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13/12/2011, 23:33
Car Review by DEREK OGDEN
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Like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Audi has been busy churning out product like there is no tomorrow. However, there is very much a tomorrow for the German automobile manufacturer as members of the Australian media recently found out.
Dealers had come up trumps, we were told, selling more vehicles up to the end of November than in the whole of 2010 – 13,539 against 12,900, or 8.6 per cent up. Best of the bunch was the new A6 business sedan which also carried off a couple of car of the year awards.
While the action at the Audi event took part on a private road shrouded in secrecy, the Aussie arm of the German auto giant was more than forthcoming on what HQ had planned Down Under next year. For a start more dealerships – some in the sticks – are on the cards; the product portfolio will continue to be expanded; then there are the limited editions.
Next year sees Audi adding value across the majority of the range, with A1, A3 Sportback, A4, A5 and Q5 gaining features including Audi Connect for all. The A1 gets standard equipment upgrades at no extra cost, while for $2000 buyers can take advantage of a new Technik Package featuring Xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
The Bluetooth interface is also standard across all A3 Sportback and A3 Cabriolet models. The A4 sedan and Avant gain additional gear too. The A5 Coupe, Cabrio and Sportback, except 2.0 TFSI multi, benefit from MMI Navigation Plus as standard and the Q5 takes on additional upgrades with no price hike.
For those who feel the need to experience a certain amount of exclusivity, Audi has launched a Limited Edition range covering four sports models – the R8, RS 5 Coupe, TT RS and S3 Sportback. Most desirable is the R8 Carbon Edition, a carbon fibre styling package that will be available in both V8 and V10 powered Coupe or Spyder variants. Rarity is guaranteed with only 10 cars coming to Australia.
The two naturally aspirated engines – the 309 kW 4.2-litre V8 and 386 kW 5.2-litre V10 - are closely related, both using FSI technology. The V10 is able to shoot the car from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 316km/h. Exclusive styling, including carbon fibre front spoiler and rear diffuser, exterior mirror housings and illuminated door sills, adding up to $38,1000, can be had for only $10,000 above the purchase price of either model.
The RS 5 Coupe Limited Edition will add to the already powerful reputation of the 331kW V8 RS 5 Coupe that takes advantage of Audi quattro all-wheel drive and 7-speed S tronic transmission. Just 25 cars will get the special treatment that includes 20-inch alloy wheels, sports exhaust with dual modes and black tailpipes, panoramic sunroof and Bang & Olufsen surround sound system. All this for the same price - $175,300 - as the standard RS5 Coupe.
Similarly, only 45 examples of the TT RS S tronic Limited Edition will make it Down Under. This gem takes advantage of Audi’s 7-speed S tronic double clutch gearbox, the first Australian TT RS to do so. The ‘tonne’ comes up in 4.4 seconds. The S3 Sportback gets the S tronic treatment too, resulting in high-grade sporting performance – 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds - in a practical package designed to cater for the needs of the everyday driver.
Even the Audi A1 gets in on the Limited Edition act with a sporty Competition Kit consisting of lower front spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser, sports-style tailpipe trims and bigger roof spoiler. Only 50 buyers will be able to take advantage of the kit early next year. The talking over, it was time to get on track. Stopwatches at the ready, the media were set for some serious action and what better way to do it than in the R8 supercar and other audacious Audi acolytes.
First it was waltzing through witches’ hats in a bid to beat the clock and other uber competitive members of the Society of Steering Scribblers in TT RS and S3 Sportback Limited Editions. On a damp surface, the TT RS squirted through the gaps as flat as a tack, the S3 Sportback produced some body roll, and in one case, lost its footing altogether.Then came trackwork in R8 and RS 5. The R8 stayed well within itself no matter how hard attempts to unsettle the car on the twisting, undulating 4.5 kilometre circuit.
The V10 engine roared as the speedo needle raced around the clock; brakes reined in the V-power, swiftly translating increasingly heavy pedal pressure into action, the V10 blipping on change down; and the car reacted readily to steering input. Things really were awesome. While still on the adventurous side, the ride in the RS 5 was more supple, with less urgency than the R8. This is a sporty car capable of covering the practicalities of day-to-day driving.
MODEL LINE-UP
A1 1.4 TFSI manual Ambition Competition Kit LE $33,450
A1 1.4 TFSI S tronic Ambition Competition Kit LE $35,800
S3 Sportback quattro S tronic Limited Edition $74,500
TT RS S tronic Limited Edition $139,900
RS 5 Coupe S tronic Limited Edition $$175,300
R8 4.2 FSI 6-speed manual Coupe Carbon edition $282,400
R8 4.2 FSI R tronic Coupe Carbon Edition $298,400
R8 V10 5.2 FSI manual Carbon Edition $362,200
R8 V10 5.2 FSI R tronic Carbon Edition $378,300
R8 Spyder V10 5.2 FSI manual Carbon Edition $391,100
R8 Spyder V10 5.2 FSI R tronic Carbon Edition $407,200
(Prices exclude government statutory charges and dealer delivery costs)
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