2005 Audi Allroad Quattro Base Wagon 4-door 4.2l on 2040-cars

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Audi introduces frugal, 43-mpg Q7 Ultra in Europe

As Audi's largest model, you wouldn't expect the Q7 (standard 2017 model pictured above) to get very good fuel economy. But the new flagship crossover is a lot lighter than its predecessor. And now the German automaker is rolling out an even more efficient version. In Europe, at any rate. Bearing the designation that distinguishes the most fuel-efficient models that Audi offers, the new Audi Q7 Ultra 3.0 TDI Quattro packs a more frugal version of the 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel. In Ultra spec, it produces 218 horsepower instead of 272, and 369 pound-feet of torque instead of 443. In exchange, it returns better fuel economy – now quoted at the equivalent of 42.8 miles per gallon (compared to 41.3 for the more potent version). That's not half bad for a crossover this large, even if it is on the European efficiency test, which returns higher numbers than what we're used to in the US. Of course, burning less fuel comes at a bit of a performance penalty: instead of 6.3 seconds, it now takes 7.1 seconds to reach 62 miles per hour from a standstill. Top speed is quoted at just over 134 miles per hour, down from 145. Of course, the E-Tron hybrid will be the most efficient model in the Q7 range, returning the equivalent of over 117 miles per gallon while reaching 62 in six seconds flat. That is, when it starts reaching dealers next spring. The kicker here is that while the hybrid is likely to emerge as the most expensive model in the range, the Ultra is the least. Its base price in Germany comes in at 58,000 euros, compared to 61,890 for the more potent TDI. Combine that with the fuel savings, and the Q7 Ultra is looking like the frugal choice indeed. New Audi Q7 as a highly efficient diesel - The Audi Q7 ultra 3.0 TDI quattro now available for order - Combined fuel consumption is 5.5 liters of fuel per 100 km - Base price is 58,000 euros in Germany An exceptionally efficient diesel version of the new Audi Q7 is launching on the market, which customers can now order: the Audi Q7 ultra 3.0 TDI quattro*. This engine not only reduces fuel consumption to 5.5 liters diesel per 100 km (42.8 US mpg); it also reduces the entry-level price for the Q7 model series to 58,000 euros. Audi will be delivering cars to dealers in Europe starting in September. The efficiency is ground-breaking: The combined fuel consumption of the 3.0 TDI with 160 kW (218 hp) is just 5.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (42.8 US mpg).

Watch two Audi RS4 Avants play Death Race with paintball

Nothing to see here, folks, except a 2013 Audi RS4 Avant weaponized with a high-caliber paintball canon. No, make that two of them, one black and one white, playing paintball in an abandoned aircraft hangar. At this point, there's probably not more to add than "Watch the video below" while we get on the horn to find out how to get this as a factory option. And the wagon itself, since that's not coming here, either...
But what's cooler than two high-powered Audi wagons with paintball guns and push-button firing in a video set to cheesy music from a bad eighties rip-off of Top Gun? One car can dump paint out of spigots under the rear bumper, the other has paintball grenades. And now we've really said enough. So watch the video, and the two behind-the-scenes vids, below.

Audi shows off the Prologue Avant Concept as a plug-in hybrid

The Audi Prologue Avant Concept goes in a different direction than the Prologue coupe, in more ways than just its five-door wagon body. The coupe was first shown at the LA Auto Show with a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8, then went redux at CES as a hybrid with a total of 677 horsepower and 701 pound-feet of torque. The only-slightly-larger Prologue Avant sticks with the hybrid but gets the system from the Q7 E-Tron quattro, meaning a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 TDI with 353 hp and a 100-kW electric motor strapped to the eight-speed transmission. Total output is 455 hp and 553 lb-ft, pure electric range is 33 miles, and 0-62 miles per hour comes in 5.1 seconds. The forward section of cabin with its screen-based Tie Fighter displays and controls comes over from the coupe, as well as the four individual seats, but the Avant lavishes attention on rear passengers in ways not possible in the two-door. They also get a screen on the pass-through center console for convenience controls, and detachable OLED screens - a la the detachable tablets in the Q7 - with which they can send information to the front occupants. As a traditional Audi avant is to a coupe relative, the Prologue Avant is all about bringing the family along on the digital highway. We'll see it at the Geneva Motor Show next week, and Audi is again talking up how the design language will migrate to production cars. It also makes noises in the press release below about near-production many of the technologies are in the concept, so it looks like there could be all sorts of Easter Eggs on the way from the Ingolstadt brand. Related Video: Sporty and elegant, versatile and connected – the Audi prologue Avant show car - New interpretation of the Avant philosophy - Groundbreaking infotainment architecture and entertainment concept - High-performance hybrid drive with 455 hp and 750 Nm (553.2 lb-ft) of torque Ingolstadt, 2015-02-25 -- A design with dynamic elegance and the latest high end technologies: The Audi prologue Avant show car with its stretched roof which the brand is presenting at the Geneva Motor Show gives a look into the future – with the new and emotion filled design language that Audi has initiated with its study in the coupe, the prologue. A glance into the future In November 2014 at the Los Angeles Motorshow, Audi presented the Audi prologue concept car, giving a look to the brand's future design language.