LED on Audi R8 V12

This car from Audi takes the LED technology to full use as its lighting accessories are all LEDs. With the use of this technology, this makes the Audi R8 V12 Super Car is the first commercial vehicle to do so. Expect to see LEDs in every light-from headlights to turn signal lights. LED stands for light-emitting diodes and these are the lights that emit light when the electric current is applied in a forward direction of the device. These kinds of lights are often used as indicator lights for many electrical and electronic devices. But why use LEDs? Well there are a number of reasons why LEDs are adopted but the main reason can be linked to the efficiency of these lights. These LEDs can produce more light per watt and these lights are useful in energy-saving devices. Speaking of energy-saving devices, these LEDs can also reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle.

Filed under: Audi , Audi R8 V12, LED, LEDs

Audi Goes Electric

The time is now for Audi to go ‘electric’. One of Audi’s executives talked in one interview about the possibility of having an electric vehicle, noting that there are tremendous opportunities for electric vehicles. And as a response, Audi is set to present one within the next 5 to 10 years. It is also the target of the manufacturer to offer cars that has no exhaust emissions. The news report was sourced from a German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. Though Audi has just expressed its desire to produce its own electric vehicles, some of its competitors like Mercedes-Benz and BMW are already in the process of designing and manufacturing their own electric vehicles. Right now, these manufacturers are presently involved in the development of lithium-ion batteries. But an Audi executive, Mr. Stadler believes that Audi’s research capacities are larger and better than those of Audi’s contemporaries.

Filed under: Audi , Audi

Audi Q7 Stars in New Movie

Other than the Audi R8, another Audi product that premiered on the Iron Man movie by Robert Downey Jr. is the Audi Q7. This model is a full-size SUV from Audi and placed in between the A6 and the A8. This SUV is based on the Audi Pikes Peak quattro concept car and though this is marketed as an SUV, this vehicle is designed and crafted more for on-road use rather than off-road use. The 2008 Audi Q7 that is available right now in the market is available in two trims; there’s the Audi Q7 4.2 FSI Premium quattro 350 HP tiptronic and the the 3.6 FSI quattro 280 HP tiptronic. Though these two trims may vary in terms of performance, there are some standards that are common on the two trims.

For example, there’s the Advance anti-theft vehicle alarm system. This feature has a theft deterrent light on the vehicle’s door. An immobilizer is present as well that prevents the engine start when the electronic code feature is not used. The Audi adaptive light is present as well. This light presents a dynamic cornering light that can allow the Audi driver to see ahead in the dark by lighting up corners and bends more effectively. Auto dimming and anti-glare action interior mirror is present and there is also the Audi parking system that includes a rear view camera. The camera can catch an angle of up to 130 degrees and uses electronic correction to effectively avoid lens distortion. For those looking for entertainment while cruising the streets, let it be known that the Q7 allows for an iPod integration. A BOSE Surround Sound System with AudioPilot noise compensation feature is provided for as well. When it comes to safety, the SUV features a dual front seat-mounted side thorax airbags with Sideguard Inflatable Curtain Airbags. Though this vehicle is fitted with these, the Q7 only scored four stars out of five in the Euro NCAP crash test. Audi argued that this was caused by a design error and has been fixed on cars that were manufactured after the test. When the Q7 was tested in the US, the Q7 got five stars from the NHTSA for both front and side impacts. There are a lot of standards that go with every Q7 and for more information you can visit the site.

Filed under: Audi, Audi Q7 , Audi, Audi Q7, Iron Man

Audi in the Spotlight: Audi and Iron Man

There’s a new movie in town and Audi is set to star in that flick. Audi is one of the sponsors of the newest action flick in town, Jon Favreau’s Iron Man. When I first saw the trailer for the movie, I thought I saw an R8 pass by on the screen. I wasn’t dreaming, Audi is in fact stars in the movie. And for the April 30 premiere of the film at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Audi cars transported the stars of the film in style. Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges drove new R8s going to the theater. For Jack Black and Vince Vaughn, Q7s did the trick. And for Gwyneth Paltrow, it should be an Audi A8L sedan.

In celebration of the participation of Audi in the film, a micro-site was developed. The site featured some articles about the movie, and a more focused look at the Audi R8 complete with the top-of-the line features of R8. This Audi model that was featured prominently on the movie features a LED design in headlights and tail lights. So what this means to the common enthusiast like you? Some of the benefits of this kind of design include low energy consumption, a color similar to daylight for that enhanced contrast. Under the hood is the Audi R Tronic transmission. This kind of transmission allows for the driver to shift gears from a joystick mounted on the center console or shift paddles on the steering wheel. This also means that no shift pedals are needed. Brakes are dependable as well that has 8-piston fixed caliper brakes at front and a 4-piston fixed caliper breaks at the rear end. Setting to improve the engine performance of the Audi is the Audi FSI. With this technology in place, the fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber. An Audi R8 will not be complete without the services of the tough Audi R8 engine. Feel the rush as it takes you from zero to 62 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds! Want to speed your way on the road? Rest assured that you can do it in style as this R8 can max at 187 miles per hour. For the car’s body, there’s the Audi ASF technology. The company introduced the next generation high-strength space frame. A lot of things go with every Audi R8, and this is the reason why the Iron Man himself chose to drive this sport car. To learn more about this car, just visit Audi’s micro-site for the film.

The movie is based on the fictional comic book hero from Marvel Comics. The film is directed by Jon Favreau. The movie tells the story of Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr., a billionaire industrialist who was captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. When ordered to build a missile for them, Tony Stark then uses this technology and the resources to instead build a powered exoskeleton so that he can escape. The moment he returned home, he then chose to improve the armor and in the process used this armor to fight evil. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark and the Iron Man. Though the director initially intended to cast a new comer for the role, he eventually chose Robert Downey Jr. since he felt that his past in the public eye will make his character more true and convincing. The movie also stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia Pepper Potts, Iron Man’s personal secretary. She is also his love interest on the film. The premiere was held as well on April 14, 2008 and the movie is set to be released worldwide anywhere from April 30 2008 to May 3, 2008. It opens May 2 in US.

Filed under: Audi, Audi A8L sedan, Audi Q7, Audi R8 , Audi, Audi A8L sedan, Audi Q7, Audi R8, Iron Man, Marvel Comics, Robert Downey Jr., Tony Stark

Auto China 2008

The Auto China 2008 is set to begin April 22 and will run until April 28. This is the 10th year of the auto show. The theme for this year is Dream , Harmony and New Vision. This bi-annual event is in league with the other auto shows such as the shows in Frankfurt, Geneva, Paris, Tokyo and the Detroit Auto Show. So what is in store for the enthusiasts, the spectators, experts and consumers? Expect to see 890 models that will include 55 concept models; the show will also pave the way for seven global debuts and 24 Asian debuts.

A world premiere that is expected to happen at the Auto China 2008 is the debut of the Mercedes-Benz GLK. This GLK concept has been introduced early on at the Detroit and the Geneva Motor Shows. Now, Beijing is set to host the production version’s arrival. This five-seater SUV from Mercedes is set to arrive at European dealerships this fall and is set to reach US next January. Another anticipated debut is from Audi with its Audi Q5 crossover. Audi sees China as a key market; in fact China is Audi’s second-biggest market next to Germany. Majority of the vehicles that are scheduled for the auto show are aimed for the domestic market coming from Chinese auto makers.

Filed under: Audi, Mercedes Benz , Audi Q5, Auto China 2008, Mercedes-Benz GLK

Audi R8: MSN Cars Car of the Year

Best in handling, the fastest car, best in design and best in performance; these are just some of the many awards that has been scooped by the Audi R8 since its introduction in the market. Of course, the best validation will be the ones coming from the consumers. And one such citation was delivered by MSN.com on its survey for MSN Cars Car of the Year. The award that was given by MSN was actually based on a poll of MSN Cars users that was posted late last year. The survey was based on all UK cars that was launched in 2007. And with over 37,000 votes cast, 42 percent of the votes were dedicated to the Audi R8.

So what are 2007’s best cars according to the users and the readers of MSN.com? Rounding off the top ten are the Ferrari F430 Suderia, the BMW M3, the Ford Mondeo, the Rolls Royce Phantom DHC, the Fiat 500, the Mercedes Benz C-Class, the Mini Clubman, Mitsubishi i and the Mazda 2. The bottom dweller, the Mazda 2 incidentally was the recipient of the Car of the Year at the recnetly concluded New York Auto Show.

Previous winners of this survey were the BMW 3-Series Coupe’ for 2007, the Bugatti Veyron for 2006 and the Aston Martin DB9 for 2005.

Filed under: Audi , Audi R8

Audi R8 Dominates World Car Awards

As part of the recently concluded New York Auto Show, a number of awards had been given and two of the major awards was scooped by Audi R8. This sports model of Audi got the World Performance Car of the Year and the World Car Design of the Year. Actually Audi retained the World Car Performance of the Year, since the company also bagged this citation a year ago courtesy of the Audi RS 4. The jurors of the said gathering praised the Audi sports car for transforming the sports car landscape. They added that the R8 is striking, original and full of interesting details from the nose strakes to the much discussed vertical blade behind the B-pillar. This Audi supercar lost to the Mazda 2 for the overall crown of World Car of the Year.

For the design category, the Audi R8 edged out the Mazda Demio and the Volvo C30. The design award was given so as to highlight new vehicles in the market regarding their innovation and style that effetcively pushed established boundaries. Thanks to the designs that go with every Audi R8, this sports car is a sure traffic-stopper on the road!

Filed under: Audi , Audi, Audi R8

World’s Sexiest Diesel?

The Audi R8 is a towering figure in the sports car category. In fact it won a number of awards this year. This is perhaps a testament to the quality of the Audi R8, that is why I am making this post about this car. I even read that this R8 is even better than the SLR and can even match a Ferrari. Too good to be true? There’s no other way but to find that out, and here’s my little research about this Audi sportscar.

The Audi R8 first entered the consciousness of car enthusiasts way back in 2006 when this appeared in a number of automotive shows. The body structure and the platform of the R8 is somewhat similra to the Lamborghini Gallardo; it is because Audi has full ownership of a subsidiary of Lamborghini- the Lamborghini S.p.A. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show in 2006.

On the technical side of the R8; the R8 is equipped with the 4.2 Liter FSI V8 engine, the same engine that powers the Audi RS4. Transmission maybe manual or R-Tronic. More than just power, our Audi R8 has an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system and the Carbon-Ceramic composite brakes with monobloc Brembo calipers.

The R8 is built using the Audi Space Frame Design that was also used in constrcuting the A8 and the A2. The body structure of the R8 is crafted from aluminum material. When the R8 is crafted, the body structure is first attended. the supporting structure is largley hand-crafted from a series of aluminum extrusions. If you are interested how each R8 is really crafted from the start from body to finishing, this site can help you and you can learn more. A first-hand account as to how the R8 is crafted in Neckarsulm complex in Germany. Perhaps due to the kind of attention that is showered on every R8, you can expect that not too many R8s are produced every day. In fact the R8 team of Audi can tune around 27 to 28 cars a day, or can move up to 30 cars a day.

After the R8 has been assembled adn all the necessary parts and accesories are all accounted for, the car is fired up before being driven to the staging area for the usual test. As with other cars, the R8 is driven up to moderate speed so that all the necessary systems can be checked, like the lights, the steering and the rest. On an average a single Audi R8 can be finished in 7-8 days.

Filed under: Audi , Audi, Audi R8