Audi’s new car extravaganza

By Ben Whitworth

Car Magazine Online:

Audi’s new car extravaganza
Audi is preparing a slew of almost a dozen new models over the next eighteen months – headlined by a new twin-turbo diesel-powered TT – and we’ve got lowdown on these key models that will, Audi hopes, make it the world’s best-selling premium motoring brand by 2015.

A diesel TT?

Indeed. Caught here undergoing initial cold-weather trials, this diesel TT mule even features a dash-mounted warning to remind the driver to refuel only with diesel. But contrary to numerous reports, the TT will not run Audi’s current 2.0-litre 170bhp – CAR’s sources claim Audi is prepping a twin-turbo version of its common rail diesel. Like BMW’s superb new biturbo diesel, the TT unit will feature a small responsive blower for instant throttle response at low revs, and then a bigger turbo for high-rev punch.

Expect at least 200bhp from the transversely-mounted four-cylinder unit, and a mighty 295lb ft of torque for a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds, a 145mph top speed and some serious in-gear go – not bad for something that should return around 40mpg in the real world. Audi is currently developing a new seven-speed S-tronic transmission to handle the engine’s massive torque as the current six-cog box has a threshold of 260lb ft, and naturally, the diesel TT will be quattro all-wheel-drive only. It should debut in early 2009 – probably at the Geneva motor show – and arrive here in the summer with a £28,000 price tag.

What about a TT with an RS badge?, I want more!, What about something smaller?, And something to put the wind in my hair?, And what about something to leave every supercar standing?, What about something with style?, Anything on the R8 front?, And a harder, faster R8?, Any 4×4 action?

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