| Bang and Olufsen Audio System: To Be Expanded Further Across Audi Line-up | | Posted Tuesday, October 31, 2006 6:46:27 PM by Blog57 Team | | The most sophisticated sound system in the Audi range has proven to be an unqualified success. In less than a year more than 3,000 A8 customers have chosen the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System. At the moment every fifth Audi A8 or S8 model is equipped with this system, which has an output of over 1,000 watts. With its total of fourteen active high-end speakers, Acoustic Lens Technology (developed by B&O) and powerful amplifier output, the Advanced Sound System ensures a perfect sound experience. Specially developed for the Audi A8 are the speaker grilles made from meticulously crafted anodised aluminium – the same material used to produce the body of this sporty luxury saloon. The sound system is music to the listeners' eyes: because its design is seamlessly integrated into the sporty, luxurious ambience of the A8, adding its own styling features.... | |
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| | | Audi A8 dominating BMW 7-series in magazine comparison tests | | Posted Sunday, October 08, 2006 6:46:06 PM by Blog57 Team | | People say the Audi A8L is inferior to the BMW 7-series because it lacks the driving dynamics and name recognition. Not to mention that the Audi doesn't sell nearly as many A8's as BMW sells 7-series.If we look a little closer we can see that the Audi A8 has dominated the BMW 7-series in comparison tests where the two cars are involved.The 7-series usually earns praise for its driving dynamics and handling. The A8 gets positive remarks regarding its incredible interior furnishings along with finish and an easier to use/more intuitive MMI system. It's striking but conservative exterior design doesn't take getting used to.In conclusion, some on this site may say the 7-series is a better car only because it sells more and has a BMW badge on it.Actual car enthusiast insiders on the other hand know that the Audi offers cleaner exterior design, an arguabley more luxrious interior, the best materials quality, easier to use ergonomics with MMI and pretty decent handling.The public may think they are driving the better luxury sedan with the BMW 7-series, but according to car magazine reviews and comparison tests the fewer number that drive the Audi A8 will probably not go as noticed, but they are driving an all-around better luxury sedan if looked at from the car magazine tests/reviews perspective.... | |
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| | | BMW, Audi compromise for Pope | | Posted Friday, September 15, 2006 2:46:46 PM by Blog57 Team | | REGENSBURG, Germany - Two of Germany's carmaking giants have reached a truce over the official limousine for Pope Benedict XVI's nostalgic visit to his native Bavaria. BMW and Audi are both based in Bavaria — BMW in Munich and Audi in Ingolstadt — and both claimed the right to supply the official car for the six-day visit. With neither company prepared to give way, the Munich Archbishop's office was forced to step in to make the final decision — when in Munich, where the pope landed from Rome on Saturday, he would be driven in a BMW 7-series but during his three-day stay in Regensburg he would use an Audi A8. "It was important to us that we provided the car he used first on his visit," said a BMW spokesman. "After all, when the pope is in Munich, he should be driven in a BMW." Audi said it was satisfied with the compromise.... | |
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| | | Best First Eight Months for the Audi Brand | | Posted Sunday, September 10, 2006 4:47:21 AM by Blog57 Team | | September 6, 2006 -- With 601,500 vehicles sold worldwide, an increase of 8,6 percent (2005: 553,991)*, Audi has achieved yet another sales record in the first eight months of 2006. This result means that we go into the last third of the year on a high and are well on course to achieve record sales for the eleventh consecutive year. We aim to sell around 50,000 more vehicles this year than we did last year, stated Ralph Weyler, Board Member for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG. Audi handed over 63,700 models to their new owners in August, an increase of 7.7 percent on August 2005 (59,163). .... | |
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| | | Driver's News: August 7, 2006 | | Posted Wednesday, August 16, 2006 4:46:16 AM by Blog57 Team | | Porsche is testing a set of prototypes that not only show the Panamera sedan on a quick course for development-they also suggest that the sportscar maker is planning a fifth model line along the lines of the former 928 coupe. The first test mules for the Panamera, Porsche's forthcoming fourth model line, are shown here. The front-engined, four-door four-seat sports sedan is hidden under the bodies of a BMW 5-Series and an Audi A8. Porsche plans a market launch for the Panamera in the second half of 2009. Spy Shots: '09 Porsche Panamera, GT Coupe (8/2/2006) Porsche's fifth model line coming in 2010. GM Rolls Out New Silverado/Sierra General Motors formally pulled the covers off its two new full-size pickup trucks on Wednesday. Together, the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra are "the most important component of the most important part of our North American turnaround," proclaimed GM Chairman Rick Wagoner.... | |
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| | | Cruising for senior-friendly cars | | Posted Monday, August 14, 2006 6:46:10 PM by Blog57 Team | | Dear Savvy Senior: Is there any research that evaluates the best new cars for senior citizens? My wife and I both are in our 70s and are looking for a new vehicle. What can you tell us??-- Car Shopping SeniorsDear Car Shopping: With nearly 20 million licensed drivers in the United States age 70 and older (that number is expected to double by 2030), auto makers have started implementing better features and options in certain vehicles to accommodate the growing needs of older drivers.But what makes a good car for seniors? For many, top priorities include a vehicle that's easy to get into and out of, easy to adjust for fit and comfort, easy to maneuver and see out of, as well as reliable and a good value.Best senior vehiclesRecently, Edmunds.com (the top rated on-line resource for automotive research information) evaluated current models based on senior-friendly features as well as performance and overall quality.Here's what they came up with (and why) as the best new vehicles for seniors.... | |
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| | | New Audi S8 for Keke Rosberg | | Posted Monday, July 24, 2006 4:46:00 AM by Blog57 Team | | Former Formula 1 Champion Keke Rosberg used the opportunity of the Norisring race to pick up his new car in Ingolstadt. Prof Dr Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, handed over one the first new Audi S8 cars to the prominent Finn at the Audi Piazza on Friday. The father of the German Formula 1 shooting star Nico Rosberg and founder of Audi Sport Team Rosberg has been an Audi customer for quite some time. Now he added to his A8 W12 a "brilliant black S8 with a black leather package that sets a new benchmark in the sporty luxury car class: 450 hp are delivered by the 5.2-litre V10 FSI engine. In addition to the S8s ample standard equipment, including 20-inch cast aluminium wheels sporting the S-design and adaptive air suspension, the 1982 Formula 1 Champion opted for the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System as well as ceramic brakes for which Prof Dr Winterkorn provided Rosberg with expert explanations.... | |
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| | | Buick turns the corner on styling, keeps comfort | | Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006 6:46:40 PM by Blog57 Team | | Gone are the full-size Buick LeSabre and upscale Park Avenue from the automaker's lineup, bridged by the Lucerne -- the car Buick hopes will make room for a younger buyer among traditional loyalists.Impossible, you say? Consider the renaissance General Motors' Cadillac Division has enjoyed since the introduction of the Cadillac CTS sedan in 2002. Today, it's hip to drive what was once a brand marketed to our parents. The difference comes with styling.Like Cadillac, Buick has been redesigned to welcome a new generation of buyer interested in value, a big-car ride, power and appointments akin to sedans priced twice that of Buick Lucerne.Offered in CX, CXL and CXS trim, Lucerne marks the return of the V-8 engine to the Buick product line with a potent 275-hp. V-8 standard on the CXS model.Base engine is a 3.8-liter V-6 that generates 197 horsepower for CX and CXL versions.All models manage a 4-speed automatic transmission.The Lucerne cabin is adult size, with plentiful leg and knee room front and back seats for up to six-passengers when fitted with optional front bench seat ($250).... | |
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| | | Single-frame grilles for last-gen Audis | | Posted Saturday, July 01, 2006 8:45:52 AM by Blog57 Team | | Though many have panned Audi's new corporate grille, the German automaker has stuck to its guns and disseminated the nose across its entire line up. Many folks, in fact, love the boldness of the single-frame grille that drops deep into every Audi's lower bumper.Fourtitude has discovered a company called CarLine that produces conversion kits to add Audi's single-frame grille to the company's previous generation of cars. The CI-Look package is available for the B5 A4 and first-generation TT (gallery). Other companies have hopped on the single-frame grille bandwagon, as well. Hofele Design produces a tasteful single-frame conversion kit for the first generation A8 sedan (gallery) and tuners Mattig (gallery) and PPI Automotive Design (gallery) also make their own kits for the first gen TT. So don't fret if you're stuck with one of Audi's previous generation cars – you too can have the same gaping grille as the current models.[Source: Fourtitude] .... | |
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| | | Chinese bosses fascinated by bulletproof autos (Chinanews.cn) Updated: 2006-06-29 13:49 | | Posted Friday, June 30, 2006 6:45:52 AM by Blog57 Team | | "I spent 700 thousand yuan to refit my Toyota Land Cruiser into a bulletproof vehicle. It's excellent!" A boss from Shanghai said. He was a real estate manager who had assets of RMB hundreds of millions. He had just signed a contract with Chongqing Jinguan Vehicle Manufacture Co. to refit his brand-new Toyota hatchback into a commercial bulletproof automobile. .... | |
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