2013 Audi S3 Sport Hatch

At the heart of the car lies a newly developed 2.0-liter TFSI direct-injection and turbocharged gasoline engine that belongs to the EA888 engine family.

The new powerplant weighs around five kilograms (11 pounds) less than the previous EA113 2.0 TFSI and is also much more powerful delivering 296Hp (300PS) at 5,500 rpm and 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm, an increase of 35Hp and 30Nm respectively. It redlines at 6,800 rpm.

Power is transferred to all-four wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox or an optional S tronic dual clutch transmission with the same number of gears and Audi's quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Audi quotes a zero to 100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of 5.1 seconds with the S tronic and 5.4 seconds with the stick shift and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) regardless of the transmission choice. For reference, the outgoing S3 with a manual gearbox completed the standard sprint in 5.8 seconds.

As for fuel economy, the new S3 S Tronic needs 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 km /34.1 US mpg (manual: 7.0 liters / 33.6 US mpg), an improvement of 1.5 liters compared to the previous version, with corresponding CO2 emissions of 159 (162) g/km (255.89 and 260.17 g/mile).

The new S3 tips the scales at 1,395 kilograms (3,075 lb), making it 60kg (132.3 pounds) lighter than the car it replaces.

Audi's engineers have tweaked the chassis to improve the S3's handling over the regular three-door model. The upgrades include a sport suspension that lowers the body by 25mm (0.98 in) compared with the A3, a new set of brakes and the optional electromagnetic damper control system (Audi magnetic ride).

The S3 is set apart from its lesser siblings (but not so much from the S Line-equipped models) by a styling package consisting of an S-specific single-frame grille with an aluminum-look finish, standard LED daytime running lights, a different front bumper, aluminum-look mirror caps, side skirts, roof spoiler and a redesigned rear bumper housing a diffuser and quad tailpipes. It rolls on 18-inch wheels 225/40-series tires.

Inside, the "S" treatment brings a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, decorative inlays in matt brushed aluminum or a black 3D look, gray instrument dials, sport seats optionally available with diamond quilting (as seen in these images) and S logos used throughout the cabin.

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2013 Audi R8 V10 542HP

 The 2013 model features a revamped fascia with new LED headlamps (standard on all versions), a six-point single-frame grille with horizontal chrome inserts adorning the struts on the V10 variant, and a redesigned bumper with the air inlets bearing three crossbars each.

At the back, the R8 sports a new set of LED taillights, a different 'R8' logo, a restyled diffuser, air outlets with three slats on each corner and two new round tailpipes on all engine versions.

The interior changes are limited to some minor modifications to the trim, the needles in the instrument cluster and the shift paddles. Available options include a diamond-stitched, Fine Nappa full-leather treatment for the seats, door panels and the headlining.

While both the base 4.2-liter V8 with 424hp (430PS) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft), and the 5.2-liter V10 rated at 518hp (525PS) and 530 Nm (391 lb-ft) remained unchanged, Audi has replaced the outgoing model's 6-speed automated manual R tronic with a new 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.

Audi says the 7-Speed S tronic has reduced CO2 emissions by up to 22 grams/km (35.41 g/mile) and decreased the sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) by three-tenths of a second. A six-speed manual gearbox is also offered.

The R8 V8 Coupe with S tronic accelerates from rest to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.3 seconds and tops out at 300km/h (186mph), while the R8 V10 with S tronic completes the sprint in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 314 km/h (195mph).

For 2013, there's also a new "Wave" design for the brake disks that lowers the weight overall by about two kilograms (4.41 lb) compared with round disks of the same dimensions.

The overhauled R8 rolls on larger wheels size 18-inch with tires sizes 235/40 front and 285/35 rear for the V8, and 19-inch rims shod in tires 235/35 and 295/30 for the V10 models.

The new addition to the range is the V10 Plus, which is essentially a replacement to the 560HP GT models, the production of which was limited to 333 examples for each body style. The V10 Plus edition, however, will be offered only as a coupe.

The flagship model of the R8 series is powered by a tweaked 5.2-liter V10 engine churning out 542-horsepower (550PS) and a peak torque of 540Nm (398 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm.

With S tronic, the all-wheel drive R8 V10 Plus goes from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.5 seconds and tops out at 317 km/h (197 mph). It has an average fuel consumption of 12.9lt/100km (18.2 US mpg).

The key data for the 6-speed manual transmission model are 3.8 seconds, 319 km/h (198 mph) and 14.9 liters (15.79 US mpg) respectively.

Thanks to the bucket seats with glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) chassis, reduced use of insulating materials, special light alloy wheels and chassis components, including the standard ceramic brakes, as well the CFRP add-on parts on the body, the V10 Plus tips the scales at 1,570 kg (3461 lbs) or just 10kg (22 pounds) more than the V8 Coupe with a manual gearbox.

The V10 Plus model also gets specially tuned springs and shock absorbers, different camber values on the front axle, and standard magnetic ride adaptive damping.

You can distinguish the V10 Plus from its lesser coupe siblings by the carbon fiber package that adds a front splitter, mirror housings, wider side blades and air vents. In addition, the vent louvers next to the rear window, the 19-inch alloy wheels, the larger rear diffuser and the twin exhaust pipes are finished in black.

Other features include the CFRP lining and LED lighting for the engine compartment, and bucket seats with prominent side sections for better lateral support.

The revamped for 2013 Audi R8 will reach European customers at the end of the year with prices in Germany starting at €113,500 for the V8 Coupé, €124,800 for the V8 Spyder, and €154,600 and €165,900 for the V10 Coupe and Spyder respectively, while the R8 V10 Plus costs €173,200.

Sales in the U.S. are expected to start in the first quarter of 2013.

Audi is also planning to debut an all-electric version of the R8 with the e-Tron moniker at the Paris Motor Show this fall.

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2013 Audi Q5

Visually, the 2013 Q5 sports Audi's new six-point front grille accompanied by revised headlamp fixtures and a slightly redesigned front bumper, while at the back we find tweaked tail lamp graphics and a modified rear apron.

The changes on the inside are even more discrete and concern the more premium trim and the new steering wheel designs.

From what we know, under the skin, the Q5 will benefit from a refined chassis with changes to the suspension and a renewed and more fuel-efficient engine lineup that will include Audi's supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI which is offered in various states of tune.

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2013 Audi RS4 Avant 4.2-liter V8, 450-Horses

The 2013 Audi RS4 adopts the RS5's improved 4.2-liter V8 engine rated at 450PS (444bhp) and 430Nm (317.15 lb-ft), channeled to the road through a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.

We also learn today that the new RS4 Avant allegedly completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.7 seconds, a tenth of a second slower than the lighter but also far less practical and roomy RSS Coupe.

Audi's engineers also made changes to the suspension setup and fitted the RS4 with a more potent braking system and 19-inch wheels shod in low profile, high-performance tires.

On the outside, the RS4 Avant gets the usual styling treatment with blistered wheel arches, a bespoke design for the grille and bumpers, along with a rear diffuser. Similarly, the interior boasts new body-hugging sports seats trimmed in leather, a flat bottom steering wheel and RS-specific trim.

The new RS4 Avant will make its world debut at next month's Geneva Auto Show and go on sale in Europe later in the year. Don’t expect to see it any time soon in the States.

Story References: Autoblog.nl

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