Audi S3 Black Performance Edition with 337HP by MR Car Design

The Black Performance Edition is MR Car Design's tuning take on the latest Audi S3 hot hatch which benefits from performance and styling mods. The German firm reworked the S3's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, pushing output to 337-horsepower and 450Nm or 332 lb-ft of torque through the use of a Stage III kit that includes among other upgrades, a reprogrammed engine control unit, a sport exhaust and cat system and a larger intercooler.

MR Car Design did not disclose performance figures but apparently the hot hatch will be faster than the standard 265HP model that hits 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds (manual gearbox) and reaches a top speed of 250km/h.

The modded S3 rides on black 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sportmaxx high performance tires size 235/35 ZR19 while buyers can also opt for an upgraded braking system from StopTech and adjustable coilovers from KW Automotive.

The treatment is completed with a matte black vinyl wrap from Germany's Cover EFX that gives the S3 a more menacing look.

Nurburgring-Spotting: BMW M3 Coupe and Audi S3 in Police Wrap

You never know what you'll stumble upon in and around the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It may be a heavily camouflaged prototype model performing test runs like the ones we often post here on julino billym, or in this case, a pair of privately owned cars dressed in a eye-catching police uniform (okay, most likely a vinyl wrap). The M3 Coupe and Audi S3 faux police cars appear to belong to a group called 'Ring-Police' details of which remain unknown for the time being. More photos after the jump.

Via: Autogespot

Audi UK Prices A3 with S-Tronic and Start-Stop System

German automaker Audi has revealed UK pricing for its updated A3 1.4 TFSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel models with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission that benefit from the introduction of the fuel saving start-stop function which was previously reserved for four-cylinder manual gearbox models. Priced from £18,300 (OTR), the A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic with start-stop sprints from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 126mph (203 km/h), while returning a combined 53.3 mpg UK (44.4 mpg US) with 124g/km of CO2.

The A3 1.6 TDI diesel S tronic with start-stop is priced from £18,905 OTR. According to Audi, it accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 11.7 seconds, has a top speed of 121mph or 195 km/h and achieves a combined fuel economy of 67.3 mpg UK (56.0 mpg US) with 109g/km of CO2.

Both models are available for order now with first deliveries expected in early December.

Audi Mates Start-Stop System to S-Tronic Dual-Clutch Transmission on A3 Models

Starting from this November, Audi will begin fitting certain European-spec A3 models equipped with the firm's S tronic dual-clutch transmission with a start and stop system. Available on the A3 three-door and five-door SportBack models with the 105HP 1.6-liter TDI diesel and the 125HP 1.4-liter TFSI petrol engine, the start and stop system improves fuel economy by turning the engine off as soon as the vehicle comes to a halt and automatically starts the engine as soon as the driver removes his or her foot from the brake pedal.

Both A3 models also feature an on-board energy-recovery system that converts mechanical braking energy into electrical power that is temporarily stored in the battery and is then fed back into the electrical system during acceleration, thus reducing the load on the alternator and saving fuel.

The German maker claims that the A3 1.6 TDI S-Tronic consumes on average 4.2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (56 US mpg) and emits 109g/km of CO2 while the 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic, 5.3 liters of premium unleaded for every 100 kilometers (44.4 US mpg) with 124 g/km of CO2.

Performance-wise, the 1.6 TDI propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 194 km/h (121 mph) while the A3 1.4 TFSI goes from standstill to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds and tops out at 203 km/h (126 mph).

Prices for the A3 1.4 TFSI with the S-Tronic and start-stop system in Germany will remain unchanged at €23,700 for3-door and €24,600 for the Sportback. The new 1.6 TDI with S-Tronic and Start-Stop will sell at a base price of €25,500 for the 3-door and €26,400 for the Sportback.

Audi A3 and A3 Sportback get Revised 1.6 TDI with Even Better Fuel Economy and Lower Emissions

It's only been three months since Audi began offering the VW Group's new 1.6-liter common rail diesel engine on the A3 range, but the German firm has already announced a newer version of the 105HP 1.6 TDI with lower fuel consumption and improved CO2 emissions. In particular, the four-cylinder TDI continues to deliver the same output as before at 105HP but peak torque has been increased from 230Nm to 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft). Audi claims that fuel consumption on the combined cycle has been reduced from 4.1lt/100km (57.4 mpg US) to 3.8lt/100 km (61.9 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, down from 109g/km.

The reworked TDI engine that uses Audi's start and stop technology is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox featuring a final drive ratio longer by some seven percent.

The German firm says that the diesel engine propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) while the A3 Sportback reaches 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds. The corresponding figures for the current A3 1.6 TDI 105HP 3-door are 11.4 seconds and 194km/h.

Audi will begin selling the A3 1.6 TDI and the A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI in Europe in the first half of 2010 with prices said to be similar to those models already offered on the market.

Audi Brings 2010 A3 Sportback TDI diesel to the States, Priced from $29,950

The second diesel offering from Audi to be launched in the US this year after the Q7 TDI is the 2010 A3 Sportback TDI and it will begin arriving at the company's dealers in late November 2009. The base price for the front-wheel drive model with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission is $29,950, but you'll have to add another $825 to that for destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel that makes 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque offering the five-door hatch a top speed of 130mph.

According to Audi the A3 TDI returns an EPA-estimated of 30mpg in the city and 42mpg on the highway. For some reason, Audi thought it would be a good idea to compare the diesel-powered A3 hatchback to the Lexus HS 250h four-door sedan in its press release saying that the Japanese model "offers similar combined fuel economy with hybrid technology, but not superlative highway mileage range."

For what it matters, the 187HP HS 250h, which starts from $34,200 in the States, received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg.

VW and Audi Models Recalled Over Two Separate DSG Problems

Volkswagen Group of America has issued two separate recall for numerous Audi and VW models equipped with its DSG dual-clutch transmission. The first recall involves 16,000 2009-2010MY cars manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009. The models affected are Audi's A3, TT Coupe and Roadster, plus VW's Eos and Jetta Sedan and SportWagen. In this case, a faulty temperature sensor could cause the DSG transmission to shift into neutral while the vehicle is being driven.

The company said that it will contact owners of the affected models so they can take the cars to local dealers for any necessary repairs free of charge.

The second recall affects approximately 43,000 Volkswagens and 10,300 Audis of the 2007-2009 model years including the VW R32, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, Eos, as well as the Audi A3 and TT.

According to the German automaker, some customers reported transmission performance issues under certain driving conditions. Volkswagen claims that the problem was caused by a faulty component inside the Mechatronic unit. The company will repair or replace the components in the transmissions of the affected models free of charge.

Furthermore, VW said that it will extend its New Vehicle Limited Warranty to cover the DSG transmissions affected by the customer service program and the voluntary safety recall. According to the company, the extended warranty is for 10-years/100,000-miles and can be transferred to subsequent owners of the cars.

"Safety, customer satisfaction, quality and long-term reliability are top priorities at Volkswagen and Audi. We have been studying the symptoms customers have reported, and are working closely with the NHTSA," said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, VWGoA. "We listened to our customers' concerns, and are taking action to address them. We are focused on taking all the appropriate actions to ensure the complete satisfaction of our existing customers."

New Audi A3 with 1.2-liter TSI and A4 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel to Premiere in Frankfurt

Along with the supercharged S5 Sportback, Audi's Frankfurt motorshow stand will also host the world premiere of two more new models, the A3 with a new 1.2 TFSI and the Euro-6 compliant A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro. Starting off with the A3, the 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection produces an output of 105 HP and 175Nm (129lb.-ft.) of torque between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.

Initially paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the small displacement engine propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.1 seconds and the five-door Sportback, in 11.3 seconds. Both versions reach a top speed of 190 km/h or 118 mph) and, on average, consume 5.5 lt of fuel per 100 km which is the U.S. equivalent of 42.77 mpg.

European sales of the A3 and A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI will begin in the first quarter of 2010.

Moving on the A4, Audi is introducing to the range a 3.l0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine with a new common-rail injection system that generates up to 2,000 bars of pressure. It also comes with a new eNOX catalytic converter, integrated within the end of the exhaust system that reduces residual nitrogen oxides.

The new diesel that complies with the emission limits of the EU's Euro 6 standard, expected to become law in 2014, allows the A4 sedan to return a combined fuel economy of 6.7 lt /100km and the Avant, 6.8 lt/00km (35.1 and 34.6 mpg U.S).

Power is transferred to all wheels through a six-speed tiptronic with the A4 sedan needing only 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint and the A4 Avant, 6.3 seconds. In both models top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h or 155mph.

*The cars shown in the article are not the A3 1.2 TSI and A4 3.0 TDI quattro as Audi has yet to release photos of the specific models

Audi Presents Updated Navigation System Plus for A3, TT and R8

Just like any other electronic product, navigation systems are continuously upgrade with better software and hardware. Audi's updated navigation system plus with MMI (Multi Media Interface) for the A3, TT and R8 models promises to offer improved route calculation speeds thanks to a latest-generation processor clocked at 600 MHz while another significant enhancement is are the 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution graphics displayed on the 6.5-inch screen.

On the back of the display, which can be folded away at the push of a button, are two slots for SD and SDHC cards with capacities of up to 32 GB, enough to store about 14,000 songs or 700 hours of music.

Also new on Audi's updated navigation system plus is the optical parking assistant which can be combined in the Audi R8 with the rearview camera. Aside from the acoustic warning signals, the distance to the front and to the rear is now displayed optically on the high-resolution display.

The new system is available for order now with prices ranging between €2,270 and €2,565, depending on the model.

Audi: New 1.6 TDI Engines for A3 and A3 Sportback

Audi has announced a pair of new common-rail diesel engines that will join the A3 and A3 Sportback lineups. The most powerful variant of the 1.6-liter TDi produces 105HP and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, and is combined with Audi's new start and stop, and energy recovery systems. With this engine the A3 sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 194 km/h (121mph) while consuming on average 4.1 liters of diesel per 100km (57.37 US mpg). This equates to 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

There's also a 90HP version of the 1.6-liter TDi that propels the A3 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 180km/h (112 mph). This model, which does not feature the start/stop system or energy recovery, has a higher average consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (52.27 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 118 grams per kilometer .

The A3 1.6 TDI is available for order in Europe with the basic price for the 90HP version set at €22,550 and for the 105HP model at €23,550. Those who opt for the 5-door Sportback model will be charged an extra €900.

O.CT Tuning Boehler concept.BS3 - 328HP Audi S3

If you're brave enough to depart 99,950 Sfr (roughly €67,200 or $87,200 US with the current exchange rates) to obtain a more extreme version of the Audi S3 then O.CT Tuning's new "Boehler concept.BS3" might do the trick for you. To be produced in a limited volume of 100 units, the BS3 comes with O.CT Tuning's Stage 3 engine kit that includes a specially developed ECU, a sport exhaust system, improved air intake system and an additional intercooler.

With this kit, the S3's 2.0 TFSI engine produces 328HP and 425 Nm of torque versus the standard's car's 265HP and 350 Nm. The Austrian tuner said that the BS3 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) almost a full second quicker than the stock S3 (5.7 sec) while top speed rises from 250 km/h to a hefty 265 km/h (165mph).

Other mechanical modifications concern the fully adjustable O.CT Coilover Suspension and an 8-piston braking system with 372 mm discs/rotors.

The S3's exterior looks are enhanced with an aerodynamic package designed by Swiss Styling Expert Color Concept Boehler. The car's widened fenders allow the use of a significantly bigger wheel-tire combination - two piece, forged MÖZ-Wheels measuring 9 x 20 inches up front and 10 x 20 inches at the rear. The alloys are shed with Yokohama Advan Sport Tires with 245/30 R 20 and 255/30 R 20, respectively. Finally, the kit also comes with carbon-fiber Add-ons for the engine, battery and air intake.