Audi SQ5 3.0 TFSI Review

The new Audi SQ5 is powered by a free-revving, supercharged, three-liter V6 engine with a displacement of 2,995 cc. Its compressor sits in the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks and is belt-driven by the crankshaft. Two rotors inside the supercharger spin at over 20,000 rpm. The air gap between them is just a few thousandths of a millimeter. The supercharger compresses the intake air to as much as 0.8 bar; two intercoolers then cool it for greater power.

The 3.0 TFSI engine produces 260 kW (354 hp) between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 470 Nm (346.65 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes just 5.3 seconds – best in its class. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The Audi SQ5 consumes on average 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km in the NEDC (21 US mpg). This equates to CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometer (320.26 g/m) in the NEDC.

The chassis of the Audi SQ5 lowers the body 30 millimeters (1.18 in). The springs and shock absorbers are more tautly tuned for a sporty and balanced setup. The 20-inch wheels are fitted with 255/45-series tires; 21-inch wheels are available. The brake calipers on the front axle sport the SQ5 badge. The electromechanical steering not only plays a major role in the efficiency of the Audi SQ5, it also provides very precise road feel. Audi also offers the optional dynamic steering with a steplessly variable ratio. Control of it is integrated in the optional Audi drive select system, which allows the driver to switch among several modes in various systems.

The Audi SQ5 is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in the third quarter of 2013.

Photo Credit: © Audi

Audi RS 6 Avant Review

aIn the new Audi RS 6 Avant, the twin-turbo V8 delivers confidence-inspiring power in every driving situation from its displacement of 3,993 cc. Peak output of 412 kW (560 hp) is reached between 5,700 and 6,700 rpm, with a constant 700 Nm (516.29 lb-ft) of torque available between 1,750 and 5,500 rpm.

The powerful twin-turbo V8 accelerates the new Audi RS 6 Avant from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in a best-in-segment 3.9 seconds. In the standard configuration, top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This is increased to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) with the optional Dynamic package. With the Dynamic plus package, Audi reigns in the engine only upon reaching 305 km/h (189.52 mph). According to the European driving cycle, the high-performance Avant consumes on average just 9.8 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.00 US mpg). Among the factors contributing to this figure are the new, standard start-stop system and innovative thermal management. Fuel consumption has been reduced by roughly 40 percent compared to the previous model.

The new RS 6 Avant is the first RS model from Audi to come standard with a specifically tuned air suspension. The dynamic setup of the RS 6 adaptive air suspension lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.79 in).

The new Audi RS 6 Avant comes standard with high-gloss, 20-inch, forged wheels in a seven twin-spoke design. Optional 21-inch cast wheels are available in three versions: high-gloss silver, polished black and polished titanium-look.

Photo Credit: © Audi

Audi A3 Sportback S-Line Review

The body of the new Audi A3 Sportback is long and lean. While the length (4,310 millimeters [14.14 ft]), width (1,780 millimeters [5.84 ft]) and height (1,425 millimeters [4.68 ft]) of the new model are only slightly greater than on the previous model, the wheelbase is now significantly longer at 2,636 millimeters (8.65 ft), an increase of 58 millimeters (2.28 in).

The engines of the new Audi A3 Sportback have shed a significant amount of weight as well. The engines of the new A3 have shed a lot of weight as well. The 1.8 TFSI, for example, weighs just a little over 130 kilograms (286.60 lb), while the 1.4 TFSI weighs in at just 107 kilograms (235.89 lb) – 21 kilograms (46.30 lb) less than the previous engine. With a weight difference of 15 kilograms (33.07 lb), the aluminum crankcase accounts for the largest share of reductions, but progress has also been made in many small engine details – e.g. in the new aluminum pistons and the hollow-bored connecting rod pins.

In the 1.8 TFSI, the thin-wall technology of the crankcase reduces weight by 2.4 kilograms (5.29 lb). In the 2.0 TDI, the balance shafts are mounted in the engine block, which accounts for three kilograms (6.61 lb) of savings, while modified sound dampers in the exhaust system save an additional two kilograms (4.41 lb). Weight was trimmed from the exhaust system in all engine versions.

In the chassis, the new one-piece aluminum subframe and aluminum pivot bearings (depending on the engine) reduced the weight of the front suspension system by about six kilograms (13.23 lb). The optional 18-inch alloy wheels are no heavier than the 17-inch wheels; they are produced by a complex flow-forming technology. In this process, the rim well is rolled out over a cylinder under high pressure and at high temperature. The system shapes the wheel blank in a single work step, during which the material also becomes stronger. This permits thinner wall thicknesses so that the wheel is both lighter and stronger.

Audi is initially offering the new A3 Sportback with a choice of two TDI and two TFSI engines, all of which are new developments. Their engine displacements range from 1.4 to 2.0 liters and their power from 77 kW (105 hp) to 132 kW (180 hp). Additional diesel and gasoline engines will follow somewhat later, as will the TCNG engine, which can be operated on Audi e-gas or natural gas. The bivalent TCNG engine can be operated on gasoline, natural gas or Audi e-gas. All of the engines follow the Audi engine philosophy of downsizing, in which displacement is replaced by forced induction for strong performance and low fuel consumption. Fuel consumption has been reduced on average by around nine percent compared with the previous model.

At market launch of the new A3 Sportback, Audi is pairing the 1.4 TFSI and the 2.0 TDI with a manual six-speed transmission. It shifts easily and precisely over short paths and is distinguished by high efficiency. As in all Audi transmissions, the gear spread is large – the lower gears have relatively short gear ratios, while the last gear is comparatively long to reduce engine revs. The S tronic is available as an option with all engines. Depending on the version, the dual-clutch transmissions shifts extremely quickly and nearly imperceptibly through six or seven gears.

The new Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI comes standard with a seven-speed S tronic; it unites the comfort of a classic automatic with the dynamic performance and efficiency of a manual transmission. The driver can operate the S tronic via the selector lever or with the optional paddles on the steering wheel. Shift points are somewhat higher in the automatic S mode, whereas D mode prioritizes taller gear ratios. When combined with the Audi drive select dynamics system (standard in Ambition), the S tronic includes a free-wheeling function in efficiency mode that further reduces fuel consumption.

The new Audi A3 Sportback will begin appearing in German dealerships in February 2013, with prices starting at €23,400. The 1.2 TFSI will be available somewhat later for a base price of €22,500.

Photo Credit: © Audi

Senner Tuning Audi S5 Convertible Review

One of the most elegant and sportive convertibles that the vehicle market has to offer at the present moment is no doubt, the Audi S5 Convertible. The company Senner Tuning from Ingelheim that has long specialized in the refinement of the Audi A5 construction series has now set itself the task of reworking the current S5 Convertible once again.

In contrast to the bright car color (glacier white metallic), Senner Tuning has refined the exterior of the car with numerous black elements. In addition to the RS5 radiator grill, the ornamental fog lamp covers and the Audi rings on the front and rear, the rear apron insert and the “super-charged” mud guard emblems in black also stand out in glamor.

Moreover, the adequate Work VS-XX rims measuring 9×20 and 10.5×20 inches with matt black rim stars and anodized external beds are kept rolling in the wheel housings. The high-grade three-piece parts were covered with flat Continental Sport Contact 5P rubbers of the dimensions 255/30R20 and 295/25R20. Thanks to the adjustable rebound and compression damping, the Bilstein B16 coilover kit allows for an individual setup.

In contrast to its TSFI siblings, the 3.0-liter V6 of the current Audi S5 is not subjected to pressure by one or more exhaust gas turbo chargers but rather “forced to breathe” by one mechanically-driven super charger. Senner Tuning boosted the performance of the serial 333 compressor engine that is concealed beneath the two-part carbon cover to a lofty 435 Horse Power, and the maximum torque grew from 440 to the present 501 Nm on a parallel basis. Moreover, a power converter sharpens the characteristic line of the electronic gas pedal and thus generates an even more aggressive throttle response while an elevation of the Vmax limitation guarantees the S5 a free run even beyond 250 km/h. To endow the newfound performance boost with stronger acoustic presence, Senner Tuning installed a 4-pipe sports exhaust system with valve control. It has such a cleverly-devised control system that allows for a regulation of the exhaust sound in its sound intensity and tone quality: it can be switched between travel, sports and race mode while driving using a remote control device. This newly developed system shows the active mode even on the display of the car radio and can – with the necessary upgrade – even output performance data, G-forces and lap times using the in-built GPS module via Bluetooth.

Photo Credit: © Senner Tuning