The New Audi RS7

First debuted in 2010 at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the 2011 Audi A7 Sportback comes complete with a 3.0 liter V6 engine. Sound impressive? It is! So impressive, in fact, that many people are wondering why the Audi even needs to upgrade to the 2013 Audi S7. Debuting in the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, this vehicle upgrades to a 4.0 liter turbo V8 engine. So why was this vehicle created? Was it to stand up to the competition of the Mercedes Benz E63 AMG, the Cadillac CTS-V, and the BMW M5? Absolutely not. In fact, there was another vehicle that was designed for such competition - The Audi RS7 Sportback.


Premiering in mid-January at the Detroit auto show, the Audi RS7 blasts the S7's horsepower out of the park. Compared to the S7, which offers a 4.0 V8 engine with 414 horsepower, the new RS7 offers 4.0 liter engine with 560 horsepower. Compared with the V7's 406 lb-ft of torque, the Audi RS7 sits at 516 lb-ft. And when it comes to speed? The original V7 was said to reach 0 to 60mph in 4.8 seconds. The new RS7 is said to hit 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds - that's a .9 second improvement!

With the new 4.0 engine, the intake is on the outside of the vee and the exhaust valves are on the inside. To make for shorter gas pathways and a quicker response time, the two twin scroll turbos are placed within the intercooler. The new RS7 also allows for engine management, allowing the operator of the vehicle to change the note of the engine with a button that controls the flaps in the exhaust system. You can also opt for a sport exhaust.

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Also offered with the Audi RS7 is COD, or cylinder on demand. An "Audi" version of power shutoff, this helps to improve gas mileage by shutting down cylinders during low load conditions. To be more specific, under light loads, this 4.0 liter engine becomes a 2.0 liter engine by closing off the valves for cylinders 2,3,5, and 8. The Audi RS7 is said to have fuel mileage of 24 miles per gallon.

Other standard features of the Audi RS7 include:

• Quattro permanent all-wheel drive
• 16.5 carbon fiber ceramic disc brakes
• 8 speed Tiptronic transmission
• A 7 twin spoke 20 inch forged wheel
• Torque vectoring
• Leather wrapped steering wheel
• Lap timer

Optional features of the Audi RS7 include:

• 3 designs of 21 inch wheels
• Adaptive air suspension
• Sport suspension with dynamic ride control
• All leather interior

So does the RS7 feel faster than the S7? Until it is taken for it's first drive, we simply won't know. As for now, you can tell the difference between the two vehicles by looking at the bumpers. Keep your eye out for the new Audi RS7 and you can decide for yourself whether it stands up to it's BMW, Mercedes, and Cadillac competitors.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.RamonaTire.com and search for a location near you.

Click here to read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_shows/detroit/2013/1301_2014_audi_rs_7_sportback/

R18, RS3, Electric Cars, Urus production - What Audi's Durheimer Has to Say

$118, 450 - that is how much the Audi R8 costs. This mid-size supercar is a good reflection of what Audi stands for, resembling speed, power, and style. With that said, as impressive as the Audi R8 is, the Audi company is always trying to outdo themselves. The new supercar designed by Audi takes after the R18 e-tron Quattro, with a deisel engine, electrified hybrid assist, and all-wheel drive. Will it be approved for production? Accroding to the head of R&D at Audi, Wolfgang Durheimer, it is possible. According to Audi, the R18 would be much higher priced than the R8, reaching prices upward of $500, 000. In addition, the R18 will be limited in production in an attempt to keep the demand for it high.


As for Audi's that are lower on the price scale, there has been a renewed interest in these as well. According to Durheimer, the original R4 is dying a slow death due to company politics. With that said, there is hope that it will be more successful the second time around. If success if reached, the vehicle is expected to be priced well below the Audi R8.

As for the Audi RS3, this vehicle is well on its way to development. The question is not whether it will sell in the U.S, but which body style should be imported here. In Europe, the RS3 is being developed as a Hatchback. The American Audi has the option to import this, or select the A3 sedan model. Most people suspect that the choice will be the RS3 sedan, expected to arrive in 2015.

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What about electric cars? According to Durheimer, Audi electric cars are not completely dead, but they are a hard sell and therefore aren't on the top of Audi's production list. Engineers of Audi electric vehicles are waiting on production until a new battery technology is developed in which the cost, range, durabilty, and size is improved. The owners of Audi are confident that electromobility will return, but right now, it's not the hottest automotive choice.

So where is all of Audi's knowledge about electrification going? It is being shifted to plug-in hybrids. This year, the A3 plug in hyrbid is being introduced in Europe and is expected to hit the United States in 2014. Once this technology begins to catch on, they will begin to carry it over to larger crossovers and sedans.

And if you have ever heard of the Lamborghini Urus idea, Durheimer comments on that as well. In order to prevent himself from stepping on any toes, Durheimer states that Lamborghini has its own research chief. With that said, he also claims that Audi will play a large role in the technical production of the Urus, so he will do everything that he can to bring the Urus to life. If brought into production, the Urus will combine the ever so popular Lamborhini with the SUV - a unique concept that surely bring about much debate in regards to design appeal.

If you live in the Southern California region and need to take your vehicle in for service, head to your local Ramona Tire. Operating for over 40 years, Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers are among the most trusted service shops in California. To get the best prices on tires and some of the most competitive coupons in the industry, visit their website at www.ramonatire.com and search for a location near you.

Read more about the article here: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/lamborghini-urus-concept-auto-shows