The Audi A5’s DTM career started optimistically in the first 2012 race of the popular German Touring Car tour. With Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline driver Mattias Ekström leading the way with a pole in qualifying and a podium result in the Hockenheimring main event, the A5 coupe performed admirably in its series debut. For race number two of the 2012 schedule, the whole 8-driver racing squad of Audi A5 race cars arrived at the Lausitzring seeking their first win with their new DTM vehicle. With five Audi A5 braking into the top-10 during the weekend’s qualifying at the 3.478-kilometer road...

One of the fastest-growing auto racing tours in Europe, the DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) series launched into its 2012 season with a 40-lap main event at the 4.574-mile Hockenheimring GP Circuit April 29th. Winning 7 of the 10 official DTM races last season with the Audi A4, the 2012 season presented a major transition for the German auto manufacturer. Firstly, their 2011 DTM championship-winning driver Martin Tomczyk defected to the newly-activated BMW effort in the series (BMW returns to DTM competition for the first time since 1993). Drivers Mattias Ekström for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline and Mike Rockenfeller with Audi...

� North America auto buyers would be amused at the potpourri that is the global Audi vehicle range. Through high-profile auto exhibitions, the version of the A1 subcompact and Q3 compact crossover are models unaccustomed to Audi owners (or potential Audi owners) in the United States. Making judgement calls for what mind of vehicles a certain market can sustain, we (as North American enthusiasts) are kept in the dark of Audi’s accomplishments in other parts of the world. Thankful to the theatrics of several major auto shows, car companies are finally encouraged to display their many faces to a global audience. In...

Adding credence to rumours spread last week, Audi officially announced Wednesday there is the new owner of Italian motorcycle company Ducati. Buying share holdings from Investindustrial the Canadian-based Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan and BS Investimenti, the purchase of Ducati by Audi has been quoted to be in excess of 1.1 billion US dollars. In presenting this major acquisition, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG Rupert Stadler declared, “As a sporty, global premium brand, Ducati is an excellent fit for Audi.” In the announcement, Audi pinpoints several desirable attributes in the Ducati company that made the acquisition mutually...

� Pertaining to sport versions of Audi’s vehicles, the RS destination was given to the German luxury car brand’s products in 1994. Inaugurated on ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing’ called the RS2 Avant, the flexibility Audi showed with towards high performance presented the all-wheel drive quattro drivetrain linked in a screaming 311 horsepower 2.2 liter turbocharged engine. In recent years, Audi’s avant-garde design has been injected with a high dose of performance character through expanded use of the RS badge as the brand headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany targeted the M division of BMW and AMG outfitted Mercedes-Benz products. Extended to sedan, coupes,...

Searching for their 10th victory, the Audi prototype program has placed every major iteration of their race purpose-built sports cars in the Sebring International Raceway winner’s circle since 2000. The Audi R8 prototype race car, as well as the R10 TDI and R15 TDI are celebrated race vehicles that began their piece of a motorsport dynasty with an inaugural victory at Sebring. Bringing 2011-spec Audi R15 TDI Plus race cars to the Mobil 1 Twelve of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida  event last year, the Audi R18 TDI closed cockpit prototype car would break an 11-year trend by winning...

This weekend at Sebring International Raceway, the Audi Sport Team Joest prototype organization prepares for the start of the 2012 sports car racing season. Since entering the sports car prototype arena in 1999, Audi’s motorsport efforts have pushed the four-ring badge to the top of track competition while their street cars captured accolades with customers. With worldwide sales recorded at a 625,807 total in 1999, Audi AG scored 1,303,650 in vehicle unit sales across the planet in 2011 as the German luxury car brand has risen to a serious force in automotive production. While some debate the impact of motorsports on...

At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the European-targeted three-door version of the 2013 Audi A3 encapsulates renewed passion for pushing the boundaries of what can be expected from an entry-level compact. The 2013 model year A3 is greatly refreshed to reflect Audi’s technology advancement and refined styling DNA. Premiering in Geneva, the 2013 Audi A3 three-door hatchback is immediately eye-catching as a sophisticated yet youthful design. Just slightly longer than the previous European-sold three-door model at 4,237 millimeters (166.81 inches), the 2013 A3 grows outward by 22 millimeters (0.866 inches) bumper cover-to-bumper cover. Despite the longer dimensions, Audi’s “ultra lightweight construction...

� One negative of entering a new year in the northern hemisphere on Earth is being plunged right into the worst driving weather. Fortunately, with each passing day, the horizon of spring grows closer eventually allowing the icy, snow-covered roads to clear. Just in time to exploit the bare pavement surfaces in 2012, Audi has prepared their latest, refreshed high-performance street machines. Premiering their new S Line S6, S7 and S8 models at the past Frankfurt Motor Show for public release later this year, 2012 welcomes the infectiously dashing Audi RS5. Both a personal luxury coupe and a high-performance car, the...

British design firm Kahn Design seems to be on a bit of a roll lately, coming out with lots of well-modified high-end cars. Their latest creation is their interpretation of the Audi Q7. First, and most noticeably, Kahn Design gave the Q7 an exterior visual makeover: vented front replacement wings, gunmetal grey front bumper sections, rear vented bumper, large upper roof wing, wide wheel arches with rear vented spats, machined aluminum vented foot pedals, stainless steel door sills, replacement wings, LED daytime running lights, Kahn stainless steel exhaust system, gold calipers, and gunmetal grey mirror backs. This whole package rolls on...