Our Review of the Audi A1 Sportback
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
- Details
- Category: Audi
- Published: Monday, 11 December 2023 17:51
- Written by Annabelle Quirk
This is the Audi A1 Sportback.
Audi blog
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
- Details
- Category: Audi
- Published: Thursday, 14 July 2016 12:36
- Written by Ben David T Quirk
{jcomments off}Audi blog
The latest Audi blog information from Autoblog HQ, including news, spyshots and lots more.
Audi S8
(Reading time: 2 - 4 minutes)
- Details
- Category: Audi
- Published: Tuesday, 28 May 2013 10:40
- Written by Ben David T Quirk
Audi S8 Quattro
A luxury saloon with immense power made famous by its part driving round Paris and the South of France in Ronin.
The S8, a V8 with a difference, performance, luxury and styled aggresively. This car is basically the same as the A8 with quattro - all wheel drive and an aluminum space frame, but thats where the similarities end comes this monster of a car features aluminum uprated sports suspension, all round vented brake discs front 13.6 inch and the rear 11 inch, Brembo aluminium brake calipers finished off with 18-inch Avus alloys with 245/45ZR18 rubber all as standard.
An engine to match
The engine is the same as the A8 saloon, a V8 with a 4.2 capacity, but with one difference it has 60bhp. This in mind the S8 has been lowered all round by 20 mm than the standard A8, the shocks have been stiffened 30 percent more and the springs uprated and the compression damping is 40% higher with thicker stabiliser bars therefore giving considerably more grip increasing handling balance dramatically (0.88g on the skidpad vs. 0.77g for the A8) hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwith a harsher ride. The car has light power steering, however its agility still keeps it bounds ahead of its closest competitor, the Mercedes SL55 AMG.
The S8 comes equipped with some extremely good safety features including an electronic differential lock (EDL) this and the brakes combined provides a targeted force distribution to the wheels with a great degree of traction, also there is ESP electronic stabiliser program, ASR traction control, ABS brakes and 8 airbags.
The Audi S8 Quattro runs a six speed manual transmission, in the US a Tiptronic Gearbox replaced the 6 speed manual and has a few exterior differences from the A8 though hard to spot chrome door mirrors, a chrome-lined air intake, exclusive wheels, red and silver motor sport emblems front & rear.
The inside is fitted with Nappa leather, heated mirrors, power everything, cruise control, solar panel glass sunroof, system GPS, remote security system with alarm & immobiliser, electric rear sunblind, a nearside mirror tilts down when reversing, 10-speaker BOSE sound system with CD Shuttle and numerous other features.
S8 Performance Figures
Engine - 4.2 litre V8
0-60 - 6 seconds
Top speed - 155mph (Limited)
RS4
(Reading time: 3 - 5 minutes)
- Details
- Category: Audi
- Published: Tuesday, 28 May 2013 10:46
- Written by Ben David T Quirk
Audi RS4
A 420 BHP wolf in sheeps clothing and its based on the quattro drive system, why drive anything else?
Why the fuss?
Sleek lines, all wheel drive and an aggresive looks and nature to go with it A car to battle with the best supercars hunter due to its a performance engine and 4 wheel drive. A sports saloon to break the mould, yet an everyday drive to. An A4 with a difference.
The RS4 features FSI technology, and comes with lots of gadgets and even asymmetric / dynamic distribution.
What is it capable of?
Well, the RS4 is 420 bhp at the wheels, its driven by 4.2 V8 that revs to 8250 rpm with ease. This engine is one of the only cars built to achieve 100 bhp per litre - a milestone in car technology. The lump can generate 317 lb-ft max torque which is delivered at 5500 rpm plus the engine is small, 90% of the cars torque is available all the time between 2250 and 7600 rpm. This availability of constant power gives the driver the freedom to drive at lower revs in each gear, therefore minimising wear. The RS is fueled direct fuel injection system, this offers an optimum rate of fuel & air combustion. Giving the auto even more power. This means the RS4 can reach 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds and 125 mph in 16.6 seconds.
Top speed is a healthy 155 mph and thats limited, remove the limiter nad we reckon it will max out at around 190 mph.
Engine & Drive System
Engine & Drive System |
|
|
Type: |
V8 |
|
Displacement cu in (cc): |
254 (4163) |
|
bhp power (kW) at RPM: |
420(323) / 7800 |
|
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: |
317(430) / 5500 |
|
Redline at RPM: |
8250 |
|
Brakes & Tires |
|
|
Brakes F/R: |
ABS, vented disc/vented disc |
|
Tires F-R: |
255/40 R18 |
|
Driveline: |
All Wheel Drive |
|
Exterior Dimensions & Weight |
|
|
Length × Width × Height in: |
179.0 × 70.8 × 55.2 |
|
Weight kg: |
1650 |
Performance |
|
|
Acceleration 0-62 mph: |
4.8 |
|
Top Speed mph limited (mph): |
155 (185+)) |
|
Fuel Economy Urban/Motorway mpg (l/100 km): |
14/20 (13.7) |
Keeping her on the road
Audi's was faced with a few challenges when designing the RS4 and making it work, first problem how to get all the power and acceleration to the road wiithout going through a fullset of tyres in one run.
The quattro AWD had proven itself for 25 years on Volkswagen and Audi cars, but somthing new was needed a next gen drive system, research started and before long they had pioneering another technology asymmetric / dynamic torque distribution incorporating a self-locking Torsion centre differential. This car with its new system and the addition of sports suspension could reach unsurpassed dimensions of driving, Audi even added DRC (Dynamic Ride Control) this reduced body roll and dive making the automobile more stable.
Brakes we need, brakes!
This serious piece of kit needed some awesome stopping power, 18-inch cross-drilled, inner-vented brake discs were added - The front measure 365 millimeters in diameter, and the back were 324-millimetre diameter. They even thought of the best way to keep them working constantly, by adding a flow-optimized ventilation system combined with underfloor Naca jets, this provided high levels of cooling, ensuring the brakes stayed at an optimum tempertaure.
Just take a look
This car is like no other A4 saloon one look defines this, the radiator grille, has a diamond design, air scoops, and custom wheels developed for the RS4 specifically. There has been a new air dam added as well as extra-large exhaust pipes discreetly fitted in keeping with true euro style, a spoiler hides in the boot lid all blended with Audi's sleek lines. Its been lowered by 30 mm, and the car’s track has been widened to give a more sinister stance.
Feel a $1,000 000
The RS4 comes with an executive level of luxury aluminium, carbon fibre and leather to create the perfect driving machine.
The Racing bucket seats are full leather, with high sides for the ultimate support and a button to inflate the side supports to mould round your body contour. As for a race feel you will find a sports steering wheel, starter button and aluminium racing pedals.
I told you not to open it
Well go on, one button and it opens all, control the fuel pedal control map, the result sharper acceleration and a direct response.
S1 Evo
(Reading time: 1 - 2 minutes)
- Details
- Category: Audi
- Published: Tuesday, 28 May 2013 10:36
- Written by Ben David T Quirk
S1 EVO
The S1 Evo an all wheel drive 450bhp World Rally Championship car.
The S1 with its quattro drive system dominated rallying. Walter Röhrl went to victory in the 1st ever rally it was entered in, in San Remo Rally, Röhrl won 29 out of 45 stages.
When Group B rallying was banned in 1987 this car and many other suffered, such cars as the Ford RS200 and the Audi S1 Evo days were numbered. Röhrl wasn't beaten though and went onto enter the car in the Pikes Peak hill climb, he dominated the climb and went onto victory.
More Articles ...
NGMW
Northern Group Of Motoring Writers
Annabelle Quirk Vice Chairwoman
Ben D T Quirk Member