Audi’s return on capital this year will exceed 10 percent for the first time, company sources have told Automobilwoche. Last year the figure was 9.7 percent.  That will approach the returns of rival BMW. Given Audi’s heavy spending for new models and the expansion of its dealer network, says Albrecht Denninghoff, an analyst at Commerzbank, “10 percent is a good figure.” Continue reading Audi returns expected to top 10 percent, still no U.S. factory in the works

Consider the position of Audi’s new S6 and the predicament in which the Audi brand finds itself in the American marketplace. A case can be made that the situations are surprisingly parallel. Like the entire Audi brand, the S6 has matured, yet is lagging somewhat in visibility compared to its German rivals. Also like the brand itself, the S6 must stand on its own, continuing to appeal to the traditional Audiphile, yet still catch the eye of those who’ve never owned or even considered a car with those four chrome rings affixed to the grille. Continue reading Driven: 2007 Audi S6

With a 1-2 victory in the finale of the American Le Mans Series at Laguna Seca (California), AUDI AG yet again has written a piece of motorsport history: The Audi R10 TDI is the first Le Mans Prototype to remain unbeaten in its debut season. The revolutionary diesel sportscar competed in eight races since the debut in March, crossing the finish line eight times as the outright winner. Continue reading Audi R10 TDI Ends Debut Season Undefeated

Sheer sportiness, a genuine driving experience plus high power reserves – cue the new TT Roadster from Audi. The open-top sports car retains the distinctive lines of its tremendously successful predecessor, but instils them with even greater emotion, performance and dynamism. Continue reading The New Audi TT Roadster

It is a genuine treat to be surprised by an automobile. Case in point is the all new Audi S6 which we had pegged for Audi’s continuing trend of overt understatement. Untangle that oxymoron for a moment: in our opinion Audi has been dangerously close to the just-too-darn-conservative precipice in many of its latest high performance offerings. We’re not asking for “Pimp My Audi” from the factory, but we are most certainly part of the chorus of Audi owners calling for greater differentiation between the well designed (but ultimately more utilitarian) base models and their more exclusive Sport brethren. Continue reading Road Test: 2007 Audi S6

34,000 spectators witnessed the successful debut of the DTM around the Circuit Bugatti at Le Mans and yet another thrilling race, in which Tom Kristensen was the best Audi driver. The Dane had put himself in an excellent position, to possibly take the championship fight all the way to the Hockenheim finale on 29 October, after securing a front row slot in qualifying. However, at the start the Dane lost three positions and the title chances as a result. Continue reading Le Mans Witnesses Exciting DTM Debut

Audi AG has announced the European pricing for its new TT S-line trim. When we first reported on the TT S-line, all we were able to do was bring you the photos Audi released and make some observations based on what they showed. Today, we finally have the rest of the story. It turns out there are actually a pair of S-line packages – S-line sports and S-line exterior. The car depicted in the photos is equipped with both. Continue reading Audi TT S-line pricing announced

The Audi super-forum, Fourtitude, recently had a chance to sample the automaker’s newest attempt at iPod integration in an S8, while joined by Audi of America’s Product Planning Manager Filip Brabec. The new system, dubbed the Audi Music Interface (AMI), builds on the MMI system in the A3, A4, S4 and RS 4 models. Although the system appears to be one of the best at getting full functionality out of Apple’s iPod, Continue reading Audi Music Interface takes iPod integration to a new level

Some love it, others hate it, but everyone must concede that the dominant deep grill that has formed Audi’s new corporate image is a distinctive styling feature. In.Pro takes the look a step further with its emblem-less mesh grill that gives the A6 an even bolder front fascia. The look of In.Pro’s aftermarket grill is thoroughly modern, but draws its inspiration from the Auto Union race cars that dominated competition in the 1930’s. Continue reading Mesh with Success: In.Pro’s Audi A6 grill

AUDI pulled the wraps off its big gun in performance vehicles with the R8 revealed at the 2006 Paris Motor Show, and set for release here in Q2 2007. Australian buyers can expect to see the car at dealers in the second quarter of 2007.  The car is also rumoured to be shown at the upcoming Australian International Motor Show however Audi Australia could not confirm. Continue reading Audi R8 at Paris Motor Show (video)

Though perhaps not as widely anticipated as the upcoming R8 sportscar, Audi’s impending A5 coupe is possibly closest to the hearts of the most ardent Audiphiles. Sure, Audi builds another coupe in the form of the TT, but those who lament the long-gone UrQuattro and Coupe quattro models yearn for a spiritual successor. Just such a successor will come as one of the first offerings to make use of Audi’s modular longitudinal vehicle architecture. Continue reading A5 Coupe Exposed