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Audi reveals next-gen TT interior at CES

Audi has taken the somewhat unusual step of unveiling much of the interior of its upcoming TT Coupe at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. That's unusual, because they haven't shown us the car yet. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised - with the proliferation of technology in automobiles these days, it's probably time we start considering them as much electronic devices as transportation devices.
While Audi has long been recognized as a leader in interior design, this new TT features an instrument cluster that is wildly different from what we've become accustomed to from the Four-Ring brand. Audi is calling its fully digital system a "virtual cockpit," and with its 12.3-inch LCD screen situated directly in front of the driver, it does away with the company's traditional Multi-Media Interface (MMI) display in the center stack. Two modes are offered, one classic option with large gauges and another more oriented to infotainment.
Besides electronics, the actual hard parts of the interior also show plenty of new thinking. With the removal of the central screen, Audi has been able to streamline its instrument panel to resemble a wing of sorts, with jet-like HVAC vents that house their own controls. Two more points for controls are presented to the driver, with buttons on the flat-bottom steering wheel and another set on the center tunnel.

2015 Audi Q3 pricing leaked, starts at $32,500*

Audi only debuted the 2015 Q3 compact crossover for the US market at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show in January, yet that feels like a lifetime ago. However, the little luxury CUV is finally getting close to reaching these shores, and alleged pricing for it is leaking out.
According to leaked documents from Audi Q3 Forum (right), the premium compact crossover has a starting price of $32,500 (*plus an additional destination charge of $925), for an actual cost of $33,425. That covers the front-wheel drive model with a 200-horsepower 2.0 TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Upgrading to a version with Quattro that spins all four wheels brings the bill to $34,600 - $35,525 after destination charges. In case you wanted further proof, Audi's new Q3 teaser site confirms the starting price of $32,500.
The documents list two trim levels - Premium Plus and Prestige. Premium Plus includes standard features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, Xenon headlights with LED running lights and dual-zone climate control and more. Paying $3,900 more for Prestige adds MMI Navigation Plus, Bose surround sound, a power tailgate and other goodies.

Audi RS3 Sportback is the hottest hatch

Fans of compact, European vehicles that mix luxury and performance should be in paradise right now. There's already the 320-horsepower M235i from BMW and the 355-hp CLA45 AMG (or A45 elsewhere) from Mercedes-Benz, but you can now add one more to the list. Meet the Audi RS3 Sportback, which boasts 362 hp and five doors, too. With propulsion coming from Audi's turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder that makes 343 pound-feet of torque (465 newton-meters), the RS3 Sportback can scramble to 62 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but buyers can opt to raise that top end to 174 if desired. The inline-five is mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox, sending power to the ground via Quattro all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, which can send between 50 and 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels as needed. To cope with the boosted output, the suspension has been lowered by an inch compared to the standard A3 Sportback, and magnetic dampers are a further option. Buyers can also tick the box for carbon-fiber-ceramic brake rotors at the front. The RS3 goes on a diet its latest iteration, too, weighing 121 pounds less than its predecessor. While buyers get potent power, Audi keeps the looks understated. The exterior wears a front airdam with larger openings and some aluminum flourishes, and a diffuser at the back gets some more matte trim. A roof spoiler and aluminum look for the mirror housings add a few other touches to catch the eye. Inside, all versions get sport seats covered in Nappa leather and a flat-bottom steering wheel wrapped in leather and Alcantara. But for the really sporty look, buyers can spec optional RS buckets with a carbon shell that weigh 15 pounds less than the standard units. European deliveries of the RS3 Sportback begin in the summer. Autoblog reached out to Audi spokesperson Mark Dahncke who told us there are currently "no plans to bring it to the US." Scroll down to read Audi's full announcement of this five-door hot hatch. Power in compact form – the new Audi RS 3 Sportback Ingolstadt, 2014-12-12 Sporty top model of the A3 model series Most powerful production five-cylinder in RS history with 270 kW (367 hp) 0 – 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.3 seconds – 0.3 seconds faster than the previous model Hot, throaty sound, exhilaratingly free-revving and brawny power – the five cylinder engines from Audi are legendary.