDI delivers its power to a smooth and fast-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The three other engines are paired with the seven-speed S tronic, a sporty dual-clutch transmission. With their wide ratio spreads, the automatic transmissions are major contributors to the efficiency of the A6 allroad quattro. The driver can operate them manually, including via optional paddles on the steering wheel.

The quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is paired with torque vectoring. During dynamic driving this system brakes the wheels on the inside of the curve, which are under a reduced load, before they can slip. This further enhances traction and handling. The optional sport differential distributes the power in continuously variable proportions between the rear wheels.

Chassis

The chassis of the A6 allroad quattro combines sportiness with comfort. The new electromechanical power steering is sensitive and highly efficient. The optional dynamic steering adjusts the steering ratio to the speed driven.

With the Audi drive select system, the driver can vary the function of the steering, the air suspension, the gas pedal, the automatic transmission, the sport differential, the automatic air conditioning, the lighting and the adaptive cruise control. In Efficiency mode, these systems work as economically as possible; their function can be very freely configured in Individual mode.

The adaptive air suspension, which combines air suspension with controlled damping, comes as standard. It lowers the body by 15 millimeters (0.59 in) at high speed and raises it by 35 millimeters (1.38 in) at the push of a button. This allroad mode is suitable for rough terrain. Furthermore, the driver can select a lift mode at low speeds. An additional ten millimeters (0.39 in) enables the new Audi A6 allroad quattro to also handle major irregularities in the road surface.

The Audi A6 allroad quattro rolls on 18-inch, five-arm alloy wheels and 235/55-size tires. Audi and quattro GmbH offer optional wheels measuring 18, 19 and 20 inches in diameter. The large brakes provide powerful deceleration. The driver can activate a hill descent assist function for steep downhill passages. This limits the speed to between 10 and 20 km/h (6.21 and 12.43 mph), depending on the surface.

The new Audi A6 allroad quattro will be available in Germany from spring 2012. The 3.0 TDI developing 150 kW (204 hp) has a list price of €54,600.

- Audi AG

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The 2013 Audi RS 5 makes its U.S. debut this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. A classically elegant coupe with unbridled power, the Audi RS 5 features a high-revving 4.2-liter V8 with 450 horsepower and a seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program. An innovative crown-gear center differential in the quattro drivetrain transmits power to all four wheels, providing exceptional traction and grip for increased performance.

The 4.2 FSI delivers 450 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm, and transmits a maximum of 317 lb-ft of torque. The engine propels the RS 5 on to an electronically-governed top speed of 174 mph.

The ultra-powerful RS 5 features an optimized engine and drivetrain, on-demand oil pump, and energy-recovery system that conserves energy during coasting and braking. The standard seven-speed S tronic in the RS 5, with its high efficiency ratio and its high-geared top speed, also enhances efficiency.

The RS 5 can operate in fully automatic mode, or the driver can shift via the gear selector or shift paddles on the steering wheel. Audi drive select system adjusts the vehicle’s transmission shift characteristics, throttle response, dynamic steering and sports differential. The driver can select from auto, comfort, dynamic and individual Audi drive select settings.

In the new RS 5, Audi unveils the next generation of quattro: a crown-gear differential.

The self-locking crown-gear center differential is compact and lightweight, and attains a high efficiency ratio. Thanks to its package of plates, the differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

This new differential operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring. As a perfect complement to the new quattro drivetrain, the sport differential at the rear axle is standard.

The RS 5 chassis exhibits a sporty configuration and renders the body 0.8 inches lower than that of the Audi A5. The 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 tires are standard with an exclusive 10-spoke forged design. The RS 5 optionally comes with 20-inch wheels and 275/30 tires.

The brake system employs powerful and internally ventilated discs, which measure 14.4 inches in diameter at the front axle. The high-gloss black brake calipers bearing RS logos are made of aluminum; the front calipers are fitted with eight pistons each. Audi can optionally fit the front axle with ceramic carbon-fiber brake discs measuring 15 inches in diameter. The electronic stability control (ESC) integrates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

The RS 5 exudes an athletic and powerful identity; its classically beautiful coupe styling dazzles with new and clear-cut accents. Adaptive xenon plus headlights boasting a sweeping strip of LED daytime running lights are standard. The oversized air inlets for the engine, front brakes and the radiators are bordered by striking contours. The newly designed bumper tapers downward into a splitter and is available in Aluminum-optic paint.

The flared fenders with the crisp horizontal upper edges are reminiscent of a classic Audi, namely the all-wheel-drive pioneer Audi quattro. The side sills bear angular caps; the trim strips on the single-frame grille and near the side windows as well as the outside mirrors’ covers feature a matte aluminum look. Eight different paint finishes are available.

The tail end is dominated by two oval exhaust pipes integrated within the bumper. A large diffuser protrudes prominently upward. The spoiler in the tailgate automatically extends at a speed of 75 mph and retracts at 50 mph.

The extensively clad underbody of the RS 5 integrates air vents for the seven-speed S tronic and front brakes. At highway speeds, the aerodynamic characteristics of the RS 5 generate downforce to further enhance stability.

The vehicle’s dynamically elegant styling extends to the interior, with power-adjustable sport seats with pronounced side sections and integrated head restraints, finished in Fine Nappa Leather or optional leather / Alcantara®. The flat-bottom steering wheel has a substantial rim and is covered with perforated leather. The instruments have black gauges and white lettering with distinctive scaling. The driver information system integrates a lap timer for recording circuit times and an oil-temperature gauge. Just like the optional MMI navigation systems’ monitor, it displays an RS greeting upon ignition.

The interior is black and the decorative inlays are made of carbon fiber. The pedals, the footrests, and the optional MMI navigation systems’ control buttons gleam thanks to their aluminum look. Moreover, the door handles consist of two slim strips – typical of Audi RS models. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims and RS 5 logos lend dynamic highlights to the interior.

Sales of the Audi RS 5 will begin in the spring.

Engine

4.2 FSI with 450 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque
High-revving concept delivers and incredible 108 hp/liter
Top speed electronically limited to 174 mph
Optional sport exhaust with black tailpipe trims and active acoustic flaps

Powertrain

Seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program
Newly-developed crown-gear center differential for quattro® drivetrain is lightweight and attains a high efficiency ratio

Chassis

Sporty configuration that renders the body 0.8 inches lower than Audi A5
19-inch forged alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 tires; optional 20-inch wheels and 275/30 tires
Standard Audi drive select with sports rear differential

Exterior

Beautiful coupe styling with new more muscular hood and RS-specific grille, splitter, diffuser and bumpers
Adaptive xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and taillights standard
Flared fenders with the crisp horizontal upper edges are reminiscent of a classic Audi quattro sport

Interior

Sport seats with integrated head rests in Fine Nappa Leather
RS-design carbon fiber inlays

Technology

Audi adaptive cruise control
Audi side assist
Audi advanced key with red starter ring
Audi MMI Navigation plus with Audi connect™
Bang & Olufsen Sound System (14 speakers, 505 watts)
Audi dynamic steering

- Audi USA

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Audi is unveiling a themed vehicle of a special kind at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – the Audi Q3 Vail with an output of 231 kW (314 hp). The compact SUV, which is named after the famous winter sports venue in the United States, unites a powerful presence with a sporty lifestyle. The Q3 Vail is a highlight of the young model series that only launched in 2011.

The Audi Q3 Vail represents a new, potential variation on the SUV concept. The themed vehicle has been designed for young fans of winter sports who love skiing or snowboarding. The Audi Q3 Vail is a sporty and robust compact SUV offering many practical attributes, an elegant appearance and individual design highlights.

The themed vehicle is painted in the color developed specially for it – Energy Red. The red paint contains golden pearlescent particles. The add-on body parts are in matt gray quartz-based paint, and underline the vehicle’s robust and rugged appearance. The high-gloss package, a characteristic feature of the model line, enhances the area around the windows with eye-catching elements in aluminum and high-gloss black.

Vertical struts made from aluminum are integrated in the single-frame grille. They extend across the full height of the grille. In the area of the horizontal panel, which carries the license plate on series-built vehicles, they are pulled outwards to striking effect.

The struts exhibit the bicolor theme that the Audi designers developed for the Q3 Vail: their lateral edges are painted in matt quartz-based paint, and the slim front faces have a high-gloss finish.

In the headlights the zones in the lower area of the light-guide elements, which generate the daytime running lights, are painted anthracite. The side air inlets further emphasize the themed vehicle’s powerful appearance; their top areas are covered by solid aluminum panels. The underbody guard beneath the front end is also made from aluminum.

Eyecatching features on the sides of the Q3 Vail are the flared wheel arches and running boards, which Audi is to incorporate into the extensive range of Q3 accessories. The restyled aluminum roof rails are specially designed for transporting skis and snowboards – these two items of sports equipment are made from carbon fiber.

The front roof-rail support integrates compact, energy-efficient, wide-angled LED lights that illuminate the area around the Audi Q3 Vail. They are controlled via buttons in the roof module.

The Audi Q3 Vail is fitted with five-arm wheels in 8.5 J x 20 format. Mirroring the single-frame grille, their visible edges have a high-gloss finish, while the inside areas feature the same matt quartz-based paint. The off-road tires are size 255/45. Track width has increased 40 millimeters (1.57 inches) at the front and rear compared to series-built models, and the body is 30 millimeters (1.18 inches) higher. The themed vehicle also features unique solutions at the back – the two tailpipes of the dual-branch exhaust system are integrated in the diffuser and underbody guard area.

In the interior of the Audi Q3 Vail, three colors offer an ambience of sophistication and sporty elegance – black, gray and red. The headlining is made from titanium gray Alcantara; large parts of the interior, including the carpet, are black. The black, ribbed floor mats are edged with narrow strips of red velvet-finish leather.

An innovative leather/fabric material is used for the upholstery – thin strips of leather just a few tenths of a millimeter wide, are interwoven with yarn. The upholstery features piping with double seams; like the contrasting stitching, the piping is red. Small sections of the upholstery are made from red velvet-finish leather – a hardwearing material that looks similar to nubuck leather at first glance, but in fact has a finer structure. The segments integrated in the door trims are also in red velvet-finish leather, trimmed in steel gray Fine Nappa leather.

The entire instrument panel in the themed vehicle is trimmed in black Fine Nappa leather. Contrasting stitching in titanium gray is an elegant highlight. The leather across the hood of the instrument cluster is steel gray with red contrasting stitching. This color scheme is replicated on the door armrests at the front and rear. The front section of the center tunnel also has a leather trim.

The inlays around the S tronic selector level, at the front of the cockpit and in the doors comprise a three-dimensional stainless steel mesh that requires a complex manufacturing process. The selector lever features a high-gloss black ring and an aluminum badge with a milled “Q3 Vail” signature. The lever gaiter is enhanced by red stitching.

Aluminum takes center stage in the instrument cluster. The most striking elements are the metal dials around the speedometer and rev counter. They were made using a rotary-grinding process. Metal is also used on their rings and around the edges of the control lights. Horizontal bars and small fins give the dials and needle centers a sporty, three-dimensional look. The leather steering wheel features red contrasting stitching and an aluminum trim. Behind it are two large shift paddles for manually controlling the seven-speed S tronic. The footrest and the pedals have thin pads made from rubber. Slits offer a glimpse of the stainless steel beneath the pads.

In some parts of the interior the trims are in high-gloss black – the display and control elements on top of them appear to float. This applies to the area surrounding the driver information system, the zone around the air vents, the periphery of the MMI terminal and the row of switches on the center console. Aluminum inserts give the black switches an air of sophistication. Chrome trims adorn the controls of the air conditioning system; the air vents have black ribs and chrome-trimmed rotary knobs.

The soft keys for the MMI navigation plus system are made from aluminum, while the control terminal benefits visually from narrow strips of the same material. The monitor, which can be folded out manually, has a trim that matches the surface of the instrument panel. The system includes an animation showing the longitudinal and latitudinal tilt angle of the Audi Q3 Vail. In regions that are not included in the map data, the MMI navigation plus system logs the GPS coordinates of the route – for assistance during the return journey.

The interior of the Audi Q3 Vail includes two practical devices for winter sports fans. The side wall of the trunk houses a charging station. It can be used for storing flashlights and charging them inductively at the same time. The same technology is used for the Thermos bottle. It is located in the cup holder between the front seats and is able to chill or warm drinks. Both devices have LEDs that show the current charge level. One attractive extra is that, in addition to LED lighting, the flashlights incorporate an infra-red heating element that can be used for warming your hands or a pair of ski boots.

Another intelligent solution in the themed vehicle is the trunk mat, which has integrated heated seat cushions. The mat can be folded out and laid over the loading lip. This protects the trunk edge while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded, and also provides a warm area to sit on when putting on or taking off your ski boots. Small LED spotlights on the inside of the tailgate provide light.

The Audi Q3 Vail features a 2.5-liter five-cylinder TFSI engine with direct injection and turbocharging that generates an output of 231 kW (314 hp) and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque from a displacement of 2,480 cc.

The engine’s five cylinders are consecutively numbered; red wrinkled-finish paint has been applied to the cylinder head cover. A panel made from carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) partially covers the engine, and the air filter is also protected against dirt. There is a decorative trim made from plastic around the engine compartment. The acoustic mat on the inside of the engine hood has a “Q3 Vail” logo embroidered in dark gray.

The power of the turbocharged five-cylinder unit is transferred to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a seven-speed S tronic transmission. The Audi Q3 Vail accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds and continues to a top speed of 262 km/h (162.80 mph).

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Audi will be permanently present in the world’s largest sales market in motorsport as well. Starting in 2012, the Audi R8 LMS Cup as an exclusive one-make racing series will underscore the company’s leading position in the premium segment in China. Audi Sport customer racing China will be responsible for the operational activities.

In 2012, Audi is setting a milestone in China’s still young motorsport tradition. The world’s first exclusive one-make cup for the Audi R8 LMS will be held in the fast-growing Chinese market. In October, with a growth rate of 61.7 percent compared to the same period of the prior year, Audi experienced a new record month in China. The next top performance followed in November, reflecting a 68.8 percent increase compared to the same prior-year month.

The R8 LMS GT3 race car with a power output of 411 kW (560 HP) will be competing at five events, including the internationally renowned circuits at Shanghai and Zhuhai, starting in the second quarter of 2012. Plans are for 16 vehicles of Audi’s customer sport model to be fielded in the one-make cup. The cars correspond to the GT3 version that has scored more than 100 international victories and 13 titles and feature the new Audi PS 1 safety seat as factory-supplied equipment. “The Audi R8 LMS Cup puts our motorsport activities in China on a permanent basis,” says Rene Koneberg, Head of Audi Sport customer racing China. “Audi was a pioneer in the premium vehicle market in China. Now we want to give motor racing in this country a similar impulse.”

Audi Sport customer racing China will be responsible for organizing the one-make cup. This new structure experienced an extremely impressive debut. At the finale of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Zhuhai the race team celebrated a one-two victory in the GTC class with the Audi R8 LMS. A week later, at the Macau GT Cup, Edoardo Mortara won an extremely challenging city street race in an Audi R8 LMS fielded by the team.

Audi through its Audi race experience China opens up the opportunity to contest races in professional conditions to the motorsport enthusiasts among its customers. The complete packages available to gentlemen drivers include everything a racer needs, from license training and the ready-to-run race car through to the organizational structure.

Audi expects to deliver more than 300,000 vehicles in China in fiscal year 2011. The company is the market leader in the premium segment. “China has meanwhile become a kind of second home to Audi,” says Dr. Dietmar Voggenreiter, Managing Director of Audi China. “By entering motorsport we aim to start proving ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ on the race tracks of this dynamic country as well.”

- Audi Sport

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Once again Audi has shown up at Sebring, testing the next evolution of their LMP entry. However this time it wasn’t such a secret. The first hint was the exif data in the shots from Paul Ricard. Taken in November, the description read “Test Audi R18H”. Changes to the R18H are not so obvious but a lot is going on. The overall appearance seems to be smoothed out. Hard edges are gone, the nose is now piercing and suggestions of the tub structure changing. Mulsannes Corner has an excellent breakdown on the new R18H.

Look for Audi to announce full details and driver line-ups in January.

Audi Sport is intensively preparing for the 2012 sports prototype season. A test team has started the next trial phase of the LMP1 sports car for the 2012 season in the United States this week.

After the previous tests of the further development of this year´s Le Mans winning car took place behind closed doors, Audi is now going into public at a race track for the first time. Since this Saturday, Audi Sport has been running tests with two vehicles at the Sebring (Florida) circuit. The second LMP1 sports car serves to compare the test results. Taking turns at the wheel of the two development vehicles are the 2011 Le Mans winners, the Swiss Marcel Fassler, the German Andre Lotterer and the Frenchman Benoit Treluyer. Also involved in the tests are Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish, who were last victorious at Le Mans in 2008.

The tradition-steeped American circuit has a special significance for Audi, not only because Audi has celebrated nine victories at the Sebring 12 Hours since the 2000 season. The 5.95-kilometer track that features 17 highly different types of turns offers plenty of variety, which makes for excellent test conditions. The rough concrete of the former airfield´s take-off and landing strip in combination with the tarmac of the other track sectors puts the material to a particularly tough test. On March 17th, the 12-hour race will open the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as well as the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) at this venue.

While the component tests have already started, Audi will not announce the details of the 2012 racing program, the driver line-up and the technical state of the development until a later date.

More pics from Sebring at Quattroworld

- Audi Motorsport

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The Audi R8 GRAND-AM successfully passed its baptism by fire. The new model was fine-tuned at the Daytona International Speedway during its final test on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ready for the North American market: The development of the next customer sport race car from Audi Sport customer racing has been completed. The car will be delivered to the first customers by January. The new Audi R8 GRAND-AM is based on the extremely successful Audi R8 LMS that has scored more than 110 victories and 13 titles. From this GT3 race car quattro GmbH developed a vehicle for the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in the USA and subjected it to final testing at Daytona.

After track tests in Europe the R8 GRAND-AM that features significant modifications compared to the GT3 race car underwent its final test in the heart of the region where it will be fielded in the future. On the two test days, Frank Stippler completed about 1000 kilometers (600 miles) in the visually conspicuous test car from quattro GmbH that sports a stars-and-stripes design. The famous Daytona International Speedway in the U.S. state of Florida with its banked turns served to prepare for the Daytona 24 Hours at which private racing customers will compete with the R8 GRAND AM on January 28th and 29th.

The Audi R8 GRAND-AM clearly differs from the GT3 “sister model” and required a fundamentally new set-up. Downforce, for instance, is drastically lower. About 70 to 80 percent of aerodynamic grip is lost because the GRAND-AM regulations prescribe modified body components. The new front splitter may only protrude from the front contours by 38 millimeters, for example. The front underbody must have a flat design. The rear diffusor corresponds to the production car component, while the standardized rear wing is only 152 centimeters wide and thus 260 millimeters slimmer than the rear wing of the R8 LMS. “The lower aerodynamic forces also require modified damper characteristics and softer spring rates,” explains Armin Plietsch, Head of Engineering Customer Sport at quattro GmbH. In addition, the regulations prescribe a ride height of 65 millimeters – which is about 10 millimeters more than the minimum in the FIA series.

At Daytona, Audi also familiarized itself with the tires from the series’ exclusive tire supplier, Continental. The GTR (for road courses) and GTO (for oval tracks) tire models influence suspension set-ups as well. ABS and traction control, which are standard equipment on the Audi R8 LMS, had to be deactivated for the R8 GRAND-AM. The optimized radiator package that Audi developed for the R8 LMS ultra is also used in the R8 GRAND-AM.

“We successfully tested all the modifications at Daytona,” says Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH. “With Frank Stippler we developed a sound and solid set-up for our customers and also gathered valuable findings in the endurance tests. The durability of wearing parts and runs at high outside temperatures meet challenging demands. We can now provide our racing customers with concrete advice and reference values for fielding the car.”

The rating of the Audi R8 GRAND AM is still an open issue. By January, a balance of performance is to be achieved between the various vehicles in the GT class. Audi has made one of the 5.2-liter V10 FSI engines used in the Audi R8 GRAND-AM available to the series’ engineers for a precise performance analysis. The engine’s power output and homologation weight will only be defined once this rating is available.

One of the customer teams for the 2012 season has already been determined. APR Motorsport from Opelika in the U.S. state of Alabama will be the first team to field the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. The squad is planning to contest the Daytona 24 Hours and the remainder of the races with its own driver combinations. Negotiations with three other teams are currently in the closing stage. A maximum of four Audi R8 GRAND-AM cars will be delivered for the 2012 season to ensure individual support and coordinated logistics. Audi of America is responsible for sales and support to customers in North America.

- Audi Sport

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Audi will be represented at the 2011 Race of Champions at the ESPRIT arena in Dusseldorf on December 3 and 4, 2011 with its strongest line-up ever. As many as four Audi “factory” drivers will compete with Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel & company. In addition, the brand with the four rings is deploying the 525-HP Audi R8 LMS to the meeting of the world’s best race and rally drivers as the most powerful competition vehicle in the field.

Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal), Mattias Ekstrom (Sweden), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Timo Scheider (Germany) were invited to participate in the eagerly awaited meeting that attracted more than 64,000 spectators last year. Consequently Audi has good chances of providing the best of the best at the Race of Champions yet again.

Three times the two-time DTM Champion Mattias Ekstrom has previously won the title at the Race of Champions. In 2006, at the finale in Paris, the Audi factory driver sensationally defeated local hero Sébastien Loeb, who has meanwhile become the eight-time World Rally Champion. Both in 2007 in London and in 2009 in Beijing, the Swede prevailed against Michael Schumacher. In 2010, Ekstrom was unable to run due to a conflicting commitment in the DTM finale at Shanghai (China). Yet last year it was again an Audi racer – at that time still employed by Audi Sport Italia –, the Portuguese Filipe Albuquerque, who prevailed against the world’s elite.

“The successes of our drivers at the Race of Champions show the high level of driving skills that exist at Audi,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “I think this was made obvious by our triumphs in the DTM and at the Le Mans 24 Hours as well.”

At the Race of Champions a select group of the world’s best race and rally drivers traditionally competes against each other in identical vehicles. The most powerful competition vehicle in 2011 is the Audi R8 LMS that already impressed the participants at last year’s event in Dusseldorf. With a track record of more than 110 victories in just three years, the mid-engine sports car from quattro GmbH has meanwhile become one of the world’s most successful GT3 vehicles. This year, among other events, the Audi R8 LMS won the 12-hour race at Bathurst (Australia) and the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) in which over 60 GT3 sports cars competed.

In Dusseldorf, the Audi R8 LMS will run on an about one-kilometer parallel track that is being specifically set up for the Race of Champions at the ESPRIT arena. Featuring a width of 7.5 meters, the circuit is the widest one in the history of the event that dates back all the way to 1988.

Tom Kristensen, who with eight victories under his belt is the most successful Le Mans racer of all time, has been competing at the Race of Champions since 2001, and thus longer than any other entrant. “The Race of Champions is a fantastic event, that’s why I always enjoy returning to this race,” says the Audi factory driver. “The audience is enthusiastic and I look forward to competing again with Mattias (Ekstrom) in the ROC Nations Cup.”

In 2005, Ekstrom and Kristensen as “Team Scandinavia” won the Nations Cup on the eve of the single event. Most recently, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel prevailed four consecutive times. Aiming to break the winning streak of “Team Germany” are not just Ekstrom and Kristensen but also the two-time DTM Champion Timo Scheider who together with Formula One racer Timo Glock is forming the “SAT.1 Team Germany 2.” “Obviously, Team Germany with two Formula One World Champions has the favorite’s role,” says the Audi factory driver. “But I’m sure that Timo (Glock) and I will not just have a lot of fun in Dusseldorf but will be competitive too.”

This also applies to title defender Filipe Albuquerque. The second-best newcomer of the 2011 DTM season, who achieved his first DTM podium at Valencia at the start of October, was the sensational winner of last year’s ROC in Dusseldorf. “I’m really looking forward to compete again in the Race of Champions and to defend my title,” explains the Portuguese.

The comeback of Mattias Ekstrom, who will contest the Race of Champions again after a one-year break, is being awaited with particularly eager anticipation. “In 2010, it was pretty painful having to watch the action from a distance,” says the Swede who won three DTM races and the Spa 24 Hours this year – the latter at the wheel of an Audi R8 LMS by the way. “I’m very much looking forward to being part of it again this year.”

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The AUDI AG Toolmaking Division has once again proven the pioneering nature of its role in the industry. Audi was able to outperform 291 competitors from the German-speaking regions in the “Excellence in Production” competition and can now lay claim to the title “Toolmaker of the Year 2011.” The awards ceremony took place during the 11th International Colloquium “Tool and Die-Making for the Future” in Wiesbaden.

This was the third time that the award has gone to the automaker from Ingolstadt. Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production at AUDI AG, views this as an important guidepost: “Our Toolmaking Division has not been resting on its laurels, but has instead continued developing by leaps and bounds,” underscores Dreves. He is convinced that the Audi Toolmaking Division is well equipped to master future challenges and keep pace with developments: “After all, innovation, sustainability and in particular our employees are key guarantees of lasting success.”

During the awards ceremony in Wiesbaden, the distinguished jury of experts consisting of representatives from industry, research and associations gave special praise to the introduction of synchronized production at the Audi Toolmaking Division. All work steps are perfectly coordinated with each other to yield a more streamlined and efficient production process. The jury members were also impressed by the separate innovation department devoted solely to development of topics related to production of equipment for modern materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs). As a general contractor for car bodies, Audi Toolmaking is thus significantly expanding its product portfolio.

“We have consistently converted the toolmaking process to synchronized production and are continually looking for ways to optimize our products and processes,” says Michael Breme, Head of the Audi Toolmaking Division, describing how his area has developed. “Together with our highly qualified team, these are the main reasons for our success in the ‘Excellence in Production’ competition,” he adds.

Audi Toolmaking covers the entire metal panel production chain and has established itself as a strategic supplier. The Volkswagen Group designated Audi Toolmaking a “Center of Excellence” in November 1996. Approximately 1,860 employees work at the various toolmaking locations in the Audi Group: 950 in Ingolstadt, 400 in Neckarsulm, 450 in Győr, 50 in Barcelona and ten in Beijing. Revenue from toolmaking alone totaled €540 million in 2010.

The “Toolmaker of the Year” award is an initiative from the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT). This was the eighth annual “Excellence in Production” competition.

- Audi

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AUDI AG is planning to acquire a 49 percent stake in the csi group of companies. The brand with the four rings will use the acquired expertise to create additional capacity for the development of new models.

“The engineers at csi have been a reliable partner to us for more than a decade,” commented Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “Together we have already brought plenty of successful projects onto the road – the R8 being a prime example.”

Steffen Boll, Managing Director and co-founder of csi verwaltungs GmbH, is convinced that Audi and csi will benefit from the deeper relationship. “Take lightweight construction, for example. Our approaches to intelligent composite construction are a good fit – there will be plenty of scope for synergy.”

The core areas of expertise of csi’s workforce of around 250 include interior and body development, as well as lightweight construction based on an innovative mix of materials. Alongside its Development Center in Neckarsulm, csi has operations in Ingolstadt, Sindelfingen, Munich, Winterberg, Wolfsburg, Weissach and Zwickau.

The planned investment in csi is currently being examined by the relevant antitrust authorities.

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