A Photo Tour of the VW Group’s 2011 Wörthersee Festival with 150 Images

For the past thirty year, tens of thousands of enthusiasts of Volkswagen Group cars assemble on the shores of Lake Worthersee in Austria to participate in the largest festival of its kind in the world. Over the years, Volkswagen and the other brands of the German group including Audi, Seat and Skoda, have used the show to unveil special concepts, new models and studies that hint at future production versions or accessories.

At this year’s event (June 1 to 4, 2011), the VW Group prepared several vehicles for the festival including the production VW Golf GTI 35 Edition with 235HP, the VW Golf Cabriolet GTI and R concepts, the wild 503HP Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro study, and the Skoda Fabia RS 2000 Convertible prototype. As you may have noticed, the company didn’t show much love for its Seat brand which was left to display its current lineup.

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2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder

Audi has unveiled the R8 GT Spyder.

Sprinting from 0-62mph in a Lambo-beating 3.8sec before hitting a 197mph top speed, the R8 GT Spyder has had 85kg stripped from the R8 Spyder’s aluminium frame thanks to carbon-fibre skin and seats. The mid-engined supercar weighs 1640kg, thumps out 552bhp and 398lb ft from its 5.2-litre, direct-injection V10 engine and is based around an aluminium space-frame chassis weighing just 214kg.

Setting the car apart from its standard sibling is an updated aerodynamics package aimed at increasing high-speed downforce. Included is a dual-lip front splitter, a redesigned diffuser element, round chrome exhaust pipes and darkened taillight lenses.

An electrically operated fabric roof opens in 20 seconds and at speeds up to 30 mph, stowing behind the cabin underneath a carbon-fiber cover. A deep well beneath the hood at the front provides space for luggage.

Just 333 units will be made with European pricing set at 207,800 Euro. No U.S. pricing has been released, but with the coupe set at $198,000 look for a number just shy of $210,000.





Press Release

Aggressive power and Audi ultra - the Audi R8 GT Spyder

• Open limited-production, top-of-the-line version of the high-performance sports car

• 85 kilograms lighter, body parts in carbon

• V10 FSI with 412 kW (560 hp), 0 - 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds

Even lighter, even more powerful, even more captivating: The Audi R8 GT Spyder delivers breathtaking performance. The open-top flagship version of the high-performance sports car develops 412 kW (560 hp) and - thanks to Audi ultra - has trimmed a full 85 kilograms (187.39 lb) from an already low weight. The R8 GT Spyder accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 317 km/h (196.97 mph).

One year ago, Audi unveiled the R8 GT in coupe form as the new flagship model of the R8 model line. It wasn't long before all 333 units in the limited series were sold out. Now the open-top version of the high-performance sports car is being launched, with production again capped at 333 units. Each car sports a tag with its individual number on the gear lever knob.

The Audi ultra lightweight technology is the key to the R8 GT Spyder's weight of just 1,640 kilograms (3,615.58 lb). That's 85 kilograms (187.39 lb) less than its technical basis, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro. The Audi Space Frame (ASF) body, consisting of cast nodes, extruded sections and aluminum panels, accounts for just 214 kilograms (471.79 lb) of the total weight. The body is assembled predominantly by hand in the R8 workshop at the Neckarsulm plant. Final assembly of the car takes place in the same way.

The engine frame is made of ultra-light magnesium; the long cover over the soft-top compartment and the large side panels at the rear are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). CFRP is also used for the modified front spoiler, the fixed rear spoiler and the new rear bumper. Together, these components provide a weight saving of 5.5 kilograms (12.13 lb).

Visual modifications accentuate the styling of the R8 GT Spyder. These include add-on parts in contrasting titanium gray, a front splitter with a dual lip, flics at the sides of the front bumper, red GT badges, round exhaust tailpipes, an enlarged diffuser and dark LED tail lights in a clear-glass design. Audi offers an optional windshield frame in matt CFRP.

Audi engineers also trimmed weight from the technical components in the area of the transmission, wheels and brakes. In the interior, the bucket seats alone, with their chassis of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), saved 31.5 kilograms (69.45 lb) of weight.

In classic Audi fashion, the R8 GT Spyder features a lightweight fabric soft top that is extremely quiet and fully suitable for highway cruising. Its electrohydraulic drive brings it up or down in 19 seconds, even at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). The extendible glass rear window is nestled in the bulkhead, separate from the soft top. Integrated in the bulkhead is a rollover protection system comprising two pretensioned plates.

Prodigious power: the drivetrain
The performance offered by the new top-of-the-line model in the R8 family is formidable. The 5.2-liter V10 with an aluminum crankcase draws its fuel from an FSI direct injection system. Dry-sump lubrication ensures a reliable supply of oil even under maximum lateral or straight-line acceleration.

With its modified electronic management, the long-stroke engine produces 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm, and its peak output is 412 kW (560 hp). Each unit of horsepower has only 2.93 kilograms (6.46 lb) to move.

The R8 GT Spyder catapults from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 317 km/h (196.97 mph). In every situation, the engine impresses with its thrust and bite - and that unmistakable sound of an Audi ten-cylinder.

The R8 GT Spyder comes standard with an automated six-speed R tronic transmission with two fully automatic modes. In the additional manual mode, the driver can shift gears using the paddles on the steering wheel or by flicking the joystick. At high load and revs, gear changes take only one-tenth of a second. The launch control program manages the starting sprint with high engine speed and precision-control of the tire slip.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive has a strong rear-wheel bias, granted by the axle load distribution. If the situation calls for it, the system sends additional torque to the front axle. In tandem with the limited slip differential at the rear, it provides an added measure of traction, stability and cornering speed, giving it a strong lead over the rear-wheel-drive competition.

The suspension, too, is unrivaled in its performance. Aluminum double wishbones locate the wheels, and the rack-and-pinion power steering provides intimate contact with the road. Taut tuning lowers the body by approximately 10 millimeters (0.39 in). The open high-performance sports car has 19-inch wheels, with 235/35 tires up front and 295/30 tires at the rear. The large, lightweight carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs decelerate the car with supreme ease. The ESP stabilization program has a sport mode and can also be deactivated entirely.

Pure comfort: the interior and equipment
Great attention to detail is evident in the materials and workmanship inside the car. The salient aspect of the controls is their logically structured design. The open two-seater offers a roomy interior, and its front end can accommodate up to 100 liters (3.53 cu. ft) of cargo. The rear bulkhead houses three storage compartments.

The interior is black and can be adorned with stitching in a choice of titanium gray or crimson for added refinement. Alcantara upholstery comes standard - on the sport steering wheel and windshield frame, too.

Audi also offers leather in Fine Nappa quality. Numerous details - including white dials and R8 GT logos - provide classy accents. The distinctive R8 "monoposto," a large arch encircling the driver's cockpit, is made of matt CFRP.

Audi ultra requires no sacrifice on the part of R8 GT Spyder owners. The standard equipment includes LED headlights, LED tail lights, an automatic air conditioning system, the navigation system plus, an alarm system and the driver information system with a built-in laptimer.

Audi also offers a sophisticated sound system from Bang & Olufsen and a Bluetooth interface including a seatbelt microphone for carrying on a phone conversation conveniently. Options specific to the R8 GT include bucket seats with a carbon-fiber composite chassis, matt CFRP applications and embroidered logos on the seat upholstery.

The R8 GT Spyder will have a base price in Germany of 207,800 euros.

Audi Drops the Top on Extreme R8 GT Spyder with 560HP V10

Audi continues to expand its vehicle range filling every possible niche in the market. After the recent debut of the A6 Avant, today, the Ingolstadt-based automaker revealed the convertible version of its hardcore R8 GT coupe, which was launched as a limited edition model in 2010 with only 333 cars being produced. The new R8 GT Spyder follows the same recipe featuring a more powerful V10 engine and a lighter body.

Power comes from an updated version of the standard car’s 5.2-liter V10 engine with a modified ECU that helps lift output from 525HP and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) to 560HP and 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. An R tronic sequential manual transmission and Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a strong rear-wheel bias completes the setup.

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Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Convertible Tuned to 260HP by Sport-Wheels

Even if it has been out of production for some years, the Audi A4 Convertible continues to command the attention of the tuning industry. Sport-Wheels, one of the lesser-known tuning companies in Germany, has presented a new take on the soft-top model with a package for the 2.0-liter TFSI version comprising both mechanical and cosmetic updates. Read more »

Did Audi Import Its New A6 Avant Commercial from Detroit? Chrysler Thinks So

It’s not uncommon these days for certain companies to reproduce (or at least try to) the styling and/or the available technology features of Germany’s finest carmakers but this time we have a story that turns the tables the other way around. In mid-May, Audi aired a new commercial for the just launched A6 Avant in its home market. The ad shows the executive station wagon model cruising through streets of a German city as a version of Eminem's "Lose Yourself" song plays in the background.

If you watch the commercial in the video after the jump and it reminds you of Chrysler’s “Imported from Detroit” ad for the new 200 sedan from this year's Super Bowl event, rest assured you are not alone.

"It is absolutely shocking," said Joel Martin, manager of Eight Mile Style, the company that handles the song licensing for Eminem. "We believe Audi not only used 'Lose Yourself' to sell their product without permission, but their spot actually feels inspired by elements of Chrysler's commercial campaign,” Martin added.

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STaSIS Engineering Gives the Audi S5 Cabriolet a Power Boost

North American aftermarket specialist STaSIS Engineering has released a new performance package for the Audi S5 Cabriolet in the UK. The STaSIS Engineering S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition features an upgrade kit that includes an engine tune, Ohlins performance suspension, monobloc brake calipers and a limited-slip differential. Read more »

STaSIS Audi S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition

The North American performance specialists from STaSIS present their latest upgrade program for the Audi S5 Cabriolet, called the Challenge Edition,

Dubbed the Challenge Edition, the model features a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that has been equipped with a revised ECU and a stainless steel sport exhaust system.

The vehicle now deals with the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.3 seconds ( an improvement of 0.7 seconds). As for the handling, this should match the straight line performance, as the tuner installed a set of adjustable shock absorbers and also upgraded the brakes, using Alcon six-piston monobloc calipers, high performance pads and stainless steel brake lines.

A 'road-gripping' differential was also fitted, plus the car now rides on 20 inch ultra lightweight forged aluminium wheels wrapped in high performance low profile tires. As a result lateral acceleration has dropped from 1.00 G to 0.86 G while brake deceleration dropped from 1.00 G to 0.89 G.




Press Release

GET THE ULTIMATE FRESH AIR DRIVE WITH THE 410 BHP STASIS S5 CABRIOLET CHALLENGE EDITION

North American performance powerhouse STaSIS Engineering has unveiled the ultimate version of the Audi S5 Cabriolet - the 410 bhp Challenge Edition - which is now available for British customers for the first time.

Designed to unleash the car's competitive instincts, the STaSIS Engineering S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition adds race developed technology to Audi's luxury convertible. Power and torque gains, an upgraded exhaust, performance-stretching Ohlins suspension, the brilliant feel of monobloc brake calipers, plus the added agility and sure-footedness of a road-gripping differential give you the ultimate in race-bred performance. From concept to production each new STaSIS component is rigorously tested to ensure maximum performance and factory levels of reliability.

The Challenge Edition delivers the no-compromise philosophy underpinning the STaSIS brand - a unique blend of cohesive powertrain, chassis and braking upgrades, that raise the performance of the 2010 onwards 3.0-litre supercharged Audi S5 Cabriolet to a higher plane. Indeed, there are few faster cabriolets on the road, certainly not with four seats.

Available now through award-winning VAG specialist and UK STaSIS distributor APS of Brackley, as well as STaSIS agents across Britain, the key technical features of the sensational STaSIS S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition are as follows:-

• Engine - ECU remap to 410 bhp (up from a factory 333 bhp)
• Exhaust - Quad outlet T304 stainless steel with laser engraved tips and tuneable high rpm resonators
• Brakes - Alcon 6-piston monobloc calipers, 370mm front two piece floating discs, high performance pads, braided stainless steel brake lines
• Suspension - Ohlins SL dampers with double digressive damping for ride comfort, increased spring rate for better response and adjustable ride height
• Wheels - 10.5 x 20 inch ultra-lightweight forged aluminium wheels with high performance low profile tyres

The STaSIS S5 Cabriolet Challenge Edition combines a 23% power increase with cohesive handling and braking enhancements to deliver ultra high performance combined with peace of mind and safety.

Everything STaSIS' engineers have learned at the racing circuit has been distilled into an Audi S5 Cabriolet upgrade package that's just as happy around town as it is on the open road, where it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.3 seconds (5.0 stock).

Audi Design Student Creates the Trimaran Hybrid Yacht

Audi's concept design studio in Munich came up with an interesting proposition for a luxury yacht that would wear the four-ring logo. The Trimaran is the project work of Pforzheim Technical College student Stefanie Behringer, who explains the idea behind the study:

“The Audi Trimaran is a new concept which integrates two jet skis in a motorboat. The hull architecture is based on a trimaran, consisting of a main center hull supported by two smaller outrigger hulls. Two jet skis are stored inside pods in the outriggers. The main boat is powered by two lightweight and efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, whereas the jet skis are electrically-driven,” said Behringer.

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Audi Prepares Insane 503HP A1 Clubsport Quattro for Worthersee Fest,

Every year, fans of the Volkswagen Group get together at the Wörthersee festival, held in Reifnitz, Austria, to share their passion about cars. The show is so big that the VW Group’s brands spare no money to develop dedicated one-off models for the event. Audi’s star attraction at this year’s Worthersee Tour (June 1 to 4, 2011), which celebrates its 30th anniversary, is the ludicrous A1 clubsport Quattro.

The one-off show car is a rally-inspired A1 hatch that uses a heavily modified version of the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine found in the TT RS and the RS3 Sportback. The five-pot normally produces 340-horsepower and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), but thanks to the systematic tuning of the turbocharger, intercooler, induction tract and the exhaust, output has been boosted to 503-horsepower and 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque.

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Audi's Allan McNish Explains 24 Hours of Le Mans in Animated Film

Audi will attempt to achieve a new victory next month at the Le Mans endurance race, with last year's victorious trio of veteran drivers (Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello) aiming for a win in the new R18TDI. Audi has won the Le Mans 9 times in the past 11 years, with both petrol and diesel racing cars.

In this eye-catching animated film, driver Allan McNish walks us through some interesting facts related to the famous 24 hours race, the Audi team as well as about him. Entitled “A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver”, the video shows us in an interesting way the difficulties a driver has to overcome during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Roll down after the break to see the race through the eyes of the Scottish driver.

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Lexus Loses Big In the U.S.A.: Outpaced by Two of its German Rivals

It took eleven years for Lexus to earn the title of top dog of the U.S. luxury car market, and roughly the same amount of time for it to lose it. As a result of parent company Toyota’s accelerator pedal recall saga and the fifty percent drop in production capacity caused by the Tōhoku earthquake, old guard automakers BMW and Mercedes-Benz have left the Japanese upstart gasping for air in third place.

According to automotive forecaster IHS, Mercedes-Benz will most probably sell 254,100 cars and SUVs in the States topping BMW’s estimated deliveries of 250,400 units. Lexus is projected to drop to third place with 192,900 sales.

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Audi-fied Fiat Uno Turbo is a Hideous Eyesore

Along with Peugeot’s award winning 205 (remember the Rallye and the GTi?), the Fiat Uno is considered one of the finest superminis to come out of Europe in the 1980s. And the fact that both models remained in the market with small changes for more than a decade is a testament to that. The Uno’s clean and modern lines were the work of Giorgetto Giugiaro's ItalDesign, which has now passed into the hands of the ever-growing Volkswagen Group.

The Uno Turbo with its 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 105HP at launch and 118HP in the refreshed model was the flagship version of the range. And as with any other hot hatch, the Uno Turbo was subjected to numerous modifications, be that in design or performance. That said, we’re accustomed to seeing the Uno Turbo in strange outfits, but what we have here is beyond words…

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SCOOP: Audi’s Über R8 GT Spyder Hits the ‘Ring

There’s a new Audi model coming to town. We’re talking about the 2012 R8 GT Spyder that will make its global premiere at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and which we caught testing in and around the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. Even though Audi recently teased us with a set of renderings, these are some of the first real life photos of the R8 GT Spyder, which is seen here in prototype guise.

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A bit of Abracadabra turns a Seat into an Audi Alhambra

Leaving the revolutionary but with a small footprint A2 from the late 1990s aside, Audi never really delved directly into the minivan market preferring instead the more lucrative premium crossover segment. And this despite the fact that the VW Group has presented several people carriers over the years. However, when there’s a will, there’s a way, as this creation proves.

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It’s Official: Audi Debuts Stylish and Practical 2012 A6 Avant

The all-new 2012 Audi A6 Avant has just made its world premiere during a special happening in Berlin Germany, but not before we got our first taste of the estate model with a set of photos that we showed you earlier today. The latest addition to the new A6 range has grown in size offering improved interior space but without any penalties in weight or fuel efficiency thanks to a new composite construction of the body.

Audi has a knack for designing stylish station wagons with clear lines and details that will delight the aesthetically cultured, and the latest A6 Avant is no exception to this rule. Inside, the estate model features the same materials and dashboard layout as the four-door version adding some bespoke options such as a load-through hatch, a fixing set and a power rear hatch.

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New Audi A6 Avant: First Official Photos Out in the Open

We told you last week that Audi’s next generation A6 Avant would debut today, and now the first official photos have just found their way onto the internet. The presentation of the station wagon version of new A6 Avant is taking place in Berlin, Germany, as we speak, so it should not be long before we get full information and pictures of the car. Read more »

Project Kahn's Lil' R8 is a dressed up Audi TT

Given the huge price difference between Audi’s two core sports coupe models, the mainstream TT and the niche R8, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise that many tuners have tried to offer the first a taste of the latter, both in terms of performance and styling. In the case of Project Kahn’s newest tuning take on the Audi TT, the goal was to flavor the small coupe with some R8 seasoning. Read more »

Audi Challenges BMW, Mercedes and Lexus with new Ad Campaign

Audi of America has launched a new advertising campaign that will most likely generate a similar response from the competition in the premium segment. Under the tagline “Car Carrier”, the two Audi commercials feature a BMW owner that goes nuts when he sees a truck full of brand new automotive metal from Ingolstadt.

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Audi UK Puts a Price Tag on its New Q3 ‘baby’ SUV

The third crossover model of Audi’s Q-series, the new Q3, will carry a base price tag of £24,560 OTR (about US$39,800 / €28,200) when order books open in Britain this June, with first deliveries set to take place in November. Buyers will have a choice of four powerplants, all combining direct fuel injection with turbo charging and all backed up by start-stop and energy recuperation systems, while Audi will also offer a front wheel drive only version. Read more »

All-New 2012 Audi A6 Avant to Debut on May 18

It’s only been five months since Audi pulled the wraps off the four-door saloon version of its fourth generation A6 executive model at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, but the brand with the four rings has already prepared a more practical station wagon body style with the Avant moniker.

Today, Audi announced that it will reveal the spanking new 2012 A6 Avant next week on Wednesday, May 18, during a special event at the Humboldt Box in Berlin, which will also be broadcasted online. Don’t expect any surprises under the hood, with the Avant model gaining the same range of diesel and gasoline engines (depending on the market, of course) with the option of the firm’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.

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