Audi (27)
Audi of America showed off the brand’s all-new 2019 sedans, SUVs and the first all-electric Audi e-tron at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month. On display were the all-new Audi A8, A7, A6 sedans, and Q8 SUV. The fully electric Audi e-tron was on display in L.A., following its global debut in September.
Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron is the first all-electric production model from the brand and is a spacious five-seater, electric mid-sized premium SUV that is very well equipped to meet premium buyer expectations. The model will arrive in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2019 and is available now for U.S. customers to place reservations.
The Audi e-tron reflects fundamental Audi design – translated into the electric age by new, stylistically refined aerodynamically focused details. Consistent with the brand’s SUV models, the Audi e-tron bears the octagonal-design Singleframe grille with vertical struts. Its uniquely enclosed grille is presented in platinum gray – identifying it as a fully electric model.
As a whole, the Audi vehicle lineup is focused on pure driving experience, but it's not one size fits all. In my experience, the middle of the Audi A-series range is where the sweet spot sits, including the A5, which I recently spent some time in.
I'm back with a full report on the 2018 Audi A5 sportback and where it fits into the luxury car landscape.
LOOKS
Redesigned for 2018, and bigger than the tighter fits of the A3 and A4 sedans, you can accommodate rear passengers more comfortably in the A5 Sportback, though it remains a bit tight with a tall driver and passenger up front. There are three versions of the A5 -- two-door coupe and convertible options plus the new four-door Sportback.
The A5 Sportback is a four-door hatchback version of the A5 coupe that was inspired by the A7 Sportback. It sits low like a sporty ride should, and features an eye-catching exterior design, from the lines down to the wheels.
Inside the A5 Sportback, you get beautiful wood trim (high gloss dark brown walnut wood inlays, to be exact) and comfortable leather seating. Even the air vents have a sharp design. In Audi’s tradition It's a simple but classy interior and exterior design, as opposed to flashier-looking rivals like Lexus, and trunk space impresses for the segment.
The A5 Sportback comes with 18-inch 10-spoke dynamic design wheels with all-season tires, LED interior lighting, power sunroof, three-zone auto climate control with digital rear display.
For about $1K you can upgrade to a 19-inch wheel package with multi-spoke design wheels, summer tires and a sport suspension.
Driving is a passion lost on many of today’s younger generation, who have grown up in the era of Uber and the impending arrival of self-driving vehicles, and have little desire to get behind the wheel at all.
But for those who remember the joy of getting behind the wheel for the first time and the freedom it offers, who know the thrill that a fast, sporty vehicle can provide, there are still many vehicles available to help us enjoy those experiences well into adulthood.
Enter the Audi S4, a top-notch sports sedan that provides about as exhilarating a ride as you’ll get in cars targeted at mere mortals who don’t own any yachts or private islands.
I recently spent some time driving the 2018 S4, and I’m back with a full report on what it has to offer.
Some cars are fast. Others are faster.
And others are “holy xXxX this thing gets moving” fast.
The 2018 SQ5 crossover from Audi is in the final category, and I recently spent some time in this street legal rocket and am back with a full report.
LOOKS
Like the regular 2018 Audi Q5 … the 2018 Audi SQ5 is a well-designed crossover with an attractive look. But where the Q5 is strictly classy, the SQ5 moves up to looking sporty and classy due to a sharp high-performance looking exterior and interior. The optional matador red metallic paint job sparkled. 20-inch wheels are standard but you can upgrade to 21-inch wheels.
On the inside, my test vehicle featured a black interior with excellent detail.
The standard materials inside the SQ5 are a mix of leather and Alcantara suede, plus nice touches are offered like the optional Carbon Atlas inlays.
What does an automaker do after a redesign gives it one of the best-equipped and strongest-performing SUVs in the luxury landscape? That’s easy -- you pretty much leave it alone for the next model year.
Such is the case for the 2018 Audi Q7, a three-row luxury SUV that follows a strong 2017 rethink. I recently drove a 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro, and I’m back with a full report.
LOOKS
The look of a vehicle starts up front, and the Q7 features the always-attractive Audi rings atop a massive but tasteful horizontal-lined grille. Looking to the sides of the vehicle, you get a smooth profile with impressive lines and excellent aerodynamics.
Inside, the Q7 features room for seven passengers, but the back row is quite snug, and best reserved for small children. Also, the Q7’s maximum cargo space with back rows folded down is less than some of the competition.
Where the Q7 shines in is overall interior design. Up front you get a classy-looking long air vent setup, and the wood grain touches help complete the look on the dash (specifically, Terra Brown walnut inlays). I enjoyed the truly comfortable leather seating, even on longer rides, and the vehicle heats and cools very quickly.
Luxury car buyers are very picky, but also very loyal. If you get them to be a fan of your brand, the key is to not mess things up so they’ll stick around and not jump ship.
In the case of the Audi A5 coupe, which I recently tested, the vehicle has been updated for 2018. This competitor in the luxury coupe segment keeps most of its heritage but also sees key improvements; Will it be enough to keep buyers loyal and not have they sway over to BMW or Mercedes or other Audi competitors?
LOOKS
With Audi generally more focused on what’s under the hood, exterior design on the A5 is attractive (including the instantly recognizable Audi grille and four-ring logo up front), but not overall showy or gaudy like some of the competition. The A5 features sharp-looking 18-inch 10-spoke wheels and all-season tires, with options to upgrade to 19-inch or 20-inch wheels.
The 2018 Audi S5 Sportback earns a spot among Wards 10 Best User Experiences with editors noting that the Sportback remains a benchmark for exceptional integration of technology and refined interior design in the luxury sedan segment.
As manufacturers increasingly strive to simplify connectivity with personal devices in vehicles, information displays and advanced driver-assistance features, the S5 Sportback received high marks for its virtual cockpit with vivid graphics, refined interior design with carbon fiber accents and its suite of available advanced driver assistance systems.
WardsAuto editors evaluated vehicles based on the overall effectiveness of the user experience, how easily the car connects with a compatible smartphone, user-friendliness of the controls, the availability of the advanced driver assistance technology, and how appealing the materials are as a component of the user experience.
One thing about Audi that no one can deny: No matter what size or shape of luxury vehicle you are seeking, they probably have you covered with a solid option. That’s true not only for the sedans (where the A series runs from the A3 to A8, with multiple models in each number), but also in the SUV lineup, where you can opt for a compact Q3, a full-sized Q7, or the middle child, the Q5 -- which I recently had a chance to test.
In essence, the 2018 Audi Q5 can be described as the Q7 minus a bit of length and the third row, which is a good thing considering how well the Q7 does everything.
LOOKS
Inside, the key question in these midsize SUVs is whether the back seat is actually comfortable. Good news here is both rows of the Q5 are roomy, with impressive legroom for the class. Seating is high-end and comfortable, storage is adequate, and you get attractive wood trim designs up front.
The exterior of my test vehicle was the usual stunning Audi white (Ibis white to be exact), which is a sight to behold and a unique look that instantly identifies the brand. And the design -- while not overly bold -- is supremely classy and elegant. This is a juxtaposition when compared to the more bold and dramatic designs on competitors such as Lexus.
If I had to pick a word to describe the design of the Audi Q5, it would be clean. You can tell a lot of effort went into making sure this vehicle is one that people want to drive and want to have in their driveway.
Welcome to the fun zone.
Audi may have a hoidy-toidy reputation on the whole, but slap an S in any of their model names and things get a bit more loose.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2017 Audi S6 midsize sedan, and I’m back with the highlights of what you can expect from this hot rod.
1. Uberfast
The simplest way to put it is to say that the Audi S6 is a thoroughly enjoyable ride -- combining all the comfort and smoothness of the A6 with a more performance/sporty edge. It gets up to speed in stunning fashion for its size: You’re hauling you-know-what before you even realize it (“Am I really going that fast?” was a common expression during my time in the S6).
If you want to tone down the speed, get out of dynamic mode (which would be better labeled as beast mode).
The Moon rover Audi lunar quattro celebrates its film debut in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi blockbuster “Alien: Covenant” which premieres worldwide this May. Audi experts have developed the Moon rover in cooperation with the German start-up “Part-Time Scientists.” The rover is expected to embark on a future mission to space.
Director Ridley Scott has integrated the Audi lunar quattro into “Alien: Covenant,” a new chapter in his groundbreaking “Alien” franchise. The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world. When they uncover a threat beyond their imaginations, they must attempt a harrowing escape. In its film debut, the Audi lunar quattro is an integral part of the Covenant mission and is deployed to help Faris (Amy Seimetz) navigate and assess the challenging, unknown terrain of a new planet.
Incorporating the Audi lunar quattro into the film is part of the collaboration between Twentieth Century Fox and Audi. “The ‘Alien’ franchise is the best way for us to garner suitable attention for the Moon rover developed by Audi, and to showcase Audi’s intelligent technologies in a visionary environment,” explains Giovanni Perosino, Vice President International Marketing Communication at Audi.
More...
With enhanced performance and benchmark technologies, combined with a more dynamic design, the all-new 2018 Audi S4 offers customers versatility, with seating for up to four and the quickness and competence that is expected from Audi S models.
Performance
New for 2018, the S4 features a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 that has been reengineered to provide more horsepower and torque and a quicker buildup of peak output. With the same 2,995 cc of displacement as the previous engine, power has increased by 21 horsepower, to 354 hp, and by 44 lb-ft of torque, up to 369 lb-ft.
In addition, the broad torque curve now reaches maximum force at a low 1,370-4,500 RPM range. A single turbocharger replaces the supercharger from the previous generation and helps manage exhaust gas flow to the turbine with a twin-scroll housing design.
Offering a class-leading 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds, the 2018 Audi S5 Sportback will arrive in dealerships in spring 2017. Featuring the distinctive Sportback body style, first introduced on the A7 model line, and generous interior space, the five-door coupe offers customers refined design with exceptional functionality.
Performance
The S5 Sportback is equipped with an all-new 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine which produces 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. The S5 is also newly equipped with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
The new 3.0-liter turbocharged engine accelerates the S5 Sportback to a class leading 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds as well as a top speed of 155 mph when equipped with summer performance tires. Every S5 Sportback is also standard-equipped with quattro all-wheel drive, offering high-precision and dynamic handling through active torque distribution to both axles.
I have high expectations of Audi vehicles.
From the time I first stepped into one years ago, they have impressed me highly, so any step down in new models will be noticed. As the saying goes, getting to the top is hard, but staying up there is harder once the standard is set.
I recently tested a 2017 Audi A6, the luxury automaker’s mid-size sedan entry, and I’m back with a full report on my experience.
Audi sales in the United States grew 4 percent in 2016 for a total of 210,213 vehicles, surpassing 2015 as the brand’s best annual performance. December 2016 sales increased 13.7 percent to 23,195 vehicles.
December 2016 marked the best-ever month of sales in Audi of America history and the 72nd consecutive month of record sales for the market. The previous December record was set in 2015 with 20,399 deliveries. The annual result marks the seventh straight year of record sales for Audi in the U.S.
News Categories
Popular Tags
Search Reviews by Make
AutoTechReviews is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.