Audi has unveiled their latest 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant and its super-fast Avant concept has been further refined in the fourth-generation model. Powering this latest beast is a 4.0-litre TFSI twin-turbo V8 engine with mild hybrid technology that punches out a hefty 590hp and 800Nm of maximum torque. (more…)
Audi isn’t as active in Malaysia these days as it was some years ago but that has not stopped it from keeping its range reasonably up to date. Until it can come up with numbers that provide a business case for local assembly, it will have to be content with low numbers as its pricing cannot be competitive without the sort of incentives its rivals receive.
The offerings current available at 5 showrooms total nine models, four of which are SUVS. They cover the main segments, including the top end with the A8. Now the new A6, announced earlier, is finally in the showrooms in 3.0 TFSI quattro S tronic form, retailing for RM589,900 (excluding insurance).
Audi Mild Hybrid Technology
This is the eighth generation (C8) of the full-size sedan and it has a hybrid powertrain using the carmaker’s mild-hybrid technology. A key feature of this technology is the 48V main electrical system which incorporates two elements: a powerful lithium-ion battery and a belt alternator starter. With the V6 turbocharged petrol engine already generating a high output, total system output is 340 ps/500 Nm to give a claimed 0 to 100 km/h capability of 5.1 seconds. The top speed is higher than 250 km/h but Audi has chosen to limit it to that speed.
Fuel economy is maximized not just with the efficient 7-speed S tronic transmission but also the ability of the car to coast between 55 and 160 km/h. The start-stop function kicks in up to 22 km/h and the engine is restarted from standstill predictively as soon as the vehicle in front of the Audi A6 starts moving. During deceleration, the belt alternator starter (BAS) recovers up to 12 kW of energy. In real-world driving, the Audi technology is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres per 100 kms.
The bodywork of the new A6, like the pioneering Audi 100 of the early 1980s, has advanced aerodynamics to minimize wind resistance. Thanks to sophisticated aeroacoustics, it also runs quietly, even at high speed.
A second important factor is high body rigidity which provide the high quality feel and sporty handling. Audi uses an intelligent mixed construction of steel and aluminium in the bodyshell. Components such as the front suspension strut dome are made of aluminium, as are the doors, bonnet/boot lids and fenders.
The lighting design – technology brought to life
The lighting design emphasizes the technical character of the A6 with the standard for Malaysia HD Matrix LED headlights best exemplifying the concept. This high-end lighting system features 5 horizontal lines form the daytime running light signature. They emphasize the width of the front. Above them are the dipped beam modules that look like pupils. The lighting signature of the taillights is made up of a single horizontal line and nine vertical segments for each unit; the brake light fills the areas in between.
The dynamic indicator is included with the top-of-the-line equipment. When unlocking and locking the doors, a pulsing coming and leaving home function brings to life the combination of design and technology that is the hallmark of Audi.
Class-leading interior space
The interior has increased space with key dimensions beating core competitors as well. The luggage compartment offers more loading width – two golf bags can be accommodated horizontally – even though the capacity remains unchanged at 530 litres.
MMI navigation plus
The new A6 offers an extensive range of connectivity solutions for superb safety, convenience and personalization. The standard specification for Malaysia is with the top-of-the-line MMI navigation plus – a media hub with a new design. The data transfer module uses the new LTE Advanced standard.
The MMI touch response system of the new A6 sets new standards in terms of intuitive operation and personalization. With extensive intelligent personalization options, the car is tailored to the driver. The all-digital operating system allows central vehicle functions to be placed in the required position in the MMI screen using drag-and-drop – similar to the user experience with smartphone apps. Shortcuts and favorites buttons form the ideal basis for individual preferences and superb ease-of-use.
Up to 7 drivers can store their preferred settings in individual user profiles and set up to 400 parameters. Thanks to its logical and flat menu structure, the system provides fast access to vehicle functions. The configurable favorites buttons help tailor the system to the user’s preferences.
The driver manages the infotainment on the top display, which has a 10.1-inch screen diagonal if MMI navigation plus has been specified. The bottom 8.6-inch display, located in the console in the center tunnel, is used for the climate control and for the convenience functions and text input; the driver’s wrist can sit on the selector lever of the automatic transmission.
In addition, the head-up display projects important information onto the windshield. MMI navigation plus also includes the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch display.
Agile as a sportscar
The new A6 is claimed to be noticeably sportier than the previous one. The already sporty ratio of the standard progressive steering becomes even more direct as the steering angle increases; a new damping concept also conveys intensive, finally differentiated feedback from the road.
The dynamic all-wheel steering is a key component in this agility and maneuverability. It combines direct, sporty steering response with unshakable stability, resolving this classic conflict of aims. Depending on the speed, the steering ratio varies between 9.5:1 and 16.5:1. This is thanks to a strain wave gearing at the front.
At the rear axle, a spindle drive turns the wheels as much as 5 degrees. At low speed, the wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels, thus enhancing the agility of the A6 and reducing its turning circle by up to one metre to 11.1 metres. At high speed, the wheels turn in the same direction, thus optimizing stability when traveling in a straight line or changing lanes.
with the 3.0 TFSI engine.
Like the dynamic all-wheel steering and the controlled damping, the drivetrain settings are integrated into the control function of the electronic chassis platform. These systems are closely networked for innovative precision. The driver can select various driving profiles via the Audi drive select system – the widespread from comfort through sportiness is even more pronounced than in the outgoing model.
Click here for other news and articles about Audi on PISTON.MY
The 2019 Audi A8 L flagship model has made its way here in Malaysia and it marks Audi’s future in the luxury class. Coming in hot with a new design language, the fourth generation Audi A8 is packed with top-of-the-line automated driving technology. (more…)
The latest addition to the Audi range available here in Malaysia has arrived in the form of the new Audi A7 Sportback. Representing the brand’s new design language, the A7 Sportback is a four-door coupe injected with a huge dose of luxury, sporty driving experience, and versatile space concept. (more…)
Active suspension, as opposed to passive suspension, differs in that the latter – found in the majority of vehicles – is not constantly adjusted to optimise performance on varying surfaces. Passive suspension can be tuned but the settings remain fixed so the engineers often have to find a compromise between handling and comfort.
Active suspension does tuning in real time, with adjustments made as surface conditions change. One could say the hydro-pneumatic concept in Citroen suspension systems from the 1950s onwards was the earliest form of active suspension. Sensors kept track of the road conditions and compression rates of the suspension were varied for comfort and it was also possible to raise and lower the ride height for enhanced stability at higher speeds.
With the electronic age and use of solenoids providing quick actuation, active suspension advanced more quickly in performance. Toyota’s Electronic Modulated Suspension (TEMS) in the Soarer of 1983 is considered the first production example of active suspension using electronics. In the years to follow, more powerful computer processors would alter damping rates in milliseconds as the car moved along at high speed.
Audi’s innovation advances active suspension
Now Audi is offering predictive active suspension for its latest A8 sedan. Depending on the chosen settings, it gives the brand’s flagship model the supreme ride comfort of a chauffeur-driven limousine or the firm handling of a sportscar – no need for compromises. In Germany, this option is priced at 5,450 euros (equivalent to about RM25,000).
A fully active suspension system, it uses electromechanical actuators to adjust the suspension. They can lift up or force down each of the luxury sedan’s wheels individually, to actively manage the body’s ride height in every situation. The active suspension can lift or lower the body by up to 85 mm from its central position at all four corners within 5/10ths of a second.
Compact electric motors are located close to each of the wheels, running off the car’s 48V primary electrical system and governed by power electronics. A belt drive and a compact harmonic drive step up the electric motor’s torque almost 200 times to 1,100 Nm and apply it to a steel rotary tube.
The latter is permanently attached to a preloaded titanium rod located inside it and capable of turning through more than 20 degrees. From the end of the rotary tube, the force is transmitted to the suspension via a lever and coupling rod – at the front suspension, it acts on the spring strut, and at the rear suspension on the transverse link.
Predictive active suspension operates very efficiently. Its average power consumption is in the range of just 10 to 200 watts – much less than that of comparable hydraulic systems. Whenever the driving physics try to force the body down on the wheel (eg on poorly surfaced roads), predictive active suspension counteracts this effect. An extremely sharp impulse – as encountered on the racetrack, for example – will produce a very short but high energy demand of potentially up to 6 kW. Depending on the driving situation, up to 3 kW can also be fed into the 48-volt battery.
In conjunction with the air suspension and Audi drive select dynamic handling system, predictive active suspension in the A8 enables an unprecedented spectrum for driving. In the DYNAMIC profile, the sedan acquires the handling of a sports car. It turns in firmly and when cornering fast with 1g lateral acceleration, the body roll angle is just 2 degrees – as opposed to more than 5 degrees with standard suspension. In every driving situation, the rolling moment is optimally distributed and dive when accelerating or braking is reduced to a minimum. The result is a sporty quality of self-steering in the neutral to slightly oversteering range.
Looking ahead to predict
With the COMFORT PLUS profile selected, bumps in the surface are effectively ‘flattened’. The predictive active suspension works together with a front camera to identify uneven surfaces before they are reached and predictively regulates the active suspension. Even before the car hits a bump, the predictive function developed in-house at Audi signals the correct positioning travel to the actuators and actively adjusts the suspension. This reduces body movement and compensates almost entirely for long road undulation or similar unevenness.
This complex process takes just a few milliseconds: the camera generates information about the surface properties 18 times a second. The electronic chassis platform processes the road surface data and precisely actuates all suspension components almost in real time.
Enhanced safety too
Predictive active suspension also increases passive safety in combination with the ‘pre sense 360°’ safety system. It operates in conjunction with the central driver assistance system which uses the merged sensor data to identify hazardous situations around the car.
In an impending side impact at more than 25 km/h, the active suspension raises the body by up to 80 mm on the side of the impact. This brings the sill into a better position to absorb the impact energy. Deformation of the cabin and the loads acting on the occupants, above all in the chest and abdominal areas, can thus be reduced by up to 50% compared with a lateral collision in which the suspension is not raised.
Related story: New Audi A8 Features Artificial Intelligence
How do you make the best vehicle promo video ever? What about teaming up with one of the greatest pop cultures of all time? We’re talking about the latest Audi promo video where they’ve team up with Sony Pictures and one very iconic Marvel Cinematic Universe’s superhero, Spider-Man! (more…)
Audi Malaysia recently launched its latest range of Q-Models, set to become one of the the strongest ranges of premium SUVs in the market. With different models built to cover a wide variety of consumer needs, the four debuts mark a new chapter in the development of the Audi brand in the country specifically for its SUVs, starting with…
(NB: Photo galleries for each of the 4 models follow the text)
The Audi Q2…
Sporting youthful styling and packed with state-of-the-art technology, the Audi Q2 is the all-rounder. The Audi Q2 is an urban-type vehicle for everyday driving and recreation, bundling a progressive design with a high level of functionality. The new Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic (Sport) is priced at **RM 219,900. To download the official price-list & spec-sheet, click this: Technical Spec Sheet – Audi Q2
The Audi Q5…
The new Audi Q5 is the latest generation of the best-top selling model from Audi. Made even more powerful and flexible, the all-new Audi Q5 is the benchmark premium SUV that strikes the ideal balance of sportiness, sophistication and progressiveness. The most significant new features are the quattro drive with ultra technology, a powerful TFSI engine and an array of infotainment and assistance systems. The Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro is priced at **RM 339,900. To download the official price-list & spec-sheet, click this: Technical Spec Sheet – Audi Q5
The Audi Q7…
Hot on the tyre tracks of the Audi Q2 and Q5 is the “mighty quattro”. A statement of the high-tech competence of Audi, the Audi Q7 is the most efficient and lightest car in its class. Its innovative assistance and infotainment systems take the large SUV to the front of the pack. Its new engines consume less fuel than the previous model while delivering more performance. The Audi Q7 3.0 TFSI quattro is priced at **RM 599,900. To download the official price-list & spec-sheet, click this: Technical Spec Sheet – Audi Q7
The Audi Q8…
Rounding off the range is the Audi Q8. The new face of the Q family brings together the best of both worlds – the elegance of a four-door luxury coupé and the practical talents of a large SUV. The generously dimensioned interior with variable luggage compartment, state-of-the-art operating and suspension technologies as well as intelligent assistance systems make the Audi Q8 a composed companion for business and leisure. A powerful, yet efficient 3.0 TFSI with mild hybrid system producing 340 hp provides the dynamics implied by the muscular design. With the permanent quattro all-wheel drive and a ground clearance of up to 254 millimeters, the SUV coupé can keep going when paved roads end. The Audi Q8 3.0 TFSI quattro is priced at **RM 727,900. To download the official price-list & spec-sheet, click this: Technical Spec Sheet – Audi Q8
Below: Jeff Mannering, Managing Director, Audi Southeast Asia at the official media presentation of the latest Audi Q2, Q5, Q7 and Q8
For FULL press releases on each of the Q models, click to download them below:
Press Release_Young and assertive – the new Audi Q2
Press Release_The new Audi Q5 – Now is calling
Press Release_The new Audi Q7 – The great quattro
Press Release_The new face of the Q family – the Audi Q8
For more information on the brand and various car models from Audi Malaysia, visit their official website at http://www.audi.com.my. You can also connect with them via social media at https://www.instagram.com/audimalaysia/.
Located at the Audi Kuala Lumpur Service Centre, the Running Gear Competence Centre is a dedicated facility equipped with the latest technology used by Audi to ensure that the vehicle continues to deliver the best ride possible. Illustrating the brand’s commitment towards providing top notch service and access to latest technology, additions to the existing line-up of wheel alignment and brake line tester machines have been made. The Tech Talk agenda covered some of the brand new equipment within the Running Gear Competence Centre including the tyre warmers, tyre changers and wheel balancer.
Complementing the new hardware, the technicians at the service centre have been extensively trained by trainers from Audi Regional Technical Service Centre to ensure that they have the latest skills to deliver the top service level expected.
“This is the first-ever Tech Talk for customers conducted by specialists in technical training and product support for the South-East Asian region for Audi fans to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what Audi Top Service is really about. A sizeable investment by our partner, Euromobil, on the Running Gear Compet, prolonging wear, and maximizing fuel efficiency.” Daniel Watts, General Manager of Aftersales, Dealer Development & Training.
Participants at the Tech Talk were put through a series of interactive, hands-on stations involving the specialised equipment, under the helpful guidance of Audi experts. These included the Noise Analysis, Wheel Balancing and the Run-Out Assessment, which measures the hubs and brake rotors.
The Tech Talk and inauguration of the Running Gear Competence Centre reflect the commitment that the brand has towards delivering “Audi Top Service”. In addition, Audi continues to expand its offerings and solutions to customers through:
Audi telah melancarkan sebuah model Audi R8 V10 yang berorientasikan prestasi paling tinggi di Amerika Syarikat iaitu Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe Competition Package 2018. Model Audi R8 yang telah disiap pasang dengan segala kelengkapan bahagian prestasi dari Audi Sport termasuk pakej aerodinamik lengkap yang dibina menggunakan gentian karbon. (more…)
Wagons. Estates. Stationwagons. Touringwagen. Sportwagen. Shooting Brake. Sports Wagons. Call them what you will, but they have never been popular here in Malaysia, and that folks is a crying shame, because wagons are uber cool.
To make matters worse for the dwindling wagon market, Volvo Car Malaysia recently announced that they will cease offering the incredible V90 T5 & T6 R-Design wagons locally solely due to poor demand. As can be seen from this recent 0% GST news release from VCM, all iterations of the V90 wagon are indeed already missing from their line-up…
This of course didn’t sit too well with many of us, seeing as how we (i.e. the Malaysian motoring media) absolutely adored the V90, to the point where when its wheels got stolen right-off the car at VCM’s own parking lot, many of us took it personally and proceeded to post notifications of the theft on our own personal social media pages (we were pissed!). For the record the wheels were never recovered and it cost VCM RM17k to replace them and subsequently de-fleet the said unit, so whoever you are (wheel thief and also buyer) I personally hope you rot in hell…
It’s the weirdest thing really; Malaysians won’t buy wagons new, but actively seek-out used ones voraciously. As such, a used Mercedes-Benz W124 wagon will typically cost at least three to four times more than its sedan counterpart in the second-hand car market, as would a Volvo 245, 850 T5 & 945 wagon, BMW E30, E34 & E39 wagon, etc. Even a Toyota KE70 wagon will cost at least three times more than a KE70 sedan. In fact any wagon from the same lineage will always cost more than its sedan counterpart, even a freaking Nissan Sunny. The Mercedes-Benz W123 wagon (below) now costs about seven times more than its sedan variant locally. No, really.
And that’s the greatest irony; if no one wants them in the first place when they’re new, how is it that they are able to command a much, much higher price in the used car market? They should be borderline un-sellable in the second-hand car market, since no one wants them even when they’re brand-spanking-new right? Speaking of brand new, here’s one that’s still available locally, the Mazda6 wagon…
Now tell me honestly that isn’t simply amazing looking. Look at the lines, simply gorgeous. Defy convention folks, thumb your nose at the norm, and buy a wagon, you won’t regret it. At the very least, you’ll know it’s going to be worth more in the second-hand market than its sedan sibling.
Now have a look at this video from Volvo and judge for yourself why wagons are so cool.
In addition to the Volvo V90 above, thanks to AutoExpressUK, here’s a look at some of the nicest, sportiest and most desirable wagons out there… but first, a bit more eye-candy on the Volvo V90, this time in the latest Cross-Country guise. And no, we won’t be getting it here… no demand, remember? – Chris Wee.
And now, the coolest wagons according to AutoExpressUK, starting with the…
Fans will moan about Audi replacing the 4.2-litre V8 engine used in the previous RS 4, with a less enjoyable 2.9-litre unit, but with 444bhp, 600Nm of torque and a top speed of 174mph (280kmh) in the new car, there are worse problems to have. The interior compliments a car that has a split personality between sensible and ludicrous, but lacks the sense of theatre that some of its rivals bring. At over £60,000 it is by no means cheap – not that that is untoward in present company.
The Audi RS 6 is one of the leading lights in the fast estate world. Partly thanks to its looks, but also helped a its 552bhp twin-turbocharged V8 which will rocket you and four other passengers from 0-100kmh in just 3.9 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh). Prices start from just over £81,000, but for that you do get a comfortable, quiet cabin (most of the time) and 565-litres of boot capacity.
Some will argue the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso isn’t a ‘proper’ estate, but if you consider that it is just leaning a little harder on the left of the performance-practicality balance, it becomes easy to see why it made this list. The Ferrari has a 6.3-litre V12 under the bonnet which pumps out 681bhp and 697Nm of torque, which allows it to obliterate most of this list with a 0-100kmh time of 3.4 seconds and a claimed top speed of 208mph (335kmh).
While the petrol version of the Focus ST wagon is a great fast estate, the 2.0 TDCi is our pick of the bunch. This is largely down to the delivery of the power, with the diesel’s get up and go being less unruly and easier to put down on UK roads, but that does not mean the diesel is a slouch – the performance stats of 182bhp, 400Nm of torque and a 0-100kmh time of 8.3secs proves as much. Add to this a claimed economy of 67.3mpg – high 40s low 50s are more realistic – and the diesel Focus ST estate becomes incredible alluring.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 is a full-blown muscle car. Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 which produces a thunderous 469bhp and 650Nm of torque (increasing to 503bhp and 700Nm if you opt for the S model). S or not, both models feel astonishingly quick and of course offer impressive levels of practicality, with the only real issue for everyday use being the firm ride. The interior is a comfortable place to be, even if it is not quite on the same level as the E-Class.
You are going to need deep pockets to drive away in an E63 estate as they start north of £84,000 – which is slightly more expensive than the starting price of the Audi RS 6. That said, the E63 is one of the fastest cars on the road, never mind estates. The latest generation is all-wheel drive and in S guise packs 604bhp and 850Nm of torque. Plus, owners get a drift mode. From a standing start it will hit 100kmh in just 3.6 seconds and go on to a limited top speed of 155mph (250kmh) – these figures change to 3.5 seconds and 186mph (300kmh) in the S version.
The Porsche Panamera is no longer the ugly duckling it once was, and the Sport Turismo is no exception. If you go for the range-topping Turbo S E-Hybrid, flat out you will be doing 193mph (310kmh)and 0-100kmh is over in a meger 3.4 seconds – wiping the floor with all but the Ferrari on this list. Even if you drop down to the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo, the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine allows the big German to reach 160mph (257kmh)flat-out and sprint from rest to 100kmh in 5.5 seconds. While the performance is strong here, practicality is not. The rear is just about big enough to get two adults and a smaller human buckled in, and 520-litres of boot space is a tad underwhelming.
The Golf R estate is related to both the Skoda and SEAT mentioned in the link below (but comes with four-wheel drive), and offers one of the finest all-round driving packages you can get for the money – the R starts at around £36k. Under the hood there is the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 296bhp as found in the Leon, but here it is only available with VW’s seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The exhaust note sounds good with a nice deep burble, which helps keep up the fun even when you aren’t exploiting the strong chassis.
For the FULL article from AutoExpress, which features a few more estates from brands unavailable here, click this link.
Wagon Photo Gallery (all images from AutoExpressUK)
© Copyright – Piston.my 2024 Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved
