Audi (Page 17)

The new and improved 2013 Audi A6 All-Road Quattro wears a business suit and Wellies

Among the new Audi models unveiled at this week’s 2012 Geneva Motor Show was the 2013 RS4 Avant, the newest high end sport wagon to sport the 4 rings but like most other RS-models from Audi – the new RS4 Avant likely won’t be showing up in US dealerships.

The lightweight, efficient Audi A3 debuted its third generation at the Geneva Auto Show this week, boasting a 1.6-liter diesel engine getting a remarkable 61.9 mpg while emitting an enviable 5.6 ounces of CO2 per mile.

Among the big debuts at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show is the new 2012 Audi TT RS Plus, which improves performance and fuel economy by cutting some weight off of the current production TT RS.

The Audi A3 e-tron is the company's latest electric car design, and a pilot project for the the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Denver markets is being launched at the TED conference this week.

The beautifully bodacious, drop dead gorgeous, hand-built Audi R8 GT Spyder limited edition will be restricted to only 333 cars worldwide – individually numbered on the gearshift knob – with only 50 coming to the U.S. at the staggering price of $210,000, excluding a $1,220 destination and delivery charge plus applicable taxes and license plate fees.

The fastest-selling 2012 vehicle, based on days on the lot before they sell, is, of all things, a station wagon, according to a report posted by TrueCar.com on its blog.

London's Limo Broker has just posted a YouTube video revealing the Audi R8 Limo Project, one of the most hush-hush developments in the limousine world, involving the conversion of one or more AUDI R8s into extremely luxurious stretch limousines destined to be the trademark icon of the upscale transportation service.

Last year I spent considerable time at the Audi R8 coupe, but this R8 GT Spyder has the power to bring out the roadster loving DNA in any driver; not to mention the beautiful model who adorned its presence in the photo and video.

Audi is unveiling the Q3 Vail, a ski-themed luxury compact SUV aimed for the winter sports-loving crowd. The car's title comes from the Colorado Ski resort just west of Denver which is world-renowned for its slopes and lifestyle. Less known are its long traffic jams and winter-slick roads in stop-and go weekend weather. If you've got to wait in that after-ski traffic, you may as well do it in luxury.

Volkswagen (VW) has finished off 2011 with impressive sales numbers. The VW Group delivered more than 5.1 million vehicles around the world, showing strong growth in emerging markets.

The 2011 sales numbers are in and it seems as if Infiniti is poised to follow Lincoln's path to irrelevance in the marketplace. The problem may be that Nissan is making its own cars and trucks too damn well to justify buying an upscale Infiniti.

The Boston Globe is out with its list of the Top Drives for 2012 and it's a surprising collection of luxury vehicles, hard working pickups and sport utility vehicles and a brand (Kia) that just two years ago would probably be on no publication's top drives list.

WardsAuto is out with its Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2012 and it's a great list with diverse technology that points the way to how engines are evolving in the American marketplace but it's good to see good old American grunt like that offered in the Ford Mustang Boss 302 isn't overlooked.

The Audi A6 and A7 have been designated among the 10 best cars under $80,000 in Car and Drivers’ 30th Annual 10Best Awards. The two models were selected on the basis of their superior design and technology. The 2012 Audi A8L and R8 also received Favorites recognition for cars over the price limit.

Audi has already beaten their standing sales record for the U.S. set at 101,629 models sold last year. With 10 consecutive year-to-year monthly increases (and an 11th looming for November) Audi has already moved 102,055 vehicles as of the Thanksgiving weekend with over a month to go for 2011 sales.

Audi, which is planning to debut its Audi A1 Sportback at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show on November 30, said it will provide a live streaming of the debut for those fans and customers not currently at the motor show.

Audi has just started testing of its prototype electric car, the A1 e-tron. This premium subcompact electric car achieves an estimated 148mpg.

If early indicators are any clue, the 2012 Audi A7 is on track to be the North American Car of the Year with its latest designations as car of the year by Automobile Magazine and the Motor Press Guild, the largest automotive press association in the United States.

The Audi A7 and the Audi Q7 won the corresponding categories during the 2012 Active Lifestyle of the Year Awards, which is the only ceremony of its kind in the U.S. combining the evaluations of automotive journalists with elite athletes.