Before we let you go get your fix from our new image gallery of the Audi A1 Sportback Concept, we’d just like say that you’re going to be seeing a lot of updates here on Carscoop today as we’ll be constantly updating our stories on the Paris Show concept cars and production models throughout the day (and night…). Follow the jump to check out the fresh bunch of photos that just hit the net or click here to read our initial article on Audi’s premium mini hatchback model. -Continued
Nearly a year after Audi unveiled the 3-door A1 Metroproject Quattro concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and the Germans are still fiddling around with their minicar project. This time the firm from 
Other changes in the vehicle’s design include the tweaked rear-end and the more pronounced fenders. As expected, the A1 Sportback’s retains the interior of the
We don’t have the official technical specs in our hands yet, but we gather the A1 Sportback will most likely use the Metroproject Quattro’s hybrid drivetrain that combines a 150 HP 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine to a 41 HP electric motor in the rear axle. The production version of the A1 which will be offered in both 3-door and 5-door body styles is scheduled to hit showrooms in late-2009 or early-2010.
Why on earth would someone design a speedboat inspired from the Audi R8? Well, if we didn’t know better, we’d say that the catamaran’s designer probably wanted to style cars but instead ended up in the shipping business as the R8 Catamaran is Bo Zolland’s second automobile-inspired speedboat after the 1963 Corvette Stingray lookalike catamaran (see here). -ContinuedAccording to the Swedish designer, the 8.8 meter long R8 speedboat has been designed to use a V10 biodiesel marine engine or two smaller 320 HP diesel units helping it to achieve a theoretical top speed of 110 MPH.
Link: Vizualtech
Audi’s much lauded S-Tronic seven-speed twin-clutch transmission has found its way into the recently facelifted S3 that is offered in 3-door and for the first time, 5-door Sportback forms. Available for order in the When equipped with the S-Tronic, the three-door S3 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the 6-speed manual version with which it shares its electronically governed top speed of 155mph or 250 km/h. Equally important, the twin-clutch transmission betters the S3’s combined fuel economy figure from 33.2mpg UK to 34mpg UK.
Audi has revealed the first pictures and details of the all-new S4 Sedan and Avant ahead of the car’s official debut at the Paris Motor Show. The most significant change on the new S4 is hidden under the hood as Audi ditches the 4.2-liter V8 in favor of its new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that made its first appearance on the facelifted 2009 A6. In the S4 Sedan and Avant models, the supercharged V6 engine has been modified to develop an output of 333 HP, up from 290 HP on the A6. -Continued
While the 3.0 TFSI is less powerful than the naturally aspirated 344 HP 4.2-liter V8 engine on the outgoing S4, the supercharger offers the V6 unit a higher torque output with power spread more evenly across the torque curve. In particular, the 3.0 TFSI delivers a maximum torque of 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) at 2,500 rpm and maintains this constantly until 4,850 rpm (previous S4: 410 Nm at 3,500 rpm). Power is transferred to the road via a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, through Audi’s S-Tronic seven-speed dual clutch semi-auto transmission.
As with all sporty Audis, the S4 is equipped with the latest generation quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system that sends 40 percent of its torque to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. Where necessary, it can vary distribution within fractions of a second. The S4 also gets Audi’s new active sport differential that complements the quattro drive system.
In terms of performance, the new Audi S4 Sedan sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.1 sec undercutting its predecessor by half a second. In fourth gear, the vehicle accelerates from 80 to 120 km/h (49.71 to 74.56 mph) in 4.4 seconds. Like the previous S4, top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h or 155 mph.
Equally important, the new 3.0 TFSI is more fuel efficient than the 4.2-liter V8 consuming on average, 9.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (24.3
As for appearance, both the S4 Sedan and the S4 Avant get a few minor exterior modifications that include the special aprons, the chromed grille, the aluminum-look exterior mirrors, the 18-inch S-design light-alloy wheels, the side rocker panels, the restrained spoiler at the rear and the quadruple exhaust system. Inside the S4s feature a set of sport seats up front while the instrument panel features gray dials with white needles. Audi will begin delivery of its new S4 models in March 2009.
