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Is Audi getting complacent and suffering from brain drain?

The argument is made in a Reuters article: Audi is falling behind other luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, due to a lack of research-and-development spending and "brain drain," or the migration of top executives and R&D chiefs to other parts of the Volkswagen Group. Reuters notes that Audi's current R&D chief is the third in 16 months.
Audi, which contributed to 40 percent of VW Group's $11.6 billion in profit the first nine months of the year, is delivering cars at a record pace: 1.31 million were delivered from January to October 2013 versus BMW's 1.35 million. Yet Audi, Reuters reports, doesn't have a halo car akin to BMW's new electrified i3 and i8 or an answer to Mercedes' plug-in-hybrid S-Class, and the R&D spending at Audi is less than BMW and Mercedes by a fair margin. It's noted in the article, however, that Audi benefits from other R&D spending within VW Group.
Reuters mentions that BMW "trumpets its new 'i' series" and the new Mercedes CLA and GLA ranges are winning "rave reviews" as part of its argument that Audi's recent lack of technological innovation could hurt future sales. Those cars do pack tons of new technology, some of which are firsts for mainstream production cars. But last time we checked, the i3 could be causing BMW's stock to slide, the CLA isn't receiving the rave reviews that Reuters would have you believe and the GLA hasn't been reviewed yet.

2016 Audi A6 to start at $46,200*, A7 begins at $68,300*

Audi has announced pricing on the new A6 sedan and A7 four-door coupe, with the former starting at $46,200 for a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and front-wheel drive. Of course, things can and do climb rapidly from there. Adding Quattro all-wheel drive to the four-cylinder model bumps the price up $2,200, while moving from the base Premium to the mid-level Premium Plus trim will add $3,700, regardless of the drivetrain. Speaking of that Premium trim, it's only available on the 2.0-liter A6. Every other variant starts with the Premium Plus. At that point, the cheapest six-cylinder you can get is the $57,400 model, while the diesel-powered A6 TDI starts at $59,500. Moving up to the top-end Prestige trim bolsters the price by $4,200, for both engines. If you fancy the sleeker lines of the A7, the entry-level 3.0-liter Premium Plus can be had for $68,300, while the TDI runs $70,400. While the starting price is higher than the A6, adding the Prestige trim is more reasonable, with both engines demanding $2,650 for the top-tier equipment level. And of course, we can't get away without mentioning Audi's high-performance models. A base S6 Premium Plus begins at $70,900, while the Prestige is $75,300. The S7 and RS7, both of which are limited to the Prestige trim level, start at $82,900 and $108,900, respectively. None of the above prices include the standard $925 destination charge. Scroll on down for the official press release on the pricing changes for the new Audi A6 and A7. Related Video: Audi announces pricing for the new 2016 A6 and A7 model lines April 17, 2015 | Herndon, Virginia Award-winning vehicles get more dynamic designs, improved technology and greater power and efficiency New 2.0 Liter TFSI engine – the most powerful engine in its class, with greater performance and efficiency Standard next generation of MMI® with Audi connect® and rapid 4G LTE connectivity Audi today announced pricing for the 2016 A6 and A7 model lines. With new engines and updated design, all Audi A6 and A7 models now offer more power, greater fuel efficiency and class-leading technology for two of the Audi brand's top-selling vehicles. The 2016 A6 and A7 sedans boast more athletic design as well as new headlights and driver assistance systems. New infotainment systems provide even higher levels of interior luxury and refinement.

Mercedes and VW battling Uber and Apple to spend billions on Nokia mapping division

Whether for autonomous driving or simply better navigation, digital mapping is closely linked with the future of motoring. The sale of a major player in that industry is spurring a showdown between automotive behemoths and tech giants, and it's a fascinating battle to watch unfold. Nokia is selling its Here mapping division, and while the company might not have the name recognition of Google, it controls about 70 percent of the auto market. The business is valued at $785 million, according to Reuters, but is likely to sell for significantly more. Case in point: Uber reportedly submitted a $3 billion bid. Apple has also been rumored to be among those interested in purchasing Here. A trio of German automotive heavyweights is mounting a challenge to Silicon Valley, though. According to Reuters speaking to two unnamed insiders, Daimler, BMW, and Audi are teaming up to submit a joint bid for an undisclosed sum. They're worried that if Here falls under the control of tech companies, then automakers might have limited availability to these vital maps in the future. Nokia bought Here for $8.1 billion in 2007, according to Reuters. The company operates a fleet of vehicles with cameras and LIDAR that drive around the world to create high-definition maps. It also generates even more information by using the GPS data from shipping and trucking companies.