Audi Car guides

Audi showed the e-tron GT conceptback in 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The road-going version of this prototype is expected to debut this year in LA, but until that happens, the world needs to figure out the coronavirus outbreak and Audi has to apply the finishing touches on its new performance EV.

2019 was a splendid year for gearheads and high-end car companies alike. The Chevrolet Corvette went the mid-engine way, Bugatti blew past the 300 mph barrier with the Chiron, McLaren launched both the amazing Speedtail and the GT, while Lamborghini and Ferrari sold more supercars than they had planned.

So, we must ask. What’s Audi been doing? Sales of the Audi R8 haven’t been piercing holes through the roof, since you asked, and there’s intense talk about a new generation coming in 2022. So far Audi has been tight lipped on the topic, so the rumor mill did most of the talking. Here’s everything we know about the new Audi R8.

The fourth-generation BMW 1 Series broke cover for the 2020 model, and it seems that the Munich-based company final has a proper competitor for latest Mercedes-Benz A-Class. But these are the only premium hatchbacks on the market. Germany’s third premium automaker, Audi, offers its very own five-door subcompact, the Audi A3 Sportback.

Unlike the 1 Series and the A-Class, the current A3 Sportback is a bit long in the tooth. Launched back in 2012, it’s already seven years old as of 2019, and it won’t stay around for long. But is it too dated for the new 1 Series? Should we wait until the next-gen hatchback breaks cover for a proper comparison? Not really. Although it’s old enough for modern car life cycles, the A3 Sportback still has what it takes to tackle the BMW 1 Series. Let’s find out how these cars stand next to each other in the comparison below.

At its Charged Event in Northern California, Audi revealed its first all-electric SUV - the 2020 Audi E-Tron. As the newest electric vehicle on the market, the Audi E-Tron brought a wealth of new equipment, and some of it is truly cutting edge. Among the latest invasion of electric SUVs (the EQ C, the I-Pace, the iX3), the Audi E-Tron, despite its conservative appearance, surprisingly seems to be the most advanced of the lot. I will list here 15 facts and features that make the newest Audi electric SUV the most advanced, and possibly the most appealing, electric SUV on the market.

Mercedes was obviously making a car to go up against the Audi S3 when it created the AMG A35 model to sit beneath the full-blown A45 model in the range. The A45 is aimed to compete against the RS3, so the A35 is for those who want most of the look and performance of an A45, but without the harsh edge associated with these more hardcore cars.

The new AMG A35 sedan was just revealed, and it’s about as close a rival to the S3 as one could hope for. They are evenly matched in terms of size, power, and performance, although they adopt very different visual styles. Even mechanically they are similar, relying on 2.0-liter turbocharged engines, all-wheel drive and their brand’s known sporting pedigree in order to stand out.

But the Audi S3 is a familiar name that’s been around for a lot longer than A35, but then again, until 2017 there was no S3 sedan, so the formula is fairly new. These cars really couldn’t be better matched - it’s clear that the two manufacturers were studying one another while they were developing these two models.

The S3 sedan didn’t really have any natural rivals, but now that the A35 sedan has come along and hot versions of BMW’s upcoming 1-Series sedan and 2-Series Grand Coupe are also in the pipeline, this segment will be heating up soon. One could argue that the A35 sedan is one of the biggest reasons for it.

We are prepared for the all-out invasion of electric cars from the Volkswagen Group. Audi showed a clear path to electrification with the E-Tron SUV, the Aicon, and even that crazy PB18, but now we have been introduced to the gorgeous Audi E-Tron GT. As a saloon, the E-Tron GT tends to be the ultimate expression of Audi’s own electric future by combining state-of-the-art technology with electric propulsion and framing it all into a form so gorgeous it’ll mess with your mind.

Actually, it is so gorgeous that it will make an appearance in The Avengers. Even if we disregard The Avengers, the Audi E-Tron GT is filled with such wonders that I am rather smitten by its presence and the technology included in one package. I will present you 15 astounding facts about the new Audi E-Tron GT - basically the first car to match the stature of the Tesla Model S. And in my eyes, to shatter that stature to pieces.
It is that beautiful.

The car industry never sleeps (except in August) and every year it provides us with numerous solutions to new problems, and with innovations that make us want new cars even more. This is a rundown of 10 awesome vehicle and technology innovations for 2018.

High-riding vehicles, like crossovers and SUVs are at the height of popularity right now, but they’re not the only way to go if you want practicality and some off-road capability. Crossover style raised wagons are a great alternative and while they can still drive you over a rough field or rutted road with ease, they’re better to drive on road and actually pretty stylish.

They are essentially the wagon versions of different cars which have gained extra ride height and plastic cladding on the outside to protect them from scratches in their most vulnerable points. These vehicles usually have standard all-wheel drive and are usually a higher trim level, so they are not cheap (compared to the vehicle they’re based on) but they also come with a lot of equipment.

Here’s a list of the 13 coolest crossover-style wagons you can buy today.

When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the fourth-generation A-Class in 2018, it basically dropped a giant anvil on the hatchback market. Fitted with never-before-seen technology and infused with design cues from the bigger sedans inside and out, the new A-Class trumps the BMW 1 Series and the Audi A3 in just about every department. With a handful of models already available, Mercedes-Benz just unveiled the AMG A35. Offered for the first time, it slots above the A250 and below the upcoming AMG A45.

The A35 is Mercedes’ answer to the long-standing Audi S3 and BMW M135i and arrives just when these two hatchbacks are getting a bit long in the tooth. But while the 1 Series is almost out of the market, to be replaced by a front-wheel-drive model, the S3 was facelifted recently and will be around for a few more years. That’s why we decided to throw the S3 into the lion’s den and find out how it compares to the new Mercedes-AMG A35.

Midsize SUVs and crossovers are hugely desirable these days, even more so if they wear a premium badge like Mercedes’ all-new GLE does. But being so desirable also means that all manufacturers want as big a slice of the market to themselves as possible, and these models have become increasingly talented in recent years, so it’s a hugely competitive segment.

The GLE is all-new for 2019, so the engineers and designers behind it have had time to study the previous model and models already on sale, learn from them, and try to improve. Once such very talented rival is the Audi Q7 which, in its current generation (introduced in 2016,) is arguably one of the best vehicles in its class, even if it’s by no means a flamboyant effort.

Despite being direct rivals, the two adopt very different styles both inside and out, offering visually different solutions to the problem of creating a modern midsize SUV.

It is almost impossible to compare the new Audi PB18 e-tron and the R8 V-10 Plus. While taking the shape of supercars, the Audi R8 V-10 Plus and the new Audi PB18 e-tron are different on so many levels I find it rather amusing to see where Audi is going with its e-tron and sports car program. Nevertheless, revealing the Audi PB18 e-tron at the Monterey Car Week, Audi held a long said promise of developing a super fast electric supercar. I will go one step further here and say that PB18 e-tron, if it ever reaches production heaven, will be a supercar at the very least. Currently, Audi provides a whole set of sports machines from the S and the RS line of cars. Yet, the only one to even touch the majesty of the PB18 e-tron is the Audi R8 V-10 Plus. Of course, only the most powerful version as the PB18 is plainly mad.

Let me get something off my chest right away - PB in the PB18 e-tron actually stands for Pebble Beach. It is like a specially dedicated concept crafted only for the event. The 18, on the other hand, is from the Audi LMP1 racer - the R18 e-tron. Nicely tied Audi. Well played.

Now, we can definitely call the latest Audi R8 V-10 Plus a supercar. After all, it takes all the tech from the likes of the Huracan, and that is a supercar. The PB18 e-tron, on the other hand, is an even more extreme representation of the supercar ideology. One based on electricity and torque delivery that no V-10 can ever achieve.

Audi just extended its SUV lineup to include the Q8, essentially a sportier proposition to the utilitarian, wagon-like Q7. The new crossover marks Audi’s entry in the coupe-style market, a playground dominated by the BMW X6 since 2007. The segment also includes the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and the boxier Range Rover Sport.

With a new player on the market, it’s natural to ask yourselves which one is better. We’re here to answer this question by comparing the Audi Q8 against the BMW X6 and the Range Rover Sport. We left the GLE Coupe out of the game simply because it’s based on a model that was launched all the way back in 2011 and a new-generation model is just around the corner.

Continue reading for the full story.

At its most basic, a sport sedan should be a happy balance between two competing philosophies. The “sport” half of the equation should make it engaging, both in the way it drives, and the way it looks. A sport sedan should issue a dose of adrenaline when the hammer is down, and be a willing dance partner in the corners. It’s also gotta draw attention, turning heads as it goes, making its owner pause momentarily after exiting and locking the doors. Then there’s the “sedan” bit. A sport sedan isn’t supposed to be stripped down and basic – practicality and comfort are paramount. Often used as a daily driver, backside coddling should be there in abundance, complementing the car’s speed potential, rather than taking away from it. All told, it’s a big ask, but this segment has plenty of contenders vying for the title of best. In this comparison, we look at six of the top entries and sort them out, from first to last.

Listed in alphabetical order, this comparison will take a look at the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Chrysler 300, Infiniti Q50, Jaguar XE, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. We’ve evaluated each in terms of exterior aesthetics, interior comfort and technology, powertrain and drivetrain specs, and chassis and handling. We’ve also included a glut of info in chart and graph form to help you make a quick comparison. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the best sporty luxury sedan you can get for less than $50,000.

Continue reading for the full comparison.

In case you haven’t noticed, American consumers are still enamored with the idea of driving around in a tall-bodied, relatively off-road capable SUV with loads of space to haul around many people and lots of things. Sales of such vehicles continue to rise, and automakers are responding by churning out new models by the truckload. But is there a better means to achieve similar ends? What if, for example, you want something with the capability, cargo space, and attitude of an SUV, but the maneuverability, ease of use, and comfort of a regular passenger car? Luckily, such a combo does exist, and we’ve got five of the best examples on the market lined up right here in this in-depth comparison article.

The five vehicles in question are (in alphabetical order) the Audi A4 Allroad, the Mini Clubman All4, the Subaru Outback, the Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, and the Volvo V60 Cross Country. That’s right folks – wagons, representing a diverse price range and wide array of tastes. Once the torchbearer of utility and practicality, the wagon body style has declined in popularity with the rise of the SUV. But just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s good, right? Read on to find out what makes these five vehicles fantastic alternatives to the SUV status quo. You rebel, you.

Continue reading for the full story.

At this point, it should be more than obvious that if you want a car with utility and space for at least five people, but don’t wanna join the crowd of crossovers you see crammed onto the roads, your best option is to get your hands on a wagon. Once a steadfast bastion of the practical, wagons have seen a sharp decline in popularity over the last few decades, the result of an all-out assault from the tall-bodied insanity of the current SUV craze. But fear not – the wagon hasn’t gone gently into that good night, at least not yet, and we’ve assembled five top-shelf options right here for your perusal and approval.

Rather than limiting ourselves to what’s currently available, we decided to look ahead in anticipation of what’ll be in dealers in the next year or so, including both existing offerings and those that have yet to be released. As it turns out, there are a few very strong entries barreling down the pipeline right now, which means buyers will have a nice selection of premium wagons when shopping in 2017.

So what’s topping the menu? Read on to find out.

Continue reading to learn more about TopSpeed’s Top 5 Premium Wagons for 2017.

So, entry-level sports cars aren’t good enough. You make too much money to be seen in a Mazda MX-5 or a normal Ford Mustang. Your successful self needs something powerful and exciting. Well, there is plenty of choices in the market.

To be as precise as possible, there is actually an overwhelming amount of choices in the market, with each car being a little different. There are German performance coupes, American muscle, and Japanese street rockets. These machines have the same sort of mind-bending power, but the way each puts that power down is as different as Apollo and the Space Shuttle.

Due to that reason, we had a hard time putting machines like the Dodge Challenger in same category as the Porsche Boxster. How can you compare two machines that are so vastly different? Sure, we could have, but it just wouldn’t have worked. So, after the jump we have three - even though the title says ten - different top fives. The price cap is $60,000.

We broke it down like this. At the top we have four-door performance machines that use amazing power with epic grip and practicality. Then we have the coupes. Don’t get these coupes mixed up with the Corvette-type coupes because these European cars are tuned for a mixture of speed and cornering ability. Finally, we have the American straight road muscle. Cars that run the quarter miles as naturally as a sports analyst getting a prediction terribly wrong.

Hit the jump to read the lists.

You’ve finally got that big time job and you want something that isn’t too cheap, but you don’t want to spend $80,000 quite yet. There is much to choose from in the middle luxury segment and each car has it’s own unique characteristics that make it better, or worse than the competition.

Just like the entry-level luxury segment, the Germans have always had the middle levels to themselves. The Japanese and the American automakers have never been able to catch up. Yet, 2010 is a new year and things might be changing in the automotive marketplace.

Let’s take a look back at our previous winners before we begin with this list. We rated the Mini Cooper as the best small car and the Hyundai Sonata as the best midsize sedan. Finally, we rated the Audi A4 as the best entry-level luxury car on the market.

Hit the jump to see who we chose as the top mid-level luxury car.

As you have seen by now, we have a tendency to rank cars differently than other car sites. While we love practicality as much as the next site, at TopSpeed, we put speed, performance, and that certain sparkle above the size of the trunk and the back seat.

With entry-level luxury cars, finding the gems between the boring sales rep vehicles can be a pretty hard task. We have so many terribly dull sedans that are only good for taking you down the motorway to work and that’s about it. We aren’t looking for that. We don’t care about sales, we don’t care about popularity, we care about how these cars drive on the track and in the real world. We are aware that a point to point car is what most people will like, but we want an entry-level sedan that provides excitement on that everyday journey. Something that can make you smile and enjoy the drive home. A car that will make you take the back roads.

Over the course of this series we have jumped price by $10,000 each time, starting from $20,000 with the small cars and then $30,000 with the midsize. For this test, we are jumping by $15,000, to make the price cap at $45,000.

Hit the jump to see what our top ten entry-level luxury vehicles are.