Not like anyone went to the trouble of revealing the 2009 Audi Q5 un-officially, but the point is the wraps have now come off the new Small-UV from Auto Union this morning ahead of the live reveal at this week's Beijing Motor Show. What more is there to say about this overgrown jellybean other than the press release below the jump? Audi says the Q5 gets "slim, coupe-like styling." We're of the opinion that just because a vehicle is marginally slimmer and more attractive than a Q7 doesn't allow you to claim "slim, coupe-like styling." So, if you believe they're spot on — then go ahead and hit the jump because you'll believe just about anything.  read more »

After the big Super Bowl blitzkrieg , we all kind of knew the media marketing on Iron Man would muscle it's way beyond mere trailers, and it just has. The culprit?  read more »

Here are the first shots of the Audi R8 with all of that oilburning V12 TDi goodness you've been waiting for. Confirming the well supported rumors that we heard, the Audi R8 V12 TDI is all the power with slightly less of the petroleum depletion. As we thought, the V12 displaces six liters and produces 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque while still achieving a mileage of nearly 23 MPG (US/Highway). Below is the press release, which required us to listen to Bryan Adams to get to you.  read more »

As if the 2009 Audi A4 isn't sexy enough, the lines have been stretched to wagon proportions for the 2009 Audi A4 Avant. It's a good option for someone who wants the style of an A4 but needs the utility of a wagon (and yes, they're bold enough to call it a "wagon" in the press release). Though storage isn't of minivan proportions, there's a total of 51 cubic feet of storage and 60/40 split-fold seats with a loud-through hatch for storing skis and snowboards. Similar to the A4, the European version gets two gas and two diesel engines.  read more »

To meet growing demand in China for vehicles like the 2009 Audi A4 , only 2.36 inches longer, Audi has just unveiled the A4L, an A4 with an extended wheelbase. The lengthened wheelbase should show itself in the backseats, which have increased legroom proportional to the stretch. This creates a vehicle that should sit somewhere in between the regular A4 and the A6 in both price and space and is an indicator of the lengths car makers are now going to pursue sales the worlds fastest growing car market, China. "The long-wheelbase version of the Audi A4 is being produced exclusively in China for the Chinese market.  read more »

Seems that somebody is pushing forward with more diesel cars. In this case it's the Ingolstadt jungen heeding the call with the freshly announced Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro. Everything Audi TT we've seen already but with added oil burning flavor for maximum enjoyment. The turbocharged four pot common rail diesel manages 170 hp at about 4,200 rpm and a healthy 258 lb.ft. or torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. That meaty power band is good for 0-100 km/h sprints in the neighborhood of 7.5 seconds - not bad for an engine good for a claimed 44 mpg. No word on US market release, but maybe if we shout loud enough they'll hear us. Gnaw on the press release below the fold  read more »

Porsche's German leadership team in Stuttgart has just announced the appointment of a new minister of all things Bruce to run Porsche's Germans in Atlanta. The new president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America is none other than Detlev von Platen, who will succeed Peter Schwarzenbauer, who has just been named to the management board of Audi AG. So who is this von Platen? Well, he's coming stateside from his stint in the trenches and hedgerows of Porsche France where he served as the CEO of all that is froggy and precise. Detlev's got some hella big shoes to fill. Under Schwarzenbauer's leadership, Porsche Cars Nor-Am placed four consecutive sales records. Not too shabby if you ask us. For Porsche's sake, we hope the new fearless leader's able to do similar work. Full press release in all of its precision after the jump.  read more »

Audi's apparently taking the TT Clubsport Quattro — the same show car we spotted looking much more production-like earlier this month — to the Wrthersee Tour. That's the same Tour we could make neither heads nor tails of a few days later when Audi revealed their A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept . At least now we understand why we're seeing the Clubsport Quattro's exterior aluminum und shteel looking a little less concept-like and a little more prt--porter, it's the interior that's got us flummoxed. Audi's thrown caution, and apparently "shteel," to the wind.  read more »

The Very First Tuned Electric Car Comes From BRABUS:BRABUS Customization Program for the Tesla Roadster

The first tuned electric car comes from BRABUS: The first project of the future cooperation between Tesla Motors, Inc. and the new BRABUS business division Zero Emission celebrates its world debut at the 2008 Essen Motor Show.

BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111) presents an exclusive customization program for the Tesla Roadster, the world's first electrically powered production sports car.

The new BRABUS logo with added lightning bolt is the trademark of BRABUS Zero Emission vehicles.

To give the sports car a more exciting sound the BRABUS electronics specialists have developed a 'space sound generator.' The occupants on-board the Tesla Roadsters can choose from several simulated engine sounds including that of a typical V8 combustion engine, a racecar engine and two futuristic soundscapes named 'Beam' and 'Warp.'  read more »

ABT, let's talk. Listen, we've been friends for a while now and you often build amazingly badass modified Audis . But the ABT Audi Q5 is just too much. We opened up your email today showing off the modified Audi Q5 along with a press release, and it took us a moment to overcome the 'Are they serious?' moment we had. We know you like flamboyant front and rear fascia changes and big gaudy wheels, but isn't this a bit much?  read more »