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Audi A3

The Audi A3 is an entry-level luxury car/small family car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1996. Two generations of A3 exist, both based on the Volkswagen A platform, which they share with several other models such as the Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf, Caddy and Touran as well as Škoda Octavia and SEAT León.
The original A3 (or Typ 8L) was introduced in the European market in 1996, marking Audi’s return to the lower market segments since the demise of the Audi 50. This was the first VAG model to use the PQ34 or “A4″ platform, bearing a natural close resemblance to its contemporary, the Golf Mk. IV. The car was initially available only with a three-door hatchback body, in order to present a more sporty image than the Golf, in both front- and four-wheel drive. All engines had a four-cylinder configuration and were transversally mounted. After the A4, the Audi A3 was the second model in the Audi lineup to use five valves per cylinder.
In 1999, Audi expanded the range with the introduction of more powerful versions; a 1.8 Turbo with 180 PS (132 kW)) and a 1.9 I4 TDI Diesel with pumpe-düse technology and variable geometry turbocharger. The four-wheel-drive A3 1.8T Quattro used either the 150 hp (110 kW) and 180 PS (132 kW) and the same Haldex-based all-wheel drive system as the Audi S3 and the original Audi TT. 1999 was also the year Audi was forced to bow to market demands and introduced a hastily conceived five-door body, that the company had never intended to produce.
In late 2000, the A3 range was revised with new headlights and rear light clusters, other minor cosmetic changes, an improved interior, and the introduction of a six-speed manual gearbox, on the 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW) 1.8 Turbo and the brand new 130 PS (96 kW) 1.9 TDI. Audi’s ESP (Electronic Stability Program) traction-control and brakeforce distribution computer became standard equipment.
Although the Audi A3 was replaced in Europe during 2003, the first generation model continues to be sold in developing countries. After production of the first generation model stopped in Brazil, the retail price increased from R$60,000(US$30,000) to R$100,000 (US$50,000).[citation needed]
In the 2003 Geneva Motor Show, Audi launched the second-generation of the A3, the Typ 8P, designed by Walter de’Silva. Originally launched as a three-door hatchback only with four cylinder engines, it featured a new mechanical platform (the PQ35 platform), a redesigned and more spacious interior, new petrol engines with Fuel Stratified Injection and standard six-speed gearboxes (except on the base 1.6).
In mid 2003, the line was updated with two sports models, a 2.0 Turbo FSI version with 200 PS (147 kW) and a 3.2 VR6 engine (for the first time) with 250 PS (184 kW). Quattro four wheel drive and the S-Tronic semi-auto gearbox were introduced as optionals (quattro is standard on the V6) on every model 140 PS (138 hp/103 kW) and over.
A new five-door body, dubbed Sportback, was introduced in June 2004. Unlike the previous generation, the new A3 Sportback is 8 cm (3 in) longer than the base three-door body, and includes improved rear cabin space and a larger luggage compartment (370 litres). It also received the new front grille originally introduced in the A8 W12.
In 2005, the S-Line trim level, with new sporty decorative elements, became available in certain models, and the 3-door received the same frontend as the Sportback. For the first time, the A3 became available in the North American market, exclusively with the Sportback body, with the base 2.0 TFSI introduced in 2005 and the 3.2 V6 quattro following in 2006. In the Spring of 2005, Audi began a massive alternate reality game to advertise for the A3, known as The Art of the Heist.
In April 2006, the lineup was expanded with the introduction of a more powerful 2.0 TDI with 170 PS (125 kW). In August 2006, Audi announced the arrival of the S3 version, which became the new range topper. The 2.0 TFSI engine was uprated to 265 PS (195 kW), thanks to a higher turbo pressure of 1.2 bar, and is available with a standard 6-speed manual and Quattro. The second generation S3 is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds. The springs and dampers were tuned for a harder setting, and ride height lowered by 25 mm (1 inch). 225/40 R18 tyres are standard.
In January 2007, the normally aspirated 2.0 FSI was replaced by a new turbocharged 1.8 TFSI engine, with 160 PS (118 kW). It is available in front-wheel drive only.
In the fall of 2007, Audi will introduce a new 1.4L TFSI engine for the A3 and a new “e”-model . The “e”-models, Audi’s equivalent of Volkswagen’s Blue Motion, is available with the 1.9L TDI engine, and offers a more ecological car, with a CO2 emission below 120 g/km.

Audi

Audi A4

The Audi A4 is a luxury compact executive car produced by the German automaker Audi since 1994. It is the successor of the Audi 80.
The first-generation Audi A4 (known internally as the Typ 8D) was debuted by Audi in 1994 on the Volkswagen B5 platform, which it shared with the fourth generation Volkswagen Passat. It had a longitudinal engine and standard front-wheel drive, although many of the A4 owners selected the optional quattro four-wheel drive system. The A4 was initially introduced as a four-door sedan; the Avant station wagon arrived a year later.
A wide range of engines were available to European customers, between 1.6 and 2.8 litres, and a 1.9 L Diesel available with VW’s new “Pumpe Düse” (PD, or unit injector) technology, capable of achieving a then high power value of 110 PS (81 kW), although Audi’s 2.8 L V6, carried over from the old 80/90 was the only engine option in North America until 1997.
The Audi A4 was the first model in the Volkswagen Group to feature the new 1.8 L 20V motor with five valves per cylinder, based on the unit Audi Sport had developed for their Supertouring race car. A turbocharged version produced 150 PS (110 kW) and 210 Nm (155 ft·lbf.) of torque. This technology was added to the V6 family in 1996, starting with the 2.8 L V6 30V, which now produced 193 PS (142 kW).
Audi also debuted their new Tiptronic transmission on the B5 platform, based on the unit Porsche developed for their 964-generation 911. The transmission is a conventional automatic gearbox with a torque converter, but it offers the driver a choice of driving the car as either a fully automatic operation or with a manual override of the gear ratios.
The B5 A4 was arguably a watershed model for Audi. Previously regarded as somewhat of a bit-player in the luxury car segment, the massive improvement in quality and engineering with the B5 A4 made buyers realise that there was a luxury German marque other than BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Combined with the well-received TT concept (later a production car), Audi emerged as one of the leaders in the luxury car market.
Audi refreshed the model in the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in Europe in early 1998. Besides the introduction of a 2.8 L 30-valve V6 (replacing the outdated 2.8 V6 12 valve), the most important additions to the range were the 2.5 L V6 TDI (diesel) engine with 150 PS (110 kW) and standard quattro and a six-speed gearbox, as well the new high-performance S4, now part of the A4 lineup (the previous S4 had been an Audi 100). New taillights, headlights, door handles, and other minor exterior/interior changes rounded out the cosmetic updates.
In mid 1998, the 1.8T engine available outside Europe had its power output raised to 170 PS (125 kW). This was accomplished by upgrading the previous KKK Ko3 turbocharger with a Ko3s(sport) unit. The 12-valve V6 was replaced by the 30-valve unit that had been available in Europe for two years. In 1999, Audi debuted an even higher performance Renn Sport model, the RS4, like its predecessor RS2 available only in the Avant body.
An all-new A4, internally designated Typ 8E, debuted in late 2000, now riding on the all new Volkswagen B6 (PL46) platform. The car’s new styling was inspired on the C5 (second-generation) Audi A6. The 1.6 L base model remained unchanged, but most other gasoline engines received either displacement increases or power upgrades. The 1.8 L 20-valve Turbo was now available in two additional versions, with 150 or 180 PS (110 or 132 kW), this one with a standard six-speed gearbox, while the naturally aspirated 1.8 L straight-4 and 2.8 L V6 were replaced by 2.0 L and all-aluminium 3.0 L units, still with five valves per cylinder, the most powerful of which was capable of 220 PS (162 kW) and 300 Nm (221 ft·lbf) of torque. The 1.9 TDI engine was upgraded to 130 PS and was now available with quattro four-wheel drive, while the 2.5 V6 TDI high-end model was introduced with 180 PS (132 kW) and standard quattro. The Avant arrived in mid 2001. This generation of quattro consists of default of 50:50 front to rear torque distribution, infinitely variable up to 25:75 or 75:25.
For 2002, Audi upgraded power in the 1.8 Turbo engines to 163 and 190 PS (120 and 140 kW respectively) - 190 designated by a red T, with both available with quattro, and in the 2.5 TDI intermediate version to 163 PS. A 2.0 engine with Fuel Stratified Injection was also available. A year later, Audi reintroduced the S4, now powered by a 344 PS (253 kW) 4.2 L V8, as well as an A4 Cabriolet convertible variant (Typ 8H), finally replacing the 80-based Audi Cabriolet that had been discontinued in 1998. It included an electrically operated hood which lowered in under 30 seconds and incorporated some styling changes which eventually found their way to the saloon version (such as body-colored lower bumper and sill panels).
Audi also introduced a continuously variable transmission developed by LuK, named Multitronic, which replaced the Tiptronic on front-wheel drive models. The transmission won considerable praise from the automotive press and is generally regarded as being the best of its type in the world, due to its light weight and promptness in response, but its use was limited to models with a maximum of 310 Nm (229 ft·lbf).
Borrowing from the Audi A6, the boot was redesigned to remove the extension of the top edge with a smoother fold line, and the taillight assembly now forms part of the top line.
An “Ultra sport package” named Ultra Sport was introduced in the North American market shortly before the B6 was replaced by the B7. It included aluminium interior trim and door sills, S Line steering wheel, front and rear spoilers, side valence and 18-inch (460 mm) RS4 replica wheels.
The B6 design was available with the following engines:
Audi introduced a heavily revised A4 in late 2004, with the internal designation of B7. However, this new range A4 still utilised the existing Volkswagen B6 (PL46) platform, a chassis derived from the outgoing B6, but enjoyed heavily revised steering settings, suspension geometry, new engine ranges, navigation systems and chassis electronics (a new advanced Bosch 8.0 ESP system). Audi’s internal platform nomenclature uses PL46 (longitudinal passenger car platform, size 4, generation 6) for both B6 and B7 chassis. The Typ 8E and 8H type designations are also unchanged from the B6 A4.
The engine lineup received many additions. The 2005 introduction of Fuel Stratified Injection on the 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 V6 FSI gasoline engines, as well as other refinements, increased power output to 200 and 255 PS (147 and 188 kW), respectively. These engines both implement a four-valve per cylinder design. The prior 5-valve design was incompatible with the FSI direct injection system. The 2.0 TDI diesel engine now combines Pumpe Düse (PD) technology with 16 valves for the first time, while the larger 2.5 TDI was increased to 3.0 L, offering 204 PS (150 kW). quattro all-wheel drive remained available on most A4 models. Audi retired its 5-speed manual transmissions in favor of a 6-speed. As before, Multitronic transmission is available on front-wheel drive models, while a 6-speed Tiptronic transmission is available on quattro four-wheel drive models.
In addition to the higher-performance S4 (S for Sport), which carried over the powertrain of the B6 S4, Audi has reintroduced the ultra-high performance RS4 (RS for Renn Sport) to the lineup, for the first time on the saloon and cabriolet body and with a normally aspirated 4.2 V8 FSI engine. Another notable inclusion is the 3rd-generation quattro system which uses an asymmetric 40:60 front-rear torque distribution (this new asymmetric centre differential was only available initially on the RS4, and later, on the S4. The remainder of the A4 range still utilised the 50:50 split diff). A limited edition variant first introduced in late 2005, named “DTM Edition”, was reintroduced in 2006 as a regular option, the 2.0T FSI engine now engineered to 220 PS (162 kW) with standard quattro. The front grill assembly has changed to be a tall trapezoidal shape in the same manner as the C6 (third-generation) Audi A6.
The B7 Cabriolet model arrived later than the other two body variants, with sales beginning in February 2006. Brand new on the Cabriolet was an entry-level 2.0 TDI version, but to date this is not being offered with the Multitronic gearbox.
The Audi A4 offers many safety features, including side airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Stabilization Program, and its optional quattro four-wheel drive. It also received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick For 2007″
Audi released the first official pictures of the B8 series A4 in August 2007 and unveiled the car to the public at the September 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. Saloon and Avant models are offered. The Avant is being unveiled to the public at the March 2008 Geneva Auto Show.
The B8 A4 substantially shares the same underpinnings as the A5 coupé. Compared to prior A4 chassis, the front axle is moved forward with respect to the engine. This effectively moves the engine mass slightly rearwards, improving the weight balance and handling by more evenly distributing the weight on all four tires. The estimated static front:rear weight ratio of the B8 is approximately 55:45, depending on body style and engine selection.
The B8 A4 has increased in length by approximately 12 cm over the prior B7, which has allowed for increased rear seating legroom. Although the overall dimension have increased, the curb weight has dropped some 10%. The boot (trunk) has also increased to 480 litres (17 cu ft) for the saloon (sedan) version. A4 Avant will have a maximum capacity of 1,430 litres.
Significant new features have been developed for the B8. As standard the A4 includes:
Options:
3.2 L V6 petrol (gasoline) and 3.0 L V6 diesel engines come with the quattro four-wheel drive system, now with a default 40:60 front to rear torque distribution ratio (used on the previous RS4) standard. Previous A4 quattro models split torque front/rear 50:50. The additional torque applied to the rear wheels helps mimic the driving dynamics of rear wheel drive cars.
In 1997 Audi was the first European car manufacturer to put a hybrid vehicle into series production, the third generation Audi duo, then based on the A4 Avant.

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Audi A6

The Audi A6 is a mid-size executive car produced by the German automaker Audi. It is available in saloon and station wagon (Avant) body styles. The second generation A6 was also used as the basis for the allroad quattro.
Audi’s mid-size car was named the Audi 100 (or Audi 5000 in the United States) and was released in three successive generations (C1, C2 and C3). In 1994, the latest generation (C4) of the Audi 100 was facelifted and re-badged as the A6, to fit in with Audi’s new alphanumeric nomenclature (as the full-size A8 had just been introduced). The exterior was changed only a bit from the C4 100 - new front and back lights, new radiator grid, the same happening with chassis and engine and transmission choices.
The new engines for the A6 were 1.8 20V I4, 2.8 30V, 1.9 TDI V6, and the 2.5 R5 TDI (140 PS), with the 2.3L I5 engine being dropped on most markets. The S6’s 4.2 V8 was uprated to 290 PS (286 hp/213 kW) and a new 326 PS (322 hp/240 kW) version was added (S6+ made by quattro GmbH).
Up until 1997, the A6 came with several different engines, two of them turbo-diesel, and most of them available with Audi’s quattro all wheel drive system. The A6 was also available with sedan and Avant bodies.
The C4 design was available with the following engines:
In 1997 the scene changed strikingly for the A6. With the introduction of an ambitious new design (C5) and a new pack of engines, the A6 moved up a notch and was positioned alongside the hegemonic BMW 5-Series and the solid Mercedes E-Class. The Italian redesigned body presented a very modern design with a dramatic fastback styling that set the trend for the Audi lineup and gave the relatively large sedan a very aerodynamic shell with a low coefficient of drag of 0.28. In 2000 and 2001, the fifth-generation A6 was on Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list. This new A6 presented itself with a wide range of engines and configurations. The crisp 30-valve 2.4 and 2.8 V6 engines represented the bulk of the A6’s development programme, with a multitude of other engine configurations available throughout the globe. As an alternative to the manual transmission, a 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission was also available.
The C5 saloon body arrived in 1997, and the Avant body in 1998 in Europe. In the US, the C4 continued for 1997, with the C5 saloon appearing in 1998, and the C5 Avant appearing in 1999. In Canada, there was no Avant (wagon) available at all in 1998 - Audi dropped the C4 Avant at the end of the 1997 model year, and jumped straight to the C5 Avant in 1999 in conjunction with its release in the US. As a result of complying with FMVSS the North American models were equipped with front and rear bumpers that protruded several inches further than their European counterparts, with modified brackets and bumper suspension assemblies as result and child-seat tethers for occupant safety. In compliance with Canadian law, Canadian models received daytime running lights as standard equipment. North American C5 A6 models received the 2.8 litre, 30-valve V6 engine, the 2.7 litre, bi-turbo V6 (also found in the B5 platform S4), and the 4.2 litre 40-valve V8. The V8 models arrived with significantly altered exterior body panels, with more aggressively flared wheel arches, revised headlamps and grille design (before being introduced in 2002 to all other A6 models), taller and wider wheels (17×8″), larger brakes and quattro as standard.
The Audi S6 was a high-powered variant of the A6 line, featuring a modified version of the 4.2 engine producing 340 PS (335 hp/250 kW). It was available as a saloon and Avant.
In 2002 the A6 received a facelift with revised headlight and grille design, exposed exhaust tips, and slight changes to accessory body moldings and tailight color from red to amber in North American models. A new host of engines were introduced as well. The 1.8 L engine was removed and replaced by a 2.0 L powerplant with 130 PS (128 hp/96 kW). The 1.9 L TDI was tweaked into producing a maximum of 130 PS (128 hp/96 kW) and 310 N·m (229 ft·lbf), receiving a 6-speed gearbox in the process. The 2.4 V6 gained 5 extra hp and better balancing and the 2.8 V6 was replaced by a 3.0 L engine boasting 220 PS (217 hp/162 kW). The turbocharged 2.7 L was given a tweak on the turbo resulting in 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW) and 330 N·m (243 ft·lbf), controlled by standard quattro. The V6 Diesel was also slightly modified resulting in 163 PS (161 hp/120 kW) (after the second modification) and 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf). A new more powerful V6 diesel was also introduced presenting 180 PS (178 hp/132 kW) and 370 N·m (273 ft·lbf). The 4.2 V8 engine which arrived in 2001 remained unchanged.
Also new was the revolutionary Multitronic continuously variable transmission, available in most front wheel drive models in the lineup. All models, except the 2.0 petrol and 1.9 TDI, were available with Audi’s four wheel drive system, quattro. A four wheel drive version of the estate with raised ground clearance and slightly altered styling was sold as the Audi allroad quattro, Audi’s first crossover SUV.
Regarding this C5 generation, Car and Driver magazine stated, “It is one of the most winsome mid-sizers to meet pavement, with some of the nicest handling this side of a BMW. In 2000, the moderate performance of this otherwise excellent, 3.0-liter V-6-powered, sedan was improved by the addition of two higher-performance versions: the 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW), 2.7T bi-turbo V6 and the 300 PS (296 hp/221 kW), 4.2 V8, both with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. In mid-2003, major muscle came along in the limited-run RS 6-powered by a 450 PS (444 hp/331 kW), twin-turbo V8 - which immediately finished first in a C/D comparison test”.
In the late years of the A6 C5 design, a monstrous limited-run Audi RS6 model was presented. Weighing 4229 pounds and producing a staggering 450 PS (331 kW) and 560 Nm (415 ft·lbf), it propels the RS6 from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 sec and on to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 17 seconds. In 2003, it was priced at $82,000 for the U.S. market. This model saw the end of the C5 design which was replaced in 2004 by a new model.
The C5 design was available with the following engines:
The new A6 (C6) was released in 2005. Designed by Walter de’Silva, the new model is visually an evolution of the C5, but is longer (492 cm), incorporates the new Audi trademark single-frame grille, and features more sophisticated technology. It’s design has been criticised, as the grill is almost exactly the same as the Rover 75 V8’s, which was reveal a year earlier. Most notable is the MMI (Multi Media Interface) which is a system controlling in-car entertainment, satellite navigation, climate control, car settings such as suspension configuration and optional electronic accessories through a central screen interface. This has the advantage of minimizing the wealth of buttons normally found on a dashboard by replacing them with controls which operate multiple devices using the integrated display.
On the engine side the new FSI direct injection technology was introduced for the first time outside the race track. Although the line of engines represents the same progression as the former model, all engines were new. The Multitronic automatic transmission continues as an alternative alongside a new 6-speed Tiptronic gearbox available in the high end models. quattro four wheel drive is available in most of the lineup, and standard in the most powerful models. quattro is not available on the Multitronic variants of the A6 but is available on the manual and Tiptronic gear systems. Conversely the Tiptronic system is only available on the quattro variants of the car. The 6-speed manual gearbox is available with the 3.2L engine but not for the North American market as sales of C5 manuals were slow.
In 2005, the new Audi A6 won the World Car of the Year award.
Like the previous model, the A6 is available with other body options. The Avant arrived during the course of 2005, while in China, a longer version was introduced in the same year, named A6 L. The allroad (now called “A6 allroad quattro) model made its debut in 2006 and as before is an off-road ready version of the Avant available with either a 2.7 or 3.0 diesel or a 3.2 or 4.2 petrol. The sporting S6 was introduced in the Frankfurt Motor Show, with sales beginning in early 2006. It is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2 L V10 FSI producing 435 PS (320 kW). The S6 reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 5.1 seconds and the quarter mile 13.5 seconds.
A mighty RS6 will be on sale early 2008. This will be powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.0 L V10 TFSI producing 580 PS (426 kW).
On the 01/22/2008 spy photos of the mid-life facelift A6 appeared on the internet. The images show a slightly redesigned front bumper, new rectangular fog lamps as well as bigger air-intakes to the left and right of the grille.
The C6 design was available with the following engines:
The second-generation A6 was on Car and Driver magazine’s Ten Best list for 2000 and 2001. The updated 2005 A6 won the World Car of the Year award for 2005.
The following is a series, listed in order, of detailed information on various aspects of the sixth-generation A6 (the “C6″) from VWVortex.

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