Tuesday is generally a low-key day around the track. It’s the only down time the teams have to practice pit stop strategy and make sure their garages are cleaned and organized. It’s also the day for fans to meet their favorite drivers and get their autographs and take pictures with them.
Continue reading ’2013 24 Hours of Le Mans: Day 2 – Autographs and Practice’
The Audi R8 is the perfect everyday supercar it’s precise, composed, focused. It is even Iron Man’s ride of choice. The steering input provides instant feedback to the driver. The 30:70 split quattro all-wheel drive system allows the tail to kick out when pushed but also helps the driver remain in full control. The throttle is snappy; it takes the slightest inputs and reacts instantly. The massive carbon ceramic brakes stop the R8 with the power of a super hero. The magnetic suspension is firm and helps keep the car well planted.
Continue reading ‘Driven: The 2014 Audi R8 – The Everyday Supercar’
The SQ5 adds to the highly-successful Q5 model lineup — the second best-selling model line for Audi last year. In addition to the high-performance SQ5, the Q5 model line is also enhanced for the 2014 model year with the addition of the all-new fuel-efficient Q5 TDI® clean diesel model, which joins the current lineup of 2.0T, 3.0T and hybrid variants.
Continue reading ‘Audi announces pricing for all-new high-performance 2014 Audi SQ5′
Scrutineering is a very important stage of any race, at Le Mans especially, as it’s arguably the most important event in motorsports. Many media, fans and residents of the town gather to catch a glimpse of their favorite car and or drivers. Le Mans scrutineering typically happens on the Sunday/Monday before race weekend.
The teams and their cars arrive just outside of the city center, the teams will then unload the cars and push them into corral which the ACO as constructed. Then it goes into a technical tent, which is blocked from view, this is where Audi unveils their engines, suspension setups to the ACO. If any of a number or pre-determined criteria are not meet the car will be ineligible to compete.
The ACO stewards go over every detail on the cars. By taking careful measurements and using pre-measured pieces of aluminum, wood and scales to make sure the cars are up to their exacting specifications. The external safety features of the cars are also double checked such as the brake lights, headlights and windshield wipers.
As expected, Audi Sport Team Joest passed the inspections with no issues. The teams then follow this with a fun photo shoot where the center square of town plays backdrop to the team’s group pictures. We were lucky enough to have front row seats and hopefully this set of pictures shows you what this process is like! Full Gallery after the jump.
Audi today announced its complete lineup for the 2014 Model Year, including full line pricing and numerous vehicle additions and enhancements.
Continuing its growth strategy with a focus on balanced performance solutions – enhancements in technology, innovative design and driving dynamics that improve efficiency and performance, Audi announces numerous additions and enhancements to its 2014 Model Year lineup. Audi now offers TDI® clean diesel variants of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5, marking the first time Audi features a full lineup of TDI clean diesel vehicles in the U.S. The RS 7, the most powerful RS model ever offered in the U.S., joins the lineup this fall, representing the epitome of aesthetic design, innovative technology and track-tested performance. Also new to the lineup is the high-performance SQ5, the first-ever S variant of any Audi Q model. The R8 model line is now optimized with a new incredibly fast-shifting double-clutch transmission and the all-new R8 V10 plus model.
Continue reading ‘Audi announces 2014 Model Year vehicles and pricing’
Two more weeks until the Le Mans 24 Hours celebrates its 90th anniversary. The passive safety of a car protects the driver against injuries in an accident and helps absorb impact energy. But active safety has long been gaining importance in racing as well. Modern assistance systems such as the ones used in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro defuse dangerous situations in the preliminary stages.
