Last year, German auto giant Audi purchased Ducati Motors, through its Italian subsidiary Lamborghini. Many people have been speculating whether this could mean that Audi will start manufacturing motorcycles. A couple of designers have been trying to figure out what such a motorcycle could look like.
The Audi Motorrad was designed by Thibault and Marc Devauze, as well as modeler Clement Couvreur. It looks like it’s directly aimed at BMW’s motorcycle group. The concept bike comes packed with a Ducati-derived 850cc, L-Twin 4 valve-per-cylinder, Desmodromic 2-cylinder engine coupled with a double-clutch gearbox.
The body of this super bike would use Audi’s technology that combines carbon fiber with light alloys. I’m wouldn’t doubt that we’ll someday see motorcycles from Audi, because the R8 has definitely got some Lamborghini heritage – and Audi bought Lamborghini in 1998.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of driving a German marque around town, never mind if your neighbor has one of those fancy Italian exotics. For the average man on the street, owning a BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi would be a sign to those around that they have “arrived” on the working scene, so to speak, and that their career can only go nowhere else but up in the future. Well, for those who have worked hard and now want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by purchasing a new German ride, you might want to consider what Audi has in store for you, where their ride will not come fitted with Audi Connect.
Just what the heck is Audi Connect? Well, Audi Connect is a concept that revolves around an in-vehicle data plan, with T-Mobile being the mobile carrier of choice, and they have unveiled a couple of plans to tempt the masses. Basically, $450 will get you 30 months of “full data services” that will keep the infotainment system powered, where among the features it supports include Google Earth, real-time Sirius XM Traffic info and even Wi-Fi connectivity for eight devices simultaneously. Those who do not think that they see value in such a long-term commitment might want to settle for a monthly bill of $30 instead. [Press Release]
This week the folks at Audi and T-Mobile have let it be known that they’re going to offer data plans in the near future that allow drivers to be connected at an extremely affordable rate. Connected, that is, to mobile data inside their Audi next-generation Connected Vehicles. You’ll be rolling out with web connectivity for a variety of apps and services anywhere you drive for as little as $15 USD a month!
What we’re talking about here is the T-Mobile data plan you’ll be using in your Audi vehicle equipped with Audi connect. With T-Mobile data you’ll be paying a cool $450 USD for full data service over the course of 30 months – there’s also a six-month free trial period you get at the time of your purchase. That equals out to be just $15 or month if you pick up that one lump sum! There’s also a $30 USD month-to-month service plan if you’d like less of a contract situation.
Above you’re seeing a demonstration of what Audi connect brings to you on their next-generation line of vehicles. Hot tip – we’ve been reporting on this fabulous technology integration since all the way back at Audi’s CES 2012 keynote – going big with NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor integration and ultra-fast data speeds!
With T-Mobile data you’ll be rolling out with Audi connect’s connections to Google Earth, Google Voice Local Search, and a collection of other online services straight from Audi like news, gas prices, travel information, and weather! You’ll also be able to share internet inside the vehicle to up to 8 devices on the same data plan – no need to have two data plans working at once!
Have a peek at our Audi tag portal as well as our giant Car Hub right this minute, and see the timeline below for all the most excellent recent reports on Audi from the past few weeks – stay up to date!
If a vehicle outfitted with Audi Connect has found its way into your garage, T-Mobile has a pair of new data plans for you to consider. Dropping $450 nets car owners 30 months of “full data services” to power the infotainment system, which packs features including Google Earth, real-time Sirius XM Traffic info and even WiFi for up to eight devices. Drivers who aren’t in the market for such a long term commitment can pony up $30 every month instead. Hit the jump for the full press release from Audi and the UnCarrier.
Audi has announced the upcoming 2015 A3 sedan, stating that the vehicle will hit showrooms in Q1 of 2014, offering entry-level luxury features with a variety of powertrain options wrapped up in a sleek-yet-reserved body style. While no pricing information has been given on this third-generation A3, we’ve got a rundown of its specs, as well as a gallery, after the break.
The 2015 Audi A3 will have MMI technology, which is a first in the A-segment. In addition, it will also feature support for 4G LTE and will offer Audi’s drive select. Standard features include Bluetooth, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, pre-sense basic, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. On top of this is Bang & Olufesen audio, and implementation of NVIDIA’s Tegra for 3D graphics. Finally, there’s also the Audi Phone Box, which increases mobile coverage via an antenna on the back of the vehicle.
Technology aside, the 2015 A3 series offers four engine options: 170 horsepower 1.8 TFSI, 150 horsepower 2.0 TDI diesel, and low/high output 2.0 TSFI with horsepower specs being offered “closer to launch.” Regardless of which engine is selected, the A3 will feature a 6-speed S tronic transmission. A new feature being offered is the ability to adjust shift points, steering effort, and throttle response via four settings: Auto, Individual, Comfort, and Dynamic.
Inside, this entry-level luxury interior offers a wrap-around dash design, which Audi refers to as the vehicle’s defining element. Interior lighting includes cool white LEDs that surrounds door panels, cupholders, the center console, and more. Audi America’s President Scott Keogh said: “The Audi A3 will set the new benchmark among entry-level luxury sedans. This A3 line-up redefines the standards of its class in dynamics, efficiency, technology, craftsmanship and performance.”
If you have a hard time understanding why people would want a high-performance SUV, I’ll try to explain it to you. Sometimes performance car fans needed vehicle that will tow something along the lines of the boat, a racecar, or haul a bunch of people around. This is the perfect target market for hotrodded factory SUVs such as the 2014 Audi SQ5.
Audi unveiled the SQ5 at the Detroit auto show and it’s a rather impressive vehicle. The outside is rather subdued, but it certainly attractive and it has very impressive performance for a big and heavy SUV. A diesel version of this SUV exists already in Europe, but this version is aimed at the American market swapping the diesel engine for supercharged V6.
The V-6 engine displaces 3.0-liters and is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 354 hp and 347 pound-feet of torque. Despite the bulk of the SUV, the engine can push the SUV to 60 mph in only 5.3 seconds according to Audi.
Audi has been offering a similar SUV in the United States called the Q5 and it has been a sales success. I would expect the more potent SQ5 to be a success with affluent owners looking for sporty SUV packing impressive performance.
For some people, the Super Bowl isn’t about the game, but about the commercials. We saw a lot of them during this year’s game, and there was no shortage of advertisements relating to technology, cars, and movies. We decided to round up all of the Super Bowl commercials that we thought SlashGear readers would enjoy most, including ones from Samsung, Best Buy, GoDaddy, and even BlackBerry. We’ve embedded some of our personal favorites right in this post, with links to all the other ads that are relevant.
Samsung ended up going all out this year for their Super Bowl ad, taking up a full two minutes of airtime, costing them around $16 million after it was all said and done. Actors Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd, as well as NBA all-star LeBron James made appearances in the commercial, and discussed some ideas on what Samsung’s “next big thing” could be. BlackBerry (formerly known as RIM) aired their first-ever Super Bowl ad, spending a few million dollars on an ad showing off the new BlackBerry Z10, which according to the ad, will light you on fire, so be careful.
Best Buy ended up airing their own Super Bowl ad as well, and it features SNL alum and Parks & Recreation star Amy Poehler, who is pretty much the most adorable and funniest woman in show business right now, so we have to give it up for Best Buy for pulling off such a cute and witty ad.
We knew GoDaddy would make an appearance at the Super Bowl, as they do every year, but this time they aired two ads, one featuring the typical sexy theme that you know and love, and then there was an ad that actually wasn’t that bad. The company advertised their .co domain names, and the ad rings true of anyone with an original idea these days.
Movie trailers were also hot stuff during Super Bowl commercial breaks. The Iron Man 3 trailer caught our eye the most, with Star Trek: Into Darkness also showing off a quick teaser for us. World War Z also made a quick appearance, and we also saw an extended teaser for Johnny Depp’s upcoming movie, The Lone Ranger.
Now we want to hear what you think. We know not every ad this year was amazing, and some were iffy at best. What was your favorite commercial from the Super Bowl? Which tech company blew it out of the park? Which one could’ve been better? What suggestions would you make to the creators of the ads? Sound off in the comments below!
Audi has announced that it will debut Matrix LED headlights that are synced with the vehicle’s camera, sensors, and navigation system, allowing them to perform dynamically in the environment. This move builds on the already high standard Audi applies to its headlights. The Matrix LED headlights are slated to debut later this year.
According to Audi, the Matrix LED headlights utilize segments of light-emitting diodes, reflectors, and lenses to create a swivel-less design. Instead of using a swiveling mechanism, the segments will each be run independent of the other segments based on data from the various sensors, camera, and GPS. When combined, they form a dynamic headlight that is tuned to the world around it.
One LED light segment, for example, will dim, while another will be deactivated, according to the environmental data coming from the camera and sensors, and the anticipated actions of the car based on the navigation system. One example provided is the lights’ reaction to other vehicles, which are detected by the camera. Certain elements of the high-beam lights will be turned off so as to avoid blinding the other driver without completely depriving the Audi driver.
By communicating with the navigation system, the headlights will be able to swivel into a curve a bit before the turn arrives, offering prediction-based lighting. In dark settings, this will help the drivers navigate in addition to providing a better lighting experience. While Audi has stated that the Matrix LED headlights will make their debut later this year, no specific dates or time frame were provided.
Audi makes some pretty sleek cars, and their designs are often cutting edge, especially when you check out their new ideas about lighting technology. I’ll admit that most cars that I’ve had needed better lighting, especially when you’re driving along dark country roads, far away from the freeway.
Audi is thinking about doing away with traditional taillights and replacing them with form-fitting OLED lights instead.
These cool looking organic lights would cover the entire width of the trunk, and potentially cover the entire body of the vehicle. The lights will swarm as the car accelerates, and the red lights will flow towards the direction in which the car is turning. Using the brake causes the lights to gather in pools.
This seems like a smart idea, but I can already imagine the costs of replacing the lights if someone rear-ends you. Also, I think it will take some time before this kind of display becomes legal. It could definitely be seen as a distraction to other drivers if not executed properly.
One of the lesser-seen concepts that appeared earlier this year down deep in the Audi stand at CES 2013 was this magical bit of conceptual madness: the Swarm tail-light. This light recalls (as the title of this post implies) the fantastical visions of the brightly-lit future of the Speed Racer movie from the Wachowski tag team of excellence back a few years ago – complete with wild color combinations. What we’re not sure of at the moment is if this greatness will inspire better driving or more distracted crash-ready action.
The lights move forth and faster as the car accelerates, this creating a more “swarm” fabulous effect as you reach top speed. Instead of hitting the turn bar in your car, the swarm moves forth to the left or the right according to where your wheels are aiming – in other words, if you’re leaning toward turning to the right, there’ll be more lovely lights on the right side of the back of your vehicle. If you’re veering left, there wont be any lights on the right.
At the moment, as AutoBlog.GR mentions, this tech has been assuredly NOT been prepped for any vehicles that are going to be market ready any time soon. It’s not that we’ll never ever see such a bit of tech in the future no matter what, but we’re not going to need to be worrying about tuning our eyes for swarming lights next year, certainly. Not on the road, anyway.
Let us know if you’re hoping for such a technology in your vehicle in the future – or perhaps if you’d like to see this lighting working in a video game before we see it in the real world. Can you imagine playing Asphalt 2016: Swarm Lights by next year? Gameloft, that’s your cue! Make our eyes bleed by the time we’re ready to see it all happen in real life!
Also note that we’ve got a giant archive of materials we saw up close and personal at CES 2013 and you can catch more car action than your mind can handle in our Car hub now as well. Audi is there along with many other super-excellent car brands as well!
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of driving a German marque around town, never mind if your neighbor has one of those fancy Italian exotics. For the average man on the street, owning a BMW, Mercedes Benz or Audi would be a sign to those around that they have “arrived” on the working scene, so to speak, and that their career can only go nowhere else but up in the future. Well, for those who have worked hard and now want to enjoy the fruits of their labor by purchasing a new German ride, you might want to consider what Audi has in store for you, where their ride will not come fitted with Audi Connect.
