Audi Issues Pricing for A3 Sedan, 2.0 TSI Starts at $32,900, Just $900 Less Than A4, But Offers AWD

Following last year's announcement on the starting MSRP for the new Audi A3 sedan, Audi disclosed full pricing today for the two launch models of the series in the United States.

The base MSRP for the front-wheel drive 170hp A3 1.8 TFSI will start at $29,900 and the 220hp 2.0 TFSI, at $32,900, not including an $895 destination and handling fee for either model.

The 2.0-liter A3's price is just $900 less than the base A4 sedan ($33,800) with the same 220hp engine, but while the former comes with standard all-wheel drive quattro, the latter is front-wheel drive. If you want quattro and an automatic transmission on the A4 2.0 TFSI ($35,900), the difference climbs to $3,000. Audi's direct rival in this segment is the 208hp 2.0-liter turbo Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 that has a starting MSRP of $29,900.

Regardless of engine choice, a 6-speed S tronic automatic transmission comes as standard on the A3 as do leather seats, an MMI infotainment system, a panorama glass sunroof and bi-xenon headlights.

There are three trim levels beginning with the Premium and moving up to the Premium Plus that adds 18-inch alloy wheels, an aluminum interior package, and keyless entry for an additional $2,900, while at the top there's the Prestige Package that enhances the A3 with an S Line exterior kit, Driver Assistance package, Bang & Olufsen Sound System, MMI navigation plus, Audi Connect, Convenience package and full LED headlights for $8,800.

If these two versions don't do the trick for you, the A3 sedan will be joined later in 2014 by the A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel, the S3 sedan and in early 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).

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Spy Shots: Audi Gives 2015 TT Coupe the Winter Exam

After showing the next TT's interior at the CES show in Las Vegas last week and a conceptual crossover version of the car with the Allroad Shooting Brake moniker at this week's Detroit Auto Show, Audi officials also confirmed the venue and date for the unveiling of the coupe: the Geneva Motor Show this March.

That doesn't mean the new TT is completely ready, as Ingolstadt engineers continue to test prototypes on a variety of roads, conditions and countries.

There's a lot going on with the camouflage on this tester spied in Northern Europe, but combined with the knowledge we obtained from the Allroad Shooting Brake, we can safely say that the new TT will evolve the current model's styling theme adding more aggressive and manlier, if you will, lines and details to the familiar shape.

We've already seen the pre-production interior of the TT, so there's no questions there, with Audi's more minimalistic and futuristic approach to ergonomics and the gigantic 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster that also incorporates the MMI infotainment display making up the highlights.

As a vehicle based on the VW Group's (lighter) MQB platform, the powertrain lineup will be similar to other brand models, with the exception of the five-cylinder RS version that will follow later on.

Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

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Audi TT to Debut at Geneva Show, May Spawn Crossover Version Inspired by Detroit Concept

Audi will reveal the new TT at the Geneva Motor Show in March and the model will go on sale later this year, Audi technical chief Ulrich Hackenberg said at the Detroit Auto Show.

Hackenberg confirmed that the production Audi TT Coupe will closely follow the design of the Allroad Shooting Brake concept unveiled in Detroit. Furthermore, the executive said there is potential in the future for a TT crossover model very similar to the concept.

“There is a trend for crossovers, shooting brakes and Allroad models, and we combined the TT with these concepts,” Hackenberg was quoted as saying by Autocar. “The TT has more potential now than in its history. It can be different concepts and segments. A more rugged TT definitely has potential, yes,” the executive added.

The Allroad Shooting Brake is 4,200mm (165 in) long, 1,850mm (73 in) wide and 1,410mm (55.5 in) tall, with a wheelbase of 2,510mm (99 in), which make it roughly the same size as a TT – minus the extra millimeters of height. Audi says the study combines visual elements of future sports car models (the TT) with the Allroad concept and shooting brake car body form.

The Audi Allroad Shooting Brake concept features a hybrid powertrain producing a total of 402 hp (408PS) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. The study can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 4.6 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel economy is rated at 1.9 l/100 km (123.8 mpg US) according to the ECE standard. Total driving range is up to 820 km (509 miles).

By Dan Mihalascu

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Audi A8 L Security Is Ingolstadt’s Idea of Armored Luxury, Just In Case Someone Throws a Grenade

Audi has unveiled the most exclusive model in the A8 lineup, the A8 L Security, which features a series of high-security equipment including armor plating.

Available with two petrol engines, the 429hp 4.0-liter V8 TFSI and the 495hp 6.0-liter W12, the new Audi A8 L Security replaces the outgoing model by implementing the modifications brought by the facelifted A8 range.

The new A8 L Security is 5.27m (17.29 ft) long and has a 3.12m (10.24 ft) wheelbase. Audi says it’s the lightest luxury sedan in the high-security segment thanks to its modified A8 production body made largely from aluminum.

Certified by the German Ballistics Testing Center in Munich, the A8 L Security complies with the requirements of the class VR 7 ballistic protection standard in accordance with the BRV (Bullet Resistant Vehicles) 2009 guideline.

This means the body panels and glazing of the passenger cell can withstand firing with NATO sub-caliber ammunition, while in certain areas the armor plating even complies with the criteria for the classes VR 9 and VR 10. The A8 L Security also complies with the ERV (Explosion Resistant Vehicles) 2010 guideline.

In order to achieve these ratings, the occupant cell features extremely tough, highly resistant materials – heat-formed armor steel, aramide fabric, ceramic, a special aluminum alloy, and multi-laminated glass. For maximum security, the protective materials overlap at transitions. The windows are made of a special glass with a splinter-inhibiting polycarbonate layer on the inside.

Audi says the new A8 L Security can even withstand attack by military hand grenades. Furthermore, in case of a flat tire, polymer rings on the rims enable the vehicle to continue traveling at a maximum speed of 80 km/h (49.71 mph).

The A8 L Security 4.0 TFSI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds, while the W12 model does it in 7.1 seconds. Order books are open, with deliveries starting in the third quarter of 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Do You Think a TT Shooting Brake Crossover is a Good or a Bad Idea?

As with many automotive press releases these days, there's a lot of mumbo jumbo coming out of Audi about its new Allroad Shooting Brake Concept that's on display at the Detroit auto show, but it all boils down to this: this is a study for a shooting brake-bodied version of the next TT with a crossover flair.

If you remove the "Allroad" elements and swap the top for a swoopy coupe roofline, what's left is pretty much the new generation TT that will be released later this year.

The VW Group in general, has been toying around with the idea of a coupe or coupe-ish sporty crossover for quite some time now – the Audi Nanuk Quattro and Italdesign Parkour concepts are the most recent, though, both were far more extreme than the Allroad Shooting Brake seen here.

So, what would you say to a production variant closely based on this concept; is there any point to a vehicle like this?

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