Audi A1

Audi's plans of premium segment domination necessitate entering segments previously unoccupied at Ingolstadt. Most upper segments have been taken up with cars like the A8, A6 and the R8. The lowest segment is currently ruled by the new MINI.

With the upcoming A1, Audi aims to set things straight and expand its global reach. The A1 will go on sale from late summer 2010 in Europe after its Geneva Motor Show public debut. Reports say its styling will be quite similar to the Metroproject Quattro Concept of Tokyo 2007 with its curved roof and short overhangs. The platform and drivetrain are to be shared with the VW Polo, a decision said to anger some Audi executives but one that's necessary for cost-cutting exercises.

Expected engines include a 1.2 TFSI producing 63kW (86PS) and 160Nm, a 1.4 TFSI producing 90kW (122PS) and 200Nm, and a 1.6 TDI worth 77kW (105PS) and 250Nm. Of course the MINI has performance derivatives which need to be targeted as well. So an S1 will be created with about 132kW (180PS) being driven by a 7-speed S-Tronic transmission. The S1 would be launched in February 2011.

Following that an A1 Sportback would come to market and thereafter soft-top cabriolet versions in 2012. Depending on A1 market sales, a peppery RS 1 could be introduced. The Q1 SUV derivative is set for production but it's not clear where exactly it would fall. Would it be a rival for the BMW X1 or the smaller MINI Crossman?

Lastly, there is some talk of an A2 range which falls between the A1 and A3 and is entirely focused on clean energies.

Read full history - Audi A1

New Audi Q7 as a luxury SUV

Isn’t it a little difficult to get into,” remarked a colleague as we climbed into the cavernous insides of Audi’s new Q7. He had scraped his
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
head against the edge of the roof of Audi’s monster truck while trying to get into the driver’s seat, and looked at me disapprovingly.

It was late in the evening and the temptation of a short drive was too much to handle. The intent of branding the new Q7 as a luxury SUV was clear as brushed aluminium inlays glowed in the soft streetlight that filtered in through the large low windows.

The chocolate brown vehicle that we were sitting in came with an S line equipment package that translated into better aesthetics, on the inside as well as the outside. I didn’t mind.

The 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 TDI engine was quiet, though not as quiet as the one that comes with Mercedes-Benz’s M-Class. But this baby could pull... 240 hp coupled with 550 Nm of torque gave us near neck snapping acceleration. But the bull charge was soothingly smooth. We tried unsettling its almost 2,500-kg frame by throwing it into tight corners but the quattro (Audi’s 4-wheel drive system) sparred with us tenaciously. So, this bull could dance as well, I smirked.

The short drive in Lutyen’s Delhi was over in a jiffy. But I had bigger plans for the vehicle that Audi calls the best selling performance luxury SUV in India.

Early next morning, while snuggling into the beautiful front seat of the Q7 I noticed the speakers. A Q7 buyer has two options — a 10-channel Bose sound system and a 14-channel Bang & Olufsen system. I didn’t have an option because my Q7 came with the higher-spec 1000-watts B&O! Like I said earlier, I didn’t mind at all. It looked great and sounded better. John Lee Hooker and highway fog go well together I thought, and pushed in the CD.

As Hooker strummed and plucked the sun started cutting through the fog on NH8. Life felt good at 120 kph. Broad roads have this habit of making you feel that you are going slow. Or was it the car? Or both? Or was it Hooker?
Rhythms apart, the Q7 handles well despite its size. It’s not as taut as a BMW but feels more sublime and supple. And an X5 can never pamper you the way the Q7 can. But at the same time, I felt that in choc-a-bloc traffic it’s easier to sneak in through with the M-Class. But then again, I wouldn’t choose the Merc to power me through a super highway.

But the NH8 is not a super highway. Somehow it has lost its charm. The tarmac doesn’t feel fresh anymore and it’s way too crowded at anytime during the day. But I powered on, sometimes off roading through the edge of the road. The Q7, true to its genes, showed fantastic passing prowess. The top whack levels off at somewhere near the 210-kph mark.

And then I did something great. I saw an opening for a back road and quietly slid into it. Dirty dhabas were immediately replaced with high grass on both sides and the little road snaked through quaint villages. People stared as I tried to steer through nervous hens and arrogant goats. At one point, I even had to get down from the car to look for a goat that ran under the Q7’s huge bonnet. The point that I am trying to make here is that the SUVs from BMW have fantastic driver seats at the right height. But I had never thought that it would take a young goat for me to find that out!

On the road, the Q7 is great. Good power, class-leading luxury. But off the beaten path, I still have my reservations. It rolls way too much on bad roads and the ground clearance leaves a few stones unturned, quite literally.

But when compared to its immediate peers such as the BMW X5 and the Mercedes M-Class, it turns quite a few heads, offers far more space since it comes with a six-seater option, has more frills than necessary and drives, well, almost like a performance sedan. But I still wonder, why we have to call it an SUV.

Read full history - New Audi Q7 as a luxury SUV

New Audi A6 launched in India

German luxury car maker Audi Thursday launched a new variant of its existing sedan Audi A6 in the Indian market.

The car will be available in the market in May first week with a price tag starting from Rs.38.57 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai).

“The new Audi A6 with its thrilling design, powerful engines and its combination of dynamic performance and lower fuel consumption will be one of the key players in the Indian luxury car market,” Audi India managing director Benoit Tiers said.

The new variant has been priced some Rs.2 lakh below the existing A6 model.

Read full history - New Audi A6 launched in India

Mercedes Benz Relesed E-Class Sedan

Such well-known automobile maker as Mercedes Benz in India launched a diesel version of its E-Class sedan. It is available for Rs 48.08 lakh.

According to the company E-Class sedan is equipped with a 2,987 cc 6-cylinder engine and with the help of E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY it will be possible to diminish fuel input.

The company believes that due to the launch of the advanced version of its E-Class sedan it will receive good profit from next year.

It was estimated that the company had sold 3,625 cars in India for the last year. In August it introduced a special edition of its C-Class sedan.

Read full history - Mercedes Benz Relesed E-Class Sedan