Emotion-packed design, sporty character and innovative technology: Audi is targeting a new market segment with the Audi A7 Sportback. The large five-door model with the dynamically accentuated rear end brings together the best of three worlds: the sporty elegance of a coupe, the comfort of a sedan and the practicality of a station wagon.

The Audi A7 Sportback is pure high-tech. Its body is very lightweight thanks to numerous aluminum components. The elegant interior shows a craftsman’s level of workmanship. The four V6 engines combine refined power with groundbreaking efficiency. The 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and multitronic has CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per kilometer (223.70 g/mile). The sporty chassis comes with new solutions, such as electromechanical power steering. When it comes to assistance and infotainment systems, the luxury-class coupe exhibits all of the innovative power expected of Audi.

The five-door coupe from Audi combines supreme, long-distance comfort with a sporty character. The interior noise level is very low even at fast highway speeds, with the V6 engines providing refined acoustic feedback as their power unfolds.

The excellent vibrational comfort likewise contributes to the atmosphere of cultured tranquility on board. This is the result of painstakingly tuning all components, systematic hydraulic damping in the axle and drivetrain bearings and the extremely stiff body. The body is comprised primarily of aluminum and high-tech steels, making it extremely lightweight and safe. The large rear hatch opens wide to reveal a large, extremely usable luggage compartment that is very easy to load. Its 535-liter (18.89 cu ft) capacity swells to a volume of 1,390 liters (49.09 cu ft) with the rear seat backrests folded down.

With the Audi A7 Sportback, which will be rolling into dealerships in the fall at a base price of €51,600, Audi is taking up a new design line representing elegance on a grand scale. The five-door coupe is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, but only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) high. Its long hood, the short front overhang, the long wheelbase, the sportily flowing C-pillars and the sharply dropping rear create a dynamic overall impression. The five-door coupe is an aesthetic athlete with a wide, powerful road stance.

Optional LED headlights reinforce the unmistakable expression of the Audi A7 Sportback and provide all light functions with light-emitting diodes while minimizing energy consumption. Bi-xenon headlights and LED tail lights come standard. The innovative all-weather light function has also been integrated into the headlights, replacing the classic fog lights.

The sinewy sportiness of the exterior carries over into the interior of the Audi A7 Sportback, where Audi again demonstrates its leading role in automotive design. The salient element is the “wrap-around,” a horizontal line that encircles the driver and front-seat passenger in the interior to provide a feeling of safety and security. The wave-shaped application strip with its integrative dynamics is the salient element of the dashboard.

The utmost care has been devoted to every last detail in the interior. Workmanship is at a craftsman’s level. Optional climate-control and massage functions are available for the front seats covered in high-grade Audi leathers. The optional ambient lighting fills the entire interior with atmosphere.

Like Audi A8 flagship, the A7 Sportback also combines a new level of technical intelligence with logical, intuitive ergonomics and self-explanatory operation. The advanced MMI operating system with central menu button and reduced number of buttons comes standard, while one of the options is a new head-up display that projects the most important information on the windshield. The MMI touch system combines a hard drive navigation system with the convenience of touchpad input.

The driver can use the touchpad to perform numerous functions, such as using his or her finger to write the letters of the destination or the digits of the telephone number.

The online services work together with Google to connect the five-door Audi coupe to the Internet via the Bluetooth car phone. A UMTS module delivers images and information from Google Earth to the monitor and combines them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot is used to connect mobile devices. Further to the Bose sound system, the top-of-the-line option is the Advanced Sound System from Bang & Olufsen featuring 1,300 watts of power and 15 speakers.

The top navigation system works closely together with the many optional driver assistance and safety systems in the Audi A7 Sportback. It forwards the route data to the control units for the headlights, the automatic transmission and the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, enabling these systems to recognize complex scenarios. In many cases, the Audi pre sense safety system can reduce the severity of accidents and their consequences. The new Audi active lane assist helps the driver to keep the Audi A7 Sportback firmly on course, and the new park assist system relieves the driver of the chore of steering when parallel parking.

Audi will initially offer the Audi A7 Sportback with a choice of four powerful and cultivated V6 engines: two gasoline and two TDI units. Their power output ranges from 150 kW (204 hp) to 220 kW (300 hp), and their efficiency sets impressive new standards in the vehicle class. The new 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and multitronic consumes on average just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of just 139 g per km (223.70 g/mile). All engines use Audi’s innovative thermal management system, a recuperation system and a start-stop system.

The standard automatic transmissions also play a role in the high efficiency of the Audi A7 Sportback. Audi offers two different transmissions depending on the engines: The continuous multitronic sends the power to the front wheels, while the sporty seven-speed S tronic works together with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The latest evolutionary stage of quattro features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring.

The drive system is particularly flexible and dynamic. The optional sport differential actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.

The chassis also combines sporty precision with luxurious comfort. The Audi A7 Sportback rolls on large wheels measuring from 18 to 20 inches in diameter. The chassis features aluminum control arms and a newly developed power steering system with an electromechanical drive for high efficiency. The Audi drive select dynamics system is standard and can be supplemented by the optional adaptive air suspension with controlled damping.

Exterior design

The Audi A7 Sportback is at once an elegant and an innovative Audi – a car with elegant, sporty proportions, a long hood and wheelbase, short overhangs and athletically curved outer contours. It marks the next step in the evolution of the design language of Audi, the leading brand for automotive design.

The Audi A7 Sportback exudes a powerful presence and attraction; it is a car whose design cries out to be touched and enjoyed. With its low, dynamically accentuated roof line and its balanced proportions, it looks like a coupe. The rear doors are perfectly integrated into the silhouette. The design is consistent and expresses the aesthetics of modern technology in every detail – in the precisely drawn lines, in the athletic curvature of the surfaces, in the engine compartment and even the wheels.

The large single-frame grille up front has six corners like that of Audi’s A8 flagship, making it appear even more dynamic. The slats of the grille are painted high-gloss black and adorned with chrome applications as an expression of quality. Its horizontal posture and the design of the wide and low air inlets emphasize the width of the Audi A7 Sportback.

As always with Audi, the headlights are small, technical works of art that illustrate the advantage that the brand has gained in lighting technology. Their flat contour that widens laterally shifts the optical focus outward. The lower edge is in the form of a wave, with the wing – a classic Audi feature – structuring the interior.

The Audi A7 Sportback comes standard with xenon headlights with integrated all-weather lights. Optionally available here is the Audi adaptive light system, which always offers the appropriate lighting, whether driving in the city, when turning, on inter-urban roads or on the highway. It includes continuous headlight range control, which detects other vehicles and adjusts the car’s own light with smooth transitions.

Audi offers optional all-LED headlights, a major Audi innovation that premiered in the R8 and the A8. Their white light resembles daylight and is extremely energy-efficient. The zero-maintenance LED headlights generate unmistakable graphics, day or night.

Three modules comprising high-performance light-emitting diodes, mounted in separate chambers, generate the low beams. Other light functions include the high beams, the cornering light, the all-weather light and the highway light. The daytime running lights comprising 18 LEDs appears to be a continuous band at the lower edge of the headlights, below which are the turn signals comprising eleven LEDs. The high-beam assistant, which switches between the high and low beams, is a complementary technology.

Dynamic wave: the side view

The side view of the Audi A7 Sportback is a powerfully drawn line. The roof arch is a flat dome; the C-pillar stretches endlessly to the rear and flows into the shoulder of the body. Integrated into the pillar is a third side window with an upward pointing tip – a small homage to the Audi 100 Coupé S from 1969. The ratio of painted body surfaces to the frameless windows is two-thirds to one-third in the side view, which is also typical for Audi.

The sharp tornado line, the most important design element of the Audi A7 Sportback, extends over the entire side. It gives the body strong shoulders, like those of an athletic swimmer. The tornado line starts at the headlights and extends along the fenders, the doors and the rear side walls to the tail lights. Located above the side sills is the dynamic line.

The large wheel wells housing wheels between 18 and 20 inches in diameter are also typical for Audi. They underscore the powerful character of the vehicle and offer opportunities for customizing the car’s outward appearance. Like with a sports car, the dynamically styled exterior mirrors are mounted on the doors – another sporty detail. The agile and sinewy impression of the Audi A7 Sportback is the result of many subtle solutions. The third side window, for example, lightens the rear section of the flanks visually.

The line of dynamic elegance encircles a rear end that uses a slight negative indentation to form a distinctive spoiler lip. The luggage compartment hatch is equipped with a spoiler that automatically extends at 130 km/h (80.78 mph) and retracts again at 80 km/h (49.71 mph). The diffuser insert is painted in the body color and frames the two large, chromed tailpipes of the exhaust system, thus also emphasizing the car’s width.

All surfaces at the rear of the car are vividly modeled; the tips of the divided tail lights point inwards. With the exception of the reversing light, the tail lights are realized entirely with LED technology standard. They have been machined in three dimensions and accentuate the sculptural character of the Audi A7. The tail lights appear to be a homogenous band that forms a broad, U-shaped arc. The brake lights, which are in the form of a helix, are located inside the arch, above which the turn signal extends as a straight line.

Audi offers eleven elegant paint finishes for the Audi A7 Sportback. The two solid colors are called Ibis White and Brilliant Black. The six metallic colors are Ice Silver, Quartz Gray, Oolong Gray, Moonlight Blue, Havanna Black and Dakota Gray. Rounding out the palette are the three pearl-effect finishes Phantom Black, Garnet Red and Impala Beige.

Fast track: from concept car to production

Audi announced the Audi A7 Sportback at the 2009 North American International Automobile Show in Detroit with the Audi Sportback concept show car. The differences between it and the production model were slight, lying primarily in the area of the headlights, the single-frame grille, the air inlets, the exterior mirrors and the rear end. Almost all of the new ideas in the interior also made it into the production model.

Audi frequently has show cars go into production nearly unchanged. This process expresses one of the brand’s particular strengths, demonstrating how deeply the Board of Management and all areas of the company support the visions of the designers. Design is much more than styling at Audi; it is a reflection of the highly developed technology.

Back in 1993, a luxury sedan in shining silver called the ASF enthralled the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The show car with its unpainted body of polished aluminum was the precursor to the A8. Two years later Audi provided the first glimpse of the TT, likewise at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And in 1997, the Al2 show car stood at the same location as a preview of the A2.

In 2003, two spectacular show cars heralded the move into new vehicle classes. In January Audi presented the Pikes Peak quattro in Detroit. The big, sporty SUV was the precursor to the Q7. In September, the Audi Le Mans quattro became the star of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was the spitting image of the R8 which came later.

At the Shanghai Motor Show in April 2007, the brand presented the Audi Cross Coupé quattro, which went into production as the Q5 a short time later. There was even a forerunner of the compact Audi A1, which is just now coming to market: The Audi A1 project quattro, a hybrid-drive city car, debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

Body

The Audi A7 Sportback is 4.97 meters (16.31 ft) long and has a wheelbase of 2.91 meters (9.55 ft). 1.91 meters (6.27 ft) wide, it is only 1.42 meters (4.66 ft) tall – these proportions allude to the dynamic lines. The cD value is 0.28; the front surface area measures 2.29 m² (24.65 sq ft). The clean flow of the slipstream – including along the underbody and as it flows through the engine compartment – was an important objective in the requirement specification.

The noise level on board the five-door coupe is extremely low thanks to the painstaking fine-tuning of the aeroacoustics, which also includes the glazings. Even the standard version does a very good job of attenuating outside noise. Audi offers optional glazings that integrate a special film with acoustic properties for an added degree of comfort, particularly on long highway journeys.

Long-distance comfort and a sporty character are not contradictory at Audi, and this also applies to the acoustics of the Audi A7 Sportback. Longer drives really let the five-door coupe show off its luxury-class ride: low noise, low vibrations and perfect vibrational comfort. The powerful engines round out the experience with a cultivated sound.

The excellent acoustics are the combined result of high-end materials and new construction methods. Modern microfiber non-wovens, an underbody liner and wheel well linings all play a part here.

The high level of vibrational comfort is another strength of the Audi A7 Sportback. Hydraulic damping elements are used consistently for the axles and the subframes, and hydraulically damped bearings are used for the engines. The engineers tuned these elements using advanced simulation methods and Audi’s comfort test bench – a development tool not found anywhere else in the world.

The body of the Audi A7 Sportback also sets standards with its low weight. The steel/aluminum mixed-construction body is roughly 15 percent lighter than a comparable all-steel body, placing it at the head of its class. Take for example the 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp) and the multitronic transmission. Minus the driver, the entire car in the base version weighs just 1,695 kilograms (3,737 lb). The low weight is the result of the brand’s pioneering lightweight construction technology that intelligently combines a variety of materials.

More than 20 percent of the body is made of lightweight aluminum, a material with which Audi has experience that no other manufacturer can match. The strut mounts in the front of the car are aluminum castings; the strut brace and cross-members behind the front and rear bumpers are aluminum sections. All add-on parts, such as the front side walls, the hood, the rear hatch and the doors, but also the bulkhead and the cross-member in the luggage compartment, are made of aluminum panels.

High-end steels of various strength classes make up a large portion of the body. Most commonly used are the hot-shaped steels, which are used in some zones of the passenger cell and at its transition to the front end of the car. They are heated in a pass-through furnace to nearly 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 degrees Fahrenheit) and shaped immediately thereafter in water-cooled pressing dies. Audi also uses tailored blanks in many areas. These are panels of various thicknesses that are thicker and stronger in areas subjected to higher loads.

The body of the Audi A7 Sportback combines low weight with high rigidity and supreme strength. It thus provides the basis for the sportily precise handling, the high crash safety and the supreme vibrational comfort on board – for the typical Audi ride, in other words.

Interior design

Air and light, sleek shapes and bright colors: The interior of the Audi A7 Sportback is an emotional space full of lightness and expanse. Its lines take up the powerful, sinewy sportiness of the exterior to demonstrate Audi’s status as the leading brand for vehicle design.

The salient element is the “wrap-around” – a horizontal line encircling the entire cabin. It extends in a curve from the driver-side door sill across the instrument panel to the passenger-side door sill. The wrap-around embeds the driver and front-seat passenger into the interior. The exterior and interior form a harmonious design element. The frame of the door opener invokes the shape of the rear side window from the exterior.

The large arch integrates a low and slender instrument panel that slopes slightly downward toward the passengers. The application strip with its integrative dynamics is the salient element of the dashboard. Its face forms a wave oriented toward the driver, and even the dividing line between the upper and the lower segments is in the shape of an S. The center air vents follow this line and are shaped like a wing.

Audi’s legendary attention to detail characterizes the entire interior of the Audi A7 Sportback, just as it does in the A8 luxury sedan. Materials are chosen with the utmost care; the uncompromising workmanship is on a craftsman’s level.

The strongly driver-oriented cockpit comprises the instrument cluster, the air vents and the control elements. The aluminum finish highlights the rotary knobs. Both the shift gate and the start-stop button feature subtle red backlighting.

Audi will immediately be offering a wide range of upholsteries and decorative elements, including Milano and Valcona fine leathers, a leather/Alcantara combination and a leather package for the center console, the armrests in the doors and the door pull handles.

Audi offers inlays in a choice of two aluminum applications and two types of wood: natural brown fine grain ash and dark brown walnut. A veneer of layered oak will be available later. Audi has made significant advances in the technique of cutting veneers from a single block and uses painstakingly prepared and treated oak.

Controls and interior

The Audi A7 Sportback offers a full range of functions, yet its controls are simple and intuitive. The large, clearly marked dial instruments with their red needles and the display of the driver information system (DIS) are located under a flat cowl. They appear three-dimensional and extremely precise.

The optional driver information display – either 5 or 7 inches and white or in color depending on the version – bundles a lot of important information and settings in a logical menu structure and is controlled using the leather multifunction steering wheel. Another standard feature is the on-board computer with efficiency program. It provides tips for efficient shifting, includes a gear-change indicator and shows how individual systems affect fuel consumption.

The central on-board monitor, the standard version of which measures 6.5 inches and has a high-gloss black frame, is recessed into the center of the dashboard. It extends electrically upward in an elegant motion when the ignition is switched on. The instrument panel, which is inclined toward the driver, contains the control unit for the highly efficient deluxe air conditioning system and secondary switches for direct access to the most important functions. All other functions are offloaded to the MMI (Multimedia Interface) operating system located on the wide, asymmetrical tunnel, which forms a separate component with no connection to the center console.

The operating logic of the MMI is exemplary. The hard keys are used to jump directly to the main menus; the soft keys and the central rotary pushbutton are used to navigate within them.

The driver can jump to the menu overview at any time using a central menu button. The central rotary pushbutton is used to select the desired menus and functions. The main functions of the audio system make up one logical unit and are consolidated in the main control element. The electromechanical parking brake leaves a lot of room on the center tunnel for a comfortable, steplessly height-adjustable center armrest, a telephone and a large storage compartment.

New: the head-up display

Audi offers a new high-end feature as an option in the Audi A7 Sportback – a head-up display. It projects the most important data onto the windshield as symbols and digits that appear to float at a distance of roughly 2.5 meters (8.2 ft). The driver assimilates this information extremely quickly because his or her eyes, accustomed to distance vision while driving, do not have to adjust. The driver can use the MMI to determine which information the head-up display should show, such as speed, the navigation arrows or the indications from the assistance systems.

The Audi A7 Sportback is designed as a four-seater. Its front seats are mounted sportily low. Ten-way seats are standard. Options include power adjustment, a memory function and seat heating.

The deluxe seats offer 20-way power and pneumatic adjustments. These are available with ventilation using a novel and particular effective suction technology and a function in which ten air chambers massage the back according to one of five programs. Customers with sporty tastes can choose the sport seats with their prominent side bolsters and 14-way adjustment.

In the back of the Audi A7 Sportback are two comfortable individual seats. The long wheelbase provides for generous amounts of space. Even large persons enjoy ample headroom and easy entry. Spacious and practical storage is available at all of the seats.

The Audi A7 Sportback is a versatile car for active people. Its long rear hatch that extends far up into the roof covers a large luggage compartment lined with fine carpeting. Its low loading lip helps make it convenient to use. Standard capacity is 535 liters (18.89 cubic ft), which increases to 1,390 liters (49.09 cubic ft) by folding down the split rear seat backs, which is a matter of a few easy steps.

The rear hatch comes standard with an electric drive unit. It opens high, and the opening angle can be programmed using the buttons on the inside of the hatch. The split cover is never in the way while loading the luggage compartment. Its short segment is connected to the body, the long segment to the hatch. Audi offers an optional load-through hatch with a ski sack and a reversible mat. With the trailer hitch, the Audi A7 Sportback can tow up to 2,100 kilograms (4,630 lb).

Driver assistance systems

Audi offers a wide range of the latest-generation driver assistance systems. They are tightly networked with one another and other systems in the vehicle, making them extremely capable and versatile. The respective control units are connected via the fast and modern FlexRay bus system, allowing the driver assistance and chassis systems to be precisely controlled.

The heart of the driver assistance systems is the new adaptive cruise control with stop & go function (ACC). It uses the data from four radar sensors, a video camera and the ultrasonic sensors, incorporates navigation data and analyzes a multitude of additional signals, from the activity of the turn signals to the steering angle to trailer detection. Its functions range from automatic stop & go in rush-hour traffic to the electronic monitoring of high-speed highway driving at speeds of up to 250 km/h (155.34 mph).

The driver uses the MMI system to determine how the vehicle should behave in ACC mode. The choices are “dynamic” – powerful acceleration when the roads are clear, spontaneous and direct when following traffic; “standard” – balanced in all situations; or relaxed and fuel-efficient cruising in “comfort” mode.

Another high-end system is Audi side assist, which from speeds of 30 km/h (18.64 mph) upwards warns the driver of critical situations when changing lanes. It uses radar to monitor the space behind the Audi A7 Sportback. The speed limit display detects important traffic signs and their supplemental signs with a camera and shows them in the instrument cluster display or in the optional head-up display. The night vision assistant uses a thermal imaging camera and highlights persons that it detects in front of the vehicle. It projects its black-and-white images onto the instrument cluster display. If it detects a potentially hazardous situation, it marks the person red and optionally displays a warning symbol in the head-up display.

The Audi pre sense safety system is available in a number of different versions in the Audi A7 Sportback. It uses the highly networked systems on board and initiates preventive measures in the event of an imminent collision. In the version Audi pre sense basic, the system reacts when it detects an instable driving situation. The front seatbelts are electrically tensioned; the sunroof and the side windows are closed, leaving just a small gap; and the traffic behind is warned.

Audi pre sense front is available in combination with ACC stop & go. Its job is to prevent rear-end collisions with the vehicle ahead or to mitigate the consequences of such accidents. If the driver does not brake sharply enough in a critical situation, the system autonomously increases the brake pressure. If necessary, it initiates partial braking and tightens the belts as a precaution. If the person at the wheel still does not react, Audi pre sense front increases the braking force in a second stage and initiates preventive measures. If Audi pre sense plus is installed and the accident can no longer be avoided, emergency braking is initiated to reduce the speed by up to 40 km/h (24.85 mph).

Audi pre sense rear is coupled with Audi side assist. If it detects a critical situation – an imminent rear-end collision – it ensures that the traffic behind is alarmed via the emergency flashers. If the situation escalates, preventive protective measures are activated.

The electromechanical power steering in the Audi A7 Sportback allows the use of two new assistance systems. One of them is Audi active lane assist, which uses a camera to detect the lane markings on the road.

If the driver does not stay in the lane, the system intervenes gently in the steering to steer the Audi A7 Sportback back on course. The system can take vehicles and objects in the adjacent lane into account while doing so.

The second innovation is the park assist system, which is the top version of the three parking aid systems offered by Audi. It uses ultrasonic sensors that detect parallel and horizontal parking spaces on the side of the road while driving slowly. If the space is large enough, the system takes over parallel parking at the push of a button. The driver only has to apply the gas and brake. The park assist system maneuvers the Audi A7 Sportback into the smallest of parking spaces. The system can parallel park with multiple forward and reversing motions, and can also park the car in spaces perpendicular to the road.

Multimedia systems

Infotainment and navigation are two other fields of technology where the Audi A7 Sportback sets new standards. In addition to the standard MMI radio, Audi offers three optional systems: MMI radio plus, MMI navigation and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. All four systems have a retracting monitor.

Except for MMI navigation plus, all MMI versions uses a 6.5-inch monitor. An 8-inch monitor is included in combination with MMI touch. The system integrates a large hard drive that can also be used to store music and files, convenient voice control and a Bluetooth interface. Its high-resolution 8-inch monitor displays map images and many points of interest in three dimensions.

As in the A8 luxury sedan, MMI touch comes with a groundbreaking innovation – a touchpad with black panel technology. The driver enters a destination or a telephone number by drawing the letters and numbers on the touch-sensitive control panel with a finger. The system provides acoustic feedback so that the driver’s eyes can stay on the road. MMI touch also recognizes the characters of Asian languages.

Networked intelligence: predictive route data

The high-end navigation system works closely together with the other systems on board the Audi A7 Sportback. It reads the road ahead from the 3D navigation data and provides predictive data to the control units for the automatic transmission, the adaptive cruise control with stop & go function and the headlights, enabling these systems to recognize complex scenarios.

Another groundbreaking feature in the Audi A7 Sportback are the online services provided in collaboration with Google. They deliver online news and current information from the Internet to the Audi A7 Sportback via the Bluetooth car phone. A UMTS module pulls images and information from Google Earth up on the monitor and combines them with the navigation route. A WLAN hotspot provides contact to mobile devices on board, such as an iPad or a laptop. The driver can use all of these services with his or her existing cellular phone contract.

Audi likewise offers a number of attractive multimedia modules, from the Bose sound system to the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System with 1,300 watts of power. Its 15 speakers, which include two acoustic lenses that extend from the instrument panel when the system is switched on, have elegant aluminum housings. The amplifiers for the woofers are particularly energy-efficient.

Engines

The Audi A7 Sportback will hit the market with four direct-injection V6 engines: two gasoline units and two diesels. Ranging from 150 to 220 kW (204 to 300 hp), the engines propel the large five-door coupe smoothly and powerfully, with astonishing efficiency. The 3.0 TDI multitronic with front-wheel drive and 150 kW (204 hp) consumes on average just 5.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (44.38 US mpg), corresponding to CO2 emissions of just 139 g per km (223.70 g/mile). No competitor in this class can boast figures this low. All engines use Audi’s innovative thermal management system, a recuperation system and a start-stop system.

Audi has thoroughly revised the two gasoline engines, the 2.8 FSI and the 3.0 TFSI, with respect to internal friction and thermal management. The engines quickly come up to operating temperature following a cold start. A separate heat exchanger is used to also bring the transmission up to temperature. The 2.8 FSI has an additional efficiency technology on board – the Audi valvelift system varies the stroke of the intake valves as needed. This enables the engine to breathe with significantly reduced throttle losses in many partial-load ranges, boosting torque and reducing fuel consumption.

The 2.8 FSI produces 150 kW (204 hp) and 280 Nm (206.52 lb-ft) of torque at 5,250 rpm. The torque is available from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm. Audi pairs this engine with the S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The Audi A7 Sportback 2.8 FSI quattro sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). It consumes just 8.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (29.40 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to only 187 grams of CO2/km (300.95 g/mile).

With the top gasoline engine, the 3.0 TFSI, a supercharger compresses the intake air for improved efficiency and performance. The three-liter V6 produces 220 kW (300 hp) between 5,250 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) of torque between 2,900 and 4,500 rpm. The supercharged engine, which in Europe is mated to the S tronic and the quattro powertrain, gives the five-door coupe the performance of a sports car.

The standard sprint takes just 5.6 seconds, and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Standard fuel consumption is just 8.2 liters per 100 km (28.68 US mpg), corresponding to 190 grams CO2 per km (305.78 g/mile).

The 3.0 TDI is available in two versions. The more powerful version of the big diesel, which has been completely redesigned, produces 180 kW (245 hp) between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm and 500 Nm (368.78 lb-ft) of torque between 1,400 and 3,250 rpm. The S tronic and quattro all-wheel drive are also standard here. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) takes 6.5 seconds and top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). Efficiency is impressive: just 6.0 liters of fuel per 100 km (39.20 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to only 158 grams of CO2/km (254.28 g/mile).

The second version of the 3.0 TDI, which will follow somewhat later, does even better in this discipline. It produces 150 kW (204 hp) between 3,750 and 4,500 rpm. With front-wheel drive and the stepless multitronic automatic transmission, it really flaunts its efficiency: 139 grams CO2 per km (223.70 g/mile) and an average fuel consumption of 5.3 liters per 100 km (44.38 US mpg) are groundbreaking figures. With the new Efficiency TDI, the front-wheel drive Audi A7 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 8.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 234 km/h (145.40 mph).

With the 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp), the timing of the cam shafts, the turbocharger and the common rail system with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar have been designed specifically for low fuel consumption. With front-wheel drive, the V6 diesel produces 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque. The power is continuously available between 1,250 and 3,500 rpm. With quattro all-wheel drive, it is 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque that is available between 1,250 and 3,500 rpm.

Drivetrain

Some of the groundbreaking efficiency of the Audi A7 Sportback can be attributed to the transmission. Audi provides two different technologies. The multitronic sends the power to the front wheels; the seven-speed S tronic is paired with quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Both transmissions are characterized by low internal friction and high efficiency. They feature a wide spread with long gear ratios for high-speed driving. The transmissions are integrated into the engine’s thermal management system and can access the predictive route data from the navigation system. Both the multitronic and the S tronic have the differential upstream of the clutch, i.e. directly behind the engine. This enabled the development engineers to place the front axle far to the front for a longer wheelbase and more even distribution of axle loads.

The continuous multitronic automatic transmission, which has been intensively revised for use in the Audi A7 Sportback, allows the engine to constantly run in the range for its optimal efficiency. Its smoothness shines in everyday driving. It offers a sport mode and a manual mode with eight fixed gear ratios for a sporty driving experience. As with the seven-speed S tronic, the driver can change gears using the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel.

The seven-speed S tronic combines the convenience of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual transmission. Shifts are performed by switching between two independent clutches that service different gears. They take only a few hundredths of a second and are so smooth that they are barely noticeable. Two fully automatic programs are available in addition to the manual mode.

Even more efficient: the new quattro drive

The Audi A7 Sportback comes with the new evolutionary stage of quattro permanent all-wheel drive that debuted in the RS 5 high-performance coupe. The new quattro drive system provides superior stability and traction, enabling the Audi A7 Sportback to easily pull away from its rear-wheel drive competitors when exiting a corner.

Its central component is the crown-gear center differential. It can widely vary the distribution of torque between the front and rear axles very quickly, with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear, if necessary. The default 40:60 ratio offers a sporty rear bias. The new differential is compact and lightweight.

The crown-gear center differential comes standard in combination with torque vectoring, which is also new. The electronic system can act on each of the four wheels individually. If the load on the inside wheel is reduced too much while the car is being driven dynamically, that wheel is braked ever so slightly and almost unnoticeably before it can begin to slip.

Audi offers the sport differential, a high-tech axle drive, as a complementary option that actively distributes the power between the rear wheels. When the driver steers or accelerates in a curve, much of the torque flows to the outside wheel – in turn perfectly re-orienting the car. The system nips any tendency for oversteer or understeer in the bud, giving the large five-door coupe maximum dynamics and driving precision.

Chassis

The Audi A7 Sportback combines the supreme comfort of a luxury sedan with the handling of a sporty coupe thanks to its sophisticated chassis. All control arms and many other components are made of aluminum. The track measures 1.64 meters (5.38 ft) up front and 1.63 meters (5.35 ft) at the rear. The five-link front suspension and the track-controlled, trapezoidal link rear suspension provide for superior driving and comfort qualities.

The electromechanical steering of the Audi A7 Sportback has been developed from the ground up. Its servo boost varies as a function of driving speed. Steering feel is precise and sensitive; the steering ratio of 15.87:1 is very direct. The new electromechanical power steering is also very efficient because it does not have to draw any energy while driving straight ahead. It saves as much as 0.3 liters per 100 km. The steering works closely together with the optional Audi active lane assist system.

The Audi A7 Sportback comes standard with a comfortable steel-spring suspension. An optional sport suspension with a 10-millimeter lower ride height is also available, and quattro GmbH offers an even tauter sport suspension. Audi also offers an optional air suspension with four electronically controlled shock absorbers. The adaptive air suspension has been redesigned, with struts up front and separate air springs and dampers in the back.

The system sets the ride height of the body to one of three different levels as a function of speed and the wishes of the driver. It lowers the body on the highway for improved stability and lower fuel consumption.

Another high-end feature in the Audi A7 Sportback is the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. The standard version incorporates the automatic transmission, the electromechanical power steering and the engine control unit. The driver can vary the function of these components between the four modes “comfort,” “auto,” “dynamic” and “individual.” Additional modules can also be integrated, including the adaptive air suspension, quattro with sport differential and adaptive light.

The Audi A7 Sportback is equipped with a powerful brake system. All discs are internally ventilated. The five-door coupe rolls on large, 18-inch alloy wheels; the 255/45 tires are equipped with a pressure monitor. 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are also available. The 20-inch wheels are available with a chrome finish, in two colors or partly or fully polished. All tires have been optimized for rolling resistance, with run-flat versions available as an option.

Equipment and trim

The Audi A7 Sportback will debut with an opulent array of standard features. These include the deluxe automatic air conditioning system, keyless ignition via the engine start-stop button, the four-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel, the xenon headlights, the LED tail lights, the MMI radio with the 6.5-inch monitor, the electromechanical parking brake, the power rear hatch, the 18-inch alloy wheels and an acoustic windshield. The safety package leaves nothing to be desired, with two front, side and head airbags, four belt tensioners and the integral head restraint system.

A wide range of optional equipment is available for even greater comfort and convenience. These include the head-up display, a park assist system, a speed limit display, a four-zone automatic air conditioning system, an auxiliary heating system, insulating/acoustic glazing, a heated steering wheel rim, a power-adjustable steering column, sunblinds for the rear window, two ambient lighting packages, power-assisted closing for the doors, a garage door opener and the convenience key for keyless vehicle access. The choice of seats is also first-class – from power-adjustable comfort seats with heating, cooling and massage to sport seats. A storage package keeps things tidy.

The development of the deluxe automatic air conditioning system logically continued the Audi strategy of offering efficient air conditioning systems to reduce the associated additional fuel consumption/CO2 emissions. The refrigeration cycle of the new Audi A7 Sportback represents the latest generation and offers market-leading performance.

Audi has prepared a large number of special features for those who appreciate the exceptional: a leather package, various upscale decorative inlays, black window styling and an S line sport package that drapes the interior in black. It is combined with a taut sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, sport seats and a special leather steering wheel. There is a complementary S line exterior package with updates to the exterior design available as an option. A number of additional suggestions are included in the Audi exclusive program.

A step ahead: the lighting technology

Lighting technology is a particular Audi strength. The adaptive light with continuous headlight range control is available as an option for the Audi A7 Sportback with xenon plus headlights. The top-of-the-line version is the LED headlights with the high-beam assistant, which automatically switches between the high and low beams.

The brand also offers a choice of attractive technologies for the chassis. These are quattro all-wheel drive with sport differential as a complement to quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the adaptive air suspension and a range of wheels in sizes up to 20 inches.

The large five-door coupe also features state-of-the-art assistance systems. Audi offers the night vision assistant with highlighting of detected pedestrians, various versions of the Audi pre sense safety system, adaptive cruise control with stop & go function, the speed limit display, Audi side assist and Audi active lane assist. There are even three different parking aid systems to make parking easier – with classic sensors, with a reversing camera and with an autonomous parking function with the park assist system.

Navigation and communication are covered by the MMI operating system, which is available in three versions with and without navigation. There is also the online Bluetooth car phone, three sound systems, a TV module, a DVD changer and a digital radio tuner.

Audi is scheduled to begin delivering the Audi A7 Sportback this fall. Prices start at €51,650.

Increased performance and torque, reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions – these qualities are perfectly united in the new Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG’s 5.5-liter biturbo engine. Mercedes-AMG is confronting the challenges of the future, and demonstrating that dynamic performance can be perfectly combined with fuel economy. The result: a maximum output (with the optional AMG Performance Package) of up to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque.

The new AMG 5.5-liter biturbo engine combines performance, innovation and efficiency to a previously unknown extent. This is made possible by a unique combination of innovative high-tech systems such as direct gasoline injection, twin turbochargers, air/water intercooling and the Controlled Efficiency stop/start function.

Mercedes-AMG is systematically following the trend towards increasing efficiency: with a displacement of 5461 cc it is precisely 747 cc below the 6208 cc of the naturally aspirated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine. Nevertheless, it develops more output and torque. The 2011 CL63 AMG develops a peak output of 536 hp and maximum torque of 590 lb-ft. In conjunction with the AMG Performance Package these figures increase to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft. The torque curve in particular shows that no other engine in this power class is able to match the figures delivered by the new AMG biturbo motor.

Despite an increase in horsepower and torque as compared to the naturally aspirated V8, AMG engineers have been able to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions considerably. With an estimated fuel savings of 27 percent, engine specialists consider this to be nothing less than a quantum leap. CO2 emissions have likewise been significantly reduced by approximately 30.
These improvements in efficiency and environmental protection have no negative effects on the car’s performance. On the contrary, as the new AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo fully lives-up to AMG’s brand commitment to “performance”: the Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG accelerates from zero to 60mph in 4.4 seconds, and has a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited). With the AMG Performance package, the highperformance Coupé reaches the 60 mph mark in 4.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 186 mph (electronically limited).

Combination of twin turbocharging and direct gasoline injection

Mercedes-AMG is presenting an attractive high-tech package with its combination of biturbo charging and direct gasoline injection with spray-guided combustion. The innovative injection technology brings distinct advantages to fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, thanks to higher thermodynamic efficiency. Particularly fast and precise piezo-electric injectors spray the fuel into the combustion chambers, ensuring a homogenous fuel/air mixture and highly effective combustion. An electric low-pressure pump delivers the fuel from the tank to a high-pressure pump in the trunk with a pressure of 87 psi. The fuel pressure in the highpressure rail is controlled between 1,500 and 3,000 psi on a fully variable and demand-related basis.

Two turbochargers and efficient air/water intercooling

Two turbochargers located next to the cylinder banks supply the eight cylinders with fresh air. At their maximum speed of 185,000 rpm under full load, the two turbochargers force 3,860 lbs into the combustion chambers per hour. The maximum charge pressure is 14.5 lbs, and 18.8 bar with the AMG Performance package. Thanks to their specific, compact construction – the turbine housings are welded to the exhaust manifold – there are significant space advantages and the catalytic converters also heat up more rapidly.

The new AMG V8 is the first turbocharged engine to dispense with the usual blow-off valve. This innovative solution enables the compressor housing to be made extremely compact. To ensure agile responsiveness with no time lag, all the air ducts in the intake tract are as short as possible. The wastegate valve, which reduces the pressure in the exhaust system during negative load changes, is vacuum-controlled via an electropneumatic converter. This allows dethrottling under partial loads, which in turn lowers the fuel consumption.

Like the existing AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine, the new eight-cylinder directinjection unit uses very efficient air/water intercooling. The low-temperature cooler with its water circulation is space-savingly accommodated within the V of the cylinder banks. It effectively cools down the intake air compressed by the turbochargers before it enters the combustion chambers, and maintains a constantly low intake temperature under full load. A large radiator at the car’s front end ensures metered cooling of the water circulating in the low-temperature circuit. This guarantees a high output and torque yield in all ambient temperatures and operating conditions.

Extremely short charge-air ducting makes for outstanding responsiveness. The stainless steel pressure pipes for the fresh and charge air are produced by the hydroforming process, have a wall thickness of only 0.03 inches and are designed for very low pressure loss.

Aluminum crankcase with Silitec cylinder liners

The crankcase of the new AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine is made of diecast aluminum. The low (dry) engine weight of just 450 lbs is the result of uncompromising lightweight construction methods, and leads to the car’s very balanced weight distribution. The bearing cover for the main crankshaft bearings is of grey cast iron, and is bolted to the crankcase for high rigidity. Cast-in Silitec cylinder liners ensure that the eight pistons operate with low friction.

Drilled pulsation holes in the crankcase lead to a higher output and fuel savings under partial load: above the bearing blocks there are longitudinally drilled holes which connect adjacent crankcase cavities. Normally the upward and downward movement of the pistons causes air to be forced into and extracted from the sump, which leads to increased internal friction losses and therefore a reduction in output. The pulsation holes prevent this by ensuring effective pressure compensation between the cavities.

The forged crankshaft of high-grade 38MnS6BY steel alloy rotates in five main bearings, has eight counterweights and has been optimized with respect to torsional rigidity, inertia, low rotating masses and a long operating life. A twomass viscous damper mounted at the front reliably eliminates vibrations. Each connecting rod journal on the crankshaft carries two forged, cracked connecting rods. In the interests of low mechanical friction and high wear resistance, the lightweight pistons have a metallic contact surface. Pressure-controlled oil-spray nozzles in the crankcase ensure that the highly stressed piston crowns are efficiently cooled.

Four-valve technology with variable camshaft adjustment

Perfect charging of the combustion chambers is ensured by large intake and exhaust valves, of which there are four per cylinder. The exhaust valves, which are subject to high thermal loads, are hollow and sodium-cooled. Four overhead camshafts operate the 32 valves via low-maintenance, low-friction cam followers. The infinitely variable camshaft adjustment with a range of 40 degrees on the intake and exhaust sides depends on the engine load and engine speed, leading to outstanding output and torque values. This also results in consistent idling at a low speed.

Depending on the engine speed, valve overlap can be varied for the best possible fuel/air supply to the combustion chambers and efficient removal of the exhaust gases. The variable camshaft adjustment is carried out electromagnetically via four pivoting actuators, and is controlled by the engine control unit. The camshafts are driven by three high-performance silent chains, which have considerable advantages in noise comfort compared to cylinder roller chains.

Efficient oil supply and water cooling

Efficient oil delivery under all load and operating conditions is ensured by an oil pump with an electrically controlled compression stage. The oil pressure can be varied between 29 and 48 psi, which has advantages in terms of friction and fuel consumption. An extraction stage integrated into the oil pump for the two turbochargers prevents oil from being mixed into the charge air and exhaust gases, thereby helping to reduce emissions even further. Both the sump and the extraction point have been optimized for maximum lateral acceleration and efficient lubrication. The oil capacity is 11 quarts.

The combined water/oil cooling system is a particularly innovative solution: initially the engine oil only flows through the oil/water heat exchanger. If the cooling performance of the very compact cooler is insufficient, the flow is directed through the external engine oil/air cooler by an oil thermostat. The advantage of this system is that the engine oil warms up (via hot engine coolant) more rapidly. A selectable water thermostat ensures rapid warming of the coolant when starting the engine and driving off.

The engine coolant is cooled using the particularly effective crossflow principle. There is a transverse flow of coolant through both the crankcase and the cylinder heads. Additional cooling slots in the cylinder head ensure more efficient cooling of the combustion chambers, which has advantages during combustion: it enables earlier ignition timings to be chosen without incurring the risk of knocking.

Highly efficient engine electronics for every function

All the engine functions are executed and controlled by a particularly efficient Bosch MED 17.7.3. control unit. This state-of-the-art engine computer not only controls the direct gasoline injection, charge pressure, camshaft adjustment and variable oil supply, but also communicates with all the other onboard control units. The microprocessor has more than 30,000 different parameters and functions stored in its memory, and is able to perform up to 260 million individual operations per second. To reduce the load on the engine control unit, the eight individual ignition coils have an integral electronic module known as an ignition amplifier at each cylinder. These ensure a strong ignition spark at all engine speeds and under all load conditions. Eight highvoltage powerstages are responsible for highly precise fuel distribution to the piezoelectric injectors.

Effective emissions technology with new catalytic converter boxes

The requirements for the exhaust system of the new AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine were complex: low exhaust emissions, compliance with country-specific standards and a characteristic AMG engine sound. The Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG complies with all the current EU-5 emission standards, as well as meeting all the requirements of the US market (LEV-II standard, On-Board Diagnosis II and lambda sensor diagnosis).

The turbochargers are welded to the exhaust manifolds, while air gap-insulated manifolds with a wall thickness of only 0.04 inches ensure a rapid catalytic converter response. For efficiency and to save space, this concept has a tandem catalytic converter housing on each side of the vehicle: adjacent to the firewall, two thin-walled ceramic substrates are grouped into each housing. This solution makes the previous, additional underbody catalytic converters unnecessary. The two ceramic substrates differ to ensure rapid and efficient emissions control: the front one is coated with palladium, while the rear one has a bimetal coating of palladium and rhodium. One lambda sensor per row of cylinders is located in front of each catalytic converter housing, and there is a lambda diagnostic sensor between each of the two thin-walled substrates.

The lambda sensors are necessary for demand-related lambda control. In all operating conditions, the components of the intake mixture can be precisely controlled to avoid damaging the catalytic converters. This also benefits fuel consumption under full load, as the mixture can be leaner than in engines without this control system.

Twin-pipe AMG sports exhaust system for a characteristic sound signature

The twin-pipe AMG sports exhaust system has a pipe cross-section of 2.76 inches from the manifolds to the rear silencers. When designing the sound, the aim was to create a perfect synthesis of aggressiveness and the comfort on long journeys that is the hallmark of a Mercedes. The goal of the developers was to achieve an emotional experience when accelerating and rev-matching, but unobtrusiveness at constant speeds. Unpleasant frequencies or droning noises were effectively eliminated during a series of painstaking tests. The sports exhaust system emits a sonorous eight-cylinder sound that is typical of AMG, while the striking chrome twin tailpipes feature a new design.

The new Volkswagen Jetta is an entirely new vehicle design. The appearance of its fully galvanised body shows this most emphatically. Never before was a VW Jetta this large, this sporty, this independent. Just how independent? One sign is that the Volkswagen Jetta no longer shares any body components with the technically related world’s bestseller, the Golf. Instead, the new Jetta impresses as an independent vehicle like the Passat CC or Tiguan. And it is just as safe; the previous model was already named “Top Safety Pick” in crash testing by the US organisation IIHS. Along with optimal occupant crash safety, the car has further advanced pedestrian safety features. With the Jetta, Volkswagen has once again introduced entirely new standards of quality to a vehicle segment.

The finely honed balance between athleticism, comfort and every-day luxury that has defined Alpina automobiles for decades reaches a new dimension in the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo.

Five different generations of 5 Series-based Alpina automobiles have been developed in the last 35 years, revealing to those in the know a unique and exclusive driving experience. The sixth generation draws from the finest ingredients provided by those previous generations to create a mouth-watering palette of characteristics for the most discerning of drivers in the high performance luxury saloon segment.

THE POWERTRAIN – First Class In Both Performance And Economy

First introduced in the Alpina BMW B7 Bi-Turbo, the all-aluminium V8 powerplant endows the new B5 Bi-Turbo with sensational pace. It achieves 507 horsepower (373 kW) at a moderate 5,500rpm, with maximum torque of 700Nm from 3,000 to 4,750rpm. The “Bi-Turbo” appellation refers to the two turbochargers comfortably nestled inside the V shaped 8 cylinder block. They work in parallel, each feeding one of the two cylinder banks. Specially developed for Alpina in partnership with Honeywell-Garrett, the bespoke exhaust turbines are generously dimensioned. Compared to its super-charged predecessor, this engine configuration delivers more torque over a broader rev range and improves throttle response at low revs.

To fully leverage the potential of the engine, Alpina have optimised the indirect inter-cooling system (air-to-water / water-to-air) with short intake tracts and increased inter-cooler flow. The high-performance cooling package gains its thermo-dynamic efficiency through the use of a large-volume low-temperature inter-cooler, as well as two water-to-air inter-coolers placed close to the engine. The pistons are a high-performance variant developed together with Mahle to deal with the extreme temperatures and pressures associated with up to 1.0 bar charging and the engine’s 9.2:1 nominal compression ratio. Altogether this results in an impressive specific output of 115.3 horsepower (85kW) per litre and a mean total compression of 20.1 bar.

Direct injection and Double-VANOS contribute to the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo’s class-leading performance in terms of emissions and economy in the super saloon segment: 10.8 l/100km (26.2 Imp. mpg) and 252g/km CO2 (Combined as per the ECE Norm).

TRANSMISSION – The Eight-Speed All-Rounder

Adapted and tested in cooperation with ZF, the advanced SWITCH-TRONIC 8-speed sport automatic transmission sets a new benchmark. With Alpina’s philosophy the guiding credo, our engineers have spent thousands of development and test hours ensuring that no other performance automatic transmission comes close to providing this level of both comfort and sportiness.

The blend of eight speeds and plenty of torque makes for unparalleled comfortable gear changes with no noticeable interruption to the delivery of power – only the accompanying acoustics and the dynamic rev counter provide feedback as to the workings of the transmission. The 700Nm of torque means the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo excels at gliding along at low speeds in a high gear with minimum revs, benefiting both consumption and comfort.

In Sport mode a completely different character emerges: the transmission is crisp and unmistakably immediate. The innovative single-cylinder step-down (EZA), specially developed by Alpina for the B5 Bi-Turbo allows for super quick up-shifts in just milliseconds, in spite of the high torque. Depending on the load on the transmission, the injection of fuel into a given cylinder is interrupted for a fraction of a second, creating the required reduction in torque that the automatic transmission needs for the up-shift. The advantage versus the typical timing retardation are noticeably quicker shifts, and improved thermo-dynamic efficiency due to reduced exhaust temperatures as well as lower fuel consumption. The single-cylinder step-down (EZA) is accompanied by a tone nothing short of spectacular, as each shift harbours a deeply sonorous back-pressure burble.

The Manual mode gives the driver full control over every shift. The SWITCH-TRONIC buttons are ergonomically and aesthetically positioned on the back side of the steering wheel, and can be used by the driver in whatever manner he or she wishes, based on traffic and the roadway at hand. The system also allows for multi-simultaneous down-shifts in fractions of a second, hereby the transmission will skip several gears depending on accelerator loads and revs. In this manner the 8-speed sport automatic transmission with Alpina SWITCH-TRONIC reveals itself to be multi-faceted and able to provide the proper shift characteristic for any and all situations.

The intelligent coupling of state-of-the-art engine and transmission technologies give the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo strong performance figures: just 4.7 seconds to 62mph (100km/h) are needed, on the way up to a top speed of 191mph (307km/h).

Even if the driver is seldom in such a rush: massive braking capability in the form of ventilated high-performance brakes (front: 374mm/14.7in; rear 370mm/14.6in) ensures braking on par with pure-bred sports cars.

SUSPENSION – Excitingly Sporty, Relaxingly Comfortable

The times when “properly stiff” suspensions were seen as a positive handling characteristic are long gone. It remains a fact that a truly neutral set-up, even at the limit, provides the best technical compromise. This is achieved in part through shorter yet very progressive springs and special suspension arms, which in combination results in more camber on the front track.

Together with 20″ wheels and tyres, Alpina have achieved a very balanced and direct chassis set-up, discarding a pure sport-orientated approach for an agile suspension with precise turn-in. The new light-weight 20″ Alpina CLASSIC are shod with the most advanced high performance tyre technology available today. Making their debut on the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo, the new MICHELIN PILOT SUPER SPORT tyres, which measure 255/35ZR20 at the front and 285/30ZR20 at the rear, provide highest levels of high-speed stability. In addition to improved all-round capabilities, these non run-flat tyres provide greater traction on wet roads, offer improved hydro-planing behaviour and excellent rolling comfort.

To fulfil the highest demands in terms of comfort, everyday usability and razor-sharp handling when called for, the B5 Bi-Turbo is equipped with electronicallyadjustable suspension (Variable Damper Control). Using the control switch mounted to the left of the shift lever, the driver can select between Normal, Comfort, Sport and Sport+. This system has been artfully calibrated by Alpina, and is tied into other system parameters controlling steering assistance, torque cushioning and DSC. The B5 Bi-Turbo transitions effortlessly from cultivated luxury to thorough-bred sportiness. Light steering, ultra-comfortable suspension and an imperceptibly shifting transmission Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo the ideal partner in stop-and-go traffic, when covering great distances or when encountering less than perfect road surfaces. Yet at the touch of a button, the B5 Bi-Turbo will track through tricky corners and exciting sections of road with an agility and light-footedness like no other in its class.

When the 8-speed sport automatic’s manual mode is combined with the selection of the Sport or Sport+ modes, the driver benefits from a new feature: no mandatory up-shifts. When truly pressing on through twisty sections of road or around hairpins, skilled drivers can remain in their selected gear and not be interrupted by an up-shift.

The optionally available Dynamic Drive reduces body roll in corners, awarding the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo even more agility.

When placed in Sport+ mode by the driver, the B5 Bi-Turbo’s dynamic control systems offer a heightened form of DSC called Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which allows noticeably more slip at the rear wheels and delays the point at which the traction control systems take over.

DESIGN & INTERIOR – Classic Craftsmanship Meets Modern Technology

The new Alpina B5 Bi-Turbo presents typical Alpina virtues and design cues in a new and convincing fashion, with a refreshing and dynamic appearance.

The self-assured and powerful front commands attention with its decidedly sport-orientated lines and striking air. The rear is especially harmonious, clearly communicating the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo’s family heritage. The Alpina exhaust’s two double-ended-pipes are artfully integrated into the rear valance, a discreet rear diffuser completing the silhouette. The diffuser can be deleted as needed, should the customer desire the optional ability to tow a trailer. In combination with the rear spoiler, the B5 Bi-Turbo’s total aerodynamic package yields the highest levels of safety and stability, especially at high speeds. The resulting reduction in lift, speed-dependent, can reach a remarkable – 60% front and – 30% rear.

The interior reveals the expected discreet touches that suggest the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo’s exclusive pedigree. The standard equipment level is comprehensive: leather interior, versatile and adjustable Comfort seats, an excellent navigation system with Bluetooth preparation, and Xenon headlamps all ensure the driver’s and passengers’ well-being. The hand-stitched LAVALINA leather SWITCH-TRONIC steering wheel can be positioned exactly as needed to see the blue Alpina gauges with black-panel LCD technology, thanks to the electrically-adjustable steering column. The classic Alpina burled Myrtle wood trim provides a warm ambience – found only on the USA’s Pacific Coast it is cultivated from dedicated Laurel tree groves grown for just this purpose.

THE Alpina BMW B5 BI-TURBO – Brilliantly Balanced High Performance

The overall harmony and the accomplished manner with which the Alpina BMW B5 Bi-Turbo’s last fine calibrations were achieved are a common thread, and as always carry that Alpina flair, our signature. Sovereign performance and opulent torque assure excellent performance, this in conjunction with “best-in-class” fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Neutral turn-in and road-holding, agile handling and a many-faceted, adjustable suspension satisfy the highest demands in terms of comfort and a sporting nature. The interior’s warm ambience and modern treatments foster a sense of well-being. For those who would only award themselves that something unique, exclusive volumes and the Alpina philosophy of hand-craftsmanship offer a nearly endless spectrum of personalisation.

With the Peugeot 508, the Marque reaffirms its presence and its ambitions in one of its traditional strong markets, the large touring car segment. Each model in the “40X” and “50X” series has left an indelible mark in its time.

The Peugeot 508 is a modern, next generation vehicle, perfectly attuned to the aspirations of customers who have moved with the times: being dynamic, responsible, and increasingly demanding.

Quality, purity and efficiency are the watchwords that guided its creation and have filtered through the entire project, offering a multi-faceted appeal to its owners.

• through its exterior design, elegant, balanced and timeless, revealing the evolution of the Marque’s stylistic codes first unveiled on the Peugeot SR1 Concept Car,
• through its streamlined hi-tech interior and its high quality finish. Rewarding for its driver and its passengers, it has exceptional interior space, a very generous boot, and a level of specification offering the promise of interior comfort and convenience of a very high level;
• and last but not least, its environmental efficiency, based on the optimisation of its weight, its aerodynamics, and of course its engines.

Under the bonnet, the Peugeot 508 benefits from engines that are particularly well positioned in their categories in terms of performance and responsiveness, but also for fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The range, equipped with all the latest technologies, will include in particular the new e-HDi system (new-generation Stop & Start with improved driveability and economy). It will also feature, a few months after launch, HYbrid4 technology, with its 147 kW (200 bhp) and all-wheel drive potential. with a rate of emissions of just 99 g/km of CO2 (or zero in electric mode).

Emotion also means driving pleasure, a concept prized by the Marque, therefore the suspension set up has been optimised to ensure both high levels of comfort and road holding.

The Peugeot 508 is available in two body styles: the saloon (with a length of 4.79 m) and the SW (4.81 m). They will be presented to the public for the first time at the beginning of October at the Paris Motor Show and are scheduled to go on sale at the beginning of 2011

Based on PSA Peugeot Citroën’s platform 3, the 508 will be produced in Rennes-La-Janais, in France, for the European market.

From 2011, the Peugeot 508 saloon will also be produced in Wuhan, in China, where the Marque also has big ambitions with a car that is particularly well suited to this market’s special requirements.

The third generation of the SEAT Ibiza ECOMOTIVE reaches the market with excellent credentials as its reduced fuel consumption figures and emissions levels make it the most ecological model of its segment. The new SEAT Ibiza ECOMOTIVE is even more environmentally friendly than the previous version thanks to its record-setting emissions of only 89 g/km of CO2 and a frugal fuel consumption figure of only 3.4 litres for every 100 kilometres of driving.

SEAT’s new model is equipped with the 75 hp 1.2 TDI CR engine with DPF particulate filter and efficient systems such as the Auto Start/Stop and the energy recovery functions, making it one of the cleanest cars on the market. Besides, it’s the only model that provides this level of power output which features standard air conditioning, a five-door and station wagon styling and emissions levels of only 89 g/km of CO2.

Fully equipped

The new SEAT Ibiza ECOMOTIVE is available in the model’s three body styles – 5-door, SC and ST, and is fitted with a generous equipment line-up. It includes ABS, ESP, TCS + EBA, Hill Hold Assist, low tyre pressure warning driver airbag + passenger airbag, head-thorax airbag, audio equipment with MP3 + Aux-in + 4 speakers, air conditioning, electro-hydraulic power steering, 15 inch steel wheels, 185/60 tyres, anti-theft radio antenna, steering column controls, remote-controlled central locking, front fasten seatbelt warning, rear seat Isofix anchoring points + Top Tether preparation, height adjustable driver and passenger seats and three height adjustable rear headrests, among others.

All this makes the car an excellent purchase, as customers not only are exempt from paying registration tax, but can rely on a vehicle that is more economical and even more environmentally friendly.

The new SEAT Ibiza ECOMOTIVE features the following list of optional elements:

• Comfortdrive package (Cornering front foglights + cruise control + heated door mirrors).
• Winter package (Heated washer nozzles + headlight washers + heated front seats).
• Navigator pre-installation.
• 15″ ‘Ingenia’ alloy wheels.
• Custom Color paint.
• Metallic paint.
• Crono White/Yellow paint.

In 2004 BMW X3 introduced a new concept to the market: the small, premium Sports Activity Vehicle with all-road capability and unparalleled driving dynamics. This first generation BMW X3 became a best seller in the BMW line…both in the United States and in Europe. Through its lifecycle, over 600,000 original X3s have been sold worldwide with 150,000 sold in the USA. Subsequently, several competitors have entered the now hotly-contested segment.