The Audi Day

Today all the post and news will be about Audi cars.

2010 Audi S5 Sportback by Senner Tuning

After receiving the modification for the Audi S5 by Senner Tuning a few months ago, the tuning firm has unveiled a new tuning package for the Audi S5 Sportback. The package is called the Grand Prix and includes not only exterior and interior updates, but engine modifications as well.

In its standard version the S5 Sportback is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 engine that delivers 333 hp and a peak torque of 324 lb.-ft. Senner Tuning has managed to obtain more. The tuner added an ECU remap and a high-flow sports air filter, new stainless steel exhaust system with sport catalytic converters, and a four pipe muffler. The result is a maximum output of 375 Hp and a peak torque of 495 Nm. The top speed limiter has also been removed, however, there are no details on the new top speed. Of course, it is safe to say that the top speed will exceed the previous speed of 155mph.

In addition to these modifications Senner Tuning is also offering a lowered suspension, which reduces the front ride height by 40 mm and the rear ride height by 35 mm. The package is finished by 20" two-piece alloy wheels.

The interior received minor changes consisting of some carbon fiber trimmings and some new tachometers.

Pricing for the new Audi S5 Sportback Grand Prix modification kit has yet to be revealed, but we’ll get back to you as soon as it is.

2010 Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak

Audi has unveiled today a new version of the Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak, the car that can drive itself. The new TTS Pikes Peak will make its first high-speed test runs up Pikes Peak in Colorado this fall.

The Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak is based on a street-ready Audi TTS sports car. An Audi TTS was chosen due to its native systems. The drive-by-wire throttle and a semiautomatic DSG gearbox were a good fit with the electronics that allow the car to drive without human input.

The design of the TTS Pikes Peak was inspired by the rally car themes from the 1980s.

“We were very much inspired by the Pikes Peak race cars,” noted Raul Cenan, Lead Designer on the TTS project. “But there was very different technology used in those cars overall. So we decided to go with more modern elements that were heritage-inspired.“

The hardware added to the TTS is really no different than any laptop computer. The car currently uses two computers in its trunk – one running safety critical algorithms using Oracle’s Real Time Java (Java RTS) and the other running vehicle dynamics algorithms. The two sets of algorithms are what enable the TTS to drive at the limits of handling on a variety of surfaces, speeds and conditions.

The differential GPS system keeps the TTS within two centimeters of its mark on a normal course. Since Pikes Peak is anything, but normal, the research team would like to get that number down to one meter.

The Audi TTS Pikes Peak will also be attempting a Guiness Book of World Record as it makes a land speed attempt at the El Mirage Lake dry-lake bed in southern California or another nearby location in the Fall as well as attempting fastest speed in an autonomous vehicle.

2010 Audi A3 TDI

A few years ago Audi started a big clean diesel push in the United States market when they brought the Q7 TDI over. The Q7 TDI was one of the most fuel efficient seven-seat SUVs on the market, but man was it ugly. Thankfully, the diesel Q7 was just the first step for the German company in its diesel push. Welcome to the Audi A3 Sportback TDI.

The A3 is the entry-level model for Audi here in the U.S. Previous models have been sold with a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or a 3.2-liter V6 engine that were petrol powered. Now, Audi has added a new motor to the lineup, a diesel motor. We had a chance to take the diesel hatch out on the streets of Wisconsin for a few hours.

The A3 is in the same market as its brother, the Volkswagen Golf and the BMW 1-Series. It comes in front and all-wheel drive modes with a transverse-mounted engine. Unlike our European brethren, we only get the five-door model.

Hit the jump for the rest of the review.

2010 Audi TT-RS with 401 HP by Superchips

In its standard version an Audi TT-RS develops a total of 340 HP. That’s good, but not very impressive for a sports coupe. And since there is always a place for better, Superchips has developed a new tuning package for the TT-RS that takes the small coupe to an impressive 401 HP.

In order to do that, Superchips installed their ‘plug and go’ kit on the car’s 2.5 liter 5-cylinder turbo engine, that increased the output to 401 HP and an impressive 551 NM, with 500 NM delivered between 2,500 and 5,700 rpm. However, despite this engine upgrade, the tuner decide to keep the top speed limited to 155 mph.

"Audi TT RS owners can also be reassured that the Superchips ECU remap delivers a minimal fuel consumption penalty. Indeed if driven in a ‘like for like’ manner with the standard car, owners will experience no fuel consumption penalty, despite the extra performance."

2011 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro

Usually is the other way around: automaker first bring the less powerful version, and only after that they bring the better one. But Audi decided not to follow this rule: first they brought the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro and today the 4.2 FSI quattro version. The new model will go on sale in the third quarter of 2010 at a base price of €121,000 ($148,000 at the current exchange rates).

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro uses the same 4,2 liter V8 engine as the coupe version. The engine delivers a total of 430 hp at 7,900 rpm and 430 NM between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds. Top speed is 185 mph.

The 4.2 FSI quattro version gets LED tail lights as standard equipment, exhaust system that terminates in dual tailpipes on both the left and the right, a rear spoiler which extends automatically at 100 km/h. The cloth roof will be available in three colors: black, red and brown. The body is available in the solid finishes Ibis White and Brilliant Red; the metallic finishes Suzuka Gray, Teak Brown, Ice Silver, Jet Blue and Aurum Beige; and the pearl effect finishes Daytona Gray, Sepang Blue, Lava Gray and Phantom Black. The windshield frame is coated with anodized aluminum.

2010 Audi RS6 by Cargraphic

The current generation Audi RS6 is about to end its life in just a few months, but this doesn’t mean that tuners can’t work on improving it. The new package comes from Cargraphic and includes both performance and aerodynamic updates.

For the engine updates the tuner is offering a new air filter, a modified exhaust system, and an ECU remap. The result is impressive with the 5.0 liter turbocharged direct injection V10 engine now developing a powerful 665 hp (up from a standard 570 HP). The package also includes a stainless steel exhaust silencer and sport catalysts. There’s no talk yet on how this improvement will increase the car’s performance.

The Cargraphic RS6 sits on 21-inch five double-spoke black wheels which are 10.5-inch wide and are wrapped in 285/30 tires. The tuner has yet to reveal pricing for the new package.

This is definitely a nice way for the RS6 to say goodbye in style!