ABT Sportsline Readying New Audi Models for 2011 Geneva Motor Show

VW Group specialist ABT Sportsline will bring several Audi models to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, including the eye-catching R8 GTR with a chrome finish pictured above, as well as its newest tuning proposals for the A7 Sportback and 2012MY A6 sedan.

Alongside the R8 GT-R, A7 Sportback and A6, the German tuner will also be presenting a fourth model, which is being kept a secret for now. “We will be bringing along a sports car which I personally like a lot. For it shows our technical capabilities and offers a maximum level of driving enjoyment. I am looking forward to seeing how it is received by the public in Geneva," said the ABT general manager, Hans-Jürgen.

2012 Audi A6 Sedan: Live Photos from Detroit [plus Video]

The Audi brand ended 2010 with a new sales record in the U.S. and is now looking forward to an even more successful 2011, as demand for luxury vehicles is high in the States. Spearheading the firm's growth in the U.S. is the all-new 2012 A6 sedan, which made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Form a design standpoint, Audi's executive saloon is a discrete evolution over the previous model. However, it does come with an array of new gizmos, such as adaptive air suspension and dynamic steering. At launch, the A6 will be available in the States with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, but Audi is considering the introduction of a six-cylinder diesel version as well.

Scroll down to check out the gallery of live pictures from the Detroit motorshow as well as a new video clip.

By Csaba Daradics

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Audi to Invest €11.6 Billion in New Products, Technologies and Human Resources Over the Next Five Years

In the next five years, Audi will invest approximately €11.6 billion in new products and technologies, production facilities and human resources, the Ingolstadt based manufacturer announced today.

“With this investment, we are laying the foundation for sustained, profitable growth, and supporting our claim to leadership in the premium car segment”, said Axel Strotbek, Board Member for Finance and Organization of AUDI AG.

More than €9.5 billion, or about 80 per cent of the total investment, will go into developing new products and technologies, including electric and hybrid powertrains that will be used by models like the Audi R8 e-tron or Q5 Hybrid. Part of this amount will also go into further improving the new A6’s line-up and launching the Q3 crossover.

In the same period of time, €5 billion will be spent on upgrading the company’s production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

“In addition to our foreign sites, the German sites will also profit greatly from the Audi brand’s good worldwide prospects for growth, especially in China,” Strotbek said.

Last but not least, Audi is going to hire new personnel, seen as a key asset for further expansion.

“Innovation requires people”, said Thomas Sigi, Member of the AUDI AG Board of Management for Human Resources. “For this reason, we want to hire around 1,200 experts in 2011 who will primarily bolster our electromobility and lightweight construction fields of competence, as well as the implementation of our growth strategy”.

By Csaba Daradics

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First Videos of 2012 Audi A6 and A6 Hybrid Sedans

When Audi released the first pictures of the 2012 Audi A6 sedan, many readers found the design somewhat bland. The new model is definitely an evolution and not a revolution, sharing many design cues with the A4, A7 Sportback and the flagship A8. I must admit though that, after seeing the car in video, my opinion on the styling has nudged a little towards the positive side. Of course taste is subjective, so tell us what you think in the comments section after the jump.

By Csaba Daradics

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2012 Audi RS6 Sports Sedan Rendered by Photoshop Buff

Talk about a lightning fast response. It's been less than 24 hours since Audi pulled the veils off the fourth-generation A6 premium sedan, and yet we already have a photoshop rendering of the future RS6 created by an artist from EDL. Granted, the production model would most likely sport blistered wheel arches while it wouldn't sit so close to the ground, but the 'chop gives us an idea of what an RS version of the new A6 would look like.

Rendering aside, we're still in the dark about the details surrounding the next generation RS6. Despite some rumors of Audi opting for a force-fed V8 engine, we wouldn't dismiss the possibility of the German firm using an upgraded version of the 5.2-litre V10 engine mated to a new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. In any case, expect the horsepower-war between German luxury carmakers to continue with Audi's proposal moving closer to the 600hp mark.

Source: EDL Design, Via: Autoblog.nl

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