AudiAudi BMWBMW Mercedes BenzMercedes Benz

Audi A7, News / Audi USA announces prices for 2012 A7

Audi USA announces prices for 2012 A7
Entry-level A7 will come with the 3.0 liter TFSI engine and the Quattro all-wheel drive system

Audi has announced U.S. Pricing for the 2012 A7 model.

Audi USA announces prices for 2012 A7

For the entry-level 3.0 liter TFSI quattro A7 fitted with the Tiptronic gearbox, pricing will beging at $59,250.

That 3.0 liter TFSI V6 comes with an output of 310 PS (231 kW / 306 bhp) and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque. Coupled to the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission the car has an EPA fuel-economy rating of 22 mpg (18 mpg city/28 mpg highway).

18-inch rims with all-season tires come standard.

Also new on the 2012 A7 will be the Audi Connect system which allows functionality such as voice activated Google Earth, Google search, and rolling Wi-Fi hotspot access.

See the press release below for full details.

Audi sets U.S. prices for all-new 2012 Audi A7

• U.S. pricing for all-new Audi A7 starts at $59,250
• Iconic design and industry first innovative technology combine to deliver emotion, prestige and functionality
• All models feature supercharged 3.0L TFSI® V6 engine producing 310 hp


HERNDON, Va., Apr 4, 2011 - Audi announced that pricing for the all-new 2012 Audi A7 will begin at $59,250 with the first of the elegantly designed models reaching U.S. showrooms later this month.

The 2012 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the all-new Audi A7 is as follows:

2012 Audi A7 pricing (excluding $875 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges):

A7 3.0T quattro® Tiptronic® $59,250

The all-new Audi A7 is a design icon, with technology to match its emotional styling. The A7 combines prestige, sportiness and functionality into a five-door coupe with seating for four. Through its emotion-evoking exterior and interior design as well as industry-first technology, the Audi A7 is sure to continue to attract new customers to the Audi brand.

The interior of the Audi A7 is a bold expression of contemporary design that matches the exterior of the vehicle. With impeccable attention to detail and craftsmanship, the wraparound sky-liner dashboard envelops the driver and front passenger and is a testament to the Audi legacy of inspirational interiors, providing exceptional fit and finish, comfort and luxury.


2011 Audi A7 | Highlights

While the coupe design of the Audi A7 attracts the eye, the aluminum-hybrid lightweight construction, with aluminum body panels and a steel frame, provides excellent handling, safety and fuel economy. The 3.0L TFSI V6 supercharged engine generates 310 horsepower and is paired with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission yielding impressive fuel economy ratings (18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, according to the U.S. EPA, for a combined fuel economy rating of 22 mpg) with quattro all-wheel drive standard.

The A7 delivers excellent performance characteristics with usable functionality. The integrated rear spoiler automatically deploys at higher speeds to achieve maximum down force and improved aerodynamics.

Continuing to take a leadership role in bringing progressive, innovative technologies to our customers, the Audi A7 is available with the latest MMI® technology that provides a user-friendly interface for navigation, audio, phone and vehicle customization functions. In addition, the MMI touch handwriting recognition system allows customers to enter destination or telephone information with the touch of a finger.

The MMI system also serves as the interface with the industry-first Audi Connect system, which brings a whole new level of real-time user-relevant information into the vehicle. With first-to-market voice-activated Google EarthTM, Google Local search, and, for passenger use, rolling Wi-Fi® hotspot functionality (first-to-market as Factory-installed option with integrated mobile broadband connectivity), the A7 enables new, progressive ways of interacting with the vehicle and its surroundings.

For more information regarding Audi Connect, please go to http://www.audiusanews.com/pressrelease/2286//what-audi-connect.

The A7 introduces an available Audi-first headup Display with a high-resolution, full-color display, as well as many innovative technologies which were recently introduced in the Audi A8 flagship, including available full LED headlights, Night vision assistant, Audi pre sense plus and the unmatched Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Audio System, which delivers 1,300 watts of audio bliss through 15 perfectly tuned speakers.

Design | highlights:
• Iconic 5-door coupe design utilizing aluminum hybrid lightweight construction.
• 4-seat configuration with folding rear seats
• Xenon plus headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights
• Unmistakable Audi Singleframe® grill design
• 7-inch Driver Information System
• 8-inch MMI screen with MMI touch technology
• Frameless side windows appropriate for coupe
• Ambient lighting plus using LED lighting technology

Engine/drivetrain | highlights:
• V6 3.0L TFSI supercharged engine delivering 310 hp and 325 lbs-ft of torque.
• 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission
• Legendary quattro all-wheel drive with 40:60 rear-bias torque split

Standard equipment | highlights:
• 18-inch wheels with all-season tires
• Xenon plus headlights with LED Daytime Running Lights
• Leather seating surfaces
• Power, heated front seats with driver lumbar support
• Automatic power tailgate
• Audi drive select
• SIRIUS® satellite radio
• Audi Music Interface
• Bluetooth® telephone and music player connection
• Homelink®
• Keyless go
• Power sunroof
• 3-zone automatic climate control
• Automatic headlights with light/rain sensor

Optional equipment | highlights:

Premium Plus includes:
• 19-inch 10-spoke wheels with all-season tires
• MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and Google Earth
• Audi Connect with 6 month complimentary data trial period
• Front and rear parking sensors and rearview camera
• 7-inch Driver Information System and 8" MMI screen
• HD Radio, CD changer and Jukebox

Prestige includes Premium Plus items and:
• S line® exterior (bumpers, grille)
• BOSE® surround sound system
• Advanced key (keyless entry)
• 4-zone climate control
• Ventilated front seats
• Adaptive headlights and cornering lights
• Power adjustable steering column
• Ambient lighting plus (LED interior lights)

Innovation Package:
• Full LED headlights
• Audi pre sense plus
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Audi side assist
• Head Up Display
• Night vision assistant

Sport Packages:
• 19-inch or 20-inch wheels with performance tires
• Sport suspension
• 3-spoke sport steering wheel with shift paddles

Driver Assistance Package:
• Audi pre sense plus
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go
• Audi side assist

Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System (similar to A8 D4):
• 15 speakers including subwoofer and center speaker
• Acoustic lens emerging tweeters
• Speaker covers are polished aluminum
• 1300 watts of B&O® ICEpower®

• CAR NEWS & REVIEWS
• New Auto Reviews
Hybrid cars 2010
Ciento Once Prototype by GWA Is One of a Kind

The Forgotten Gullwing. Back in 1970, this car was a hero, breaking all the records with its revolutionary Wankel diesel engine. A few prototypes where built, but never came out as a production model.
Audi Trimaran yacht envisioned by a design student - The world's biggest hybrid?

German graduate student Stefanie Behringer has created this stunning Audi-inspired Trimaran.

Styled under the supervision of Audi's design studio in Munich, the luxury yacht features a streamlined appearance with two outriggers that each hold an electrically-powered jet ski. Furthermore, the top deck can accommodate up to twelve people, while there are four bedrooms below for longer voyages.
Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive set for final leg of world tour
The Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive will depart from the Auto Shanghai show in China on April 22nd for the last and longest leg of its round-the-world tour.

It will go via Kazakhstan and Russia then back to Europe, where the tour began in January.

In 41 days, in fact, the three fuel cell powered B-Class F-CELL cars will cover around 14,000 kilometres on this final leg.

Before starting off from China the cars already travelled around 5,300 kilometres in Australia, before they were transported to another continent by air for the last time in the tour.
Car News Tuning Kompressor van models
Akrapovic promo pits BMW M3 against BMW S 1000 RR Superbike [video]

In an entincing co-branded promo, Slovenian exhaust manufacturer Akrapovic has teamed up with BMW in a new movie called "The Chase".

To promote Akrapovic's exhaust systems while BMW gets to showcase two of their most iconic machines, The Chase features BMW S 1000 RR superbike rider Rico Penzkofer and M3 driver Nico Bastian going head-to-head on the racetrack in some fast action sequences.

Just like an action thriller movie where you predict the ending in just the first few minutes, the outcome is no stretch of the imagination. However, we won't spoil it for you.
Only 3 prototypes BMW ItalDesign Nazca were ever built - powered by a BMW, Alpina-tuned 5.7 liter V12
This is a rare vehicle hence the high sale price of ?725,000.

It is an ItalDesign Nazca created by the Italian design house Giorgetto Giugiaro back in the 90s. It is powered by a BMW-sourced, Alpina-tuned 5.7 liter V12 with 379 PS (279 kW / 374 bhp) coupled to a five-speed manual. The car is a right-hand-drive, with gullwing doors and a top speed of 326 km/h (203 mph).

The vehicle for sale here is a prototype as the model made it to production. Only 3 prototypes were ever built.

The second prototype is the one being sold - a C2 from 1993.
Mercedes C63 AMG DTM Safety Car revealed [video] - Playing it safe
Mercedes has unveiled the new C63 AMG Safety Car for the 2011 DTM racing season.

Based on the facelifted sedan, the vehicle is outfitted with an adjustable coil-over suspension, a high-performance braking system and a roof-mounted LED light bar. Other goodies include race seats, an advanced communications system and a leather/Alcantara steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Under the hood, the naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter (6208cc) V8 engine has been equipped with the AMG Performance Package which enables it to develop 480 hp (358 kW / 487 PS) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. This allows the sedan to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and keep up with the racing action.
Hybrid autos • Mercedes amg tuning news
BRABUS Creates World’s First Tuned Car to Meet the EURO VI Emission Standard


The world’s first tuned car to meet the new EURO VI exhaust emission standard comes from BRABUS . Equipped with the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit the new Mercedes S 350 BlueTEC delivers an additional 55 hp (54 bhp) / 40.5 kW of power and a peak torque of 690 Nm (509 lb-ft). This tuning kit also makes BRABUS the first tuner to meet the strict limits of the EURO VI emission standard that won’t go into effect until 2014. In emission testing required for certification the S 350 BlueTEC with BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S remained below the EURO VI limits by 30 percent. Special versions of the BRABUS ECO PowerXtra D6S performance kit are also available for all four body styles of the Mercedes E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY model and for the new CLS 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY.
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS by BRABUS Makes World Debut



With the recent release of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, Brabus has turned their attention to Mercedes’ four-door coupe range in time for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Although it will likely be some time before we see another 200+ mph BRABUS Rocket, the new BRABUS CLS is quite a car.
Hamann SLS AMG Hawk Set For World Premiere at Geneva Motor Show

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing is one of the most covetable vehicles of its time, praised for its power and undeniably gorgeous looks. Despite the adoration the Gullwing receives, German tuner Hamann still decided to take on the challenge of making it even better. The result of Hamann’s efforts is the Everose Gold SLS Hamann Hawk.