- Special exhibition at the Audi museum mobile
- Attendance at the world’s largest classic car show, the Techno Classica in Essen
- Extensive historical programme for 2010

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 12, 2010  -  This year Audi once again has many historically significant events to celebrate, with one especially important anniversary: 30 years of quattro. At the world’s largest classic car show, the Techno Classica in Essen, Germany (April 7 – 11), Audi Tradition will therefore be exhibiting four Audi quattro models of outstanding interest. And at the museum mobile in the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, there will be a special exhibition from April 28 to July 31 devoted to “30 Years of quattro”. This year Audi Tradition is taking its motor-vehicle treasures to an unusually large number of events.

Audi Tradition will for instance be at the Grand Prix Historique in Monaco (May 1 and 2), an event in which it participated for the first time two years ago. On this occasion, two Auto Union Silver Arrow racing cars will be seen in action on this most classic of all Formula One racing circuits: the Auto Union Type C dating from 1936 and the Auto Union Type D with twin-supercharger engine (1939). Audi Tradition is also returning to the “Schottenring Classic Grand Prix” on August 14 and 15, an event for motorcycles only, recalling the earlier heyday of DKW and NSU bikes – models that wrote history in world championship events in their time.

Audi Tradition will be present for the first time at the Classic Days held on July 30 and August 1 at Schloss Dyck (Dyck Castle) in Jüchen near Düsseldorf. Here too an Auto Union Grand Prix racing car will be seen in action, and also the Audi 200 Trans Am dating from 1988. Another premiere will be the Metz Rally in Stein near Nuremberg (April 23 and 24), where a 1979 Audi 80 Rallye is to be entered. Audi Tradition will also be in attendance at a new exhibition: “Klassikwelt Bodensee” (Lake Constance Classic World) from June 3 to 6 in Friedrichshafen. The topic here will be the “Electric Car Heritage” of AUDI AG – electrically propelled vehicles going back as far as the 1920s.

And of course Audi Tradition will be running its vehicles again at the world’s largest historic car event, the Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 2 to 4) in England. Every year the Earl of March extends a most welcome invitation to the historic motor-sport elite. The 1939 Auto Union Type D Grand Prix racing car with its twin-supercharger engine will be among the treasures from Audi Tradition’s collection to roar up the hill in the park of his country house.

Nor will Audi Tradition fail to participate in this year’s classic oldtimer rallies such as the Silvretta Classic (July 8 to 11), the Ennstal Classic (July 14 to 17) and the Gran Premio Nuvolari (September 16 to 19). Events at which the brand with the four-ring emblem is the main sponsor are the Danube Classic in Ingolstadt (June 24 to 26), the Heidelberg Historic (July 15 to 17) and the Eifel Classic Rally at the Nurburg Ring (September 30 to October 2).

The 30th anniversary of quattro is accompanied in 2010 by a second major jubilee year: 125 years of the Wanderer company. Based in Chemnitz, Wanderer was represented by one of the four rings in the company logo, and built cars and motorcycles until the outbreak of the Second World War. To commemorate this anniversary, Audi Tradition will be taking part in the “125 Years of Wanderer” meeting from September 2 to 5 in Leipzig and Chemnitz.

Attached is a list of events in the Audi Tradition programme for 2010, and also a pdf file dealing with all the anniversaries that AUDI AG is celebrating in the current year.

- Spots to debut during the Opening Ceremony on February 12, 2010
- New creative follows success of Green Car ad in Super Bowl XLIV
- Ads are entitled “Spell” and “Friendly Competition”

HERNDON, Va., Feb 11, 2010  -  Audi today announced that it has developed two new creative spots that will air throughout the 2010 Winter Games. Starting with the opening ceremony on February 12 and continuing throughout the games, these spots, entitled “Spell” and “Friendly Competition,” follow the critically acclaimed Super Bowl XLIV ad that ran less than one week ago. With this aggressive television campaign, Audi intends to further cement its leadership position in the United States. With record market share in the U.S., faster growth than its competitors, the coveted 2010 “Green Car of the Year” Award from Green Car Journal, and an extraordinary three straight defeats of BMW in head-to-head Car and Driver comparisons, Audi is prepared to show American viewers it is clearly the luxury brand of both today and the future.

As a sponsor of the United States Ski Team since 2007 and having recently produced the documentary “Truth in Motion,” Audi is familiar with the competitive environment that the Winter Games generate. “Friendly Competition” continues that theme with humor based on the notion that in every competition, someone, or something, falls short. The spot features the Audi S4, A6 and Q5. “Friendly Competition” will be a 30-second spot.

“Spell” will appear in both 30 and 60-second forms throughout the games. This ad centers on the premise that we’ve been taught to desire certain things, whether a boring SUV, a fiery Italian sports car, or simply a status symbol that our neighbors will notice. With Audi of America’s market share growing faster than its competition, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro super car, A5 Cabriolet, S4 sports sedan and Q5 crossover roar into the spot to break the trance and make consumers take notice of the new leader in luxury automobiles.

“The Audi brand has gained tremendous momentum over the last few years,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “Our products are being recognized by the media as some of the best in the world and we’re growing faster than Mercedes, BMW and Lexus in the U.S. market. With the success that the Super Bowl platform has provided us over the past three years, the Winter Games was a clear choice for us to continue to lead in the luxury segment.”

Both spots were created by Audi of America’s advertising agency of record, Venables Bell & Partners. They were produced by Park Pictures and directed by Lance Acord.

About Audi of America
Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi lineup is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. In selling one million vehicles worldwide in 2008, AUDI AG recorded its 13th consecutive record year for sales and profits. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 10, 2010  -  Audi is introducing a whole new dimension to the compact class this summer. It is dynamic and high quality, emotional and individual. It condenses all of the virtues of the brand down to less than four meters – a design full of character, uncompromising quality and pioneering efficiency technologies. The agile chassis and powerful engines make the A1 the sportiest car in the segment.

The young customers of the A1 live in major cities and therefore are looking for a vehicle that is designed for the urban environment. Thanks to its compact dimensions, it is very agile and nimble in city traffic and offers a high degree of everyday utility.

The interior of the A1 is also sporty and of high quality. Customers can customize numerous details to tailor the car to their personal tastes. Audi’s latest model has a broad portfolio of advanced technologies on board; its infotainment system sets new standards in the segment. The A1 is the first premium automobile in the small compacts class – a true, fully-fledged Audi.

The Audi brand stands for automotive passion. With its agile chassis and powerful engines, the A1 is the sportiest car in its class, and this is readily apparent at first glance. The design is unique and modern. Styling cues placing the A1 in the Audi family include the side line with the distinctive roof arch, the coupe-like C-pillars, the large wheel wells and, of course, the front end with the typical single-frame grille. The hood and rear hatch encompass the body; the tail lights are three-dimensionally molded and present an unmistakable design, day or night.

The interior: airy and dynamic

The interior of the A1 is spacious and airy. The instrument panel is suggestive of an airplane wing; its four round air nozzles are reminiscent of the turbines of a jet. The clear ergonomics and the uncompromisingly high fit and finish typify the Audi brand’s high standards. Many lovingly designed details in the interior document the premium character of the Audi A1.

In addition to the Attraction and Ambition trim lines, Audi also offers a media style package focused on infotainment and the interior design. The innovative materials and modern colors underscore the character of the A1. Whether colored air nozzles, LED interior lights or seat covers in expressive colors – customization is an important catchword. The equipment program offers countless opportunities for matching the A1 to the driver’s own personal style. There are even a variety of paint finishes from which to choose for the roof arch. Customers can order many of these features after the initial sale to follow a trend or a whim.

The available infotainment and multimedia systems available come directly from the luxury class. The top of the line is MMI navigation plus, a media center that sets new standards in the compact segment. From the monitor that rises up out of the instrument panel to the control unit that follows the MMI logic, it is oriented on the systems found in Audi models in the higher segments. Based on the concert radio, the connectivity package offers the option of retrofitting an Audi map-based navigation system – a novelty in the automotive sector. The 465 watt Bose surround sound system is just one example of the complementary modules available.

Concentrated driving pleasure: the sportiest car in its class

The sporty, agile chassis of the A1 places it at the head of its class. Whether in the city, on an interurban road or on the highway – the A1 is great fun to drive anywhere thanks to its sporty setup, the optimized weight distribution and the very direct steering. The standard ESP stabilization system with electronic axle- differential lock makes the handling of the A1 even more sporty and precise, while driving safety is increased even further.

The new A1 also sets new efficiency standards. Audi is sending the new model line into the fray with four four-cylinder engines, with the two TDI and two TFSI gasoline engines producing between 63 kW (86 hp) and 90 kW (122 hp). All of the engines follow the downsizing principle – they substitute turbocharging for displacement and draw their fuel through direct injection units.

All versions of the A1 impress with good fuel economy, with standard cycle values between 3.8 and 5.4 liters per 100 kilometers (43.56 - 61.90 US mpg) (provisional values). The 1.6 TDI with 66 kW (90 hp) and manual transmission emits only 99 g of CO2 per kilometer (159.33 g/mile). All of the engines are equipped with a recuperation system that allows them to recover energy during braking, and are coupled with an automatic start-stop system. A new temperature management system with switched water pump contributes to the low fuel consumption of the 1.2 TFSI.

High-tech and efficiency: the seven-speed S tronic

At Audi, efficiency is always high-tech. The A1 is available with the seven-speed S tronic transmission. The dual-clutch transmission changes gears extremely quickly, comfortably and without detectable interruptions in pulling power. It offers both automatic and manual modes, with paddles on the steering wheel available as an option. It provides for tremendously fun driving and also further reduces fuel consumption – typical Audi.

The A1 is sporty, powerful and attractive. As a newcomer in the compact segment, it appeals to a modern customer group – a young, urban, lifestyle- oriented public. A1 customers – many of whom are expected to be women – are interested in design, music, fashion and sports. The entry-level model will be priced at around 16,000 euros.

At a glance - The new Audi A1

Design and body
– Distinctively progressive, coupe-like design, encompassing shoulder line, large wheel wells, contrasting custom-look roof arch as an option
– Headlights with characteristic appearance, optional xenon plus with LED daytime running lights, three-dimensionally styled tail lights
– High-strength body with uncompromising build quality

Interior and equipment
– Dynamic interior design reminiscent of aeronautical engineering
– Top-level fit and finish, modern materials and colors
– Two trim levels and media style package, many very comfortable and sporty features available, numerous opportunities for customization

Infotainment
– Latest infotainment technologies, optional retractable MMI display on the instrument panel
– High-performance navigation system with MMI control concept
– Comprehensive options for the connection and playback of mobile phones and portable music media, Bluetooth interface
– Connectivity package for the later integration of an Audi map-based navigation system
– Bose audio system with LED fiberoptic technology

Drivetrain
– Two powerful and efficient TDI and two TFSI engines, all with turbocharging and direct fuel injection, power output from 63 kW (86 hp) to 90 kW (122 hp)
– All engines with recuperation system and start-stop system; 1.2 TFSI with thermal management
– 1.6 TDI with 66 kW (90 hp) and 77 kW (105 hp) and manual transmission emit as little as 99 g of CO2 per kilometer (159.33 g/mile) (provisional value).
– Optional seven-speed S tronic
– On-board computer with efficiency program

Chassis
– Balanced axle load distribution, low total weight
– Sporty chassis with wide track; direct steering ratio
– ESP stabilization system with electronic front differential lock to bolster the agile handling

The next big Audi – The Audi A1

The A1 is a true Audi – it is both the premium option and the sportiest automobile in the small compacts class. It comes with powerful, highly efficient engines and an agile chassis, and delights with an emotional design and excellent fit and finish. The A1 has a broad portfolio of advanced technologies on board; its infotainment system, in particular, sets new standards in the class.

As the newcomer in the compact segment, the A1 appeals primarily to young, lifestyle-oriented customers, offering them a high degree of freedom for individual design. Audi’s latest will hit the streets this summer with a base price of around 16,000 euros.

Design

It has a confident road stance – powerful, distinctive and full of character: The A1 is both the premium option and the athlete in its class. The pronounced encompassing shoulder line, the color-contrasted roof arch and the unusually sharply sloping C-pillars give the three-door an unmistakable silhouette. The dimensions also document the dynamic lines: 3.95 meters (12.96 feet) long, the latest model from Audi is an impressive 1.74 meters (5.71 feet) wide but only 1.42 meters (4.66 feet) tall. The wheelbase measures 2.47 meters (8.10 feet); the overhangs are correspondingly short.

The design of the A1 is tightly integrated into the brand’s design language and unique in the compact segment – emotional, bold and progressive. Audi has a reputation for taking a lot of ideas and innovations from its concept cars into series production, and the A1 continues this tradition. Many of the features and innovative ideas from the 2007 A1 project quattro showcar have already made it to series production in the A1.

The front end bears an unmistakable family resemblance, but features unique accents and innovations in the details. The single-frame grille, for example, is harmoniously integrated into the front end and with its angled top corners represents a new evolutionary stage. Its braces are arranged horizontally to emphasize the width of the front. The large, plastically modeled air intakes with their horizontal bars also contribute to the sporty appearance of the A1. The fog lights are located in their outer corners.

The three-dimensionally styled headlights also have their own special look. The A1 looks determined and concentrated to the road. A strongly curved wing structures the interior of the headlights. As with every Audi, the daytime running lights are standard. With the optional xenon plus units, the daytime running lights are implemented using LEDs and a light guide. They appear as a homogenous strip that traces the wing.

Powerful design element: the tornado line

The most striking impression when viewed from the side is the straight, slightly upward course of the lines, which visually stretch and accelerate the A1. The upper edge of the hood extends below the side windows to the rear end. As with the Audi TT sports car, the point where the encompassing hood meets the fenders is the point of origin for a typical Audi design element – the tornado line. It continues in the door and the rear flank. The line runs closely and precisely above the wheel wells, giving the A1 a powerful road stance.

The heavy shaded edge beneath the tornado line, the powerfully arched sheet metal surfaces on the flanks and the rising dynamic line above the sills are also characteristic of the brand’s design language. The same is true of the expressively shaped wheel wells, which provide shelter to wheels measuring up to 18 inches, and for the ratio of sheet metal surfaces to the greenhouse, which is two-thirds to one-third. The side mirrors are mounted on the doors like with a sports car; the door handles are distinctly bow-shaped.

Another Audi feature is the sportily flowing roof arch, which is optionally available in one of four contrasting colors. The arch flows into a C-pillar that is flatter than on a coupe, giving the rear end a dynamic outline that is further emphasized by the roof spoiler.

When viewed from the rear, an encompassing luggage compartment hatch emphasizes the width – an exclusive feature new to the compact class. The hatch is distinctively shaped. The wedge-shaped single-piece tail lights also underline wideness and are plastically integrated into the design. In combination with xenon plus, the tail lights use LED technology. Because they cannot be seen when the luggage compartment hatch is open, the Audi A1 has additional LED lamps in its side flanks. This solution is another example of the loving attention to detail and enthusiasm for technology of the Audi engineers.

The tail lights have a sporty red frame, with a curved bar dividing their chambers. Audi optionally equips them with light-emitting diodes and light guides – the tail light then appears as a continuous strip. A sporty black diffuser in the skirt forms the bottom of the rear end and visually places the vehicle firmly on the road. Depending on the engine, the exhaust system ends in one or two tailpipes on the left side.

Audi offers the A1 in ten exterior colors. The solid finishes are Amalfi White, Cumulus Blue and Brilliant Black; the metallic colors are Ice Silver, Phantom Black, Teak Brown, Shiraz Red, Scuba Blue, Misano Red and Sphere Blue.

Body

An Audi truism also applies to the A1: The body establishes the foundation for the quality, for the precise, sporty handling and for safety. Two-thirds of the body comprises high- and ultra high-strength steels of different strength classes.

The strongest of these are the hot-shaped steels. The blanks are heated in a furnace to extreme temperatures then immediately shaped in a water-cooled pressing die. This rapid change in temperature imparts them with extreme tensile strength. Hot-shaped steels make up a good 11 percent of the body. They are used for the lower crossmember in the footwell, in the rear sections of the longitudinal members, in the B-pillars and in the roof frame – anywhere extreme strength combined with low weight is particularly important.

The high- and ultra high-strength steels are a significant factor for the high torsional rigidity of the body and its low weight of only 221 kilograms (487.22 lb). These two values and the dimensions are used to compute the high lightweight quality of the superstructure while also providing the basis for a high level of occupant protection.

The A1 comes standard with two front airbags, side airbags in the backrests of the front seats and two curtain head airbags. Belt tensioners and belt force limiters plus the Audi integral headrest system round out the package of retention systems. Isofix child seat anchor points in the rear are standard. Belt buckle sensors at all seats are another increased safety feature. And when it comes to pedestrian protection, the A1 is also equipped with cutting edge technology.

Low-speed collisions – light bumps in parking lots and the so-called typical claim crash so important for the insurance rating – do not result in any major damage. The layout of the bumpers, the crossmember behind them and the longitudinal members protect cost-intensive components such as the radiator and air conditioners.

Aerodynamically optimized: from the front skirt to the rear spoiler

With 0.32 coefficient of drag for the base model, the newest Audi is among the most aerodynamic cars in its class. This is the result of extensive fine-tuning at the Ingolstadt Wind Tunnel Center. The entire body has been optimized – from the rear spoiler, including the spoiler edges, to the underbody and the wheels. The aerodynamic underbody largely covers the underbody, protecting it and creating favorable aerodynamic air flow.

The corners and other edge regions of the skirts feature a sophisticated design that not only sinks the coefficient of drag, but also improves driving stability at high speeds. The area around the grille is completely sealed so that the inflowing air reaches the radiator with virtually no losses instead of becoming turbulent. Even such subtleties as the flow of air through the engine compartment have been optimized to the finest detail with respect to thermo- and aerodynamics.

Another of the body’s strengths is its acoustics. The Audi development engineers devoted considerable attention to the sound radiation of the large sheet metal panels and their rigidities. All regions at which forces are induced during driving were specially reinforced. A lightweight insulation package brings the acoustics in the passenger cabin up to the premium level.

The A1 will be built at the Audi plant in Brussels. Audi invested more than 100 million euros in the modernization of the production facility in order to completely satisfy the most stringent of quality standards.

Interior

Sportiness, precision and youthful freshness – these themes characterize the interior of the A1. The designers looked to airplane wings for inspiration for the elegantly curving instrument panel. The four round, far-protruding air nozzles are reminiscent of the turbines of a jet.

The center console, with its integrated strip of secondary switches, resembles the stern of a yacht and appears to float above the center tunnel. The control unit for the climate control system and the three cylindrical rotary dials of the optional automatic climate control system are another optical and haptic highlight on board the A1. The instrument panel is also home to the head unit for the radio or the optional MMI control and infotainment system. The display, which is standard with the concert radio or higher, is retracted into the instrument panel and extends upward at the push of a button. This installation position, ideal for quick reading, is a unique selling point in this vehicle class.

The instrument cluster in chronographic design with the large round dials – black faces, red needles, and white scales and numbers – is laid out clearly and elegantly. As always with Audi, operation via the steering column stalks is logical and ergonomically perfect. At night the instruments are lit in white, the buttons red.

With the LED interior lighting package, the A1 brings 100 percent LED technology to an interior in the premium compact class for the first time. Not only is the ambient lighting in the doors and roof module realized with LED technology, so, too, are the interior lights, reading lights, footwell lights and makeup lights. Another design highlight was created with the help of LED light guide technology. If desired, a white corona shines indirectly from the contours of the Bose woofer bezel to visually underscore the high-tech character of the sound system.

The optional driver information system integrates a display between the instruments. As in the large Audi models, the system can be controlled using buttons, rocker switches and roller switches in the optional multifunction steering wheel.

The system bundles information from the audio sources and the optional navigation system. A modern tabs concept in the display and a freely- programmable favorites button make operation easy and intuitive. The driver information system is monochrome and comes standard with MMI navigation plus.

Helpful: the on-board computer with efficiency program

The on-board computer with efficiency program is linked to the driver information system. It displays data relevant to fuel consumption and gives recommendations for efficient driving. An enlarged view of the gear-change indicator signals to the driver when he or she should change gears. Another function provides information on which on-board consumers, such as the climate control system or the rear window defogger, are active and how much fuel they are consuming.

The seats in the A1 offer great hold, guidance and support and seat persons of all sizes extremely comfortably. A height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard. The Ambition trim line includes sport seats with lumbar support, and the passenger seat also comes height-adjustable as standard. The easy-entry function for comfortable access to the back is also standard with the Ambition package.

Plenty of storage is available at every seat – two cup holders on the console of the center tunnel, pockets in the doors and the rear side trim as well as a power outlet. On the base model, there is a fold-up compartment on the instrument panel instead of the on-board monitor. Audi also offers an optional storage package with additional stowage options.

The premium character of the Audi A1 is expressed in every last detail of the interior – in the selection of the materials, in their fit and finish and in the tight, even gaps. The surface of the instrument panel is softly backed with foam; all buttons and controls move precisely; even the pull handle that unlatches the hood release does so crisply and precisely.

Standard with the Ambition trim line and optional with Attraction are numerous aluminum-look control elements, including the entry strips, the dials for the automatic climate control system and the light dials. Furthermore, the ring of the three-spoke sport steering wheel, the parking brake handle and the gear shift lever are wrapped in leather and adorned with subtle aluminum clips.

Youthful and new: colors and materials

The materials in the interior vary between the two lines. Attraction features black or titanium gray cloth upholstery with the center console, armrest, map pocket and speaker grills also being titanium gray. The sport seats in the Ambition line have a two-color design featuring titanium gray or wasabi green as a contrasting color to black. The interior is also available in black. The media style package offers velvet beige as an alternative. The optional leather seats available with the Ambition line and the media style package are offered in a choice of three colors and three combinations.

Everything about colors and trim is novel, youthful and lifestyle-oriented. The air nozzle housings are available in a wide range of colors – with matt or high-gloss black standard depending on the trim line. They are also optionally available in high-gloss white, titanium gray, wasabi green, red or velvet beige to match the color of the trim. Audi also offers a range of attractive colors for the door armrests and the console on the center tunnel for all trim lines.

The luggage compartment of the Audi A1 has plane walls; the loading edge is low for easy loading and unloading. It has a base volume of 267 liters (9.43 cubic feet). A double cargo floor is standard.

The split rear seat can be folded down quickly and easily to increase luggage capacity to roughly 920 liters (32.49 cubic feet) if loaded to the roof. Two small latches secure the cargo floor when it is folded up. Audi also offers an optional luggage compartment package with practical storage boxes under the cargo floor, a multi-fixing point with folding hooks, a stretch net, a power outlet, a second light and a strap retainer.

Audi does not compromise quality in the luggage compartment, either. The latch unlocks electronically, including via the remote key fob. It swings up and falls securely into the latch. Its clasp has a separate spring-loaded cover that keeps it from getting dirty – another typical Audi detail.

Infotainment systems

The A1 is a premium automobile for modern people – it offers a range of state-of- the-art infotainment and multimedia systems directly from the luxury class.

The infotainment system comprises modular components based around the standard chorus radio, which has an mp3-capable CD drive and GALA speed- dependent volume control. The chorus radio delivers its sound to four loudspeakers.

The next step up features the new concert radio, a versatile device that is likewise equipped with a CD drive. The separate, retractable on-board monitor – a high-resolution, 6.5 inch color display – is standard with this radio. It also features a dual tuner, an SDHC memory card reader, an AUX-in connection and six loudspeakers front and rear.

The concert radio also unlocks the choice of the optional connectivity package, which includes a navigation system preparation. This allows the customer to add an Audi map-based navigation unit to the radio at a later time. The required hardware is already installed in the radio. The customer can purchase the system activation and an SDHC card with the navigation data through Audi Genuine Accessories at any time. Activation is performed by the Audi dealer. The connectivity package also includes a Bluetooth interface, an SDHC card reader and the Audi music interface.

The top of the line is MMI navigation plus, a high-end media center that is a benchmark in the compact vehicle class. It comprises four primary components – the main unit with a 60 gigabyte hard drive, the radio unit, the MMI control terminal and the color display. The retractable 6.5 inch display features elegant images. It displays its graphics as well as the cover art for the audio titles. The navigation map is also displayed in 3D.

MMI navigation plus can store 20 gigabytes of music files. It offers a Bluetooth interface and the Audi music interface (AMI) to connect modern mobile media players very easily and conveniently. It includes a drive for audio and video DVDs and intelligent voice control – the driver can speak the complete navigation address at once. The driver information system is also integrated into the package.

Classic Audi logic: the MMI control terminal

With its intuitive logic, the MMI control terminal is structured similarly to the units from the large Audi models. A large rotary pushbutton is at the center of the unit. It can be rocked in four directions like a joystick, which makes many functions even more convenient. A variety of hard and soft keys, a volume control, and slots for the storage media are arranged around and above the central controller.

Audi offers a range of additional modules for the MMI navigation plus and the concert radio – a Bluetooth interface for convenient telephony and transferring music and video, a CD changer, a digital radio (DAB) tuner and two premium sound systems: the 180 watt Audi sound system with ten speakers and the Bose surround sound system. The latter includes a ten-channel, 465 watt amplifier and 14 speakers, including a subwoofer. The combination of MMI navigation plus and the Bose surround sound system enables the reproduction of 5.1 surround sound. A special optical highlight: The woofers in the doors are indirectly lit with light guide LEDs.

Drivetrain
(performance data are provisional figures)

Audi will initially offer the A1 with four engines. The two TFSI gasoline engines and the two TDI diesels cover a power range from 63 kW (86 hp) to 90 kW (122 hp). Each of them is state-of-the-art.

All of the engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging. This downsizing concept coupled with technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform give them tremendous power with minimal fuel consumption ranging from 3.8 to 5.4 liters per 100 km (43.56 – 61.90 US mpg).

The entry-level gasoline engine is the new 1.2 TFSI. It generates 63 kW (86 hp) and produces its peak torque of 160 Nm (118.01 lb-ft) already between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm. Coupled with a five-speed manual transmission, the four-cylinder accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph). In the EU driving cycle, it consumes only 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (46.12 US mpg), which corresponds to only 119 grams of CO2/km (191.51 g/mile).

Downsizing from Audi: turbocharging instead of displacement

The newly developed four-cylinder exemplifies the Audi philosophy of downsizing, the substitution of turbocharging for volume. The engine with two- valves per cylinder displaces only 1,197 cc and has been rigorously optimized for low weight and low friction. Its cast aluminum crankcase has its own cooling loop separate from the cylinder head. The water in the block is not circulated immediately after the engine is started, enabling the engine to come up to temperature more quickly and shortening the phase of increase frictional resistance due to cold oil.

The 1.4 TFSI ups the ante with 90 kW (122 hp). Its peak torque of 200 Nm (147.51 lb-ft) is continuously available between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. A turbocharger with a water-cooled intercooler pressurizes the 1,390 cc engine with four valves per cylinder.

Together with the seven-speed S tronic, the 1.4 TFSI gets the A1 up to highway speed in 9.1 seconds. Top speed is 200 km/h (124.27 mph). The standard six- speed manual transmission bumps the time for the sprint to 9.2 seconds, but does not affect top speed. Average fuel consumption is just 5.1 and 5.4 liters/ 100 km (43.56 and 46.12 US mpg), respectively, in the EU test cycle.

The power output of the new 1.6 TDI comes from a displacement of 1,598 cc. Internal friction in the compact four-cylinder has been systematically minimized. Audi offers two versions of this engine. The more powerful 1.6 TDI unit produces 77 kW (105 hp) and 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, and is coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The 16-valve engine accelerates the A1 powerfully through the standard sprint in 10.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 187 km/h (116.20 mph) while consuming an average of just 3.9 liters/100 km (60.31 US mpg).

The second version of the 1.6 TDI generates 66 kW (90 hp) and 230 Nm (169.64 lb-ft) of torque between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. Coupled with the five- speed manual transmission, it accelerates the A1 from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 12.2 seconds. Its reaches a top speed of 179 km/h (111.23 mph) and offers exemplary fuel economy of 3.8 liters/100 km (61.90 US mpg), which corresponds to 99 grams of CO2/km (159.33 g/mile).

All four engines in the A1 use a technology from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the recuperation system uses an intelligent voltage controller for the generator to recover energy during the braking and coasting phases and store it temporarily in the battery. The next time the car accelerates, this energy flows back into the on-board electrical system, relieving the load on the generator.

The four engines also come standard with a second technology from the Audi modular efficiency platform – the start-stop system. This turns the engine off when the car is at rest, if the gear selector lever is in neutral and the driver’s foot has left the clutch pedal. Start-stop then turns the engine back on as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed — all the while functioning quietly, conveniently, and quickly.

The start-stop system also harmonizes perfectly with the seven-speed S tronic, the high-tech transmission with which the A1 underscores its exceptionally sporty position. The Audi dual-clutch transmission combines the convenience of a torque converter transmission with the dynamics and efficiency of a manual transmission. It changes gears within a few hundredths of a second without any perceptible interruption of pulling power, smoothly and very comfortably.

Weighing only around 70 kilograms (154.32 lb), the seven-speed S tronic also helps to save weight. Its two clutches run dry – the elimination of the oil supply further increases the already high efficiency of the transmission. Power is supplied to the electrohydraulic actuator as needed.

The driver can operate the seven-speed S tronic via a selector lever or optional paddles on the steering wheel, as in a sports car. There are also two fully automatic operating modes available. In D mode, the transmission management system operates the engine as often as possible at low speeds to save fuel; in S mode, the driving style is sporty and the engine speeds higher. A hill start assist that holds the A1 when starting on a hill is standard.

Chassis

The front-wheel-drive Audi A1 is the sportiest car in the compact class. It is nimble and agile in the city; steady and precise on interurban roads, and comfortable on the highway. It owes these qualities primarily to the highly advanced chassis with the wide track and balanced weight distribution.

The engineers devoted a great deal of attention to the distribution of axle loads during the development of the A1. Measuring only 81 centimeters (31.89 inches), the front overhang is unusually short. Depending on the engine, only between 61 and 63 percent of the weight rests on the front axle, a low value for a compact car. A number of details contribute to this, such as the position of the battery, which with most engine options is underneath the luggage compartment. With a base weight of only 1,045 kilograms (2,303.83 lb), the A1 is the lightest vehicle in the premium compact class.

The front suspension comprises a MacPherson construction with lower triangular wishbones. The steering impulse from the electrohydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering, which is more efficient than a straight hydraulic system, is transferred via short paths to the pivot bearing for spontaneous steering response and precise, sensitive feedback through the steering wheel.

Direct: the power steering

At a ratio of 14.8:1, the steering is sportily direct, requiring only slight steering angles at the wheel. The high turn-in of the front wheels keeps the turning circle to 10.6 meters (34.78 feet) – both factors give the A1 the ultimate in agility in city traffic as well as on open roads.

Audi painstakingly tuned the front axle bearings, the stabilizer bar and the springs and dampers for sporty and balanced handling. A torsion-beam rear axle with separate springs and dampers features new guide bearings that were developed from the ground up. The Ambition trim line comes standard with a sport suspension featuring taut springs and dampers.

The A1 comes equipped with a new Audi technology regardless of the engine selected – the ESP stabilization system also includes an electronic differential lock. Similar to a mechanical locking differential, it makes the already agile handling even more neutral by largely eliminating understeer and improving traction. If the electronics detect that the load on the front inside wheel is reduced too much, it initiates brief, controlled braking of that wheel. The excess torque then flows to the outside wheel, which can apply more power to the road. Road behavior is even more precise, agile, stable and neutral, further enhancing objective safety and subjective confidence in the car.

With its sport modus, the ESP A1 is custom-tailored for agile driving. The stabilization system controls large, powerful wheel brakes. The front discs are internally ventilated and measure between 256 and 288 millimeters (10.08 and 11.34 inches) in diameter, depending on the engine. The rear wheels are equipped with powerful disc brakes. The Attraction trim line features 15-inch wheels; Ambition comes with 16-inch alloy wheels.

Audi offers optional 17-inch cast aluminum wheels, with some designs featuring modern bicolor designs, and wide-format 215/40 tires. quattro GmbH offers 18-inch cast aluminum wheels and wide-format 225/35 tires.

High performance: the wheel brakes

The sporty performance, top-class safety and comfort required in the premium compact class place high demands on the brakes. The brake system of the Audi A1 was selected specifically for the performance of the different variants.

Even the models with the entry level engines should therefore have plenty of braking power in reserve. Every vehicle comes equipped with ventilated disc brakes up front and massive brake discs in the rear.

Sport steering wheel

In keeping with the vehicle’s sporty character, the A1 comes standard with a grippy three-spoke sport steering wheel that can be optionally wrapped in fine Nappa leather and trimmed with high-quality chrome-design elements.

A particular highlight is the new operating concept of the optional multifunction switch, which enables the convenient operation of the on-board computer, telephone, audio source and navigation system directly from the steering wheel. Shift paddles that enable fast manual gear changes are optionally available in combination with an S tronic transmission.

Equipment and trim

Audi offers the A1 in two trim levels. Attraction is the richly appointed charismatic version; Ambition the sporty and dynamic variant. Both lines can be combined with the media style package, which offers attractive infotainment and interior design options. Features such as the navigation package can also be purchased later, keeping the A1 fresh and attractive for years to come. The latest member of the Audi family also follows a fresh, young line with respect to materials and colors in the interior.

The Attraction line comes equipped with a number of comfortable features – the chorus radio, a radio remote-controlled central locking system, power-adjustable side mirrors, power windows and a height-adjustable driver’s seat. Standard passive safety features include two front airbags, side airbags and head airbags. Belt force limiters, the integral Audi headrest system and Isofix anchor points for child safety seats in the rear round out the program.

The Ambition trim line can be identified at a glance – giving it away are the 16-inch alloy wheels and the fog lights. The interior of the A1 Ambition features aluminum-look touches, a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and the driver information system. Its sport seats feature an easy-entry function and lumbar supports, and the passenger seat is also height-adjustable.

Optionally available for the Ambition trim line is the S line sport package, which includes, but is not limited to, the following: 17- or 18-inch cast aluminum wheels, S line sport suspension with dynamic suspension tuning, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel and sport seats.

Much of the optional equipment that Audi has designated for the A1 comes directly from the luxury class. These include exterior options such as the xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, the LED tail lights and the optional 17-inch wheels with 215/40 tires. quattro GmbH offers 18-inch cast aluminum wheels.

Audi has also devoted a great deal of attention to the aspect of light and vision. The high-beam assistant uses a camera to detect other vehicles and towns and automatically switch between the low and high beams. It is combined with a light and rain sensor, which is also available separately. The panorama sunroof brings light and air into the interior. The convenience key can stay in the jacket pocket – the A1 unlocks when the driver pulls the door handles and starts at the push of the start-stop button.

Additional options include the alarm system, the LED interior lighting package, the heated and folding side mirrors, the cruise control system, the ski bag, the front center arm rest, the storage and luggage compartment package, the heated front seats, the climate control system, the automatic climate control system and a multifunction, leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. Audi also offers a parking aid in two variants and a wide array of infotainment modules from which to choose. It starts with the concert radio and extends through the retrofit-capable navigation package to the high-performance MMI navigation plus system and the Bose surround sound system with innovative light guide technology.

Dynamic look

The S line exterior package gives the A1 an even more dynamic appearance thanks to such details as chiseled sill tops and a large roof spoiler.

The A1 offers the young, urban public a new lifestyle-oriented concept for colors and materials. If so desired, components such as the seat covers, the air nozzle housings and the inlays in the doors shine in fresh, expressive colors. In addition to the individual options, quattro GmbH also offers numerous packages, such as the S line sport package, the Audi exclusive line or the black styling package. The Audi exclusive customization program offers the customer even more styling options – for both the interior and the exterior.

- Growth in all of Europe’s major markets
- Sales grew by over a third in the U.S. and more than doubled in China
- Sales chief Schwarzenbauer: “Expecting a strong first quarter”
- High sales figures for the Audi Q5 and the A5 family

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 8, 2010  -  With some 77,800 cars delivered worldwide, AUDI AG achieved sales growth of around 39 percent in January (2009: 56,138). In the past month, 16,798 Chinese customers chose an Audi – more than twice as many as in January 2009 (2009: 7,816). Sales in the United States rose by 37.9 percent to 6,510 cars (2009: 4,722). Sales in Europe outside Germany grew by 23 percent, with 33,300 cars sold (2009: 27,020).

“Due to the current order registrations, we expect a strong first quarter in 2010,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. Contributing to the good sales situation is the new Audi A5 Sportback, which is now fully available for the first time, as well as the highly successful Audi Q5, which has outsold its competitors’ models by a significant margin in Europe. “With this successful start we’re on target to reach the record we set in 2008 of one million cars sold, which we want to achieve again in 2010.”

In all major European markets, the sales figures for the brand with the four rings were above those for the same month in the previous year. In its German home market, the Ingolstadt-based company sold 11,657 premium cars, an increase of 9.3 percent (2009: 10,662). In Great Britain, Audi’s sales grew in January by 42.9 percent to 9,004 units (2009: 6,302). The Audi Q5 made an especially large contribution to the 21 percent growth in Italy, where 4,755 cars were sold (2009: 3,929). In France, Audi sold 3,690 cars (up 0.2 percent; 2009: 3,683); in Spain there were 3,311 units sold (up 11.1 percent; 2009: 2,979). Sales figures also rose again in Eastern Europe, with 812 cars sold in Russia, the region’s largest market, representing a 58.3 percent gain (2009: 513).

In the Asia-Pacific region, sales for the brand rose by 101 percent to around 20,850 cars (2009: 10,381). Along with growth of 114.9 percent in China (including Hong Kong), with 16,798 units sold, sales also grew in Japan by 33.6 percent, with 991 cars delivered to customers (2009: 742).

While Audi of America was able to increase its share of the premium car market in the United States to 8.9 percent with a 37.9 percent growth in sales (2009: 4.722 cars; market share of 7.2 percent), the 127.8 percent growth of sales in neighboring Canada exceeded even that of China: in January, 884 Canadian customers chose an Audi (2009: 388).

- Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany presented in Frankfurt
- Walter de Silva: “The most beautiful car I have ever designed”
- Already more than 126,000 units sold since market launch

INGOLSTADT/FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb 12, 2010  -  The German Design Council presented the “Design Prize of the Federal Republic of Germany 2010” to AUDI AG today in Frankfurt. The Audi A5 Coupé was the winner of Germany’s highest official design prize in the category “Design Award – Product Design Gold.”

Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Finance and Organization, accepted the “Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany 2010.” Strotbek sees the A5 as “a clear design statement for sportiness and elegance. It also offers an extremely dynamic and very comfortable driving experience.” And for de Silva, the “father” of the vehicle, one thing is certain: “The Audi A5 Coupé is the most beautiful car I have ever designed.”

This is the fourth time that an Audi model has won this most prestigious of all official German design awards, with the Audi A4 Avant, the Audi A3, and the Audi A2 preceding the Audi A5 as winners of the coveted award.

“Audi’s Design team and I are thrilled by this accolade. It convincingly acknowledges the Audi brand’s design excellence. The A5 Coupé boasts the genes of a design icon, and it’s great that the judges also see it this way,” says Stefan Sielaff, Head of Audi Design. “The Audi A5 Coupé continues the tradition of the classic two-door sport/touring coupé: executed powerfully and boldly via elements of Audi’s progressive design language,” adds Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design.

The customers also appreciate the design of the A5. Between its market launch in June 2007 and the end of January 2010, Audi has delivered more than 126,000 units of the A5 Coupé to customers worldwide. The largest single markets for the A5 are Germany, Great Britain, the United States, Italy and France.

The design of the Audi A5
For coupé buyers, emotion plays a major role in their choice of car; the most important reason to buy, in the case of a sporty two-door car, is the design. The Audi A5 Coupé continues the tradition of the classic two-door sport/touring coupé: executed powerfully and boldly via elements of Audi’s progressive design language.

The Audi A5 expresses all of this at the very first glance. “If cars were actors, the coupé would definitely be a character actor. The A5 is the pinnacle of Audi’s progressive and stylish design language,” says de Silva.

The A5 Coupé is a very important car for the Italian. It handsomely distills and blends core elements of the Audi brand’s genetic code: sportiness, power, sophistication, and elegance. The low and sporty silhouette, the few but very precisely drawn lines, the expressive front end, and the equally distinctive tail end comprise a wholly desirable coupe.”

“The A5 is naturally a very powerful and supremely sporty automobile,” continues de Silva, “but it doesn’t come across as the least bit aggressive or arrogant.” De Silva also feels that its classic elegance and a harmony of proportions, lines and surfaces sets this Audi two-door model apart.

The A5 Coupé’s proportions are characterized by a very wide and low stance, a long wheelbase with a short front overhang and a long, flowing transition from the C-pillar to the short rear.

The award
No other design competition expects so much from its entrants. A company may take part only if its product has already won a national or international award. Furthermore, companies must be nominated by the Ministries and Senators of Economics of the Federal States or by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

The jury
The winners of the Design Award are selected by a panel of industry, academia, design, and media representatives appointed by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology.

- Limited to 500 units: RS 6 plus Sport and RS 6 plus Audi exclusive

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 15, 2010  -
Please note, the Audi RS 6 is not planned for U.S. launch

Audi is offering two new limited-edition equipment packages for the RS 6 – restricted to just 500 units. With a top speed of 303 km/h (188.28 mph), a Carbon design package for the engine compartment, 20-inch wheels bearing a 5 segment-spoke design, and the sports suspension plus, each of these RS 6 models will be truly unique. In fact, each of them will be a one-of-a-kind thanks to a numbered badge in the interior. Customers can opt for one of two packages: RS 6 plus Sport or RS 6 plus Audi exclusive.

The Sport version features an instrument-panel hood and center console covered in leather; an RS 6 logo adorns the front floor mats. Concerning the Audi exclusive package, customers can also specify a custom paint job by choosing from the color range of quattro GmbH. In addition, the seat upholstery, controls, door trim inserts, front center armrest, and the armrests in the door trims are covered in leather of an attractive color from the Audi exclusive program. Seat add-on parts are adapted to match the color of leather in question.

Thanks to FSI direct gasoline injection, twin-turbo supercharging, and dry sump lubrication, the high-performance V10 delivers 426 kW (580 hp) and maximum torque of 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 6,250 rpm. This sedan mirrors the performance of a high-performance sports car: from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) in just 4.5 seconds and it exceeds the 200 km/h threshold (124.27 mph) after just 14.5 seconds. The sports suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) reduces pitch and roll by purely mechanical means. The driver can switch among the three operating modes of the MMI operating terminal’s shock-absorber control system: comfort, dynamic, and sport.

The RS 6 offers all the comfort of the A6 line of business models and is in the hands of quattro GmbH, a fully-owned subsidiary of AUDI AG. High-quality materials such as carbon fiber, aluminum, leather, and Alcantara create a cultivated and dynamic atmosphere in the interior. And intelligent assistance systems grant drivers yet more control. Audi lane assist warns the driver should the car inadvertently veer out of its lane.

Audi side assist alerts the driver to possible critical situations during lane changes. Audi adaptive cruise control maintains proper speed and following distance. In addition to three-dimensional road maps, the MMI navigation plus offers a DVD player for navigation/audio/video DVDs as well as a radio with dual tuner and a 40 GB hard disk drive which can store up to 3,000 musical tracks in addition to navigation data.

The RS 6 plus Sport and RS 6 plus Audi exclusive equipment packages are available now. The Sport version costs 3,250 euros; the Audi exclusive package 8,310 euros. This equates to savings of about 50 percent compared to purchasing the items individually.

- Coupé with 331 kW (450 PS) high-revving V8 engine
- RS 5 also efficient - 10.8 liters per 100 km (21.78 US mpg)
- Newly-developed center differential for quattro drivetrain

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 22, 2010  -  At this time, the RS 5 is not planned for the USA.

Unbridled power lurking in a classically elegant coupé: the Audi RS 5 will debut at the Geneva Auto Show. The high-revving 4.2-liter V8 with its 331 kW (450 hp) unleashes powerful performance while achieving remarkable fuel economy. The seven-speed S tronic and an innovative center differential in the quattro drivetrain transmit power to all four wheels.

Developed by quattro GmbH, the RS models comprise the dynamic spearhead of Audi‘s model range. The RS 5 is the latest torchbearer in a tradition dating back over 15 years to the RS 2 Avant: superior handling in the mid-size class.

A close relative of the V10 which powers the high-performance R8 sports car, the high-revving V8 engine delivers its output from a displacement of 4,163 cm3. Like nearly every Audi gasoline engine, this one also operates via direct fuel injection known by the abbreviation FSI. This same technology has propelled the Audi R8 racing car to four triumphs at the classic endurance race in Le Mans. The common-rail system generates up to 120 bars of pressure.

Intensive fine-tuning of the dual-branch intake and exhaust system allows the undersquare engine to breathe freely; four adjustable camshafts and tumble flaps in the intake manifold facilitate mixture formation. The 4.2 FSI provides imposing torque and is right at home even at high revs – almost like a race engine. The engine delivers 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm and – between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm - transmits a maximum of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) of torque.

The vigorous strength, the spontaneous responsiveness, the joyful high-revving, and the throaty, sonorous music: this V8 produced by hand at Audi stunningly combines the essence of power and emotion. The 4.2 FSI propels the coupé’s 1,725 kilograms (3,802.97 pounds) in 4.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.14 mph) to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Audi can increase that to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request.

Impressive efficiency: just 10.8 liters of fuel per 100 km
Efficiency is standard in every Audi; the RS 5 is no exception. The ultra-powerful eight-cylinder engine averages 10.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (21.78 miles US mpg) - far less than its main competitors. This impressive figure is due in part to the technologies from the Audi modular efficiency platform. The engine and the entire drivetrain have been optimized to minimize friction, the oil pump operates on demand, and an energy-recovery system conserves energy during coasting and braking.

The standard seven-speed S tronic in the RS 5 – with its high efficiency ratio and its high-geared top speed – also enhances efficiency. It consists of two clutches and two subsidiary transmissions. Both subsidiary transmissions are continuously active, but only one is powered at any given time by the engine. Gears are alternately shifted by the two clutches – at lightning speed, smoothly, and almost imperceptibly.

The seven-speed S tronic, which was specially reinforced to accommodate the high-revving V8, can operate in fully automatic mode – or the driver can shift via the innovative selector lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel. By means of the standard Audi drive select, the driver can switch in automatic mode among three different options: auto, comfort, and dynamic. In the launch control program, the seven-speed S tronic ensures flawless acceleration from a standstill – at full power and with minimal tire slip.

New quattro technology: the crown-gear differential
Like all RS models, the RS 5 also applies its power to the road with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. As for the center differential, which regulates power distribution between the front and rear axles, Audi – the leading all-wheel-drive brand – unveils the next generation: a crown-gear differential.

The self-locking crown-gear center differential is compact and lightweight – and attains a high efficiency ratio.

Thanks to its package of plates, the differential can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles. If necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end. The 40:60 ratio of the standard rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

This new differential operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring, which affects all four wheels. If one of the inside wheels becomes imbalanced while the vehicle is at its operational limits, then the system slightly decelerates the wheel to obviate wheel spin. This results in terrific traction on the one hand while generating a yaw moment which aids cornering.

As a perfect complement to the new quattro drivetrain, Audi can optionally position the sport differential at the rear axle. It actively distributes torque between the rear wheels in order to further boost stability and grip at the vehicle’s limits of handling. The electronic management of the RS 5 sport differential was designed to be uncompromisingly dynamic.

With regard to the springs, shock absorbers, elastokinematics, and the anti-roll bars, the RS 5 chassis exhibits a sporty configuration and renders the body 20 millimeters (0.79 inches) lower than that of the Audi A5. The 19-inch alloy wheels fitted with 265/35 tires are standard. They are executed in an exclusive 5-arm structure design. The RS 5 optionally comes with 20-inch wheels and 275/30 tires. Winter wheels featuring the same dimensions are available; the 19-inch wheel is suitable for snow chains.

The brake system employs powerful and internally ventilated discs, which measure 365 millimeters (14.37 inches) in diameter at the front axle. In order to maximize the dissipation of heat, the steel friction rings are perforated and connected by pins to the aluminum brake discs. The high-gloss black brake calipers bearing RS logos are likewise made of aluminum; the front calipers are fitted with eight pistons each. Audi can optionally fit the front axle with ceramic carbon-fiber brake discs measuring 380 millimeters (14.96 inches) in diameter. They are extremely lightweight, strong, and durable. The electronic stabilization program (ESP) integrates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

Even more dynamics: Audi drive select
The speed-dependent servotronic steering in the RS 5 is especially taut. The standard Audi drive select (a vehicle-dynamics control system) allows the driver to switch among three modes of operation – comfort, auto, and dynamic – to adjust steering, the seven-speed S tronic, the sport differential, the engine, and the exhaust system. And if the car is equipped with the MMI navigation system, a fourth mode allows the driver to customize their own profile.

As regards the engine, Audi drive select controls the exhaust system’s two throttle valves and the sound flaps; when they open, the rich sound becomes even more resonant. Along with the sport differential, dynamic steering is another optional component of Audi drive select. Dynamic steering adjusts the steering ratio to a vehicle’s speed – directly for maneuvering at low speeds and indirectly for traveling at highway speeds. At the vehicle’s cornering limits, it automatically ensures smooth handling via minor corrective actions.

The RS 5 exudes an athletic and powerful identity; its classically beautiful coupé styling dazzles with new and clear-cut accents. Its single-frame grille bears a shiny charcoal-gray rhombus-pattern grid. Xenon plus headlights boasting a sweeping strip of LED daytime running lights are standard. The oversized air inlets for the engine, front brakes, and the radiators are bordered by striking contours. The newly designed bumper tapers downward into a splitter.

The flared fenders with the crisp horizontal upper edges are reminiscent of a classic Audi: namely, the all-wheel-drive pioneer Audi quattro, which itself debuted at the Geneva Auto Show 30 years ago. The side sills bear angular caps; the trim strips on the single-frame grille and near the side windows as well as the outside mirrors’ covers feature a matt aluminum look. Eight different paint finishes are available.

The tail end is dominated by two oval exhaust pipes integrated within the bumper. A large diffuser protrudes prominently upward. The spoiler in the tailgate automatically extends at a speed of 120 km/h (74.56 mph) and retracts at 80 km/h (49.71 mph).

The extensively clad underbody of the RS 5 integrates air vents for the seven-speed S tronic and the front brakes. At highway speeds, the aerodynamic characteristics of the RS 5 generate downforce to further enhance stability.

Dynamic elegance: the interior
The vehicle’s dynamically elegant styling extends to the interior. Sports seats with pronounced side sections and integrated head restraints are standard. They are electrically adjustable and feature a leather/Alcantara combination. Alternatives include bucket seats with more prominent contours and folding backrests or ventilated and luxuriously upholstered climate-controlled comfort seats.

The steering wheel has a substantial rim and is covered with perforated leather. The instruments have black gauges and white lettering with distinctive scaling. When the ignition is switched on, the red needles briefly rise high and then drop back down. The driver information system integrates a lap timer for recording circuit times and an oil-temperature gauge. Just like the optional MMI navigation systems’ monitor, it displays an RS greeting upon ignition.

The interior is black and the decorative inlays are made of carbon fiber. A fascia in the instrument panel features a piano finish. The pedals, the footrests, and the optional MMI navigation systems’ control buttons gleam thanks to their aluminum look. Moreover, the door handles consist of two slim strips – typical of Audi RS models. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims and RS 5 logos lend dynamic highlights to the interior.

Upon request, truly exclusive features such as decorative inlays with a dark, stainless-steel mesh look, a black piano finish or brushed aluminum are available. Or seat upholstery featuring special leathers and colors as well as silver headlining. In addition, the Audi exclusive RS program offers options such as suede-covered controls and floor mats bearing RS 5 logos.

A Carbon design package is available for the engine compartment and, for the vehicle body, there are styling packages in black or matt aluminum look. And the acoustically bold Sport exhaust system – also with a sound flap – has black tailpipe trims.

Sales of the Audi RS 5 will begin in the spring. Its basic price will be approximately 77,700 euros.

- Eight weeks to go before the 2010 DTM season starts
- 2008 LMS title winners united in a DTM team for the first time
- New motivation for Rockenfeller, Prémat concentrates on DTM

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 25, 2010  -  In a manner of speaking, the 2010 DTM will see the two Audi “factory” drivers Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller experience a “reunion.” The two finished the 2008 season as team colleagues in Audi Sport Team Joest at the wheel of the Audi R10 TDI by winning the European Le Mans Series but have always contested the DTM for different teams – the Frenchman for Audi Sport Team Phoenix, the German for Audi Sport Team Rosberg. Now, for the first time, both will be team-mates at the wheel of two Audi A4 DTM cars fielded by Phoenix.

For the past three years the careers of Alexandre Prémat and Mike Rockenfeller have been running in parallel – always marked by the symbol of the four rings. For the 2007 season Audi signed the then 24-year-old Frenchman and the 23-year-old German to refresh its DTM driver line-up by some young guns. The success of this endeavor was not long in coming. Both drivers clinched their first podium finishes right in their debut season and, what’s more, at the wheel of year-old cars: Mike Rockenfeller took third place at Oschersleben in his second DTM race; Alexandre Prémat finished the seventh race of the season at Zandvoort as the runner-up.

A year later, Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, in parallel to the DTM program, placed his trust in the services of the two young drivers in the European Le Mans Series (LMS) and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As sports car team-mates, they competed for Audi Sport Team Joest in an R10 TDI. And they certainly justified the trust that had been placed in them: in a contest with a highly demanding rival the duo managed to clinch the title in the end. This exploit not only marked a personal highlight in the careers of the two professional racers. It also meant that they contributed a valuable victory to a season that was successful in every respect for Audi since the brand also won the American Le Mans Series, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the DTM – and thus every title Audi had been competing for.

After the third year in the DTM it was time for a change: “I needed a new challenge,” says Mike Rockenfeller, explaining his reason for leaving Audi Sport Team Rosberg after three years. “I want to thank the team for all its work. We had a good time together, achieved some nice exploits and got over our defeats together as well. I always got on well with my team colleague Markus Winkelhock too. Now I’m looking forward to working with Audi Sport Team Phoenix. I’m starting out with fresh motivation and have begun to feel that this has been the right move for me.” The squad based in Meuspath near the Nürburgring is already familiar with its new member: in the 2009 season “Rocky” drove an Audi R8 LMS for Ernst Moser’s team in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring.

“Mike was one of our high performers in that race,” says Ernst Moser. “Within his driver team he assumed responsibility and that impressed me very much. He gets along very well with Alex. Both of them are still young, but mature enough to tackle the challenge of performing in a way that is in line with Audi’s spirit. We’ve got two personalities here that embody a combination of youth and experience.”

Alexandre Prémat is looking forward to as much as his fourth season with Audi Sport Team Phoenix. “Hearing that Mike will become my team colleague was definitely good news,” comments the Frenchman. “We won the LMS together. In the DTM, there’s been a healthy rivalry between us with door-to-door duels, but always marked by fair play in every respect. The development with Mike is very good for the whole team.” While Rockenfeller will also compete at Le Mans, Prémat will exclusively focus on the DTM for the first time this year: “I made this decision together with Audi, and it was anything but easy. But now I’m concentrating all my energy on the goal of becoming the best DTM driver of a year-old car and to score as many points as possible – preferably in every race.”

The spectators can look forward to some top-caliber battles. The fact that both drivers get on well with each other on a personal level doesn’t mean that they’ll give each other a break on the race track. Rockenfeller and Prémat, who both live in Switzerland, just 16 kilometers apart from each other, have given the spectators some lasting memories. While sitting together in the Audi DTM lounge at night watching TV footage of their fierce wheel-to-wheel duels the two young guns regularly break out in hearty laughter and slap each other on the back in a spirit of brotherhood. Not to worry – the smoke from tires scraping the tarmac is not a sign of heated controversies but of top sport at the limit. To be continued in the 2010 season …

- Infotainment and multimedia systems from the luxury segment
- Many opportunities for customization
- BOSE surround sound system the best in this vehicle category

INGOLSTADT, Germany, Feb 25, 2010  -  The networked person will feel at home here: The Audi A1 offers a rich multimedia world with state-of-the-art technology taken directly from the luxury segment. Ricky Hudi, Head of Electrics/Electronics Development at Audi, explains the fine details:

The new A1 is clever, communicative and informative. Its range of infotainment and multimedia systems is unrivalled in its category – the compact segment – in terms of versatility, high quality and innovation.

The infotainment system is modular in design. The standard chorus radio forms the basic building block. One level up is the concert radio, which features a separate, retractable screen. The high-resolution, 6.5-inch diagonal color display is unique in this vehicle class. A further option is “Ready for Nav,” which turns the radio into a navigation system. The necessary hardware is already installed in the car and the customer can purchase an SD card with navigation data at any time.

Topping the range is MMI navigation plus – a high-end media center. The high-resolution, fold-out 6.5-inch monitor has graphics with brilliant 3D optics; even the navigation map is three-dimensional. With the new Audi voice control system, the customer can enter a complete navigation address in one go. The selection of music tracks and albums from the jukebox can also be done purely by voice.

As in larger Audi models, the MMI terminal is integrated in the center console and can be operated just as easily. The large rotary pushbutton includes a small joystick, which can be used for scrolling in the navigation map. The soft and hard keys also allow the customer to move through the menu and to access individual features.

MMI navigation plus features a hard drive that can store up to 20 GB of music data. There’s also a card reader. State-of-the-art mobile players can be integrated via a Bluetooth interface or the Audi music interface. MMI navigation plus features an  audio and video DVD player, presents the cover art, and plays songs in MP3, WMA, AAC, or MPEG4b format.

For discerning multimedia fans, other modules are available – a Bluetooth module, a CD changer, a digital radio tuner and two fine sound systems. Music can also be transmitted via wireless Bluetooth from a cell phone to the vehicle.

New and unique in this vehicle category is the BOSE surround sound system. This high-end system has a ten-channel amplifier with an output of 465 watts; the amplifier powers 14 speakers including subwoofers in 5.1 surround sound to ensure a premium sound experience. The BOSE woofers in the doors are illuminated by LEDs and optical fibers as standard. Here too the A1 is ahead of its competitors.

· Direct-ratio, electrohydraulic power steering
· ESP stabilization system with electronic axle differential lock
· Winkelhock: “Benchmark in the small compact class!”

Ingolstadt, February 26, 2009 – With its agile handling and direct steering, the new Audi A1 is just a lot of fun. Dr. Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at AUDI AG, tested the A1 together with DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock. The verdict was as follows

The new Audi A1 offers a very sophisticated chassis, balanced weight distribution and a low center of gravity. “That is a guarantee for maximum driving enjoyment,” says Horst Glaser, Head of Chassis Development at AUDI AG. Because it connects the driver to the road, the steering is one of the most important components of a sporty car. The A1 therefore comes standard with electrohydraulic power steering that has a very direct 14.8:1 steering ratio and is also more efficient than a purely hydraulic system.

Another factor for the agile and safe handling of the A1 is the perfect tuning of the front axle bearings, the stabilizer bars, the springs and the dampers. The rear axle features a torsion-beam suspension with the springs and dampers separated. “The car is very well sprung. It swallows up bumps of almost any size without any amplification of the motions,” says DTM pilot Markus Winkelhock when describing his impressions.

One new Audi technology is on board every version of the A1 – the ESP stabilization system with an innovative electronic axle differential lock. The brakes are applied slightly to the inside wheel in a curve, allowing more torque to be transferred to the wheel on the outside of the curve. The vehicle is very agile and the handling remains neutral even longer. “After driving the Audi A1 for the first time, my opinion is clear: It’s the benchmark in the small compact class,” says Winkelhock.