Automotive Reviews
Posts tagged Audi
North American International Auto Show 2012
Jan 16th
It’s practically a tradition that the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is accompanied by the worst weather of the season. The second week in January in Detroit is rarely a pleasant place, but this year’s show was preceded by unseasonably warm and sunny weather. All thoughts of global warming aside, it seemed to indicate a subtle change in the climate of the automotive industry as well. No-shows included Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Jaguar/Land Rover, but all of the major industry players were present.
Several years of economic hardship (and more than a few casualties) have left the auto industry cautious; the wild abandon that characterized auto shows past is long gone. In its place, there’s a pragmatic realism–but for 2012, that realistic outlook is also optimistic. In addition to the upcoming products that are useful refinements of existing vehicles, Detroit also saw the debut of some honest-to-goodness concept cars, showing that the industry may have scaled back on the wildest flights of fancy, but it hasn’t forgotten how to dream. More >
2011 Audi A4
Feb 12th
Being the flagship of a luxury brand is a cakewalk; you get all of the best stuff crammed into a single package, and your over-the-top nature is more than enough to justify your existence. The lower-priced luxury cars have a harder time of it.
There’s a careful balance that needs to be struck between representing the marque’s core values and attributes and remaining reasonably-priced enough that the riffraff won’t think that all the budget went into the badge. There’s also the matter of the compact luxury sedan market being one of the most competitive in the industry. More >
2010 Audi TTS
Nov 13th
Let’s talk a bit about the Audi TT. Although it’s named for a famous motorcycle race–the Isle of Man’s Tourist Trophy–and it’s a compact sports car, it hasn’t made much of a mark as a racing car. The TT turns up on the track occasionally, but it lacks the racing connections of its big brother the R8. Considering that its competition includes cars like the Honda S2000 and Porsche Boxster, both of which have lots and lots of track time, the TT has always come across as a stylish but somehow incomplete sports car.
That changed for 2009, with the introduction of the Audi TTS. The addition of Audi’s “S” badge means performance, and the TTS is no exception. A comprehensive suite of engine upgrades serves to transform the TT from a sexy fashion accessory into a serious performer. With more power under the hood, the TTS manages to neatly split the difference between serious sports car and comfortable daily driver. Does it increase the TT’s street cred? Well, if it’s any indicator, the organizers of the Tourist Trophy race chose the TTS as their official cars shortly after its introduction. More >