It’s been rumored for a while now that Audi was exploring the possibility of adding a four-door sedan body style to its A3 range, but today, the German firm officially confirmed the news with the release of the first official sketches of the A3 Concept ahead of its world premiere at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Its main purpose is to preview both the saloon variant and the styling direction of the next A3, which is scheduled for a rollout in 2012 and will also include the successors to today’s three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback and the two-door convertible models.

“The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family,” Audi said in a statement.

The A3 concept measures 4.44 meters (14.57 feet) long, 1.84 meters (6.04 feet) wide and just 1.39 meters (4.56 feet) high, meaning it’s slightly smaller than the new Volkswagen Jetta (4.64 m long).

The sedan study embodies Audi’s latest design language as seen on the recent A8, A6 and A7 Sportback models featuring a single-frame grille with tapered upper corners, angular headlights with LED technology and taut body lines.

The show car is fitted with an upgraded version of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine found under the bonnet of the current RS3 and TT RS models, producing a peak output of 408-horses. The five-pot distributes power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

We’ll have more details on the A3 Concept from the Geneva Motor Show in March.

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While Audi execs are whistling dixie about the possibility of the new RS5 Coupe making its way on this side of the Atlantic, Automobile magazine is reporting that the 450-horsepower strong stallion from Ingolstadt is likely to arrive in the U.S. by summer of 2011.

Unfortunately, the magazine didn’t reveal a source for the rumor, so we’re a bit hesitant to call this one a done deal.

The all-wheel drive RS5 coupe was unveiled for the first time to the public at this year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show in March.

It is powered by a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine pumping out 450 ponies propelling the coupe from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h or 155mph.

Sales of the Audi RS 5 will begin in Europe within the next few months with pricing set at around €77,700 or about US$104,000.

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In: Carscoop

Recently the tuners from ENCO Exclusive released the modified Audi Q7, and have now turned to the Audi Q5 for upgrades. The new program features several styling improvements with a body kit based off the big brother Q7. This aerodynamic kit consists of a new bumper with large blackened air inlets, new hood, rear skirt, rear spoiler, and LED daytime running lights in the front. Integrated in the new rear bumper are oval exhaust pipes coming from the Audi Q5 V12 TDI engine. A brand new set of silver monoblock wheels from the ENCO “Jura” style were installed, and measure 22×10, which come wrapped in Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires sized 285/30/22.

Inside, the car tuning company customized the interior with carbon fiber parts around the shifter, and the ENCO Exclusive Audi Q5 is a true head turner with its white on black exterior. Also, pictures we have show a black version of the modified car, but the white with black definitely looks more aggressive. After its all said and done, this Audi Q5 has the look and feel of a Q7, however can be purchased for a fraction of the price.

In: Fancy Tuning

ABT Sportsline released a new line of styling kits this past week, the two we have here are for the Audi A8 and Audi R8 GTR cars. Starting with the new GTR-version for the Audi R8, the V10 supercar received a lot of lightweight aerodynamic parts to enhance its appearance. With a new front bonnet, front and rear aprons, and carbon fiber adjustable rear wing, the aggressive R8 GTR looks like it could take on the notorious Nissan GTR. The windows were even replaced with Makrolon pieces, a super strong, lightweight material that is better than the factory parts. ABT’s tuning firm swapped the original door panels with carbon fiber ones, and all these feather-like additions made the Audi R8 GTR 100 kg lighter than the stock model.

Under the hood of the Audi R8, ABT Sportsline tuned and tweaked the 5.2-liter V10 to produce 620 hp, which is a 95 horsepower increase over the factory numbers. Improving the handling is a height adjustable ABT Sports suspension kit, adjustable dampers, and a high performance ceramic braking system. The wheels pictured here are ultra light ABT CR alloys, available in 19×9″ for the front, and 19×11″ at the rear. At the track, the exotic looking Audi R8 GTR was able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.2 seconds, accomplish 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 325 km/h. Now that’s some impressive car tuning.

Moving on to Audi’s new luxury car, the Audi A8 sedan offers customers a four door model with stellar looks coming in 2011. ABT has already released these images of the new aero kit for the highly anticipated Audi A8, and even gave the car a small power boost. At the exterior level, the 2011 ABT Audi A8 received a new body kit consisting of a front spoiler, redesigned rear apron, tailpipe covers, side skirts, and a three-piece rear spoiler. Completing the cars styling are a set of aftermarket wheels in either 20 or 21-inches, and available in several designs. The engineers at ABT helped the 4.2-liter TDI engine with some tuning to increase its power by 35 hp and 80 Nm. Thus, giving the all new 2011 Audi A8 a final output of 385 horsepower, and 880 Nm of maximum torque.

In: Fancy Tuning

After the online leakage of the Audi RS5 Coupe brochure this past weekend, there was no point in holding back anymore, so the German automaker came out with an official release on its Geneva-bound BMW M3 fighter.

Developed by Audi’s quattro GmbH division, the RS5 Coupe makes use of a revised version of the firm’s 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine found in the previous RS4 and the current R8 Coupe.

In the RS5, the tweaked V8 engine delivers a maximum output of 450-horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 430Nm (317.15 lb-ft) of peak torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. Power is transferred to all four wheels through a standard seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission and a center differential in the quattro drivetrain.

With this configuration, the 4.2 FSI propels the coupe’s 1,725 kg or 3,803 pounds from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h or 155. Upon request, Audi can increase the top speed to 280 km/h or 174mph.

Not that it concerns your average RS5 driver, but Audi says that its hot coupe averages 10.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers or the US equivalent of 21.8 mpg.

It is worth mentioning that the RS5 comes equipped with a next generation quattro permanent all-wheel drive system that incorporates a self-locking crown-gear center differential which operates in conjunction with electronic torque vectoring.

Under normal conditions, the upgraded quattro system splits the power 40:60 front to rear but if necessary, up to 70 percent can flow to the front or as much as 85 percent toward the tail end.

The RS5 gets a revised suspension with the car sitting 20mm (0.79 inches) lower than a standard A5 and 19-inch alloy wheels with 265/35 tires or optionally, 20-inch rims and 275/30 rubber.

It also features a more powerful braking system with 365 millimeters (14.37 inches) ventilated discs at the front axle (380mm ceramic carbon-fiber brake discs up front are offered as an option) and an electronic stabilization program (ESP) that integrates a sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

To differentiate it from the S5 Coupe with its 354HP 4.2-liter V8, Audi gave the RS5 a special exterior treatment that includes a new single-frame grille with honeycomb inserts, a redesigned front bumper with oversized air inlets at each corner and silver splitter, plus flared fenders that hark back to the original quattro model.

At the back, there’s a new rear bumper that houses a diffuser and two large oval-shaped exhaust pipes plus a hidden boot lid spoiler that automatically extends at a speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and retracts at 80 km/h (50 mph).

Interior upgrades over the standard A5 Coupe’s include a pair of sport seats, a sport steering wheel with perforated leather, red needles on the gauges and decorative inlays made of carbon fiber.

Optionally, buyers can trim the interior with decorative inlays in a dark, stainless-steel mesh look, while there’s also a Carbon design package for the engine compartment and, for the vehicle body, there are styling packages in black or matt aluminum look.

The RS5 will go on sale in Europe this Spring with a base price of around €77,700.

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In: Carscoop

The German company Oettinger has customized this Audi TT with a matte black paint job and several tuning upgrades. A new complete aerodynamic body kit was installed that consists of a carbon fiber front lip spoiler, side skirts, headlight masks, and rear wing. Oettinger has been on the tuning scene for a while now, customizing everything from Volkswagens, to Seats, Skodas, and everything in between. With this new package for the Audi TT, the cars style is definitely more aggressive.

The Oettinger tuning program for this matte black Audi TT ranges from engine improvements to a muscular looking aero kit. Topping it off is the signature set of wheels from the Oettinger, their custom made RE rims. The wheels were also painted matte black and have a thin pinstripe yellow or red outline to surely turn heads. Performance numbers were not released yet, but the cars styling is one of the more impressive Audi TT models we’ve seen so far.

In: topspeed

Here we have some new products available for the Audi R8 from the tuning company Switzer Performance. The the new packages enhances the performance figures for both the V8 and V10 versions, each individually priced. For the 4.2-liter V8 Audi R8, the guys at Switzer were able to increase the output to 440 hp with some simple ECU tuning. The tuning costs $1,995 and is compatible with the stock components, such as the intake and exhaust. For those with the more powerful engine, Switzer Performance offers several parts to gain some impressive numbers.

If you own an Audi R8 with the 5.2-liter V10 motor, then Switzer is able to perform the same tuning modifications to boost the car to 550 hp. That performance package is priced at $3,995, but the company also offers new air filters with a carbon fiber airbox to add an extra 10-15 horsepower. The exterior styling of the Audi was left stock by the firm, however they do have a few optional interior upgrades. LiDar detectors can be placed in the mirror, full iPod and iPhone integration can be installed in the car, and custom illuminated door sills are an option.

In: carsroute

Just so you know, Audi will constantly be publishing information and teaser videos/pictures on its A1 mini until the online premiere of the car that’s planned for early February. Following the release of a couple of clips and a teaser graffiti back in December, the Germans came out today with a video interview Audi marketing boss, Peter Schwarzenbauer, who talks about the 2011 A1 from a sale perspective.

Among other things, Schwarzenbauer says that the company is currently expecting to sell around 80,000 units of its MINI Cooper and Alfa Romeo MiTo competitor in the car’s first full year. Watch the ‘self-made’ interview after the jump.

In: Carscoop

Just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi unveiled a second full-electric sports car concept at the Detroit show today. Bypassing the silly and confusing ‘Detroit showcar Audi e-tron’ name, the German firm’s new concept model is said to provide a vision of how a small sports car positioned below R8 could look like.

Like the original e-tron, the new two-seater concept is built around Audi’s ASF lightweight aluminium space frame and features a carbon fibre reinforced plastic hybrid body that helps keep weight down to 1,350kg or 2,976 lbs.

However, at 3.93 metres (154.7 inches) long, 1.78 meters (70 inches) wide and 1.22 meters (48 inches) tall, the new concept is much more compact in size than the Frankfurt Show e-tron (4.26 meters long, 1.9 meters wide and 1.23 meters tall). It’s even shorter than the TT that measures 4.17 meters or 164.5 inches in length.

Whereas the original e-tron was fitted with four-electric motors, two at each axle, the Detroit showcar gets two motors that drive the rear wheels and can operate independently.

Audi says that the twin-motors deliver a combined output of 150 kW or 204 horsepower and peak torque of 2,650Nm or 1954.54 lb-ft accelerating the coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.9 seconds. The e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37- 74 mph) in 5.1 seconds.

The concept’s top speed is limited to 124mph or 200km/h, as Audi claims that the amount of energy required by the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed.

The baby e-tron’s lithium batteries that are mid-mounted and tip the scales at 399kg or 880 lbs, offer a driving range of around 155 miles or 250 km. They can be fully charged through a 230v household outlet in about 11 hours, but Audi says that a heavy current (400 volts, 32 amperes) can cut the time to just about two hours.

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In: Carscoop

An all new performance tuning package has been released for the Audi TT-RS by the company B&B. There are four different tuning stages available for the new Audi, all resulting with impressive power numbers. The Stage 1 kit consists of a simple ECU tuning to take the boost level up an extra 0.2 bar, giving the engine 410 hp and priced at 1,950 euro. In the Stage 2 package, customers receive an extra 0.25 bar of boost along with an upgraded cooling system, resulting in 425 hp for 2,950 euro. The third stage is a bit more expensive than the first two, but the performance increases are well worth it.

In the Stage 3 kit, B&B hooks up the Audi TT-RS with a new stainless steel exhaust along with extra engine tuning to bring the car to 442 hp and 625 Nm of torque for 8,950 euro. The final stage, or the Stage 4 performance package includes all the above previously mentioned, a larger air filter, and for 12,950 euro the Audi is boosted to 450 hp and 640 Nm of torque. With the maximum horsepower at 450, the TT-RS model can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Also included in the tuning kit are 19 or 20-inch rims, high performance braking system, aero styling parts, and a suspension kit. The lowering springs drop the Audi TT-RS 20 mm closer to the ground to improve handling and stability.

In: carsroute