Audi R8 V10 gets full time LED lights

And there was us thinking those pretty LEDs at the front end of recent Audis (and others) where just a bit of bling.

It transpires that the new V10 version of the Audi R8 is to be the first car in the world to be fitted with LED headlights. So what, you may say? An advantage or two, it transpires.

Headlining the advantages, unsurprisingly in these Co2 obsessed times, is a reduction in Co2 use. Not a huge amount, admittedly, but when car makers are being given targets to hit, every bit helps.

But it’s in the type and efficiency of light that the real benefits start to become apparent. Your average xenon lights emit something like 80 lumens (units of light) per watt, compared to around 20 for a household bulb. But these LED lights shove out over 100 lumens per watt. Not only that, but the light they emit is much closer to ordinary daylight than xenons, and has a much better spread.

Dr Wolfgang Huhn, Head of the Light and Visibility Department at Audi (now there’s a title!) is the man responsible for this. But it gets better. What’s worse than some moron flying your way on a back road with his mains on, blinding you to what’s coming, whilst merrily plodding on his way? Drives me mad. But Dr Huhn reckons this will soon be a thing of the past:

“We’re striving to create intelligent headlights and taillights which think and anticipate in the interest of enhancing a driver’s safety and comfort. For example, there are already high-beam headlights in pre-series development which will allow drivers to navigate roads at night without temporarily blinding oncoming drivers. This is made possible by a variable distribution of light: An electronic system continuously calculates the distance to any approaching vehicles to ensure that the road ahead is ideally illuminated at all times – without irritating oncoming drivers.”

Which is very good news. I have been known to moan frequently about the new LED lights just being Audi bling, but I take it all back. Seems they are a great idea, and once we get lumbered with daylight running lights from our Lords and Masters in the EU in 2011, at least they’ll be a lot more efficient and intelligent.

Audi R8 V10 Photo Image Gallery

Audi TT range extended for 2009

Audi has released details of the changes to the Audi TT for 2009, including more models with the quattro option and the S-Line pack available across almost all the range.

S-Line (the most popular add-on across the Audi range, and the one guaranteed to get you the best price at trade-in time) is now available on the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI Coupe and Roadster for an additional £1,615 and on the 3.2 V6 Coupe and Roadster for an additional £1,030.

Quattro four-wheel-drive availability has now been extended to the 2.0 TFSI Coupe and Roadster, together with the standard S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

The S-Line models are the ones to go for on most of the Audi range, although if you prefer to poodle around rather than go out to play, then the stiffer set-up of the S-Line may not suit. But there is a way round that. The very clever Magnetic Ride option is now available across the range, which allows the suspension to respond extremely well to the driving style, by stiffening up the ride when the going gets fun, but keeping it soft and compliant when the circumstances dictate. A must-have option on the R8, and I reckon the same judgement stands for the TT.

So much improved over the original TT model, the TT is a terrific coupe and roadster, and should be top of the list if you’re looking for something fun, but relatively economical to run. Plus, the addition of quattro to the 2.0 TFSI, extends that great driveability across the range.

Audi TT Press Release:

The sporting essence of the TT has been further distilled by the addition of new quattro four-wheel-driven versions of the Coupe 2.0 TFSI and Roadster 2.0 TFSI priced from £27,715 OTR. At the same time, S line specification, the performance-oriented trim level of choice for the majority of UK Audi customers, becomes available across the perennially popular TT range at an extra cost of £1,615 for four-cylinder models and £1,030 for the V6 versions.

The new S line option lends an even more purposeful air to the TT’s unmistakeable lines through an S line-specific front grille treatment, exclusive S line front and rear bumper design, side sill extensions and, for four-cylinder models, chrome trimming for the exhaust tailpipes. Trademark 18-inch five-spoke design alloy wheels also replace the 17-inch Trapez design wheels in 2.0 TFSI petrol and 2.0 TDI quattro versions, and the 18-inch 10-spoke design wheels in the 3.2 V6 models. Sports suspension lowered by 10mm and with unique S line settings is common to all models, as is an upgrade to the short-shift manual gearbox with its quicker, even more sporting shift action (unless the S tronic twin-clutch transmission is specified).

Inside, S line embossing for the sports seats, brushed aluminium inlays and a three-spoke multifunction S line steering wheel stamp the S line mark on the TT interior, which in common with standard four-cylinder models also features leather and Alcantara mix upholstery, electronic climate control, a Driver’s Information System (DIS) and a Concert audio system with single CD player. Standard and S line versions of the V6 models are further enhanced by full Fine Nappa leather upholstery (with S line embossing in S line models) and front seat heating.

The TT range now encompasses turbo charged four-cylinder 2.0-litre TFSI (200PS) models available in front-wheel-drive or newly introduced quattro four-wheel-drive forms, naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6 (250PS) versions available exclusively with quattro drive and 2.0-litre TDI (170PS) diesels, also quattro driven without exception. At the head of the range TTS models, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo charged TFSI engine delivering 272PS, have their own unique sports specification.

For driving characteristics that do justice even more fully to the TT S line’s purposeful stance, the Audi magnetic ride advanced adaptive damping system can be specified as an option for all TT models (a specially configured version is included as standard for the TTS). The ultra quick-shifting twin-clutch S tronic transmission is a standard feature of the new 2.0 TFSI quattro models, and can deliver its 0.2-second changes in all other TT models bar the TT 2.0 TDI quattro at extra cost.

2009 Audi Q5 Road Test Video

The Audi Q5 is Audi’s answer to the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander, and to the criticisms made of its own full-size SUV, the Q7, that it is just too large for the road.

Available with a choice of engines (and more to come as the Q5 becomes established) this is a Road Test of the bread-and-butter model, the 2.0 litre TDI, which Audi reckons will be the biggest seller. Offering 40+mpg, good road-holding and handling, this is yet another feather in Audi’s cap.

With a general move by car buyers in the direction of smaller cars, this is an important car for Audi. You can also read our 2009 Audi Q5 Review.

German car makers are dropping big engines

It’s the trend at the moment, and one that won’t go down very well with our American cousins, who are fond of saying that ‘There ain’t no substitute for cubic inches’, as the three big luxury German Car Companies - Audi BMW and Mercedes - are planning to move away from their big ‘V’ engines.

The news started last week, when Audi let it be known that their new S5 will not use the V8, but will instead use a supercharged V6. Earlier this week, news came from BMW that its next generation of ‘M’ cars will forsake the V10s so beloved of M owners, and will instead go for turbo versions of the V8. And now Mercedes is to get rid of the V12.

It’s easy to understand why these luxury car makers are going this route - Co2 targets. I won’t revisit that topic here, but it looks like the days of the ‘Big’ engine without forced induction are coming to an end. Turbocharged and Supercharged smaller engines tend to deliver the same power for less emissions, which is why this is happening.

But not competely, although that may change. The Mercedes ‘63′ engines are normally aspirated V8s, and have just taken over from the old ‘55′ engines, which weren’t. But maybe Mercedes will roll that back too on the next generation and stick a supercharged V6 in. I suppose it makes sense, but there is something glorious about these big engines. A silky-smooth V12 in a big Merc, or a barking V10 in an M5. Oh, well.

Audi TT RS to launch at Geneva

Audi has really brought the new TT a country mile from the original, cutesy, Audi TT, beloved by hairdressers the length and breadth of the country. And now the news that all Audi TT fans have been waiting for. The super-hot version of the TT - The Audi TT-RS - is to launch at Geneva in the Spring.

The TT-RS will take Audi back to its roots, with the first 5 cylinder engine in an Audi for a decade. The 5-pot was the engine that brought Audi from the old Auto Union days in to the world of quality cars in the ’80s, and on to the high quality car manufacturer it is today.

The engine in the new TT-RS gets sequential Turbos, meaning a little one to get things going with a big one kicking in once things get going, giving a linear power curve similar to a normally aspirated engine, without any turbo-lag.  Throw in permanent four wheel drive as standard and a huge 350bhp, giving 0-60 in less than 5 seconds, and this is as close as you can get to an R8, but at half the price.

Audi has had to fight had to make this car, at least with the RS monicker. That is owned by Porsche (who, by default, are now Audi’s parent company) and they weren’ for letting Audi use the RS in connection with the TT. But Audi has won, which probably says more about Porsches pragmatism in a difficult market than Audis actual clout.

But it does look like this TT will deserve the RS tag.

Want an Audi Quattro? You’re not the only one.

Being male, and Clarkson-aged, I remember, and owned, many of the ‘Classic’ cars which have turned up in hit TV series in recent years. For many years now they’ve just been fond memories, periodically stimulated by looking at old photos, but cars like these are becoming more and more common on our roads, according to a spokesman from Brittania Rescue:

“These cars are stylish and they benefit from cheaper road tax so it’s no surprise they are getting a second lease of life.”

And frankly, I’m not surprised. There is something hugely appealing about cars from the 70s and 80s. They are really individual, if not exactly a delight to drive, and so long as you don’t want to thrash them around the place on a daily basis, they are cheap and fulfilling.

The whole thing started in earnest with ‘Life on Mars’ and its Mk III Cortina GXL (although, being an anorak and a former owner, I can tell you they actually used a Cortina 2000E and made it look like a GXL - how sad am I?!), but after the follow-up series. ‘Ashes to Ashes’, there is now a growing demand for the iconic Audi Quattro.

From the Quattro and Cortina, to the Ford Capri (The Professionals) and even the Ford Anglia (Harry Potter), more and more of these cars are being restored to their former glory, and finding a new lease of life.

Do you own a car like this. Or is there a nagging little voice at the back of your head telling you to go out and buy a ‘Classic’ car from your youth?

Audi S5 dumps the V8

I suppose it’s a sign of the times. Audi is going to dump the V8 in the S5 and replace it with supercharged V6.

Great engine though the V8 is, it’s getting pretty old. And it’s heavy. And it’s thirsty. So, this is actually a really good move by Audi. No more nose-heavy V8 with rotten fuel consumption. Instead, the same power from a light and nimble, more fuel effcient V6.

But what of the V8. Is it dead and buried? Oh no, it’s going to get a dose of Viagra.

It’s starting to look likely that the V8, with a suitable bit of forced induction, is going to find its way in to the upcoming R10 - the R8’s big brother. It also seems likely that it could supplant the V10 in the next round of S8/S6. Not sure that’s a good thing, but we’ll see.

And while we’re talking about the V6 going in to the S5, the rumour-mill is working overtime on the R4 - a neat fit between the TT and the R8. That seems pretty likely to become a reality before long, at least on the ‘going to happen’ list, if not on the forecourt.

You’ve got to admire Audi. While other car makers are drawing in their horns and looking to dig a hole to hide in, Audi are out there making it happen.