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Audi A3 E-Tron Sportback already getting residual value love

It's a tricky game, but the folks at Auto Bild and market research institute Schwacke are looking into the future. Through the mists of future time, they say that they think that buying an Audi A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid today is going to look like a smart buy in a few years. The German automaker likes what it sees in terms of resale value for the plug-in hybrid A3, Audi's first mass-produced plug-in, and the car has already been named a "Wertmeister." That's the "value champ" designation that Auto Bild hands out every year. Audi says the A3 e-tron has the "most stable residual value in its class," and is expected to retain more than 57 percent of its original value four years after rolling off the dealership lot. That gives the plug-in hybrid bragging rights to the "Wertmeister" award for the Compact Car category. Audi also won second place in the Full Size category with its Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI The German automaker started sales of the A3 e-tron last summer in Germany, pricing the model at about $51,500. The cars has 204 horsepower, can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than eight seconds and has an all-electric range of up to 31 miles. Check out Audi's press release below, and take a look at our First Drive impressions of the model here. Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is "Wertmeister 2015" Auto Bild crowns Audi A3 Sportback e-tron "Wertmeister 2015" Audi A6, Audi A7 and Audi Q3 also awarded top-three places Ingolstadt/Berlin, February 5, 2015 – the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron* is the car with the most stable residual value in its class. That was the conclusion drawn by Auto Bild and market research institute Schwacke. The A3 e-tron stands out with the best residual value forecast among the compact cars, receiving the title "Wertmeister 2015". Every year, Auto Bild and Schwacke select the cars in each class that are expected to depreciate the least during the following four years. The winners take the "Wertmeister" title. The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is the winner in the "Compact Car" category with a residual value of 57.3 percent. The Audi A3 e-tron is the first plug-in hybrid from Audi. It combines sporty power with impressive efficiency and abundant driving enjoyment with unrestricted everyday utility.

2016 Audi RS7 Performance is an LA beauty in blue

The whole point of the new 2016 Audi RS7 Performance is directly in its name, and the Four Rings now claims 605 horsepower from its 4.0-liter twin turbo V8. For those keeping track of big-brother bragging rights, Audi claims 560 hp from the standard RS7. Plus, the engine's torque can jump from 516 pound-feet to 553 lb-ft during the temporary overboost function. An eight-speed automatic gearbox still sends power to the front and rear through the Quattro all-wheel drive system. The results of all these upgrades are a sprint to 60 miles per hour in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. The RS7 Performance is about more than just power; Audi also fits carbon ceramic brakes and an RS Sport Suspension with Dynamic Ride Control. The exterior also sees some minor tweaks that include a restyled rear diffuser, new 21-inch wheels, black tailpipes, and a gloss black grille. RS sport seats come standard inside. The RS7 Performance arrives at Audi dealers in December and prices start at $129,925 (after $925 for destination). Get a good look at this very quick, fastback sedan in the gallery above. Related Video: Plus performance: the new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and RS 7 Sportback performance 4.0 TFSI now with 445 kW (605 hp) and up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) Like a supercar: from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds New model designation hones brand's sporty profile Even more performance coupled with outstanding efficiency – that is what is behind the new "performance" model designation at Audi. The Audi RS 6 Avant performance* and Audi RS 7 Sportback performance* further hone the brand's sporty profile. Their 4.0 TFSI engine with 445 kW (605 hp) and up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb ft) of torque push acceleration (3.7 seconds) nearly to levels usually reserved for supercars. Fuel consumption remains unchanged at 9.6 and 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers (24.5 and 24.8 US mpg), respectively, corresponding to 223 and 221 g CO2 per km (358.9 and 355.7 g/mi). These are best-in-segment figures. The new Audi RS 6 Avant performance and the new Audi RS 7 Sportback performance offer more power output than ever before. The 4.0 TFSI now produces 445 kW (605 hp) and maximum torque of 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft). A particular highlight of the engine is an overboost function allowing the driver to temporarily draw on up to 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft).

Overnight action from the 24 Hours of Le Mans

We won't go into a recap here, but there are still leading positions being fought for in all classes - it's so close that leads are changing when a car goes into the pits. We'll let the recap wait until the end of the race, so for now enjoy some shots from last night's action at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.