While the Audi R18 was foiled at the Petit Le Mans race by Peugeot for the third year in a row, the German automaker did have reason to celebrate a major road race victory on the east side of the Atlantic Ocean. In the second to last event in the popular DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) series, a 2.517-mile road course in Valencia, Spain hosted what was the race weekend Audi Sport Team Phoenix driver Martin Tomczyk secured the 2011 DTM Championship. In a dominant race where Audi A4 sedans took the top six spots, Audi has one race remaining in an effort to capture a team championship in DTM. The ABT Sportsline organization is 5 points ahead of a Mercedes-Benz heading into a late October race at the Hockenheim track.

Since 2009, the technical regulations for the DTM Series have been frozen in the interests for controlling costs for competitors. For the upcoming 2012 series, the series is allowing the entrance of new cars, opening the door for German carmaker BMW to join Mercedes-Benz and Audi. For the existing program fielded by Audi, the auto company hopes the blow the doors open on the competition with two fewer doors. Campaigning a car based on the A4 sedan since 2004, Audi is set to unleash a new DTM race vehicle based on the A5 two-door.

Presented as the 2012 race machine, the Audi A5 DTM was revealed ahead of the past Frankfurt Motor Show. More than a year and a half in development as the R17 project, the two-door Audi A5 DTM car measures 5.01 meters (197.24 inches) in total length and is 1.95 meters (76.77 inches) in width. Compared to the 2012 model year Audi A5, the A5 DTM car is more than 15 inches longer and 3.77 inches wider for race track competition. In compliance with rules of the DTM sanctioning body, the Audi A5 racer rides within a mandated 2,750 millimeter (108.27 inch) wheelbase.

A departure from the four-door A4, the Audi A5 DTM for 2012 exhibits the refined exterior of the street vehicles. The new body structure created through the combination of carbon fiber and steel also sees the additional use of aluminum for suspension parts. Adhering to new aerodynamic regulations as well as to take advantage to improved airflow sciences, the Audi A5 DTM where a larger rear wing. Overall, Audi says the design is also more resistant to damage due to race contact (fender-to-fender contact is a main ingredient in DTM racing).

Along with the constraints for wheelbase length, other technical requirements of the motorsport series meant Audi needed to build the 2012 A5 DTM race around over 50 components that are shared among the other automakers. Meant for safety and a method for controlling costs, the new Audi is able to boast a total cost reduction of more than 40 percent over the previous A4 race car. While the DTM series preserves their exclusive tire supplier deal with Hankook and electronic control units from Bosch, this racing organization is careful to ward off the runaway costs that killed the previous edition of the European road racing category.

One of the ways Audi was able to control the price on the new A5 DTM is to reuse the tried and proven four-valve V-8 engine. Producing around 460 horsepower, the Audi A5 DTM will feature a new six-speed gearbox. For 2012, the Audi A5 DTM car will be more driver-friendly with a steering wheel paddle-shifter.

As Audi feverishly strides to compete with BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the sales marketplace, the fight in the 2012 DTM Series should be just as aggressive.

Information source: Audi AG, Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Photo source: Audi AG

Preparing to show off the radical urban concept design at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi’s inventive look to a motoring future could be seen as a little too distant. For North American motorists in particular, the small, ultralight concept car would instantly come into conflict with the desire for cargo room and passenger space. Planning a sensational arrangement of production and design evaluations for the auto show at Frankfurt, Audi has recently announced the addition of a compact, electric vehicle fitting more easily into today’s driving lifestyle. Registered as a concept car, the Audi A2 explores advanced technology integrating with contemporary automotive fashion.

Residing within tight quarters, the Audi A2 concept car advocates the incredible packaging potential of an electric powertrain platform. A total length of 3.8 meters (149.61 inches), the A2 concept is 19.37 inches shorter than the smallest North American Audi, the A3. Featuring Audi’s aluminum construction techniques along with a dark glass roof, the A2 concept is a four-door hatchback configured with a mature sport utility crossover gracefulness.

An all-electric powertrain on the Audi A2 concept keeps items such as the battery and motors positioned to maximize interior space. Though a small vehicle, four passengers are still positioned comfortably inside the Audi A2 concept. Thin seats manufactured using plastic blow molding is positioned individually in the cabin. Also included in the Audi concept vehicle‘s cabin is a center storage spot ideal for carrying a bicycle with front wheels removed. A flat floor area made of recycled polyester covers beneath the feet of the passengers of the Audi A2 concept car while gentle light enters overhead through the glass roof with press button operation. Inside the minimalist cabin, touch control panels and a 7-inch screen continues to inspire innovation of the Audi A2 concept.

Beyond exhibiting effective of space, the Audi A2 concept is highlighted by charming illumination inside and outside. Employing LED lighting for the headlamps and taillights, Audi touts their presence as “the next phase” in the technology‘s development. Positioned in what is known as a matrix beam, the headlamp construction involves diodes combined with microreflectors to create a better quality view of the road. In assisting other motorists, a rear fog light incorporating laser diodes provides superior warning to following drivers. With the use of lasers diodes, a warning triangle projected by the A2 concept can penetrate even inclement weather conditions such as fog.

Along with the LEDs found in the conventional lit positions of the Audi A2 concept, an application known as dynamic light. A pair of light bars runs under the A2 concept’s side windows delivering a number of functions. An extension of turn signal lighting when the vehicle is motion, Sensors included within Audi’s dynamic light assemblies offer driver and passengers touchless entrance through simple gestures.

A design exercise at the Frankfurt Motor Show for 2011, the implementation for a production-based compact Audi electrified powerplant has been a topic of automotive rumour mills. During the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Audi revealed an A1 concept utilizing the company’s e-tron plug-in hybrid technology. Recent tests of a converted version of previous generation A2 compact showed immense potential. Said to have crossed a distance of 372 miles on a single charge, the experimental A2 was powered off an experimental battery created by Mirko Hannemann. Assembled through a partnership between Lekker Energie and DBM Energy, their Audi A2 electric was not an official factory prototype leaving uncertainty if Audi AG engineers have realized the battery technology for the new concept car.

Joining the urban concept and three new ranges of the Audi S model family debuting at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt starting September 15th, the A2 concept shows another dimension of the premium German brand’s automotive expression.

Information source: Audi AG, Engadget.com
Photo source: Audi AG

Don’t expect to see these in your Audi showroom any time soon, but don’t be surprised if you do see one of these in the future. Theo Chin, auto artist extraordinaire, has created a few Audi A1 concept variants so we can get an idea of what might be coming our way within the next few years.

First up are the two variations of an A1 convertible:

Audi A1 Cabriolet

Audi A1 Soft-Top

Next up we have some high-performance versions of the A1:

Audi S1

Audi RS1

Even though Audi specifically said they won’t be making the RS1, I do expect to see the S1 one of these days. And if that’s not enough for you, there will be plenty of aftermarket tuning companies to tickle your fancy.

Courtesy of Theophilus Chin

Audi R10 Concept

What you see above is independant designer Marouane Bembli’s interpretation of what he calls the Audi R10 – the successor to the R8. In line with Audi concepts of past, the R10 (which shares its name with the R10 TDI race car currently being used) is a futuristic representation of the current R8 supercar. Stretched and widened, more aggressive overall styling, and typical futuristic looking wheels straight out the movie I, Robot.

Marouane Bembli also says the R10 should get power from an ethanol-powered V10 or V12 TDI engine, basically a step up from the R8′s V8/V10 lineup.

I have a feeling Audi will be focusing a bit more on alternate propulsion (i.e. electric powertrains,) proven by the Audi e-Tron electric supercar. Check out more renderings of the R10 below.

source: feber via Automotto

Audi R4 Electric Roadster

Audi’s e-Tron Electric Supercar Concept made a big splash at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and as a result, Audi has plans to move forward with their plans to build electric cars. The first car to be built is a sort of “mini-R8″ roadster supercar to compete with the Tesla Roadster called the R4.

The Audi R4 is expected to have a similar one-motor-per-wheel layout as the e-Tron Concept, and since it will be using the e-Tron’s powertrain, will likely produce the same 313 horsepower and incredible 3,319 lb-ft of torque, which will propel the car from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.8 seconds. The production R4 will likely be accompanied by gasoline-powered variants, most likely using the Audi TT-RS‘s 335 hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine.

The Audi R4, based o nthe above renderings, is very sharp-looking, taking design cues from the e-Tron Concept but moving away from the R8 shape into a more production-likely body style. The jagged C-shaped LED headlights look especially menacing, and of course we see the signature Audi grille up front.

The R4 roadster will probably sit on a modified version of Porsche’s next generation Boxster and Cayman platform, meaning the R4 will be smaller than the R8 supercar but larger than the Audi TT. Price is far from being announced, but consider the electric version of the R4 to compete with the Tesla Roadster, which starts at around $110,000. Expect to see the production R4 on the road as early as 2012.

source: AutoExpress

Audi e-Tron Concept

Over the past couple weeks, Audi has been teasing us with viral videos and a website with the theme Electricity Untamed, hinting at a high performance electric car to be debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show. We don’t have many (any, really) details about the new car, but we have plenty of renderings to show you (see gallery below) of the Audi e-Tron Concept.

As you can see, it’s clearly based off of the R8 supercar but with significant changes. The headlights now have an aggressive hooked shape, the sideblades are not present, and the lack of cooling vents on the body suggest the e-Tron is a full-electric car and not a hybrid.

The advantages to an electric sports car are obvious. A reduced dependence on oil, decreased fuel prices, less maintenance, and increased overall efficiency make then attractive to consumers, and since torque is available immediately, the electric motors are perfect for high-performance driving. There are a lot of technical hurdles to overcome, however, and Audi says that there is a lot of work to do before electric cars are feasible for mass production, but in low numbers, these lightweight, high-performance engineering masterpieces are perfect for enthusiasts and collectors.

Stay tuned for more details as the car is officially revealed.

Audi Electric R8 ePerformance Concept

With BMW and Mercedes both talking about soon releasing electric or alternative fuel sports cars, Audi is sitting the odd one out. Rumor has it, they’ve been talking about an electric version of the R8 supercar called the ePerformance Concept.

As you can see above, the bodywork would need to be noticeably different, and (at least in my opinion) a totally sperate car from the R8 line-up, which includes the V8, V10, and soon to be Spyder models. An electric version of the R8 won’t sit right with me, but a new model line would be appropriate.

The 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is going to be interesting this year…

source: MotorAuthority

Audi Q7 Two-Door Concept

Despite the fact that this would (hopefully) never go into production, it’s an interesting thought. A two-door luxury SUV. Audi makes a lot of effort to give the Q7 options to make it sporty such as an S-line package, paddle-shifters, a body kit, big sporty wheels, and other stuff. While I do like the idea of personalizing your vehicle, I fail to see the point of giving your big SUV paddle shifters and sport modes and the like. The body kit…I get it, it’s an appearance package, and it looks cool. But no paddle shifting or sport mode is going to make me think I’m driving a sports car.

Same situation here. What would be the point of making a two-door luxury SUV? First of all the doors would be huge and heavy. I’m sure it would be popular to add all the S-line stuff onto it. Great, now you have a big SUV wrapped in sports car clothing. It’s still a big SUV, and will always handle like a big SUV.

Check out modtor.com for high-resolution wallpapers of the Audi Q7 two-door.