World Auto News & Reviews

This here is the Autonomous Audi TTS, a research model for a car that does away with the driver altogether in order to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies. The prototype car is the collaborative work of the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), the Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab (SDDL) and Sun Microsystems.
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Audi has us all confused lately with its 2011 A6 and A8 test cars as it’s very difficult to tell one car from the other with certainty. For example, check out this video shot in Mexico that shows a somewhat lightly camouflaged Audi test mule on the road. Now, can you tell us if what we’re looking at here is a prototype for the new-generation A8 that will be unveiled at the end of the month or for the redesigned A6 which is slated to be introduced next year?

Audi has teamed up with Stanford University to create an autonomous TT-S, named “Shelley”.

Designed to compete in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the car has been outfitted with ‘drive by wire’ technology which uses algorithms developed by Stanford University and Sun Microsystems. The algorithms will process data collected by the “Applanix POS LV420 GPS and the Inertial Measurement Unit” to steer the car up the mountain. Other techno goodies include an ‘APA-BS’ (Axially Parallel Actuation-Braun-Schweig) electric power steering system, an electronic throttle, and an emergency shutdown system.
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Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper has awarded a Golden Steering Wheel to the new Audi A5 Sportback.

The new Audi A5 Sportback was awarded ‘Best midsize car’ by the newspaper, and is the third model from Audi’s successful A5 range.Its victory constitutes the 18th time this award has been presented to an Audi vehicle in the 34-year history of the competition, making Audi the most successful brand in the competition.

The Audi A5 Sportback rose above a strong field of direct competitors to build on the wins achieved in previous years by the Audi Q5 and Audi A4.
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Automatic versions of the latest economy focused Audi A3 models are the first in the premium sector to benefit from the latest engine start-stop technology, which has already helped to cut emissions in manual transmission TDI versions to a sector-leading 109g/km. The new highly efficient 1.4 TFSI petrol and 1.6 TDI versions of the A3 equipped with the acclaimed S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission will spearhead the new technology, which also goes hand-in-hand with a recuperation system to harness braking energy.
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