Audi: A5, S5, RS5 News
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From: Denver (from NoVA)
Is it just me, or is Audi on its way to being the best of the big 3 across the board. They already dominate the market share in Europe. Between the RS4, the new TT, and my favorite, the A8L, I'm loving the direction they're taking. Now if only they could give me a fast car for less than 50 grand.
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
New Audi Transmission Gives A5 Coupe a Nose Job - - Source: The Car Connection
Recent Audi models have seen their noses grow to Pinocchio proportions because the company's transmissions place the engine ahead of the front axle, and new European standards requiring extra front crush space to protect pedestrians struck by cars only worsen the problem. But Audi will return to its previously svelte proportions thanks to a new transmission that mounts the engine six inches farther back, directly above the front axle, according to Johan de Nysschen, Audi executive vice president.
"We have already done a lot of work developing the new transmission that will relocate the power take - off that will move the engine on top of the axle," he said. That transmission will debut in the company's sporty new A5 sport coupe, which de Nysshen promises "looks exactly like the Nuvolari concept car. It has the wheels pushed out to the corners and short overhangs for a very aggressive stance." Moving the engine back also contributes to improved weight distribution for the traditionally front-heavy cars, for better handling.
The improved styling will be part of Audi's effort to emphasize the U.S. and Asian markets in the near future, he said. "Audi has been very much a European brand," he admitted. Now the goal is to become a global brand, like BMW and Mercedes, de Nysschen explained.
That effort will get a fresh start with a more aggressive, in-your-face advertising campaign next year, after the company concludes its review of ad agencies next month. "We have been too conservative and German," he said. "I have discovered the U.S. is not Germany," he joked. The new ads will be provocative, he vowed. "We considered doing a civil disobedience campaign, because we don't like driving slowly," he said.
The old ad campaign is going out with a whimper because television air time was squeezed out by political commercials during the recent contentious campaign season. "When politicians want more air time, they take it!" de Nysschen complained. As a result, only 30 percent of the ads planned for California ran. "Now we can get back to selling cars," he concluded. -Dan Carney
"We have already done a lot of work developing the new transmission that will relocate the power take - off that will move the engine on top of the axle," he said. That transmission will debut in the company's sporty new A5 sport coupe, which de Nysshen promises "looks exactly like the Nuvolari concept car. It has the wheels pushed out to the corners and short overhangs for a very aggressive stance." Moving the engine back also contributes to improved weight distribution for the traditionally front-heavy cars, for better handling.
The improved styling will be part of Audi's effort to emphasize the U.S. and Asian markets in the near future, he said. "Audi has been very much a European brand," he admitted. Now the goal is to become a global brand, like BMW and Mercedes, de Nysschen explained.
That effort will get a fresh start with a more aggressive, in-your-face advertising campaign next year, after the company concludes its review of ad agencies next month. "We have been too conservative and German," he said. "I have discovered the U.S. is not Germany," he joked. The new ads will be provocative, he vowed. "We considered doing a civil disobedience campaign, because we don't like driving slowly," he said.
The old ad campaign is going out with a whimper because television air time was squeezed out by political commercials during the recent contentious campaign season. "When politicians want more air time, they take it!" de Nysschen complained. As a result, only 30 percent of the ads planned for California ran. "Now we can get back to selling cars," he concluded. -Dan Carney
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I blame the Euro front crush space standards for making all new cars bulbous and blobby. 
If some drunk mofo is dumb enough to get in my way, he deserves a compound tibia fracture in both legs.
*sigh* ... half kidding, of course. I wholeheartedly welcome the day when we drive giant floating pillows around so that nobody gets hurt.
If some drunk mofo is dumb enough to get in my way, he deserves a compound tibia fracture in both legs.*sigh* ... half kidding, of course. I wholeheartedly welcome the day when we drive giant floating pillows around so that nobody gets hurt.
pics...
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From: Chicago Burbs
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Sounds more like a S4/RS4 V8 than the A4 3.2L FSI.
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http://microsites.audi.com/audia5/
It's buzz time for the Audi group as they gear up the the A5 preview at the Geneva show in March. Audi has pledged to do more marketing on the Internet lately and they've built themselves a micro-site to gear up all the Audi-files for their next dream vehicle. Micro-sites give glimpses of product and cool-looking graphics to would-be purchasers just to give them enough to want more. It starts with a shot of our planet and zooms down to the top of the A5. To get any closer you'll have to register.
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From: Washington DC (NOVA)
