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From YourSITE.com Events Coverage Ask an Audi executive for a list of adjectives that might describe one of their target customers and you’re likely to hear words like “affluent”, “city-dwelling”, “hip”, “professional” and the like. That this same grouping of words could easily apply to many a New Yorker is not lost on Audi. Manhattan and its surrounding suburban network are a big market for the Ingolstadt-based car manufacturer – so important that the region was Audi’s first North American-based in the network of Audi Forums around the world. Likewise, the auto show that takes place in the city each spring usually marks a significant debut for the brand. This year, the focus was Audi’s curvaceous new S5, with a pair of identical Brilliant Red S5s displayed at both the Jacob Javits Convention Center and the aforementioned Audi Forum New York on the corner of Park Avenue and 47th Street.
Word from Manhattanite Audi fans on various internet forums last week was that an A5 or S5 was under wraps at the Audi Forum. The car was later unveiled, for the first time in North America, to an intimate crowd at a reception on Tuesday night – about twelve hours prior to the car’s auto show debut. Other highlights of the evening included Italian photographer GABO unveiling her latest collection of photography centered around the A5 and S5, celebrity chef David Bouley, and a session of music played by young British jazz sensation Jamie Cullum.
After the event, the S5 is said to remain in the Audi Forum for at least several weeks so that New Yorkers can stop in to see Audi’s latest creation even after the New York Auto Show closes its doors.
The following morning, an identical S5 was unveiled to the motoring press on the Audi stand at the New York Auto Show. As part of Audi’s “year of passion”, the S5 and its A5 twin mark the third coupe with four rings on the nose slated for introduction this year. The other two, the TT and the R8, were also well-represented on the Audi stand.
Another notable car under Audi’s pointed spotlights was a similarly red RS 4 sedan. Hot on the heels of the A4’s successful S-line Titanium Package, Audi chose New York to show off another Titanium Package, this time for the RS 4. The car on the stand was also equipped with a special red leather package that will be a further addition on the RS 4 order sheet come the 2008 model year.
The RS 4 Titanium Package will include darkened versions of the RS 4’s 19-inch alloy wheels, black window treatment, piano black interior inlays and titanium finish on the front grille, exhaust tips and even the RS 4’s bespoke rearview mirrors.
The red leather package will be available, on its own or in addition to the Titanium Package, and include red leather seating surface inserts, red stitching on elements such as the seat bolsters and steering wheel, red piping on the floor mats and piano black beltline trim. The package won’t include the red leather shift knob and shift boot of the New York Auto Show display car.
Before the show was over, two Audis on the stand walked away with an additional accolade each – awards from the World Car of the Year committee, an international organization of automotive journalists who name four winners each year in the categories of “World Car of the Year”, “World Performance Car of the Year”, “World Green Car of the Year” and “World Car Design of the Year”.
Audis made the top three finalist spots for three of the four awards, and walked away with two trophies when the tally of votes was announced in New York. Audi’s RS 4 beat out the BMW 335i and the Porsche 911 Turbo for World Performance Car of the Year, while it was the Audi TT who beat out the Citroen C4 Picasso and Fiat Grande Punto for World Car Design of the Year. The TT also ranked as one of three finalists for the World Car of the Year, though didn’t land the second trophy. At Lamborghini, the 2007 New York Auto Show saw the Italian sportscar manufacturer moving into the main hall from its shared lobby position of yore. New York also marked the American premier of the Gallardo Superleggera. This orange Gallardo was flanked by two white Murcielagos.
Dutch auto manufacturer Spyker, a company that uses Audi 4.2 V8 and W12 motors, remained in the position previously shared with Lamborghini and still shared with Lotus and others in the Javits convention center lobby. However, Spyker upped its game this year with three cars on display - an eye-catching yellow C8 Spyder, a black C8 Laviolette coupe and the company’s new sports SUV known as the Peking-to-Paris.
With weather uncommonly cold in New York, Audi did its best to heat things up. Whether it was the third of its quickly growing coupe range on display in sizzling red S5 guise or the record sales numbers reported just prior to the show, it’s clear that Audi has major momentum as we pass the last major American auto show until next fall’s event in L.A. By the time Audi displays at the California show, it’s likely that Audi owners will be driving their own S5s to the event.
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