Malignant Rumors: Audi RS7 Sportback with 580HP V10 Coming to Paris?

The Mercedes CLS-fighting A7 Sportback from Audi, previewed by 2009's Sportback Concept (seen in these pictures), is going to be debuting in Paris later this year.

Rumors coming from Britain indicate that instead of the "hurry up and wait a couple years" strategy that usually surrounds RS models, Audi's 'quattro' division will be releasing its RS7 side-by-side with the standard A7.

Power is said to be sourced from a non-turbo version of Audi's 5.2 liter V10 putting out as much as 580-horsepower and hooked to a 7-Speed DSG transmission.

With the RS7 Sportback, Audi is looking to have a direct competitor for the upcoming CLS63 (and possibly BMW's Gran Coupe-based 8-Series) in its stable.

The only issue here is that quattro builds one model at a time; with the RS5 having just debuted, this RS7 making an appearance may just be a bunch of hopes and dreams. Regardless, there's no doubt that it WILL happen. One day.

So, now that everyone is starting to play in the high-performance four-door coupe sandbox, let the nicely-tailored form-over-function wars begin!

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog.com

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2011 Audi TT Coupe and Roadster with 170HP 2.0-liter Diesel to go on Sale this Summer

The refreshed Audi TT Coupe and Roadster (click here for details and photos on the rest of the range) with the 2.0 TDI diesel will go on sale in Europe this summer with prices in Germany starting from €34,850 and €35,900 respectively. The company said that since its market launch, the diesel engine's share in the TT has grown steadily and is now above 11 percent.

Aside from the styling upgrades, there are no mechanical changes to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit which continues to produce 170HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Permanent all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard on both models.

According to Audi, the TT Coupe 2.0 TDI completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (140mph), while returning 5.3 liters per 100 km (equal to 44.38 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km or 223.70 g/mile.

From what we gather, Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time.

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2011 Audi TT Coupe and Roadster with 170HP 2.0-liter Diesel to go on Sale this Summer

The refreshed Audi TT Coupe and Roadster (click here for details and photos on the rest of the range) with the 2.0 TDI diesel will go on sale in Europe this summer with prices in Germany starting from €34,850 and €35,900 respectively. The company said that since its market launch, the diesel engine's share in the TT has grown steadily and is now above 11 percent.

Aside from the styling upgrades, there are no mechanical changes to the 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit which continues to produce 170HP and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) available between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Permanent all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard on both models.

According to Audi, the TT Coupe 2.0 TDI completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 226 km/h (140mph), while returning 5.3 liters per 100 km (equal to 44.38 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km or 223.70 g/mile.

From what we gather, Audi has no plans to bring the TT TDI to the States at this time.

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Audi to Show Seven Customized A1 Models at Wörthersee

This year's edition of the Wörthersee GTI Tour that takes place in Reifnitz, Austria, on May 12 will see Audi showcasing seven custom versions of its new A1 premium supermini, including a model sporting an "FC Bayern" look, taxi and police variants.

The other four custom A1s are a "Hot Rod" version with a matt-finish look, steel wheels with white-wall tires and extremely low ride height thanks to the air suspension, one fitted with a "competition kit" that pays homage to Audi rally vehicles from the 1980s, the "Wasserwacht" model that's dedicated to the local water rescue service and a "Fashion" edition.

"The Audi A1 fits in with the GTI meet because customization has always been a central topic for the Audi fans here at the Wörthersee and will also play a special role for A1 customers," says the Head of Audi Design, Stefan Sielaff, who was responsible for the creation of the special edition models.

The seven special A1s will be joined at Audi's Woorthersee stand by an array of models including the new Audi R8 GT, an Ice Silver A8, the facelifted TT Roadster and the TT Coupé and the new RS5 Coupe.

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MTM Creates An Audi RS6 Clubsport With 730 Horsepower

MTM recently took the wraps off of its latest Audi tuning job, the RS6 Clubsport package.

The already-quite-speedy RS6 gets some new aero work (front lip and rear diffuser in carbon fiber) and new independently adjustable springs.

Other external goodies include black 21-inch wheels, black tips on the new stainless steel exhaust system, and that...unique...color treatment.

Inside, there's a roll cage and carbon fiber-backed Recaros with six-point harnesses.

Performance for the bi-turbo 5.0 liter V10 gets a kick in the pants thanks to improved breathing (intake filters and the aforementioned exhaust system) and ECU tuning, resulting in a huge 730 horsepower (537 kW) and 579 lb-ft (785 Nm) of torque.

Top speed of the RS6 CS varies depending on which tires are chosen. It can be raised to something mild, like 173 mph (279 km/h), or buyers can go extreme, with a V-max of 211 mph (340 km/h).

As for me, I'd keep the orange and the decals and pass on the three-tone paint scheme. Either way, the result is an even meaner brute with a (currently) questionable paint job.

Just to end on a positive note: I love the license plate.

By Phil Alex

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