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From YourSITE.com Audi News Audi’s press conference at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show is now less than two weeks away and Ingolstadt’s plans for the hallmark European auto show are beginning to come into focus. Official announcements from Audi AG and substantiated rumors have helped Fourtitude compile a credible list of what you can expect to debut on the Audi stand on Sept 15 and possibly will be revealed beforehand.
Audi R8 Spyder It may not be the most politically correct of expected Frankfurt launches, but the R8 Spyder will certainly plays to the passion behind the Audi brand. Images of a production-ready car surfaced earlier this summer when Robert Downey Jr. and company were caught filming a scene involving the car on a California highway. An inquiry to Audi suggests that the leak wasn’t engineered but that an aggressive photographer cruised right through the shoot and fired away with his camera while hanging out of his car. Details for the R8 Spyder remain sketchy. Of course it will star in the sequel to Iron Man and, as expected, Audi will forego initial considerations of making the car targa-like in favor of the more open Spyder configuration. Rumors around the car suggest that Audi will launch it, at least initially, with a V10 only.
Audi Electric Concept In late July, French automotive magazine/website L’Automobile published a news story suggesting Audi will reveal an R8 ePerformance concept car at Frankfurt. According to the report, the car foregoes the production R8’s many air intakes that would be unnecessary on an electric car in favor of lower aerodynamic drag. This could mean no inlets on the side, perhaps a more enclosed lower chin area as seen on the Sportback concept and undoubtedly an inspiration on this CGI, and finally an enclosed shield grille. Our own sources have been suggesting that there will be an electric concept car, but L’Automobile’s information was surprisingly detailed and included a name for the concept consistent with Audi’s use of the “e” designation for efficient vehicles. Then today, Audi pulled the wraps off of a microsite promoting the launch. The site’s ‘Electricity Untamed’ title and content confirms the electric theme and this teaser image we found on the site certainly makes it appear as if the car will be based on the R8. That Audi is putting some weight behind an electric concept is significant in and of itself, though the launch is even more highly anticipated when you consider that key competitors BMW and Mercedes are also either confirmed or rumored to be showing electric sports car concepts of their own.
Audi S5 Sportback An S-version of the new A5 Sportback had been all but officially confirmed via those close to Audi, though Ingolstadt has now officially confirmed that a 3.0T-powered S5 Sportback will be on the stage in Frankfurt. As you might expect, all of the S5 kit carries over to the Sportback body style in a consistent manner you would expect from Audi.
Audi A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro Audi’s latest 3.0 TDI engine will now be added to the brand’s best-selling A4 range. The new 3.0 TDI, first seen in the Q7 and complete with DeNOX catalytic converter and AdBlue urea injection, is Audi’s cleanest diesel V6 to date and meets the EU’s Euro 6 emissions standards.
Audi A3 1.2 TFSI With market pressures for frugality, Audi is launching a low-displacement 1.2-liter FSI 4-cylinder in its A3 range. Good for 105 hp and 129 lb. ft. of torque, the engine can propel the A3 from 0-62 mph in 11.1 second (11.3 for Sportback models) and deliver a reported 42.7 MPG.
Even More of Audi Interest The Frankfurt IAA is the largest industry auto show in the world, with show hall –after-showhall of displays by car manufacturers, tuners, OE suppliers, toy manufacturers and more. Though a thorough list of what is known regarding Audi’s IAA plans, it is possible that Ingolstadt could pull the cover off of even more surprises. Further, other Audi-interest reveals are expected from tuners such as Abt Sportsline, MTM and Caractere to Audi-powered specialty car manufacturers such as Spyker and Gumpert. Fourtitude staff will be attending the Frankfurt Auto Show and will be covering the event extensively. Watch for full coverage beginning Sept 14.
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