Audi S3 boxes clever with new S tronic transmission option

Acclaimed double-clutch transmission’s rapid fire changes perfectly complement fast-paced 265PS sports hatch.

  • S tronic six-speed twin-clutch transmission available to order at an extra cost of £1,450 from October 1st for S3 and S3 Sportback models
  • S3 three-door including optional S tronic £28,920 OTR, S3 Sportback including optional S tronic £29,420 OTR
  • 265PS @ 6,000rpm, 350Nm from 2,500 – 5,000rpm, 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds (three-door), top speed limited to 155mph, combined mpg 34.0, CO2 193g/km
  • Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping available at extra cost
  • New faster-reacting quattro four-wheel-drive system

From this month the Audi S3 becomes available with a new ‘two pedal’ option courtesy of the much lauded S tronic twin-clutch transmission, which not only quickens shifts compared with the continuing manual version, but also slows down fuel consumption. Available to order from October 1st at an extra cost of £1,450, the super slick transmission takes OTR prices for S3 models to £28,920 for the three-door and £29,420 for the five-door Sportback. UK deliveries are expected to start in mid-December.

Equipped with S tronic, the three-door S3 can touch 62mph from rest in 5.5 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the manual version with which it shares its governed top speed of 155mph. Equally impressively, S tronic actually boosts the S3’s combined fuel economy figure from 33.2mpg to 34mpg – a feat which the majority of conventional torque converter automatic transmissions couldn’t match. As a result, CO2 output in the S3 S tronic falls from 198g/km to 193g/km.

Advanced electro-hydraulic controls and the alternate use of two clutches enable the S tronic gearbox to deliver lightning fast automatic or manual shifts with virtually no interruption of the engine’s power delivery across its six ratios, and to offer changes via steering wheel-mounted shift paddles for the first time in the S3’s nine-year history. The first of the two clutches serves the odd-numbered gears and reverse, and the second the even-numbered gears, so when the S3 is being driven in third gear, for instance, fourth is already pre-selected in anticipation. As soon as the shift command is given, the first clutch is disengaged and the second engaged in just a few hundredths of a second, virtually seamlessly.

Upgraded quattro four-wheel-drive

Also faster reacting in this latest S3 model is the renowned quattro four-wheel-drive system. Its central hydraulic multi-plate clutch now responds even faster when the engine's 265PS and 350Nm need to be redistributed between the front and rear wheels to maximize stability and traction.

Standard equipment for the S3 includes 18-inch parallel 5-spoke ‘S’ design alloy wheels, ‘S’ body styling and interior detailing and ‘S’ sports suspension. Heated and Silk Nappa leather-upholstered sports seats and Xenon Plus head lamps with LED strip daytime running lights are also part of the package.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Audi A1 is crowned best small hatchback in Parkers New Car Awards

The first foray by the Vorsprung durch Technik brand into the subcompact hatchback segment nets another prestigious accolade

  • Audi A1 1.6 TDI SE topped the small hatchback category, based on the calculations of Parkers‘ cost of motoring tool
  • Best Small Hatchback marks the A1’s fourth award of the year

The Audi A1 can now add the Best Small Hatchback Award from leading car buying web site parkers.co.uk to the slew of prestigious accolades it has already earned in 2011.

Parkers’ New Car Awards are judged by the results of the ‘cost of motoring tool’, which visitors to the site can use to calculate the costs of buying and running a new or used car, taking in to account all of the costs such as servicing, showroom tax, fuel consumption and depreciation.

Commenting on the award, Parkers Editor Kieren Puffett explained: 'The Audi A1 1.6 TDI SE brings big premium brand values at a price many car buyers can afford. The A1 is extremely well made and is a car that exudes classy sophistication.

“In terms of delivering ‘bang’ for your buck, the A1 comes with several efficient engines including the very frugal 1.6 TDI. Thanks to its official average fuel consumption of 70mpg and low CO2 emissions, road tax costs just £20 a year. Throw in low insurance costs and competitive servicing prices, and as an overall package, the Audi A1 1.6 TDI SE is the small hatchback that makes the car buyer's cash go the furthest.”

Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK, acknowledged this latest award by saying: “This is already the A1’s fourth award of 2011, and it’s one we’re very proud of. The quality and desirability of the A1 TDI has already been well documented, but the Parkers cost of motoring tool highlights the fact that it’s an attractive ownership proposition on every level - it proves that the figures also stack up in its favour.”

Prices for the A1 start from £13,420 OTR (1.2 TFSI 86PS SE model) and go to £20,705 OTR for the top of the range 1.4 TFSI 185PS.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Sky is the limit for new open-air Audi R8 GT Spyder

New convertible version of most extreme R8 to date offers wind-in-hair access to 560PS and 197mph

  • Limited edition ultra-high performance R8 spawns new soft-top Spyder variant
  • 333 examples to be produced worldwide, 66 in UK specification
  • 85kg lighter than already light R8 V10 Spyder - additional carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) body parts
  • V10 FSI with 560PS, 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, 197mph top speed

The extreme Audi R8 GT quite literally gets its second wind this week as a new open-air Spyder version of the even more focused 560PS super car makes its debut. Distilling the celebrated R8 V10 formula into an even more concentrated form, the more intensively weight optimized GT soft-top will deliver its breathtaking pace and handling poise to just 66 customers in the UK, and a total of 333 worldwide. They will have the opportunity to formally register their interest in right-hand-drive versions of the new 197mph drop-head via Audi Centres or the audi.co.uk web site from today. Ordering will begin later this summer ahead of first customer deliveries in early 2012.

Thanks to Audi ultra lightweight technology, the flagship version of the high-performance open-top sports car has trimmed a full 85 kg from the already low weight of the R8 V10 Spyder, and as a result weighs in at just 1,640kg. This helps it to accelerate from zero to 62mph in 3.8 seconds and to reach a top speed of 197mph.

The Audi Space Frame (ASF) body with its cast nodes, extruded sections and aluminium panels, accounts for just 214 kg of the car’s total weight. It 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; additional elements of the body are made of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). Together, these components provide a weight saving of 5.5 kg.

Visual modifications accentuate the styling of the R8 GT Spyder. These include additional contrasting titanium grey trim elements, 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. An optional windscreen frame in matte CFRP is also available.

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

In classic Audi fashion, the R8 GT Spyder features a lightweight fabric soft top that is extremely quiet even when motorway cruising at higher speeds. Its electrohydraulic drive raises or lowers it in 19 seconds, even at speeds of up to 31mph. The powered retractable glass rear window is nestled in the bulkhead, separate from the soft top. The bulkhead also incorporates a rollover protection system comprising two pre-tensioned 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-litre V10 with an aluminium 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 of torque at 6,500 rpm, and peak power of 560PS. In every situation, the engine impresses with its thrust and bite – and that unmistakable sound of an Audi ten-cylinder.

Gear changes in the R8 GT Spyder are handled by the R tronic sequential manual transmission without exception. Thanks to its electrohydraulic clutch and switching unit it shifts through each of its six gears within one tenth of a second at high load and engine speed, and it can operate in Normal, Sport and ‘manual’ modes.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system has a strong rear-wheel bias which is accentuated 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 high speed traction, stability and composure compared with more conventionally configured sports cars.

The suspension, too, works in favour of absolutely rewarding yet remarkably controllable handling. Aluminium double wishbones locate the wheels, and the rack-and-pinion power steering provides intimate feel and feedback. Taut tuning lowers the body by approximately 10 millimetres onto 19-inch wheels with 235/35 tyres up front and 295/30 tyres at the rear. The large, lightweight carbon-fibre ceramic brake discs decelerate the car with exceptional fade-free efficiency. The Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP) 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 load area can accommodate up to 100 litres of cargo. The rear bulkhead houses three storage compartments.

The interior is finished in black and can be trimmed in a choice of titanium grey or crimson red for added refinement. Alcantara upholstery comes as standard, and also features on the sports steering wheel and inner windscreen rail.

Audi also offers leather in Fine Nappa quality. Numerous details – including white dials and R8 GT logos – emphasize this car’s very special position within the R8 range. The distinctive R8 “monoposto,” a large arch encircling the driver’s cockpit, is made of matte CFRP.

Audi ultra requires no sacrifice on the part of R8 GT Spyder owners. Standard equipment includes LED headlights, LED tail lights, an automatic air conditioning system, DVD-based satellite navigation and the driver information system with a built-in lap timer.

A sophisticated sound system from Bang & Olufsen and a Bluetooth interface including a seatbelt microphone allowing drivers to hold phone conversations on the move are also standard features.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

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