• Proven teams and drivers for the new Audi A5 DTM
• Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich banks on continuity
• Season opener at the Hockenheimring on April 29

At Audi, the current DTM Champion, the “title defense” project is running at full stretch. A week before the homologation of the new Audi A5 DTM on March 1 the drivers and their assignment to the total of three Audi factory teams have been confirmed.

New car, new technology, new rules – particularly because the season opener at the Hockenheimring on April 29 is bringing a lot of changes to the most popular international touring car racing series and ringing in a completely new era in the DTM, Audi, the 1990, 1991, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 DTM Champion, is banking on continuity. The long-standing partner teams, ABT Sportsline, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg, are fielding the seven Audi A5 DTM cars and the drivers taking the wheel of the seven Audi A5 DTM vehicles at the Hockenheim season opener on April 29 are well-known quantities too.
 
Spearheading the Audi squad yet again will be the two-time DTM Champions Mattias Ekström (Sweden) and Timo Scheider (Austria) who will compete for Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline as in the past. In the 2011 season, Hans-Jürgen Abt’s team won four of the ten DTM races and clinched the DTM team title for Audi as well. Ekström’s and Scheider’s new team-mate will be the young Swiss Rahel Frey, who will be tackling her second DTM season in 2012.

 
Audi Sport Team Phoenix that provided the DTM Champion last year will be competing with an all new formation. After a one-year absence from the team, Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) is returning to Ernst Moser’s squad for which he successfully competed as early as in the 2010 season. Rockenfeller’s new team partner will be the Spaniard Miguel Molina. 
 
Audi Sport Team Rosberg’s line-up has remained unchanged. Like last year, the Portuguese Filipe Albuquerque and the Italian Edoardo Mortara, who were the two strongest rookies in 2011, will be running for Arno Zensen’s squad. 
 
All three Audi factory teams and the seven drivers were involved in the development of the Audi A5 DTM from the outset and reeled off an intensive test program with the new race coupé in the winter months. “We wanted all of our teams and drivers to start into the new DTM era with the same prerequisites,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “I’m convinced that with our three long-standing partner teams and the proven drivers we’re extremely well set for the new DTM season which promises to become particularly thrilling due to the battle between the three German premium manufacturers, Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and will be a tough competition. Not least due to the tightened regulations even the minutest details will count. That’s why continuity with the teams and drivers was important to us. Mattias (Ekström) and Timo (Scheider) know how to win the DTM and each of them is drawing on experience from more than 100 DTM races. Mike (Rockenfeller) won his first DTM race in 2011, Filipe (Albuquerque), Edoardo (Mortara) and Miguel (Molina) all mounted the podium for the first time last year. And I also believe that Rahel (Frey) is able to cause some surprises in her second DTM season. During the winter tests she showed that she has a lot of potential.”
 
The Audi teams in the 2012 DTM 
 
ABT Sportsline
Mattias Ekström (Sweden)
Rahel Frey (Switzerland)
Timo Scheider (Austria)
 
Phoenix Racing
Miguel Molina (Spain)
Mike Rockenfeller (Germany)
 
Team Rosberg
Filipe Albuquerque (Portugal)
Edoardo Mortara (Italy)

[Source: Audi-Motorsport]

The Audi A1 quattro was recently announced and will be available soon in Europe. Audi has just released a new video which shows off the legendary quattro all wheel drive as it dominates this icy snow covered race track in sweden. Turn up the sound, and ENJOY! Video after the jump.

Staying true to his philosophy of combining mechanical perfection and exterior beauty, Afzal Kahn’s formula of club-class quality and high-tech engineering puts the wide track Audi Q7 (available in ibis and pearl white) somewhere near the top of the premium SUV pile.

Safe and luxurious, with imposing looks and plenty of visual presence – the Q7 Kahnexterior package helps disguise the proportions.

The use of immaculate materials and outstanding build technology is truly extraordinary. An aerodynamically efficient exterior package consisting of vented front replacement wings, front bumper sections with gunmetal grey detailing, rear vented bumper, large upper roof wing, wide wheel arches with rear vented spats, machined aluminum vented foot pedals, door entry sill plates in stainless steel, replacement wings, LED daytime running lights, Kahn stainless steel exhaust system, liquid gold calipers and mirror backs finished in gunmetal grey, exhibits an increased level of interaction coupled with a sense of motor supremacy and style.

The Kahn Q7 also offers lots of performance – this 3.0-litre TDI diesel isn’t disgraced, with 233bhp shoving it to 60mph in just 8.4 seconds.

Equally impressive is the tiptronic transmission, shifting down on hills to improve engine braking. It certainly complements the Kahn foot pedals, and the Q7 has handling to match the performance. The air suspension includes roll control and height adjustability, making the car nimble and composed around corners.

Another unique feature of this model is the amazing interior which has been upgraded to a magnificent level with the front and rear seats in black quilted perforated nappa leather with red stitching along with a speedo and rev counter in red and cream.

However, we provide our customers with the opportunity to express one’s individuality. And they can have whatever they want. We could, for example, design for you a vehicle with an exterior matching your shoes and an interior the same shade of your living room, the choice is yours.

Kahn wheels sit perfectly, on any vehicle, conveying the essence of the vehicle’s identity. Created using state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology, the 22” Kahn RSX 22” wheels are finished in gunmetal grey and fit all original centre caps.
With simple clean lines, soft organic surfaces on the edge of the spoke and a purposeful mechanical centre, the RSX wheels are synonymous with elegance and innovation.

A. Kahn Design is for the individual who will not submit to a life of uniformity and who will only accept perfection. Dedicated to the creation of luxury bespoke vehicles, we redesign the ordered monotony of mass produced vehicles and rebuild them into individually tailored creations

This particular vehicle is available for £61,875.
For more information call + 44 (0) 1274 74 99
E: Kahn@kahndesign.com
www.kahndesign.com
www.v12online.com
Kahn boutique

Rumors have been going around for a while now about the upcoming 2013 Audi A3 which is expected to be launched at the Geneva Auto Show. We now have official Audi AG leaked press photos to go along with these rumors. We expect to see this car come to the USA, but don’t yet know what engine options we will see. We are crossing our fingers and hoping for a A3 TDI quattro though!

Source: http://www.zr.ru/a/410772/

• DTM-winning team contests 12-hour race in Australia
• Two Audi R8 LMS cars from Phoenix Racing with spectacular graphics
• Audi Sport customer racing aims to repeat last year’s victory

The Audi R8 LMS will compete at the 12-hour race at Bathurst on February 26 as the title defender. Audi customer sport celebrated a one-two result on the legendary Australian race track at the beginning of the 2011 season. This year, Team Phoenix Racing as well is set on battling for overall victory with two R8 LMS cars – and the two race cars fielded by the DTM-winning team from the Eifel are causing a stir even before the event.

A kangaroo and a spider: The two Audi R8 LMS from Phoenix Racing unmistakably stand for Australia’s wildlife. The black GT3 race car designated as number “1” displays the typical yellow road sign with the marsupial on its flanks. And the graphics of the white number “2” show a Redback spider and its web. This brings back fond memories to Audi fans. On December 31, 2000, Dindo Capello and Allan McNish won the “Millennium Race” at Adelaide, Australia, in an Audi R8 sporting the now legendary crocodile design. 

The entertaining exterior though is not designed to – and should not – mislead anyone about the high ambitions pursued by the run as two prominent driver teams supported by Audi Sport customer racing – Audi’s customer sport department – and Audi Australia are to drive for overall victory yet again. Like last year, the home round to the Australian trio is about fighting for a great honor. Mark Eddy, the current Australian GT Champion in the Audi R8 LMS, is sharing the cockpit of car number “2” with Australia’s touring car legend, the three-time V8 Supercar Champion Craig Lowndes, and Warren Luff. Lowndes set the fastest race lap last year in the Audi R8 LMS, Luff achieved the fastest time in qualifying. 

Two of the three winners from last year – the German Christopher Mies and Darryl O’Young from Hong Kong – are at the wheel of car number “1.” Their new team-mate Christer Jöns (Germany) is making his debut in Australia.

For Phoenix Racing, the fifth continent is new territory as well whereas the field of “endurance racing” is not. The German team proved its marathon qualities by achieving two overall victories at the Nürburgring 24 Hours and one at the Spa 24 Hours as well as numerous other podium places and class victories. In addition, Ernst Moser’s squad that has been part of the program from day one and a long-standing partner of quattro GmbH knows the R8 LMS inside and out.

Romolo Liebchen, Head of Audi Sport customer racing: “The Australian market is very important for Audi. In view of this, we are very happy to be able to compete and make our mark at this prestigious race.”

Phoenix Racing is meeting strong rivals in the GT3 class at Bathurst. A total of 33 cars will be on the grid, including an Audi R8 LMS from United Autosports. The Anglo-American customer sport team is competing for the first time with the native South African Mark Patterson, the Franco-Chinese Alain Li and Frank Yu from Hong Kong at the 12-hour race.

For the fans and the drivers, the 6.213-kilometer race track at Mount Panorama is a dream. The roller-coaster circuit features a 170-meter vertical difference, includes 23 turns, makes for high suspense with its unusual radii and barriers close to the track and is considered the home of Australian motorsport. It is also the venue of the annual Bathurst 1000 race which Craig Lowndes has decided in his favor as many as five times. 

Fans around the world can watch the qualifying sessions and the race via live streaming provided by the organizer at www.audi.tv. 

Topics of the weekend

• Will the Audi R8 LMS manage to repeat its 2011 victory?
• Will the Australian trio prevail this year?
• How will the Audi R8 LMS fare against the GT3 competition? 

Quotes by the officials
 
Ernst Moser (Team Director Phoenix Racing)

Our team has never run in Australia before. In addition, February as the first month of racing is very early as we normally just test at this time of year. Obviously, such a special track as Bathurst suggests a comparison with the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Bathurst has high vertical differences. The circuit with its barriers close to the track is very difficult to drive. Since the Audi R8 LMS celebrated a one-two result last year it is only natural that there are certain expectations this year. Mercedes and Ferrari will be tough rivals for us. We’ve got to be sure not to make any mistakes. quattro GmbH with its experiences from last year helped us a great deal to prepare for the event. Five of the six drivers know the track and as a team we’re intimately familiar with the Audi R8 LMS and are also at home in endurance racing. We’re reinforced by four employees from Australia who are joining our team via Mark Eddy. I’m very excited. It remains to be seen which Michelin tire compounds we’ll be allowed to use.

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
 
Mark Eddy (51/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2 (Phoenix Racing)

• Won the Australian GT Championship in the Audi R8 LMS last year
• Started from pole position at Bathurst in 2011
• Is sharing the cockpit in this year’s Australian GT Championship with Warren Luff

Last year we had a nice battle between the two Audi R8 LMS. It was an exciting race all the way to the end. The car was very reliable and fast. It felt good on a wet and dry track and was easy to drive! We three Australians would now like to finish one place farther in front after the close outcome last year. But this year the competition with the international teams and even more makes in the field is even tougher.

Christer Jöns (24/D), Audi R8 LMS #1 (Phoenix Racing)

• Has known the Audi R8 LMS since 2010
• Is the only one of the six drivers to have never competed at Bathurst before
• Is arriving a week earlier in order to get used to the climate and time zone

I’m proud to be driving an Audi with Phoenix on the other side of the world! I don’t know Bathurst in real terms yet. But I’m familiar with the track from the PlayStation. Ever since my first virtual laps on this track I’ve been thrilled with Bathurst. Now the time has come for me to actually compete in the Audi R8 LMS, my absolute favorite. A dream is coming true! After three years the Audi R8 LMS is an advanced and stable car. The cornering dynamics and powerful brakes in particular will give us advantages on this winding track. I’m very excited about Australia. Our preparations in terms of track knowledge using onboard videos and our fitness training are running at full stretch. Hopefully we’ll manage to defend the title on my first run at this event.

Craig Lowndes (37/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2 (Phoenix Racing)

• Drove the fastest race lap at Bathurst last year
• Started from the front position last year

I’m happy to be returning to Bathurst with an Audi and fighting for victory again. The battle with our team-mates a year ago was fantastic. Our driver team only missed victory by a very small margin. It’ll be great to work with Warren and Mark again. The fact that we’ve driven together before is a great help. Perhaps that’ll put us ahead of the competition a bit. I’m also looking forward to the Audi R8 LMS. The car is wonderful. On a track like Bathurst, it seems like it’s exactly made for the winding sections up on the hill. The R8 LMS is a good-natured car. It allows you to run your stints in a gentle and consistent way. The competition will even be a lot tougher this year. But it’s not a sprint. You’ve got be in contention at the end. I’m expecting good chances for the three of us being able to make that happen.

Warren Luff (35/AUS), Audi R8 LMS #2 (Phoenix Racing)

• Achieved the best time in qualifying last year
• Contested a race on the Nürburgring in the R8 LMS in May of 2011

This year the Bathurst 12 Hours will be a much tougher battle than last year. I’m expecting us to have particularly strong rivals in the Ferrari 458 and the Mercedes SLS and a thrilling fight all the way to the end. But I expect our strongest opponents to be in our own team again. And I’m particularly looking forward to the updated version of the Audi R8 LMS. I’m excited to see how it’ll feel at Bathurst.

Christopher Mies (22/D), Audi R8 LMS #1 (Phoenix Racing)

•  As 2009 FIA GT European Champion was among the first title winners in the Audi R8 LMS 
• Was already driving for Ernst Moser’s team back then
• Is returning to Bathurst as last year’s winner

After the successful race last year I’m happy to be able to run again. Bathurst is always worth a visit, the country and the track are unique. The Audi was the strongest car in the field last year. quattro GmbH has continued to develop it during the season. I believe that with the Audi R8 LMS and Team Phoenix Racing we’re the strongest pairing. Yet our rivals should not be underrated. The competition is becoming bigger and tougher. Our strongest opponents will likely come from our own ranks though – our Australian team-mates. Last year, they finished barely a second behind us. So that means we’ve got to give everything throughout the 12 hours.

Darryl O’Young (31/HK), Audi R8 LMS #1 (Phoenix Racing)

• After runs at Bathurst, the Nürburgring and Sepang has long become an expert in the Audi R8 LMS 
• Is returning to Bathurst as last year’s winner
• Was nominated for the Hong Kong Sports Star Awards in January 2012

Last year we had a sensational race in the battle with our Australian team-mates. But this year we’ll have additional competitors with various makes. The Audi R8 LMS is particularly strong on the fast sections on the hill and in the braking zones. The car can display its strengths really well on this circuit. The R8 LMS is pleasant to drive, which helps on a challenging track like Mount Panorama. I met our new team-mate Christer Jöns at the Audi Sport Finale in Germany in 2011. The chemistry between us three drivers was great from the outset. And I’m looking forward to Phoenix Racing. I once drove for the squad in the DTM. We’ve got all the key elements to be in contention for victory again.

The Audi drivers at Bathurst

Mark Eddy (AUS): * May 12, 1960 in Melbourne (AUS); residence: Canterbury (AUS); married to Margaret, one son (Daniel) and one daughter (Tayla Portia); height: 1.80 m; weight: 86 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 3; victories: 0; pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0.

Christer Jöns (D): * Jul 23, 1987 in Wiesbaden (D); residence: Ingelheim am 
Rhein (D); single; height: 1.89 m; weight: 78 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 0; victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0.

Craig Lowndes (AUS): * Jun 21, 1974 in Melbourne (AUS); residence: Mt Kilcoy (AUS); one son (Levi), one daughter (Chilli); height: 1,82 m; weight: 81 kg; Audi driver since 2011; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 2; victories: 0; pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 1.

Warren Luff (AUS): * Apr 21, 1976 in Sutherland (AUS); residence: Hollywell (AUS); single; height: 1.83 m; weight: 75 kg; Audi driver since 2011; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 6; victories: 0; pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0.

Christopher Mies (D): *May 24, 1989 in Velbert (D); residence: Heiligenhaus (D); single; height: 1.74 m; weight: 62 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 1; victories: 1; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0.

Darryl O’Young (CHK): * Mar 26, 1980 in Vancouver (CDN); residence: Hong Kong (CN); engaged to Amber Wong; height: 1.73 m; weight: 75 kg; 
Audi driver since 2010; Bathurst 12 Hours: races: 1; victories: 1; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0.

Track info

Track length: 6.213 km 
Race duration: 12 hours
Pole position 2011: Mark Eddy/Craig Lowndes/Warren Luff (Audi R8 LMS), 6m 35.3s (aggregate result) = 169.746 km/h (Feb 05, 2011)
Fastest lap 2011: Craig Lowndes (Audi R8 LMS), 2m 09.0861s = 173.270 km/h 
(Feb 06, 2011)

Warren Luff about Bathurst: 

Bathurst is a very special race track, naturally that’s the way we Australians feel about it too. Even though the track is a public road when no races are run it is a permanent circuit. It is very fast and forgives no mistakes. The high vertical differences are typical for Bathurst. Last year we saw that the Audi R8 LMS is a perfect fit for the challenges at Mount Panorama. Its excellent aerodynamic balance is the key to good lap times.

Schedule (local times, CET +10 hours)

Friday, February 24
08:15–08:50 Free Practice 1
11:00–11:35 Free Practice 2
14:50–15:25 Free Practice 3

Saturday, February 25
08:15–09:45 Qualifying 1
16:30–17:00 Qualifying 2

Sunday, February 26
06:15–18:15 Race (12 hours)

Live broadcast of the race on audi.tv
Sunday, February 26, starting at 06:00 (local time; CET +10 hours)

[Audi-Motorsport]

• World premiere on the eve of the Audi Annual Press Conference
• Swiss female racer Cyndie Allemann in the Audi R8 LMS
• National Geographic ranks Le Mans as “world’s greatest sporting event”

The place and date for the world premiere of the new Audi hybrid race car for the Le Mans 24 Hours have been set. The forward-thinking LMP1 vehicle will be presented at the Munich Airport on February 29 before the Audi Annual Press Conference 2012.

Red carpet: The Annual Press Conference on March 1 is one of the most important events in AUDI AG’s fiscal year. And exactly on this occasion Audi Sport will be presenting its major and arguably most ambitious project for the 2012 motorsport season: the new hybrid race car for the Le Mans 24 Hours. The Le Mans prototype will be celebrating its world premiere at the Munich Airport on the eve of the Annual Press Conference. The evening to which about 300 journalists from around the world have been invited is billed as “Looking to the future – tomorrow’s automotive technology.”
 
Six out of eight: Slightly modified Sporting Regulations are designed to add suspense to the new FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In the manufacturers’ classification of the top LMP1 category only the best-placed vehicle of one automobile manufacturer will score championship points. In addition, only the results of six of the eight races – including the Le Mans 24 Hours for which the points awarded are doubled – will be counted. In the 2012 WEC Audi is fighting with Toyota for the World Champion’s title. 

Lady in the GT3 Audi: Cyndie Allemann is the first woman to contest a racing series in the Audi R8 LMS. The 25-year-old Swiss is competing for the Audi customer team Hitotsuyama Racing in d the GT300 class of the Japanese Super GT Championship. Mikio Hitotsuyama’s squad won the Super Taikuyu Series with the Audi R8 LMS last year and scored the 100th victory of the successful Audi customer sport race car. 
 
Honor for Le Mans: The renowned “National Geographic”magazine has ranked the Le Mans 24 Hours as the world’s greatest sporting event that anyone should have visited at least once in their life. The combination of skill, speed and endurance, it said, made Le Mans the world’s best auto race. 

Honor for Audi engineer: Leena Gade, the vehicle engineer for the 2011 Le Mans winning Audi R18 TDI, was invited to the “Motor Sport Hall of Fame 2012” at the Roundhouse in London on Thursday night. The event held by “Motor Sport” magazine is regarded as one of the most important social functions of the British motorsport scene. 
 
Double: Last weekend, Audi “factory” driver Timo Scheider attended two major sporting events. On Saturday evening, the two-time DTM Champion witnessed the World Championship victory of boxer Vitali Klitschko overDereck Chisora in Munich’s Olympic Hall . On, Sunday Scheider visited the Ski Flying World Cup in Oberstdorf.
 
Following in his father’s tracks: Audi “factory” driver André Lotterer contested the historic “Legend Boucles de Spa” rally this weekend. Lotterer has close ties to Belgium. The German spent his youth there and his father Henry Lotterer worked for the Belgian RAS rally team. At the “Legend Bouclés des Spa” rally the Le Mans winner piloted a Porsche 911 SC RS, a car resembling the one his father, who died in 2009, had prepared in the nineteen-eighties. 
 
Finale in India: The place and date for the tenth race of theFIA GT1 World Championship in which the Audi customer team WRT is putting two Audi R8 LMS ultra cars on the grid have been set. The season finale will be held at the Formula 1 circuit near New Dehlhi in India on December 2. The season will open at Nogaro (France) on April 8. 

 
Indoor session: A photo shoot with DTM racer Mike Rockenfeller and the new Audi A1 Sportback for the Audi Sport magazine “Adrenalin” had to be moved indoors to the Audi Forum Ingolstadt at short notice on Wednesday due to a heavy snowstorm. The change in venue gave the 2010 Le Mans winner an immediate opportunity to view the re-designed new car delivery section with his expert eyes. 

 
On the controller: The five-time Le Mans winner Frank Biela has discovered a new passion: slot car racing. With an Audi R8 LMS and a team of his own the former DTM Champion and long-standing Audi factory driver is contesting the legendary rallye racing Carrera Cup this year. The season will open in Hamburg next Wednesday. 
 

A word from … Mattias Ekström
 
In a little more than ten weeks from now the new DTM season will start, marking a completely new era for the DTM. Are you excited about that?

I’m definitely very excited because we’ve been waiting for this for a long time in the DTM. A new manufacturer is joining the series and the regulations are new. At Audi, we’ve been doing a lot of development work over the winter. That’s why I’m very eager to finally go to Hockenheim and to see how good our work has been compared with BMW and Mercedes. Tests never really give you the right answer to this; that only happens at the first qualifying session and the first race.  

The new DTM vehicles will be homologated on March 1. What does that mean for the next two weeks?

Obviously, our technical staff would be much better qualified to answer this question. But principally speaking there’s only fine-tuning work left at this stage. The key decisions were made a long time ago. Every manufacturer will now try and guard their little secrets up to the last moment. After March 1 the cards will be revealed a little more – also during the track tests.

You’ve already covered many kilometers at the wheel of the new Audi A5 DTM. What’s your impression? Where does Audi stand compared with the competition? What can the fans expect of the 2012 DTM season and, most importantly, of Audi?

The car is definitely a bit different to drive than the A4. The biggest difference is made by the new Hankook tire which is a bit wider – that changes the driving style to some extent. And we’ve got the gearshift on the steering wheel now. That, too, makes a bit of a difference. There are many things you can’t fully judge at this point in time because we haven’t driven the latest racing version yet. But I’m pretty sure that the new cars will be about as fast as the A4. We’ve got a little more downforce but also slightly higher weight. I think these two aspects balance each other. Nobody can tell at the moment where we stand compared with the competition. We really have to wait until the first race at Hockenheim. In any event, the fans can expect things to get really tight. The new regulations have reduced the freedom of the engineers quite a bit. That’s why the whole field will be very close. Saturday will be the most important day for a successful weekend. You’ve simply got to be very far at the front of the grid. The fans can expect Audi to run at full throttle to repeat the champion’s titles of the past few years. But BMW and Mercedes-Benz will be driving flat out as well. The three premium manufacturers in the same championship with the same aims: That’ll be a tough number! If I were a fan I definitely wouldn’t miss that.

Coming up next week
 
Feb 23 Rahel Frey, 26th birthday
Feb 24 Timo Bernhard, 31st birthday
Feb 24–26 Bathurst (AUS) 12 Hours

[Source: Audi-Motosport]

Back last month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas, we noticed the images of the next generation A3 in the MMI display and weren’t sure if this was going to be what the next generation A3 would look like. It turns out that our preminitions were correct, as new images leaked today by autoforum.cz clearly show a final production version. In fact this looks like a standard issue Audi AG press photo. 

Please be sure to click through to AutoForums.cz to read their in depth post and read more (however you will need to use a browser with built in translator, like Google Chrome)

Audi Club North America has announced the limited availability for ACNA members to join in the experience of Le Mans by attending the “Le Mans Fan Camp 2012″. As a 2 time visitor to the race, I must say that this is absolutely the best way to see the race. You will be camping out among tens of thousands of fans, and surrounded by Audi Sport fans from around the world. I have personally attended the Friday night party and it is one to add to your bucket list. In fact, a trip to Le Mans should be at the top of any true Audi fan’s bucket list! Don’t delay! These spots will sell out fast!!

“Le Mans Fans Camp 2012”

Audi Club Members are invited to join Audi Club International Members at the 2012 LeMans Race! For a once in a lifetime opportunity join the “Le Mans Fans Camp 2012” and experience the race with Audi fans from around the globe. Many thanks to Audi AG and Audi Club International for inviting ACNA members!

Dear ACI and Audi Club North America members and motor racing fans,
We are pleased to announce that Audi Tradition and Audi Club International have joined again together with Audi Sport to offer a camp for ACI/ACNA members at the Le Mans 24 Hours. In 2012, four R18 prototypes will be competing for the Audi works team. The camp will give us the opportunity to experience this thrilling event at first hand, together with Audi staff, Audi partners and Audi suppliers.

Organizational matters
- Earliest arrival on Thursday, 14 June 2012.

-Latest departure on Monday, 18 June 2012.

- “Antares sud” area. The hospitality facilities and the “spa area” will be set up in an enclosed area where the participants’ own tents, vehicles and camper vans will also be accommodated.

- Catering from Thursday evening until Sunday evening (breakfast and evening meal on each day).

- Drinks, freshly brewed beer and soft drinks will be available at a flat-rate price of € 2.50 per drink.

- Legendary suckling pig feast on Friday with live band. 

Cost

- The attendance fee is € 250.00 per person (only ACI/ACNA members; Non-ACI members: € 330.00). This includes meals from the evening of 14 June until the evening of the 17 June, a fan goodie bag and entrance tickets for the race and the grandstand.)

- Each ACI/ACNA member can also reserve a place for an accompanying person who is not an ACI member at the special ACI price.

- Participants will receive their fan goodie bag when they arrive at the camp.

- All participants must organize their journey to the site themselves.

- Registration per e-mail by 15 May 2012 to uwe.lueders@audi-club-international.de 

ACNA Member info:
To join the fan camp, you would need to rent a campervan or buy a tent and rent a car when arriving in Europe (nearest airport is Paris).
This is a typical motorsport camp and is only recommended for “real motorsport fans” (dirt, dust, and crazy fun). The Camp is not recommended for children.
The racetrack is about 20-30 minutes walk away from the camp (which is still close regarding Le Mans conditions).

Or by post to
Audi Club International
Ährenweg 29
D-38536 Meinersen

Information required for registration: First name, surname, full address, national ACI association, club name, ACI membership number, t-shirt size (M, L, XL, XXL), transportation for arrival (for site entry tickets): car, camper van, motorbike.

Please transfer the camp fees of € 250.00 per participant to the following Audi Club International account together with your registration

From Germany
Account holder: Audi Club International
Account number: 20 444 600
Bank sort code: 269 513 11
Bank: Sparkasse Gifhorn Wolfsburg

From outside Germany
Account holder: Audi Club International
IBAN no.: DE26 269513110020444600
BIC/SWIFT: NOLADE21GFW
In addition to the name of the payer, the following information must also appear on the transfer as the reference
ACI, Camp LeMans 2012

Should you have any questions please contact Kevin Thiel
Audi Club Support / Audi Clubbetreuung +498418947563 or kevin.thiel@audi.de

Please note
The number of places is limited. Registration shall only come into effect when the payment is received. The tickets, a sketch of how to find the site and the site entry tickets will be sent out approximately 2 weeks before the event. Participants must bring all their own camping equipment as well as extension cables, plug boards, waterproof covers for electrical connections etc.

• V8 powerplant with 450 hp, 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft)
• High-performance brakes with wave discs
• Unique combination of dynamics and everyday practicality

A modern classic from Audi is making a comeback: The third-generation RS 4 Avant combines potent performance with a high level of everyday practicality. It’s 4.2-liter V8 produces 331 kW (450 hp); the seven-speed S tronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfer that power to the road.

The Audi RS 4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe. The 4,163 cc powerplant produces 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm for a specific output of 108.1 hp per liter. Its maximum torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) is available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. The responsive V8 with its red-painted cylinder head covers accelerates the RS 4 Avant from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.7 seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This can be increased to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request.

Hand-built at Audi’s plant in Györ, Hungary, the 4.2 FSI engine combines its impressive power with exemplary efficiency, consuming on average less than 11 liters of fuel per 100 km (21.38 U.S. mpg).

With its high efficiency and long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to the vehicle’s good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears manually using the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel. For explosive starts, drivers can also activate Launch Control, which manages the engagement of the clutch at an optimum starting speed and minimum wheel slip.

Top traction: quattro drive with crown-gear center differential
Like every RS model from Audi, the RS 4 Avant comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The heart of this system is the crown-gear center differential. This compact and lightweight component can vary the distribution of power between the front and rear axles immediately, smoothly and over a wide range, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear. The default 40:60 ratio of the rear-biased configuration ensures sporty handling.

The self-locking crown-gear center differential works together with the torque vectoring system, which acts on all four wheels. If the load on the inside wheel is reduced too much while the car is being driven dynamically, the torque vectoring system brakes it slightly before unintended slip can occur. Audi offers the sport differential, which uses two superposition stages to actively distribute the power between the rear wheels, as an option.

Aluminum in abundance: the chassis
The chassis of the Audi RS 4 Avant is a very complex design. Many components of the five-link front suspension and the self-tracking trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum. The new speed-dependent power steering is a highly efficient electromechanical system with a direct steering ratio for highly precise road feel. It helps the driver stay on course by making slight steering corrections when braking on surfaces with different amounts of grip.

The taut RS setup lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.79 in) compared with the Audi A4 Avant. New, polished 19-inch, ten-spoke forged aluminum wheels shod with 265/35-series tires are standard. Audi also offers 20-inch wheels with 265/30-series tires. These are available in a new, polished, titanium-look, five-V-spoke design plus two additional variants in the five-arm rotor design.

Mounted behind the large wheels are internally vented wave disc brakes measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter up front. The steel friction rings with their wave-like outer contour are perforated and connected to the aluminum brake caps via pins. This concept reduces tensions, quickly dissipates heat and prevents transmission of temperature peaks. The new shape of the friction rings shaves a total of roughly three kilograms (6.61 lb) off the unsprung weight.

The calipers are painted high-gloss black; the front calipers have eight pistons each and sport RS logos. The ESP stabilization system has a Sport mode and can be fully deactivated. For the front axle, Audi offers the option of 380 millimeter (14.96 in) carbon fiber ceramic discs and six-piston calipers in anthracite gray. The ceramic brakes are especially lightweight, robust and durable.

The Audi drive select driving dynamics system is among the standard equipment for the RS 4 Avant. With it, the driver can switch between three modes – comfort, auto and dynamic – to determine the characteristics of the steering, the seven-speed S tronic and the throttle valve. Audi drive select can even vary the sound of the exhaust system, double-declutching when downshifting in dynamic mode. If the car is equipped with an Audi navigation system, a largely driver-configurable custom mode is also available.

In addition to the sport differential, another component available for Audi drive select is dynamic steering. It varies its steering ratio by nearly 100 percent depending on the speed driven and automatically countersteers slightly at the cornering limit for even more precise and stable handling.

Another particularly dynamic damping technology available as an option from Audi is the sport suspension plus with dynamic ride control (DRC). Oil lines and a central valve connect diagonally opposed pairs of shock absorbers. During fast cornering, the system boosts the stabilization of the front outside wheel, for example.

The damping characteristic of the sport suspension plus is variable, with a choice of three settings available via Audi drive select.

Athletic: the exterior design
The exterior design flaunts the athletic character of the RS 4 Avant. The hexagonal single-frame grille is set in a frame with a matte aluminum-look finish; its honeycomb insert is finished in high-gloss anthracite. LED daytime running lights encircle the xenon plus units like a clasp in the wedge-shaped headlights. The air flows through large openings divided by crossbars and embedded in a distinctive bumper featuring a splitter edge like on a race car.

When viewed from the side, the chiseled side sill caps and flared wheel wells catch the eye. The flared rear side elements with sharp horizontal upper edges are a nod to that all-wheel drive pioneer from 1980, the Audi quattro. The side mirror housings and trim strips have a matte aluminum-look finish, and a discrete roof spoiler at the back ensures the necessary downforce.

The distinctive bumpers and the two oval tailpipe caps of the dual exhaust system dominate the rear end and are integrated into an upturned diffuser. Audi also offers a sport exhaust system with a voluminous sound and black caps. Elegant light strips adorn the LED rear lights.

The Audi RS 4 Avant is 20 millimeters (0.79 in) longer and 24 millimeters (0.94 in) wider than the A4 Avant, but 20 millimeters (0.79 in) lower. A choice of eight colors is available: one solid and one metallic finish, four pearl-effect colors and the two specially pigmented crystal-effect colors, Prism Silver and Panther Black. The extensively clad underbody integrates air vents for the seven-speed S tronic and the front brakes.

Sporty black: the interior
The interior of the RS 4 Avant is clad completely in black, with the exception of the roofliner, which is optionally available in Moon Silver. Chrome clasps subtly accentuate switches and control elements. Carbon inlays are standard, with brushed matte aluminum, Aluminum Race, black piano finish or a light stainless steel mesh available as options.

The standard heated front sport seats with integrated headrests are power adjustable and covered in a combination of black leather and Alcantara. Fine Nappa leather in either Black or Moon Silver accentuated with Stone Gray piping is optionally available.  Other options include bucket seats or luxurious, climate-controlled deluxe seats with a ventilation function. The thick ring of the leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flattened at the bottom, and the shift paddles mounted on the back of it sport an aluminum-look finish.

The driver information system with color display includes an RS menu with a lap timer and an oil thermometer. Both it and the MMI monitor display a special RS welcome screen when the car is started.

The instrument cluster bezel shines with a piano finish, and the design of the selector knob of the seven-speed S tronic is unique to the RS. Typical of all RS vehicles, the door openers are two delicate bars. The pedals, the footrest, the air vents, the shift paddles on the steering wheel, the MMI buttons and other controls shine in an aluminum-look finish. Aluminum inserts adorn the door sill trims, which are accentuated with RS 4 badges.

Audi offers exclusive high-grade leather packages for all seating options, including a design package with honeycomb quilting for the RS 4 bucket seats. Rounding out the list of optional equipment is a broad range of state-of-the-art driver assistance and communication systems, including the Bluetooth online car phone that connects the RS 4 Avant with the Internet.

Options for the luggage compartment, which offers up to 1,430 liters (50.50 cu ft) of cargo space, include a rail system with load securing set and a power hatch.

Delivery of the Audi RS 4 Avant is scheduled to begin in fall 2012 at a base price of €76,600 in Germany. 

Source: Audi AG

The internet is lit up today with leaked images from the European press. The images were supposed to be under embargo but as you can see here the images have become more readily available. The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant will come boasting an expected 450HP from the refined 4.2 FSI V8 engine. The official launch will happen in a few weeks at the Geneva Motor Show, and QuattroWorld will be there to bring you live coverage!

Source: http://www.autoblog.nl/audi-rs4-avant-450-pk-veel-bagageruimte