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With shorter proportions in every direction - and a height of just 1.65m - the Audi Q5 boasts sedan-like handling with a drag coefficient of just 0.33 - the most streamlined its category.

Internationally at least, the Q5 will feature three engines in its line-up - one petrol and two TDI diesels - all of which are direct injected and turbocharged.

The first is Audi’s four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI unit boasting peak power of 155kW and 350Nm between 1500 and 4200rpm, launching the Q5 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds whilst maintaining fuel consumption of just 8.5 litres per 100 km.

The first of the diesel options is a 2.0 TDI engine which develops an identical 350Nm to the TFSI unit between 1750 and 2500rpm with peak power of 125kW.

Acceleration is considerably slower with 100km/h coming up on the speedo after 9.5 seconds, however fuel consumption is dramatically improved - just 6.7 litres per 100km.

The range-topping 3.0 TDI V6 is the most powerful in the range, developing 176kW and 500Nm from 1500rpm, hauling the Q5 to 100km/h in just 6.5 seconds and onto a top speed of 225km/h whilst maintaining fuel consumption of just 7.5 litres of fuel per 100km.

The 2.0 TDI features a six-speed transmission while the remaining models in the range receive Audi’s new generation seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with paddle shift.

The new Q5 comes with quattro permanent all-wheel drive as standard, distributing engine power 40:60 between the front and rear wheels - diverting up to 65 percent of torque to the front wheels, or as much as 85 percent to the rear.

In rough terrain, the Q5 boasts climbing performance as sharp as 31 degrees, approach and departure angles of 25 degrees, ground clearance of 20cm and a wading depth of up to 50cm.

The standard-fit intelligent ESP system allows for spirited performance on-road whilst also offering special ABS calibrations for maximum traction off-road which incorporates a sensor to detect any roof load which would raise the Q5’s centre of gravity - crucial with a load limit of up to 100kg.

These features are available at the push of a button through the Audi drive select control system which also manages the engine’s throttle response, the power assistance for the steering and the S tronic shift points in automatic mode.

This system can also be extended with two other innovative technologies – electronic control for the shock absorbers, and Audi dynamic steering to manage a direct ratio at low speed and an indirect ratio at high speed.

Standard interior creature comforts include such items as automatic air conditioning and an audio system with eight speakers, with the top specification adding MMI navigation plus with hard drive and DVD drive, a Bluetooth phone, a TV tuner, an intelligent speech control system, digital radio reception, an interface for an iPod or MP3 player with USB connection and a high-end sound system from Bang & Olufsen.

Click through for Audi Q5 gallery.

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All this grunt will be channeled through Audi’s permanent 4WD quattro system and a six-speed manual ‘box, though the DSG dual-clutch system will also be available as an option.

Expect a sporty styling with bespoke wheels, alloy-effect door mirrors, aggressive bumpers, RS-batches on the brakes and sill extensions. Volkswagen’s new 280bhp (209kW) 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, lined up for a hot version of Volkswagen’s Passat, will be released at the same time in a more refined form, to replace the 3.2-litre V6 currently powering the range-topping TT.

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Combined with the new 6-speed tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, 0 to 100 km/h takes just 6.4 seconds with fuel consumption an impressive 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

“Audi continues to be a brand on the move in Australia and this new quattro model will help propel us towards yet another period of record sales growth.”

The A5 quattro model is the second to arrive in Australia, with additional engine variants, the 3.0 TDI and 1.8T FSI, to follow over the next twelve months.

Also on its way this month is the potent Audi S5 4.2 FSI quattro tiptronic variant - completing the S5 range.

The new S5 4.2 FSI quattro tiptronic variant is priced at $131,900 and matches the S5 4.2 6-speed manual variant on both price and standard specification.

The launch dates for the remainder of the Audi line up are as follows:

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A mix of city, highway and country driving was incorporated into the event, including a short stint on a gravel road. According to Audi, 30% of the vehicle’s emissions are down to driver style, while the control car was driven with no thought for fuel efficiency.

The winning team - comprising of Alby Martin and Ken Gratton - recorded an average fuel consumption of 3.5l/100km and emitted just 93g/km of CO2.

Day 1

Day 2

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Travelling a total of 3,543 km from point to point, at times fuel consumption dropped as low as 2.6l/100km on the journey. Average C02 emissions were just 98g/km.

The new A3 Sportback ‘e’ model is now on sale in Australia and priced from $38,900.

A 5-speed manual transmission, 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque headline the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e’s powerplant, while official fuel consumption sits at 4.5-litres/100km. According to Audi, it can travel more than 1,200km on a single 55-litre tank of fuel.

Audi will have an e-model in each of its core model series in the foreseeable future.

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Audi today officially announced its contention with a petrol Audi R8, bringing huge levels of experience from success at Le Mans with the diesel R8.

In order to meet race regulations for its class, Audi engineers have replaced the stock 4.2-litre V8 with a race-spec 4.0-litre with 410kW and 478Nm of torque. Volkswagen will enter the new Scirocco.

Another factory backed team is Lexus which is running its supercar, the LF-A.

Aston Martin is running a few cars as well, the DBRS9 as well as a few Aston Martin V8 Vantage N24s, one is even driven by CEO Ulrich Bez!

Other interesting cars include this rather peculiar-looking supercar from Germany. Using a unique petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, it’s called the Gumpert Apollo supercar and under the hood sits a 3.3-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 attached to a 100kW electric motor.

It’s in strong contention given one of the drivers will be former F1 champion Heinz-Harald Frentzen .

But closer to home, there are 11 Australian teams entering the competition. The two most interesting ones are Mal Rose racing’s Holden Commodore V8 Supercar and Osborne brothers’ Toyota Corolla.

The VY (VX pictured above) Commodore is powered by a 5.0-litre Chevrolet V8 mated to a six-speed sequential Hollinger gearbox. It currently has a top-speed of around 295km/h.

The Toyota Corolla is prepared and driven by Osbourne racing, this year’s entry marks the Corolla’s fifth year at the Nürburgring 24 hour.

Surprisingly, there is a lot of interest from Australians to run the Nürburgring race, so much so that CarAdvice reader Liam has setup an entire website dedicated to Aussies interested in the Ring. You can check out his website here. You’ll find heaps more information about Aussie drivers competing this year.

For more information on the race click here to visit the official website.

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This results in a power-to-displacement ratio of 84kW per litre, and torque-to-displacement ratio of 229Nm per litre while still complying with Euro 5 emissions standards – figures which comparable petrol engines are simply unable to match.

Coupled with Audi’s trademark Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual gearbox, this oiler covers 0 to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 240km/h.

Audi assures us this is no ordinary diesel engine - sounding better than it looks courtesy of its sonorous exhaust, I think I’ll wait on YouTube to confirm that one.

The exterior is dominated by the large DTM-style aerokit, rear spoiler and the wheel arch extensions housing enormous 20-inch wheels with stopping power provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs up front.

Racing bucket seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and an open gear lever gate in aluminum form the highlights of the interior.

While production plans have not been revealed, Audi’s TDI past with the Touareg V10 and R8 V12 make it a tantilising prospect.

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While the engine is based on the V10 from the RS6, final power figures are still anyones guess - especially since there has been no word on whether the V10 R8 (possibly RS8) will retain the twin-turbocharged setup as used in the RS6.

The new V10 will mark the third addition to the Audi R8 range, coupled with the standard V8 model and V12 TDI model.

Source: GermanCarScene

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Each manufacturer has independently argued that this proposal unfairly targets brands who invest in technology to reduce greenhouse gases and improve safety - declaring it a tax on innovation.

“Over the years luxury brands pioneered new safety technologies such as airbags, ABS brakes, and Electronic Stability Control. Today, mass market brands and their customers reap the rewards,” said Guenther Seemann, Managing Director of BMW Group Australia.

Citing the tax hike as ‘disappointing’, Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann says that for over 100 years, Audi has been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering key technologies which are today taken for granted, even in mass market vehicles. The company was the first to introduce now basic safety features like safety glass, and even pioneered side impact and rollover testing.

This tariff increase will have serious ramifications for the competitiveness of the Australian automotive industry, and the car-buying public in general, says Hofmann.

They also argue that luxury car manufacturers are constantly investing in technology to reduce its emissions and create more fuel efficient cars, and that a tax system based on CO2 emissions would align better with the Government’s position on the environment.

“Increasing the tax burden on Australians who help fund innovation in cleaner and safer cars highlights a lack of appreciation for the role technology innovation plays in the market.” from BMW

“The Government has a direct interest in making cars safer and cleaner, yet has effectively put this kind of technology at risk for Australian buyers, a move that seems directly at odds with its green agenda.” from Audi

Porsche agrees that the new tax unfairly targets the innovators, and also questions the economic benefit of raising the luxury car tax, indicating the budget would be counter-productive, harmful and put at risk the jobs of thousands of Australians employed in the premium automotive sector.

“The high-end of the market has as much elasticity as the low-end. In fact, you could argue that the high-end has more elasticity as most purchases of premium and luxury goods are deferrable. For the Rudd Government to therefore suggest that an increase in tax would lead to an increase in revenue is overly simplistic and incorrect.” says Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler.

A one-third increase of the LCT from 25 per cent to 33 per cent would result in Porsche’s most affordable sports car, the Boxster, moving from $109,300 to $112,400 (+$3,100); while the price of Porsche’s most popular sports car – the 911 Carrera S – would rise from $227,600 to $237,700 (+ $10,100.)

The only consolation for luxury manufacturers is the Government’s scheduled reduction in tariffs on imported cars from 10 percent to 5 percent from 2010.

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At launch, Audi will introduce two variants of the A3 Cabriolet - the 1.8 TFSI with ‘Attraction’ specification, and the 2.0 TFSI engine with ‘Ambition’ model in both manual and S tronic guise.

A 1.6-litre version with ‘Attraction’ specification will arrive later in the year.

An optional fully automatic hood will be available from launch priced at $1,300 across all A3 Cabriolet models.

Recommended retail pricing for A3 Cabriolet:

1.8 TFSI Attraction (S tronic) 118kw $49,900
2.0 TFSI Ambition (6-speed manual) 147kw $54,900
2.0 TFSI Ambition (S tronic) 147kW $57,500

Customer deliveries of the new Audi A3 Cabriolet will commence from August 2008.

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“This special edition A6 highlights Audi’s strong focus on design, and the sophistication of the brand. The A6 model range offers very sporty variants like our special ‘Le Mans’ edition range and the soon-to-be-released RS 6, and now with the introduction of the White Edition, we are also demonstrating the superb quality and design of this model,” Audi Australia’s General Manager, Marketing, Immo Buschmann, said

According to the German luxury maker the ‘White Edition’ emphasis that “white really is the new silver in fashionable automotive circles”, something that we might have missed!

Given the emphasis on white, Audi has limited the interior colours to just Ibis White or Black Milano leather.

Two variants are offered, the A6 White Edition 2.8-litre FSI direct petrol injection with 154kW and 280Nm of torque and the 3.0-litre TDI diesel engine with 171kW and 450Nm of torque.

The A6 White Edition 2.8 FSI will accelerate from 0 - 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds while the diesel manages the same run in 6.9 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 8.7 litres / 100km for the petrol and 8.0 litres/100km for the diesel.

The FSI puts it power through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven programmed levels as well as steering-wheel mounted buttons for quick gear changes.

The petrol powered variant is driven via the front-wheels but the diesel receives Audi’s famous quattro permanent all-wheel drive drivetrain. The 450Nm of torque available in the diesel rules out the CVT transmission, instead it comes with a 6-speed automatic.

Deliveries of the A6 White Edition commence later this month.

Specification on both variants includes:

• Audi Technik Package (Advanced Key, Audi Music Interface, Navigation system, Audi parking system ‘Advance’ with rear view camera, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation)
• Sports Suspension
• Electric glass sunroof
• Privacy glass (tinted, darkened glass)
• Audi quattro GmbH 19 inch double spoke alloy wheels
• Audi Exclusive Black Package (the radiator grille surround is in a highly polished black finish, matt black radiator slats with licence plate surround also in matt black, highly polished black trim strips below the headlights and exterior window trimming in black)

Recommended retail price

• A6 White Edition 2.8 FSI multitronic $105, 655
• A6 White Edition 3.0 TDI quattro $118, 505

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