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From YourSITE.com Events Coverage One of the ‘Big Four’, the New York Auto show ranks somewhere near Chicago in its importance to the auto industry, with Detroit and Los Angeles usually marked for a wider array of launches and buzz. That said, New York is no wallflower… and how could it be?
The Show… the Fashion Show The stage set, quite literally, Audi pulled the wraps off of the car for a second time following its initial Brandenberg Gate showing in Berlin. The car’s presentation was precluded by a fashion show – not an uncommon sight on Manhattan, but a bit out of place at the New York Auto Show. Six new designs shown were from a line by fashion design up-and-comer Doo.Ri Chung. Chung got her start with Geoffrey Beene, though struck out on her own six seasons ago, launching her own line. Since that time there’s been no looking back, becoming well-known for her skills in couture, starring in the documentary ‘Seamless’ and netting plenty of accolades.
Complementing Chung’s presence on the stand and there to help introduce the TT was super model Tatjana Patitz. The German-born Patitz is an icon in the fashion world, one of the super-elite model set that grew beyond the fashion industry and became a household name. Remember her appearing with fellow super models such as Cindy Crawford in the George Michael video ‘Freedom 50’? Patitz beauty is striking and classic, hopefully not so different from the appearance of the TT to car buyers if Audi has done their job correctly.
TT Coupe It’s hard to redesign an icon. No matter how inspired or well executed, the redesign will never carry the weight of the original. The first TT was revolutionary, blowing the minds of its viewers by totally changing their schema of what an Audi sports coupe could be. The original TT made no attempt to replace a previous icon like the legendary Ur-Quattro. Instead, it struck out in its own direction, making use of an upgraded yet Volkswagen-sourced chassis, design virtually 100% true to the concept car it embodied and a showpiece interior.
To follow that up, Walter da Silva and his team at Audi’s design department had their work cut out for them. The new design would now have to move from revolutionary to evolutionary. At the same time, Audi engineers would need to up the ante, as competitors from BMW and Porsche have improved since the debut of the last TT while relative newcomers such as the Honda S2000 have made the segment even more hard-fought. In person and on paper, it appears as if the designers and engineers have been successful in their task. The new TT is larger, but does not look bulky in any way. The car blends existing Audi design cues such as the signature waterfall grille while it strikes a new direction with its edgy interior that itself perhaps the most radical departure in design from the original.
Though much different, the interior of the TT is still a treat to the eyes and fingers. The most dominant carried-over design cue are the round vents, though this time around they don’t feel as heavy and machined as the benchmark pieces in the original car. There are also five vents now, making us wonder if the prominence of aftermarket TT guage kits were an inspiration for the addition of the fifth and central vent. The most radical departure from an engineering standpoint might be the car’s new aluminum and steel space frame that improves performance while making it far from a borrowed platform from VW. While there are many component sets that might be shared with the A3 and corporate cousins such as the Jetta and GTI, 69% of the car’s new space frame is made of aluminum. An Audi representative at the stand explained that the doors, trunk lid and some of the rear substructure are the only uses of steel in the car’s main architecture. On the road, that translates into more inspired handling according to an Audi source who has driven the car. The TT will go on sale this fall in Europe, and follow six months later in the spring of 2007 for the USA – about one year from now. It will initially be fitted with Audi’s 3.2 narrow-angle V6 and FSI-powered 2.0T. DSG will be optional on both engines, though it will now be called S-tronic.
All TTs will get the Le Mans Concept-inspired taillights, with LED indicators on the exterior rearview mirrors like the upcoming R8 production car. 2.0T and 3.2 models will be differentiated largely by optical color changes to the headlights and grille. 2.0 models will get the matte black grille seen on photos of executive driven TTs shot in the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt and found on GermanCarBlog.com, while 3.2 models will get the gloss-black finish seen on the TT found on the stand in New York. Parroting some inquiries we’ve seen in the forums, two main questions were asked of any Audi executive to be found on the stand.
First, “Will quattro be available on 2.0T models for the USA? “ With the lack of quattro on the A3 2.0T currently, many are wondering if the base-engine TT will get the all-wheel drive system. From the sounds of it, full details on this particular question have not been fully ironed out – so any story claiming definitely one or the other is certainly subject to change. However, it sounds as if the car will initially be launched without quattro availability for the 2.0T, eventually being added to the options list in a later production year. If that happens, don’t be surprised to see the same move copied in the A3 lineup as well. Second, “Will the TT get the flat-bottomed steering wheel?” It’s a little detail… we know. However, the lack of flat-bottomed wheel in the RS 4 has caused all sorts of commentary on message boards across the Internet, so TT loyalists were immediately concerned that the arguably even more handsome wheel in the TT Coupe might not make the cut for the USA. Fear not. We have it on good word that the wheel is a definite for America and beyond. The TT will sell in much greater numbers than the RS 4. So, in the case of the TT, economies of scale will work in favor of the new coupe. Federalization of the wheel, expected to be standard, will be a much lower impact on the price of the car. There’s no word on whether the wheel will fit other applications in the Audi lineup, but given the high-degree of parts compatibility in the lineup, we’re sure someone who will be attempting the swap just as soon as the TT goes on sale in Europe.
A4 / S4 Cabriolet The B7 Cabriolet was first shown in Frankfurt last September, though New York marked the first time these cars have appeared in North American trim. The new Audi drop-tops are set to debut late this summer during the transition to the 2007 model year. Like the B7 changes made on sedan and Avant models, the Cabriolet will get a host of new equipment, starting with an upgrade to the more powerful and more efficient 2.0T and 3.2 engine offerings on the A4 models.
The A4 3.2 Cabriolet on the stand also featured a new 5-spoke wheel design that looks much inspired by the 18-inch wheel offering on the RS 4. We hear the wheel is production and could become the new base wheel for all 3.2 A4 models. Like its other B7 counterparts, the S4 Cabriolet changes little in its drivetrain, though the car finally gets a much-needed body kit to differentiate it from equivalent A4 models. It also marks the first S4 in the range to change over to Audi’s new signature S wheel that was first shown on the S8 and inspired by the Le Mans Concept. While many competitors like Volvo and BMW are moving to folding hardtops, Audi has chosen to stick with their high-quality soft tops. One main benefit is that the lower weight of the top offers the ability to raise and lower it while moving – up to 19-mph for all new B7 models. No pricing for the Cabriolets has been announced.
RS 4 Pricing While the RS 4 had already made its North American debut at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Audi chose New York to announce official pricing on the car. In a surprise move, Auburn Hills priced the car at a highly competitive base price of $66,000. Consumers buying an RS 4 will also have to pony up $2,100 in Gas Guzzler Tax and pay Audi’s standard $720 destination fee, but this still places base models below the $70,000 mark. Options will be limited, but include: Premium Package - $4,700_- Bluetooth Phone Prep_- Memory Seats and Mirrors_- Self-Dimming Rearview Mirrors and Compass in Rearview Mirror_- Power Sunshade in Rear Window and Manual Sunshades on Rear Side Windows_- Home Link_- DVD Navigation with MMI_- CD Changer Rear Side Airbags - $350 No-Charge Options_18" 5-spoke Wheels (19" wheels are standard equipment)_Sunroof Delete_Replace Carbon Fiber Trim with Aluminum, Piano Black or Dark Myrtle Nutmeg Wood We know the first wave of cars, expected in June, will all be equipped with Navigation. Expect them all to have the Premium Package and cost upwards of $73,000. After the first wave, more selection will be available.... expected around July or August. The Audi Stand As if the new TT, new A4/S4 Cabriolet and RS 4 weren’t enough of an emphasis on performance on the stand for Audi, Auburn Hills also brought out an S8 and S6 to further emphasize the push for performance and new offerings. With the new S4 Cabriolet sitting alongside the S6, S8 and RS 4, it is clear just how serious Audi is getting when it comes to performance. However, the brand equity doesn’t end there. The entire range of existing models, including two examples of the new Q7 SUV, supported this long row of performance models. Audi Investment in America and New York In Particular In his speech to journalists, Audi of America boss Johann de Nysschen mentioned further investment in the grand city of New York. While we’re not sure of the entirety of his comments’ intent, we have learned that Audi has begun work on its latest Audi Forum in Midtown Manhattan – the first of its kind in the USA. A place to communicate the Audi brand much like other Audi Forums in Paris, London, Beijing and Ingolstadt, the Audi Forum New York is expected to open as early as August or September and will showcase the brand as well as its values. There’s been no word as to whether customers will be able to take delivery of their Audi at the Forum as they do in Ingolstadt, but we do know that it will occupy a space that was formerly a Midtown dealership for the brand.
Lamborghini Though no new models graced Lamborghini’s stand at New York this year, that fact certainly doesn’t mean New Yorkers are any less enthused about the cars. The Lamborghini stand was graced by open-top examples of both the Murcielago and Gallardo. Hardtop models of each could be found on the lower level in the ‘Get Your Picture Taken with an Exotic’ area where Lamborghinis fiercely outnumbered offerings from the prancing horse.
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