Audi Q7 Premium - Cash Only - Local Delivery - Newer Brakes, Tires - Excellent on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi, BMW, Daimler buy Nokia's Here digital mapping business

The fight for control of Nokia's Here digital mapping service appears to have drawn to a close as a consortium of German automakers has announced a deal to jointly acquire the business from the Finnish telecom giant. As anticipated, ownership in Here will now be taken over jointly by Audi, BMW, and Daimler, beating out reported rivals bids from the likes of Apple and Uber. Here is one of the largest and most advanced digital mapping and location systems. It started out in Chicago in 1986 as Navteq before Nokia acquired it in 2007, and is now slated to change ownership again. The cloud-based service maintains high-definition digital maps for nearly 200 countries and supports over 50 languages, gathering data from users to update the data continuously. Rather than transition the service into their own proprietary technology, however, the automakers insist that it will remain open "to all customers from the automotive industry and other sectors." Ownership will be shared equally between the three companies, with "none of them seek[ing] to acquire a majority interest" in Here. For another, Here's management is promised to remain independent, and "the consortium will not interfere into operational business." Though the purchase price has not been disclosed, it is rumored to be worth in the neighborhood of $2.7 billion. Assuming it passes regulatory approval, the acquisition is slated to be completed in the first quarter of next year. The German automakers anticipate implementing the service to provide connected vehicles with accurate, up-to-date information on road and other conditions. Examples it outlines include warning other drivers of icy conditions based on outside temperature and ABS activation. It could also warn drivers of impending traffic jams, or even guide traffic through green lights in an urban environment. In the future, the highly detailed maps are envisioned to enable fully automated driving as well. Related Video: AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG agree with Nokia Corporation on joint acquisition of HERE digital mapping business Ingolstadt, Munich, Stuttgart, Aug 03, 2015 - Acquisition will secure and strengthen HERE as an independent company serving customers from all industries - Real-time maps and location based services will be the basis for the mobility of tomorrow - Transaction expected to close in first quarter 2016 Ingolstadt, Munich, Stuttgart – August 3rd, 2015.

Audi sets diesel records on road and track

Ever the proponent of diesel propulsion, Audi has claimed two very different kinds of records in Europe with its finest oil-burners. The more exciting of the two was achieved recently at the Sachsenring, where the Audi RS5 TDI Competition Concept posted the fastest diesel-powered lap time ever recorded on the track. As you may recall, Audi revealed the RS5 TDI Concept last year, swapping the gasoline-burning 4.2-liter V8 in the production RS5 coupe for a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with two turbochargers and an electric supercharger. The result was 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, but Audi's been working on the prototype over the course of the past year. In the new Competition version, output is up to 435 hp and 590 lb-ft, and despite the inherently heavier diesel engine, it actually weighs 531 pounds less than the production model. That helped the RS5 TDI Competition lap the circuit in 1:35.35, besting the previous diesel lap record by 1.87 seconds, and adding to the Hockenheim record it took previously. Around the same time, another team set out from Maastricht in the Netherlands in an Audi A6 TDI Ultra and drove it for 28 hours straight, hitting 14 countries and logging 1,158.9 miles on a single tank of diesel. The achievement, certified by Guinness World Records, was completed in a showroom-stock vehicle, with automotive journalist Andrew Frankel and racing driver Rebecca Jackson splitting driving duties. They achieved an average of 75.9 miles per gallon – much better than the advertised rating of 67 mpg – as they cruised through from Holland to Hungary, passing along the way through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia. Record: Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept drives to record time on the Sachsenring track - Audi sets new lap record for cars with diesel engines - Superior technology platform with 435 hp and 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft) - Electric compressor: overcomes turbo lag, enhances sprint performance Audi has set a new record time on the Sachsenring for cars with a diesel engine. The Audi RS 5 TDI competition concept rounded the 3.6 km (2.2 mi) race course in a time of 1 minute 35.35 seconds. The technology platform draws its power from a 3.0-liter V6 biturbo TDI with 320 kW (435 hp) of power and 800 Nm (590.0 lb-ft) of torque. The highlight is an electrically driven compressor.

Buy an Audi, get some free shoes

Audi is preparing to launch its annual Summer of Audi sales event, and while it might be a good time to get your hands on one of the brand's luxury vehicles, it's also a good chance to get your feet in a pair of exclusive Toms shoes. The shoemaker, which is famous for donating a pair of shoes to a person in need as part of its One For One program, plans to donate some 55,000 shoes as part of the Audi program. Here's how it works: anyone that leases or purchases an Audi – new or certified pre-owned – between June 3 and Aug. 4 gets a pair of the limited-edition shoes. Toms then turns around and donates shoes for children in need. "Through Toms One for One giving program Audi will help change the lives of thousands of children in the United States and empower new customers to be a part of this movement," Audi of America marketing director Loren Angelo said. "With Toms, we found a natural partnership. Audi aligns with likeminded companies that challenge the conventions of design and share a passion for progressive ideas." Expect to hear more about this program in the coming days as part of a television campaign featuring both the shoes and the RS7. Until then, check out the limited-edition kicks up top. Audi and TOMS® collaborate for limited-edition shoe designed exclusively for Audi buyers June 03, 2015 | HERNDON, Virginia TOMS One for One® giving program will provide 55,000 shoes to children in need this summer Customers who purchase or lease a vehicle during the Summer of Audi Sales Event will receive a pair of exclusively-designed TOMS iconic Alpargata shoes New Summer of Audi television commercial set to debut nationally Through an exclusive collaboration, Audi and TOMS have designed a limited-edition Alpargata shoe that will be available to Audi buyers during the Summer of Audi Sales Event (http://www.audiusa.com/myaudi/toms-partnership). From June 3 through August 4, customers* who purchase or lease a new or Certified pre-owned Audi vehicle will receive an offer for a pair of exclusively-designed TOMS featuring the four rings. In turn, through TOMS innovative giving program, 55,000 shoes will be donated to children in need. "Through TOMS One for One giving program Audi will help change the lives of thousands of children in the United States and empower new customers to be a part of this movement," said Loren Angelo, Director of Marketing, Audi of America. "With TOMS, we found a natural partnership.