2012 Audi A3
Audi offers a range of smaller products around the world, but the A3 is the smallest and least expensive model for sale in the U.S. This conservatively styled compact has four doors and a nearly vertical rear hatchback reminiscent of a small wagon. The styling pays dividends in utility with a cargo carrying capacity that rivals some larger wagons. The base engine in the A3 is a turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 200-bhp. Audi's famed quattro all-wheel-drive system is available on gas-powered models. What really sets the A3 apart is the availability of a diesel engine. When equipped with the 2.0l turbo diesel engine, the A3 carries an EPA rating of 30 MPG City, 42 MPG Highway. The A3 is a bit pricey, but includes a healthy list of standard equipment.
2012 Audi A4 Avant
Station wagons are not always the strongest sellers in the U.S., but many European manufacturers like Audi offer station wagon versions of their sedans for those buyers looking for an extra bit of utility without the bulk of a SUV. The A4 Avant is the wagon version of the popular A4 compact sedan. Although the A4 product range is broad, Audi imports just the 2.0l turbo model of the Avant to the U.S. market. A long list of standard equipment includes a leather interior and a panoramic glass roof. Higher trim levels offer exclusive features like adaptive cruise control and LED headlamps. Sport and S-Line trim packages allow buyers to tailor the A4 to their tastes.
2012 Audi A4 Sedan
The A4 sedan is the heart of the Audi lineup. The A4 is available in an impressive number of driveline configurations including 4-cylinder, V6 engines, FWD and AWD. All versions include Audi's decidedly German combination of handsome styling and mechanical prowess. The turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 models offer a lot of performance for the money. A long list of standard equipment includes a leather interior, MMI information interface, and a sunroof. Higher trim levels offer exclusive features like adaptive cruise control and LED headlamps. Sport and S-Line trim packages allow buyers to tailor the A4 to their tastes. As good as the A4 is, it competes in what may be the most competitive segment in the whole industry featuring standouts like the BMW 3-series, Infiniti G and the Lexus IS, all offering models in the low to mid 30s.
2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet
Audi's lineup of vehicles includes a trio of convertible models. The A5 cabriolet is a small-to-mid sized model with two rows of seating for up to four passengers. Although similar models from BMW, Lexus and Infiniti have retractable hard-tops, the A5 retains a power-operated soft top. The convertible top retracts in 15 seconds at speeds up to 30 MPH. Most A5 models are equipped with a 211-bhp four-cylinder turbo paired with either a CVT (FWD) or eight-speed automatic (AWD). The S5 performance model adds a 333-bhp supercharged six-cylinder engine and seven-speed sequential manual transmission.
2012 Audi A5 coupe
Audi has a stylish luxury coupe to compete with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The A5 has a familiar 2.0l turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood partially mounted behind the front axle to improve weight distribution and handling. The S5 performance model upgrades to a 4.2L V8 rated at 354 horsepower. Both models offer a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Unlike competitive offerings, all A5 coupe models are all-wheel-drive with Audi's quattro as standard. Like most Audi models, the A5 is offered in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. The base Premium model is well equipped, with the higher trim levels adding features like HID headlamps, three-zone climate control, and larger wheels/tires.
2012 Audi A6 Sedan
Like other German luxury automakers, Audi markets a range of sedans in varying sizes. The latest A6 sedan splits the difference between the smaller A4 and larger A8 sedans. While the A6 is competitive in size with the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, it offers slightly less interior room than mainstream mid-sized sedans like the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. For a luxury sedan, the A6 represents a healthy blend of size, luxury, and performance. Powertrain choices in 2012 include a 211-bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 310-bhp 3.0l supercharged V6. Four-cylinder models are front-wheel-drive with a CVT transmission, whereas the V6 models include quattro all-wheel-drive. Like most Audi models, the A6 is offered in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. The base Premium model is well equipped, with the higher trim levels adding features like HID headlamps, four-zone climate control, and larger wheels/tires.
2012 Audi A7
The Audi A7 is a four-door, four-passenger car. In profile, the A7 has a long sweeping roofline that looks similar to other Audi sedans, but the A7 has a large hatchback in place of a traditional trunk. The A7 is similar in size to the latest A6, but its aggressive roofline and four passenger seating are more likely to intrigue buyers that might have considered the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. A supercharged V6 engine rated at 310-bhp is mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission to power all four wheels. Like other Audi models, the A7 is offered in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. The base Premium model is well equipped, with the higher trim levels adding features like LED headlamps, four-zone climate control, and larger wheels/tires.
2012 Audi A8
Audi's flagship sedan is the A8. The A8 stands apart from other large luxury sedans with its all-aluminum construction and standard all-wheel-drive. The A8 is offered in two lengths. At 202 inches in length, the standard A8 is no small car, but the longer A8L adds another 5 inches of wheelbase and length. This greatly increases legroom in the second row of seats. The A8 is loaded with standard features and amenities, but still offers a healthy list of options and packages to allow owners to customize it as far as their budgets will allow. Notable options include a panoramic sunroof, four-zone climate control, power-closing doors and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Most A8 models equip a powerful V8 engine, but the W12 includes a decidedly unique engine configuration.
2012 Audi Q5
The Q5 is Audi's smallest entry in the SUV/crossover market. The Q5 is similar in length and width to the A4 sedan on the outside, with a couple of more inches of legroom on the inside. Under the hood, the Q5 equips either a 2.0l turbocharged four-cylinder engine (211-bhp) or a 3.2l V6 (270-bhp). Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard on all models. A drive select system allows the driver to control characteristics of the active suspension, steering, transmission and engine performance. When equipped with the four-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic, the all-wheel-drive Q5 is rated at a respectable 20 / 27 (city/hwy). With pricing starting in the mid-thirties, the Q5 is a relatively good bargain in its segment.
2012 Audi Q7
For a company synonymous with all-wheel-drive, Audi was relatively late to the game with its first true SUV. Loosely related to the Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, the Q7 is a substantially different vehicle offering three rows of seating which alone is unique for Audi. While most competitive vehicles feature boxy truck-like styling, the Audi's long, low roofline resembles a tall wagon. The reasonably priced entry-level 3.0L V6 powered Q7 includes a leather interior and dual-zone climate control. The option list is list is long, and upscale Q7 models easily top $60,000. The Q7 lineup also includes a 50-state compliant diesel.
2012 Audi R8
Audi's mid-engine sports car, the R8, is available in both coupe and convertible (Spyder) forms. Power is provided to all four wheels by either a 4.2l V8 engine or 5.2L V10 engine. The quattro AWD system has a strong 85% rear-wheel torque bias, but can send as much as 30% to the front wheels to improve traction. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, adjustable magnetic ride suspension, LED headlights and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The R8 offers wheel, leather and carbon fiber packages to allow owners to customize their R8. In 2011/2012, Audi offered a heavily modified limited edition of the R8 coupe dubbed the R8 GT.
2012 Audi R8 Spyder
Audi's mid-engine sports car, the R8, is available in both coupe and convertible (Spyder) forms. Power is provided to all four wheels by either a 4.2l V8 engine or 5.2L V10 engine. The quattro AWD system has a strong 85% rear-wheel torque bias, but can send as much as 30% to the front wheels to improve traction. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, adjustable magnetic ride suspension, LED headlights and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The R8 offers wheel, leather and carbon fiber packages to allow owners to customize their R8.
2012 Audi TT coupe
The Audi TT was originally defined by its distinctly curved styling. Now in its second generation, the TT wears more traditional styling around its compact dimensions. The TT is offered as both a 2+2 hatchback coupe and a 2 passenger roadster. Most TT models are powered by a 211-bhp turbocharged four cylinder engine and include a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. The higher performance TTS models increase the output of the four-cylinder to 265-bhp, but the ultimate TT is the new TT RS high-performance model (coupe only). The TT RS equips an inline five-cylinder engine rated at 360-bhp which can propel the TT RS to 60 in 4.1s. The TT is similar in size to other small coupes/roadsters like the BMW Z4 or Nissan Z. With pricing that overlaps the larger A5 coupe/convertible, the TT is a niche vehicle aimed at a buyer looking for something unique.
2012 Audi TT Roadster
The Audi TT was originally defined by its distinctly curved styling. Now in its second generation, the TT wears more traditional styling around its compact dimensions. The TT is offered as both a 2+2 hatchback coupe and a 2 passenger roadster. Most TT models are powered by a 211-bhp turbocharged four cylinder engine and include a six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. The higher performance TTS models increase the output of the four-cylinder to 265-bhp. The roadster's fabric top is fully power-actuated and fits over the rollover hoops behind the seats. The TT is similar in size to other small convertibles like the BMW Z4 or Nissan Z. With pricing that overlaps the larger A5 coupe/convertible, the TT is a niche vehicle aimed at a buyer looking for something unique.
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