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Audi: record profit as 'biggest product initiative' in its history gets underway

Audi Group CEO Markus Duesmann   Even as the Audi Group (VOW.DE), VW’s luxury division, is in the midst of a huge EV transformation it still needs to perform where it counts — the bottom line. And so it is doing just that.  On Thursday the Audi Group - which is dominated volume-wise by Audi, but also includes Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati - posted record revenue and operating profit in 2022. That shouldnÂ’t be a surprise given what the industry has been seeing at the highest end of the market - record performances despite macroeconomic jitters across the globe. But that it's happening as the group is noteworthy.  “We are on the verge of the biggest product initiative in our history,” Audi Group CEO Markus Duesmann said at a news conference earlier on Thursday. “By 2025, we will have launched around 20 new models, more than 10 of which will be all-electric. We have set the course to go 100% electric. By 2027, we seek to offer an all-electric vehicle in each core segment.”   This is all part of Audi GroupÂ’s Vorsprung 2030 plan, which seeks to have all of the groupÂ’s new models be electric by 2026 — and to end traditional gas-powered engine production by 2033. To that end, the group saw EV deliveries jump 44% (in 2022) compared to 2021 to over 118,000 vehicles, with the share of EVs rising to 7.2% from 4.8% in the prior year. Audi is also launching its first EV using the PPE (premium platform electric), which was developed together with Porsche. That EV, the Audi Q6 e-tron, will be unveiled later this year. (Past Audi EVs shared corporate parent VWÂ’s electric platform.) “With the Audi Q6 e-tron, e-mobility is coming from Ingolstadt (Audi HQ) for the first time,” Duesmann said in a statement. “To this end, weÂ’re also building a dedicated battery assembly facility on site. This will enable us to retain important know-how here in Germany and train our employees in future fields.” AudiÂ’s German rivals of course are also leaning in hard on their EV transformations. That makes it all the more important that Audi get its EV strategy right—and launched in a timely manner.

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder tipped for Geneva debut

If you're enamored of the Lamborghini Huracan but have been waiting (and saving) for the convertible version, you may have to wait a little longer. According to Motor Trend, the drop-top Huracan won't make its debut before the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. That's almost eight months from now. The basic parameters of what the Huracan Spyder (as it's likely to be called) aren't hard to forecast. It will in all likelihood carry the same 5.2-liter V10 as the coupe, with the same output of 602 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Expect a slight performance penalty in return for the open-top experience as compared to the fixed-roof version, which is expected to boast a 0-62 time of 3.2 seconds and a 202-mile-per-hour top speed. Other powertrain configurations may follow, but the roadster is likely to pack that same configuration at launch. While the larger, more powerful Aventador is about to breed its fourth model variant in the form of the Superveloce Roadster, the Huracan has only been made available thus far in one version. Our sources at Lamborghini tell us that will change soon, however, with numerous variants to follow – just like they did with the prolific Gallardo that came before. And the Spyder could be the first of the many to follow. The bigger question is what kind of roof mechanism Lamborghini will go with for this latest open-top supercar. The Gallardo Spyder used a fabric roof mechanism (removable roof panels are featured on the Aventador Roadster), however the Huracan Spyder will have to contend with rivals like the McLaren 650S Spider and the new Ferrari 488 Spider – both of which incorporate folding hard tops. The latter was just released this week and is set to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September, giving it a good half year before its rival from Bologna hits the scene. Related Video:

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster confirmed

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed over the weekend, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann confirmed the arrival of the Aventador LP750-4 Superveloce Roadster. The news puts a bow on a gift we already expected, having seen the superfast roadster gussied up like a Swedish rally car during testing in the Arctic. Assuming you're tall enough to ride the ride, you'll get 740-horsepower from its 6.5-liter V12 in a body that's lighter by 110 pounds versus the more mundane (we use that term loosely, of course) LP 700-4. Production will be limited to 500 units, undercutting production of the Superveloce coupe by 100 units, and the dealer order lines have officially opened. Speaking of which, all 600 coupes have already been sold, each one listing at $493,095. The roadster will surely be more dear. The press release below has the official words from the man himself. Goodwood Festival of Speed: Lamborghini confirms Roadster version of Aventador Superveloce Sant'Agata Bolognese/Goodwood, 29 June 2015 – Automobili Lamborghini has announced a roadster version of its Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce. The roadster will be limited to 500 units. The Aventador Superveloce coupe version made its UK debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, on display and running 'up the hill', with Lamborghini President and CEO Stephan Winkelmann in attendance. Speaking at Goodwood, Stephan Winkelmann confirmed production of the Superveloce Roadster. "The Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce is the most pure, sports-oriented and emotional incarnation of a Lamborghini, and all 600 units have been sold, with first deliveries starting now. We will also produce a roadster version, which our dealers worldwide are now taking orders for." The Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce was shown at Geneva motor show earlier this year. The Superveloce accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of more than 325 km/h (217 mph). Compared to the Aventador LP 700-4 the power output of the Superveloce has been increased by 50 hp and the weight reduced by 50 kg. Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. Founded in 1963, Automobili Lamborghini is headquartered in Sant'Agata Bolognese, in North-eastern Italy. The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4, which made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014, is the successor to the iconic Gallardo and, with its innovative technology and exceptional performance, it redefines the driving experience of luxury super sports cars.