2016 Audi TT U.S. Specs Revealed

Audi’s third-generation TT has been with us for almost six months, during which time we’ve had a chance to take a quick spin as well as witness the arrival of the convertible variant. Now, finally, the new TT and TT Roadster are ready for their U.S. debut, which will be taking place next week at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show.

For the U.S. market, the new TT range goes on sale next fall, as a 2016 model. It will initially be available in TT and TTS trim, with quattro all-wheel drive as standard. Further down the track we’re expecting a new generation of the awesome TT RS to be launched as well as an entry-level front-wheel-drive model.

The 2016 TT will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It will be available with either the coupe or convertible bodystyles. The sportier TTS will only be available as a coupe. It will feature the same engine as the TT but with output dialed up to 292 hp and 280 lb-ft.

All models will be available with either a manual or S tronic dual-clutch transmission, both with six forward gears. As mentioned above, all models will also come with quattro all-wheel drive as well as the Audi drive select system that allows the driver to adjust things such as shift points, throttle response, steering and suspension. Note, the TTS will feature magnetic ride suspension as standard.

Inside there’s plenty of new tech features including an entirely digital instrument cluster that Audi likes to call the virtual cockpit. This is a 12.3-inch display located behind the steering wheel that provides the driver not only with vital driving information but also comfort and entertainment info. Instructions can be entered using voice control, buttons on the steering wheel or the MMI touchpad and rotary dial located in the center console.

The new TT will also feature the most advanced version of Audi connect internet connectivity, including picture navigation, read-aloud news headlines, Facebook and Twitter alerts, access to more than 7,000 web radio stations, personalized RSS news feeds and more. This version of Audi connect features high-speed 4G LTE connectivity and includes a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Pricing and equipment for the 2016 Audi TT range will be announced closer to next year’s sales launch. Also debuting in L.A. next week will be the updated 2016 A6 and A7; you can read about these and more by heading to our L.A. Auto Show dedicated hub.

Source: MotorAuthority

2015 Audi R8 Competition ready to rock LA

The heyday of the first-generation Audi R8 is winding down, and the Four Rings already has a bespoke factory to start building the next model soon. In the meantime, the German brand is sending its supercar off with a bang at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in the form of this limited-edition 2015 R8 Competition – the most powerful production vehicle ever made by the company.

Audi is earmarking just 60 examples of the Competition for the US, and this is more than just a trim package to say farewell. Power for the supercar comes from the usual 5.2-liter V10 that's massaged to develop 570 horsepower, an extra 20 hp over the already quite potent V10 Plus, and the only available transmission is the seven-speed, dual clutch S Tronic gearbox. The tweaks let this limited R8 rocket to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and achieve a maximum velocity of 199 mph. To haul that speed to a stop, it also gets ceramic brake disks with red calipers.

Of course, having such a rare supercar means showing off a little. Audi takes inspiration from the R8 LMS Ultra racecar for the Competition and tries to bring some of its details to the street. The model wears matte carbon fiber pieces replacing the rear spoiler, mirror housings, side blades, front spoiler and rear diffuser. For an extra mean-looking touch, it also has high-gloss black paint covering the wheels and exhaust pipes.

The 60 US cars are going through Audi Exclusive so buyers can specify their own specific interior and exterior colors from a long list. In addition, all of them also carbon fiber trim over the center console and illuminated doorsills.

Orders for the R8 Competition begin in November, and deliveries should start in early 2015. Scroll down for the full press release announcing this scarce supercar.

Audi recalling 850,000 A4 models over airbag problems

(Reuters)

* Audi recalls 400,000 A4 in China, Germany

* Faulty Audi airbags not made by Takata -spokesman

* Audi solved problem, adjusted A4 production last week (Adds more detail on airbag problems and background)

BERLIN, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Audi is recalling 850,000 A4 models worldwide due to airbag problems, with about half of the vehicles affected in the luxury carmaker's two biggest markets of China and Germany.

Faulty software in A4 models delivered after 2012 could prevent front airbags from deploying, a spokesman at Audi's Ingolstadt-based headquarters said on Thursday.

Audi said its faulty airbags are not made by Japan's Takata Corp, which is at the centre of a burgeoning number of recalls over air bags that could spray shrapnel at occupants.

Volkswagen -owned Audi is recalling about 250,000 A4 models in China, its biggest market, and 150,000 in Germany, while giving no regional breakdown for the remaining 450,000 cars.

The airbag problem is caused by a software fault, affecting A4 saloons, station wagons and so-called allroad models.

The world's No. 2 luxury-car maker last week adjusted production of A4 models at its German plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, adding new software.

U.S. safety regulators on Wednesday expanded the number of Takata-equipped vehicles in the United States that may be affected by recalls to 7.8 million vehicles from 10 carmakers.

News of the recall was published earlier on Thursday by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport magazine.