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From YourSITE.com Events Coverage The world economy may be in turmoil, though at the Paris Auto Show last week, the Volkswagen Group still seemed immune. While other companies shares have fallen to Extra Value Meal prices, VLKAY (the Volkswagen Group's share I.D.) continues to climb. And while other manufacturers slapped green-themed decals on existing models to promote environmental awareness, the Volkswagen Group continued its multi-faceted model-driven strategy in Paris.
Audi’s exposure in France was three-pronged, picking the show as the place to launch the all-new Audi S4, to debut the A1 Sportback design study and to pull the wraps off of a future 2.0-liter TDI engine that is good for 58.95 mpg. The theme here is clear. Audi plans to keep expanding the lineup, but with a heavy emphasis on efficiency. Audi S4 The most anticipated Audi debut was that of the new S4. Audi is going back to its roots of forced induction (turbos in the ‘80s and ‘90s and even superchargers in the Silver Arrow era) with a new, supercharged 3.0T S4. Though we’re told a twin turbocharged 3.0T was developed alongside, the S4’s production engine uses an Eaton supercharger to develop 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and net the car a reported 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds.
Volkswagen Group powertrain czar Wolfgang Hatz explained that they originally intended to use turbos, but he approved a team who wanted to develop a supercharged application. Both configurations were explored, but the immediacy of torque with a supercharger suited the daily driver performance nature of Audi’s S-range. Hatz tells us that this won’t be the last we’ll see of turbos at Audi, rather a turbo application is something we’ll more likely see in an ultimate performance application.... RS 7 perhaps? Two production-looking S4s were on display. The first was a red sedan featured a silver/black leather interior combo and brushed aluminum trim. The second, a white Avant, sported a red/black leather combo and carbon-fiber trim framed in aluminum as is currently available in the S5.
Audi A1 Sportback Concept We’re guessing this latest concept from Audi is more indicative of how a production A1 model will look when it debuts in the not-too-distant future. Elements like the car’s split opening hatchback are likely a concept-only affair, but we’re hoping design like the trick Audi devil eyes/ turnsignals at the front and, more importantly, the 1.4 TFSI hybrid drivetrain make it to production. We’re particularly interested in the engine. The 1.4 TFSI alone is good for 150 hp, but this latest hybrid solution adds another 27 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque for performance... or the car can drive on electric power alone in local commuting. Even on full-electrics, the car’s lithium ion batteries give it a range of 62 miles without firing up the engine.
One of the most distinctive elements of the latest A1 concept’s design is the clear moulded shield element over top the trademark Audi grille. We inquired with Audi designers about it and were told it was an element that both communicates and achieves higher efficiency. The piece makes what is traditionally a large intake hole and changes the air flow to make it more channeled while lessening drag. As for potential of the A1’s sale in the United States, Audi won’t confirm it… yet they won’t deny it either. One Audi insider commented that the potential is there if the American market shows an appetite for this type of small offering. “First,” our contact stated, “we need to get the A3 in order.” That’ll mean getting sales higher, which doesn’t seem terribly outlandish since there’s a traditional 4-door A3 in the works and the company could likely build the thing in the Volkswagen Group’s plant that's being built in Tennessee, thus bringing costs into line.
Audi A4 2.0 TDIe Concept You’d be foregiven for walking right past the Audi A4 2.0 TDIe concept car in Paris. The story behind this concept is the engine itself. Audi has thrown every trick in the book at this 2.0 TDI in order to make it more efficient – less friction from switchable components like oil pump, a heat exchanger for air conditioning and even new piston rings to lower tangential forces... and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Smallish (and likely very light) wheels on a very average looking B8 A4 doesn’t stand out like say an S4 or a nearby RS 6 and the study wasn’t heavily stickered up. However, it was the very pedestrian nature of the car that is ultimately what is so interesting. Foregoing fitting the ultra-efficient engine into a swoopy and far-from-production concept car, Audi went with their top-selling A4 sedan. The result looks just like a car you can buy today, but nets a hair shy of 60 mpg. You might miss seeing it, but it’s hard to miss the significance of this new engine tech.
Other Audi News On the Audi show stand, there were several more cars on display that would qualify as significant others. A white Audi Q7 S-line sported full graphics from the currently-running Audi Mileage Marathon – a cross-country sojourn in the United States to promote diesel technology. Audi’s 2008 24-Hours of Le Mans winning R10 was on display, complete with the thick layer of oil and grime that it gathered up racing through the early and wet hours of the French enduro last June. A sharp eye in the Audi stand may have also caught full LED taillights fitted to the lone S5 on the floor... lights just like those on the new S4. This is a new feature that we’re told is just going into production now. American cars will get the LED taillights at the 2010 model year changeover along with other improvements like the new 3G MMI. Above the Audi stand, a small meeting room also contained a unique R8 built by Audi Exclusive. The car’s color was Audi's almost white metallic Suzuka Grey and the car featured a side blade, exterior mirrors, chin spoiler and rear DTM-style splitter all made of carbon fiber. Inside was a mix of carbon fiber, black leather and white stitching.
Lamborghini Estoque Concept Center stage at Lamborghini was the Estoque concept car. Lambo’s first stab at a four-door since the 1987 Portofino design study built under Chrysler ownership, the new sedan skips the kitschy dual lambo-style-doors of the Portofino and makes for a bullish attempt at the four-door coupe segment. The design is pure Lamborghini, though the strong rear haunches give the car a hint of a Dodge Charger feel… well the feel of the Dodge Charger we wish Dodge would have built. Named for the rapier-style sword used by Spanish bull fighters, the Estoque features a ‘front mid-engine’ chassis with permanent all-wheel drive. It is powered by the same updated V10 as is found in the Gallardo LP560-4. One wonders how much of the upcoming Audi A7 4-door coupe lies beneath the Estoque. Long-time Lamborghini enthusiasts like us may have preferred a wagon-back modern day Espada or even an all-terrain LM002, but one could argue that Lamborghini seldom looks backwards as it plots its course. Looking into the rearview mirror is for other brands – Lamborghini seems all about the here, now and next.
SEAT Esteo The Spanish subsidiary at the Volkswagen Group is set for conservative expansion. In Paris, this meant showing off the new Ibiza Cupra, and also its latest offering - the Exeo sedan. In order to cost-effectively take SEAT into the popular B-segment, the outgoing B7-generation Audi A4 production line was picked up and shipped off to SEAT lock, stock and barrel. You’ll note soft points have changed at the front and rear and new door-mounted rearview mirrors also differentiate, but this is still quite obviously the last-generation A4... not that that's a bad thing. Badge engineering critics will clamor, but we actually think it’s a smart move and a level of recycling that some may even applaud. Regardless, it’s a savvy business move. By using the older platform and production tools, VAG saves a lot of money and is able to put the car profitably into dealers in an effort to shore up the SEAT line and the B7 was a strong offering. You may already know that this sort of maneuver is not a new one at the Volkswagen Group. The B2-based Volkswagen Santana went on for years in both Brazil and China, while the C3 Audi 200 platform is still produced by FAW in China as the FAW Hongqui. Back to the Exeo, the interior is virtually unchanged. B7 owners looking for rare partsbin modifications for their cars may find some interest in the SEAT’s crafty use of the A4 Cabriolet’s dash top segment with its round vents... makes for a subtle difference. The SEAT also gets a bespoke shift knob, trim surfaces and stitch patterns on the seats. A wagon version of the Exeo is expected and both are expected to offer smaller displacement engine offerings from the Volkswagen Group. Given the expected price point well-below the Audi A4, don’t expect high-dollar variants like a cabriolet or the V8-fitted version as seen with the S4.
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