Messing with perfection is a tough trade, but for the world-renowned Audi tuners at MTM, it's another day at the office. Based out of Wettstetten, a suburb of Ingolstadt, and headed by an ex-Audi engineer who took part in the development of the quad-ring's turbo'd five-cylinder engines of the '80s, MTM has a hard-earned reputation for being the best in the biz, and they're not letting that rep subside.

Their newest creation is tasked with pushing the performance envelope of Audi's most hardcore grocery-getter, the RS4. By strapping a liquid-to-air intercooled, Lysolm-type supercharger onto the 4.2-liter V8, the MTM RS4 Clubsport can surge to sixty in under four seconds. How's that possible? A strict diet and a motor able to produce 535 HP and 428 ft.-lb. of torque – all on the stock internals.

Naturally, power is only part of the equation, as the RS4 Clubsport hits up WeightWatchers to drop 350 pounds off the car's curb weight, even with the addition of safety equipment and larger brakes. Other necessary mods include a revised suspension and the awkward carbon fiber power bulge that makes room for the supercharger beneath the hood.

Oh, and since the RS4 and the R8 share the same engine, the supercharger development on the 4.2-liter V8 is serving as a test bed for a 500+ HP R8. When that comes out, we hope that we can live vicariously through AudiWorld again.

audi pre-test video!!!!

Компании приступили к проектированию новой модели R4 и нового поколения Boxster/Cayman.

У марки Audi большие планы на ближайшие годы: компания намерена выпустить на рынок суперкупе R10, новый R8 (а также версию "родстер"), новую модель R6 и, наконец, новый двухместный автомобиль R4 со срединнорасположенным мотором.

R4 должен появиться в 2011 году, причем в двух вариантах - как купе и как родстер. Автомобиль получит задний привод и шестицилиндровый двигатель. Издание Car Magazine сообщает также, что новинка будет комплектоваться турбированным 5-цилиндровым мотором объемом 2.5 л с концепта TT Clubsport Concept. Мощность этого двигателя достигает 350 л.с.

В это же время Porsche будет заниматься разработкой нового поколения модели Boxster/Cayman, которое также будет иметь привод на заднюю ось, но по сравнению с R4 купе будет значительно легче, благодаря алюминиевому кузову, и динамичнее.

Putting aside its lofty competition for a moment, the 2008 S6 has a lot going for it -- specifically, the 435-horsepower, 5.2-liter V10 engine that's based on the V10 found in the Audi-owned Lamborghini Gallardo exotic sports car. Despite having less power, the S6 version features a fuller power band that's more befitting a luxury sport sedan. Further enhancements over a regular A6 include significant suspension tuning, larger wheels and brakes, unique styling elements and aggressively bolstered front seats.

The rest of the S6 is typical Audi. The only transmission is a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, while its ubiquitous Quattro all-wheel-drive system should appeal to those who want maximum performance and maximum bad-weather traction. Inside, the cabin is constructed with the same impeccable panache and quality that sets the regular A6 apart in its class. All together, the 2008 S6 is a package that offers a lot of goods for a price that's at least $11,000 less than its two German rivals.

However, the question therefore arises, how important is value for shoppers of high-performance sedans? If one can afford an S6, are the extra thousands needed to buy an M5 or E63 AMG that prohibitive? We'll leave those answers to your checkbook, but price aside, the S6 simply does not measure up with the BMW or Benz. Both out-accelerate the S6 by a second or more in the 0-60-mph sprint and the quarter-mile. Both are far more at home on twisty roads than the Audi, which is pudgier and more nose-heavy, lacking the light-on-its-feet feel of the other two. Plus, its stiff ride makes it less comfortable than its hard-core competitors. It's far from a clock-tower-dwelling hunchback, but to the 2008 Audi S6, scale is still a real bugger.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2008 Audi S6 is a high-performance version of Audi's A6 midsize luxury sedan that comes in one loaded trim level. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels with performance tires, a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, adaptive bi-xenon headlights, a sunroof, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front sport seats with driver-side memory, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) system and a Bose surround-sound system with satellite radio and a six-CD changer in the glovebox.

Optional equipment includes the Technology Package that contains a navigation system, voice recognition, keyless ignition and rearview camera with parking sensors. The Warm Weather Package includes power rear and manual side window sun shades, and a solar sunroof that uses solar energy to power a ventilation system that cools the interior. Stand-alone extras include adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats, iPod integration and a no-cost option for less aggressively bolstered front seats.

Powertrains and Performance
The 2008 Audi S6 is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 that produces 435 hp and 398 pound-feet of torque. It sends that power to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission that includes Tiptronic automanual shift paddles behind the steering wheel. In performance testing, we clocked the S6 going from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a quarter-mile run of 14 seconds. Fuel economy is 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2008 Audi S6 includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, all-wheel drive, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Optional safety equipment includes rear-seat side airbags, a rearview camera and Audi's Lane Assist lane departure system. In crash testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Audi A6 (on which the S6 is based) scored the highest possible rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Interior Design and Special Features
Trimmed in leather, aluminum and birch wood accents, the S6's cabin upholds Audi's reputation as a builder of some of the finest automobile interiors. The S6's front sport seats are heavily bolstered to provide support during aggressive driving on a twisty road. The MMI control interface allows the driver and front passenger to operate entertainment, climate, communications and navigation functions. There's a steep learning curve involved, but the system is notably more intuitive than BMW's reviled iDrive. A split/folding rear seat with a pass-through provides additional cargo capacity should the trunk's 15.9 cubic feet not be enough.

Driving Impressions
Weighing nearly 4,500 pounds, the 2008 Audi S6 is no lightweight, and this is most noticeable when attacking a twisty road. Although steering is crisp, body roll is well controlled and handling is confidence-inspiring, the S6 just doesn't have the nimble feel of its lighter rivals. Around town, the sport suspension calibration gives a stiff-legged ride, quite out of character for an Audi and again not equal to the more forgiving yet still very capable setups of the M5 and E63 AMG.

Price: $72,350
Engine: 5.2L V10




მაგადიაააააა!!!!

Like George and Weezy, Audi's entry-level A4 has been moving on up ever since its arrival more than 10 years ago. Back in the 1990s, this entry-luxury compact was big on value thanks to its low $20Ks base price, but today a bare-bones A4 hits the register at more than 28 large before even the most basic options are selected. Thankfully, there's a more affordable way to get in on the Audi ownership experience: the 2008 Audi A3 compact hatchback wagon.

Slightly smaller than its pricier sibling, the A3 is now Audi's least expensive car. Although it has been on sale in Europe since 1996, U.S. buyers didn't get a crack at it until the second-generation A3 arrived here for the 2006 model year. This delay has been attributed to Americans' general dislike for hatchbacks and wagons, but with gas prices and environmental awareness rising (not to mention the A4's price), Audi gambled that its versatile luxury hatchback could win a few converts.

As such, the 2008 Audi A3 is a bit of an enigma. In terms of body style and base price, one could cross-shop it against performance hatchbacks and wagons like the Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 or Subaru WRX. At the same time, the A3's Audi badge puts it into consideration with other entry-level luxury cars, and only the Volvo V50 and Saab 9-3 SportCombi come close to being direct competitors.

Therefore, the A3 should be considered an alternative to both segments, but realistically, only those luxury buyers who can live with its highly compact hatchback layout will find it truly appealing. If you're one of those people, and you can steer clear of the A3's pricey options list, the base A3 2.0T is a pretty good bargain considering its lively performance and handling and high-quality interior. The 3.2 Quattro is a different matter, as its additional standard feature content causes it to start 8 grand north of the 2.0T. In that price territory, we can think of a lot of other entry-level cars -- BMW 328i, Infiniti G35 or Audi's own A4 2.0T -- that would be more satisfying to own.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2008 Audi A3 is a four-door hatchback/wagon offered in two trim levels: 2.0T and 3.2 Quattro. The numbers refer to each trim's engine displacement, while Quattro is the name of Audi's all-wheel-drive system.

Standard features on the 2.0T include 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, one-touch power windows, a trip computer and a 10-speaker audio system. There are a number of packages and stand-alone options available as well. The "S line" Package provides a sport-tuned suspension, foglamps, sport seats with leather upholstery, aluminum interior trim, unique front and rear fascias and a roof spoiler. The Premium Package also includes some of the S line's items like leather upholstery and foglamps, but adds a 12-way power driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers and HomeLink.

The 3.2 Quattro includes almost all of the equipment from the S line and Premium Packages as standard. Satellite radio is also included. Options on both trim levels include bi-xenon headlamps, a dual-pane sunroof, a navigation system, a manual rear sunshade, Bluetooth connectivity, iPod integration and a cold weather package that includes heated seats, windshield washer nozzles and exterior mirrors.

Powertrains and Performance
The front-wheel-drive A3 2.0T is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Blessed with a usefully broad power band, it propels this A3 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds. The 2.0T's standard transmission is a six-speed manual, and Audi's S tronic (formerly "DSG") sequential-shift automated gearbox is optional. With its rev-matching downshifts and lightning-quick gearchanges, the DSG is one of the best F1-style gearboxes currently available, and it offers all the convenience of a regular automatic transmission. Fuel economy is pretty good with this engine as well; the 2.0T with S tronic gets 22 city/29 highway mpg for 2008.

The A3 3.2 Quattro features a 3.2-liter 250-hp V6 that comes paired to the S tronic transmission. Although the 3.2 Quattro's standard all-wheel drive will be an asset for those who face slippery driving conditions, the heavier weight of this A3 means not much is gained in performance; the sprint to 60 mph takes 6.8 seconds. The A3 3.2 Quattro gets 18 city/25 highway mpg for 2008.

Safety
A wealth of safety technologies is standard on the A3, including front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes and stability control. Seat-mounted side airbags for rear passengers are optional. In crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2008 Audi A3 earned ratings of "Good" (the highest possible) in both the frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Interior Design and Special Features
Like all Audis, the A3 features a well-crafted cabin with superior build quality and solid materials, though the furnishings aren't quite as nice as those of the more expensive A4. Styling is classically German, with straightforward buttons and controls -- a simplicity some may find preferable to the more complicated, expensive Audis. The excellent steering wheel with its built-in S tronic shift paddles fits the driver's hands perfectly, as does the leather-topped shift knob. The interior's total volume is actually equal to that of the first-generation Audi A4 wagon, and with a maximum cargo capacity of 56 cubic feet, is just 3 cubes shy of the current A4 Avant. Still, most will find the backseat short on legroom.

Driving Impressions
Whether you choose the 2.0T or 3.2 Quattro, brisk performance is at hand for passing and merging maneuvers. When the curves come up, the 2008 Audi A3's electromechanical steering does a superb job of quelling vibrations and kickback without marring feedback. In typical Audi fashion, the ride is comfortably firm and the A3's handling is just as sporty as its larger siblings'. The junior Audi's well-tuned suspension keeps the car buttoned down in the turns, even as midcorner pavement imperfections try to knock it off line.

ახლა კი ამასა გახედეთ!! თქვენს წინაშეა მონსტრი!!! აუ რა გიჟია! ჯერ არ არის გამოსული მაგრამ ყველას ჩაიხევს თავის კლასში!!! მაგარიაააა!!!!

The Audi S5’s 4.2 liter V8 engine that produces 354 horsepower is more than adequate to lead the coupe segment with BMW’s 335i coupe and Infiniti’s G37 following behind. But what does Audi have planned to rival the new 2008 BMW M3 coupe? Most would jump to the conclusion that the next Audi RS 4 with a rumored 450 horsepower engine would be the perfect competitor.

However, the RS 4 is a sedan and will be a great competitor for the M3 Sedan rather than the M3 Coupe. The answer to the 2008 BMW M3 Coupe will be Audi’s upcoming RS 5, which is expected to hit the market later next year.

While no official details have been confirmed it is rumored that Audi will most likely fit the RS 5 with the same 420 horsepower V8 engine from the RS 4 modified to 460 horsepower. Even better, Road&Track sources are saying that Audi may even look to fellow Lamborghini for the 5.2 liter V10 engine that produces 500 horsepower in the Gallardo. That should definitely leave the M3 in the dust.

Whatever the case, Audi will fit the RS 5 with Quattro all-wheel-drive third generation and most likely offer big arse Brembo brakes. The body will take on a much more aggressive look than the S5 along with a sportier interior.

We expect some word on the Audi RS 5 at the Geneva Motor Show, but wouldn’t be surprised if it’s pushed back until Frankfurt in September next year.

მაგარია იმენნა! ნერწყვები მომადგა!!!

ლემანსის აუდისთვის ყველაფერს მივცემდი

MTAVARIA GHIRSEBA! DA SXVA YVELAFERI DANARCHENIA !