A Paper Crafted Audi & How It Was Made

From: http://www.visualnews.com/

Using only paper as his materials, graphic designer Taras Lesko was recently commissioned by Audi to create a model version of their snappy new A7 automobile. Putting his print, cut and paste skills to work, Lesko came up with a version of the car that looks almost as if it could really drive. Be sure to check out the great ‘making-of’ video below and then head to visualspicer.com for more of this talented designers creations.

Audi designs a foosball table, redefines "fine motor skills"

by Noah Joseph
from: http://www.autoblog.com/

Audi Design Foosball Table – Click above for high-res image gallery

We know what you're thinking. I love me some foosball; if only the game were infused with a bit more... car. Well, Audi Design has answered your prayers, good friend.

The design was initially unveiled a couple of years ago, but is only now entering production, albeit limited: Only 20 examples of this soccer table are being produced by specialist firm Leonhart, each carrying a heft €12,900 (~$16k) price tag.

And yes, you could probably get yourself behind the wheel of a nice used A4 for that amount. But would that be as much fun? Well, probably. But for the fanatic who's already got an R8 in the driveway, this very well might be the ultimate addition to the gaming room. Details – including endorsement from none other than the head of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association – in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Audi Design Foosball Table

[Source: Audi]

Ingolstadt, 2010-05-31
Audi Design soccer table starts production

• An exclusive hand-made series of just 20
• Emotion-packed design and excellent game quality
• The table costs 12,900 euros and can be ordered from quattro GmbH

A football is always a football! You can kick an old one around just as easily as a modern one. The same applies to the good old table soccer game. A strong wooden frame, 22 players and of course the traditional green pitch – what more could you need for excitement and fun? The Audi design team nonetheless decided to take a closer look at this rectangular table, and decided that a rounded-off shape would be better. Two years ago the Audi Design soccer table was still a study from Audi Concept Design Munich; now a small batch is to be produced. Times change: let nobody say that a table soccer game doesn't have to look good. After all, in professional soccer these days the ball is made from polyurethane, not leather.

What does the Audi Design soccer table feature apart from emotion-packed design? Of course –"Vorsprung durch Technik"! The materials, workmanship and technical interpretation all satisfy the very highest standards. Aluminum and high-strength plastic fittings are added to the handcrafted wooden core. Also important: the table meets the high standards demanded in professional tournaments – a unique combination of function and design. Only 20 of these tables will be built initially: an exclusive series costing 12,900 euros per table.

"It's a attractive task to transfer our cars' design language to other day-to-day articles, and the results are often surprising!" says Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design. "The Audi Design soccer table features large-area, flowing surfaces and sharp, clearly defined lines. The brushed aluminum frame creates an exciting contrast to the white body. Our design team looks forward to displaying one of these tables at our Concept Design studio in Munich."

For this project, nothing has been left to chance: ten Audi trainees at the Audi instructional workshops in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm had the task of building the soccer tables. A year's painstaking craftsmanship, closely supervised of course by the design team in Munich, was needed before the high-precision prototypes were ready. Table soccer manufacturer Leonhart, a Bavarian company that has specialized in these popular leisure games since 1949, used them to produce a small, exclusive batch of tables. Its expertise is essential, since professional players have tuned their reactions to identify even the slightest differences in the way the table behaves.

Thomas Przesdzink, German table soccer champion on several occasions and Chairman of the Bavarian Table Soccer Association, has already tested the new Audi Design table. His verdict: "It looks just great. That tells us nothing about how it performs, but here too I was pleasantly surprised: this is a very good table. From a sporting point of view, it could certainly be used for an official tournament series."

Preview: The Hottest Debuts @ the 2010 New York Auto Show

Antony Marceles
From: http://www.nitrobahn.com/

The New York International Auto Show is less than a week away, and as the auto world waits enthusiastically to see what the global automakers have in store, we thought it would be a good time to give you a preview of what to expect at this years show. As the show’s Director, Candida Romanelli puts it, “Whether you’re in the mood for a new car, or just fantasizing about your dream ride of the future, the New York Auto Show has got just what you’re looking for,“. So sit back, and take a look at some of the hottest vehicles set for debut this year.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

This lightweight sports car comes complete with Gullwing doors and the ultimate handling dynamics. It comes powered by a 6.3L, V8 front-mid engine that develops 571 hp when coupled with a seven-speed double-declutch transmission and sports suspension with aluminum double wishbones.

“the new ultimate sports machine” – Automobile Magzine

Audi A8

Complete with a light aluminum body, powerful and efficient engines and improved MMI control system, the new Audi A8 is slated to arrive in dealerships later this year. The Audi A8 comes equipped with an FSI direct injection 4.2L V8 engine that outputs 350 hp.

“meant to appeal to wealthy consumers looking for maximum luxury and space” – Edmunds.com

SAAB 9-5

In spite of all the commotion experienced during its sale to Spyker, SAAB seem’s to have done itself an unmistakable job with this Scandinavian beauty that is based of SAAB’s Aero X Concept. The 2.8L, V6 engine is enhanced by a Borg-Warner twin-scroll turbocharger, which results in 296 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque

“a clear resurgence of past design traits married to a modern, sleek profile” – MotorAuthority

Ford Shelby GT500

The 2011 Ford Shelby GT500 is expected to take high performance to a whole-new level with improved handling capabilities, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency. It comes loaded with a muscular 5.4L all-aluminum V-8 engine that generates up to 550 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque.

“has the aluminum powerplant we all wanted…, and the effect is absolutely en-lightening.” – Autos.aol.com

Honda CR-Z

After sales figures that exceeded expectations by ten-fold in Japan, the sleek, stylish and sporty Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe is bound to give the Toyota Prius its first real competition. Powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC engine and Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) electric system, the CR-Z hybrid coupe is expected to hit a mileage of 36 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

“Transforming the automotive landscape” – MotorTrend Magazine.

Infiniti M-Series

This luxurious performance sedan comes with a slew of latest technology features, including the Blind Spot Navigation (world’s first system to help avoid blind spots) and Eco Pedal (encourages eco-driving behavior). The M37 comes loaded with a 3.7L, V6 engine that outputs 330 hp, while the M56 comes with a direct injection 5.6L, V8 that delivers 420 hp.

“M has gone from a good-looking sedan to a gorgeous, exotic-looking car from the future.” – cars.about.com

Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai seems to be one of the fastest growing brands, and that claim seems to have been substantiated by Kelly Blue Books (KBB) analysis that Hyundai beat Toyota for “Brand Loyalty” for the first time this year. Hyundai’s popular mid-size sedan, based on their new “fluidic sculpture” design comes with a Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine that delivers 198 hp.

“the perfect symbol of Hyundai’s transformation.” – The Truth About Cars.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

This fabric-top two-door E-Class Cabriolet from the Mercedes-Benz staple exudes confidence and style like none other. It comes in a choice of either a 3.5L, V6 delivering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque in the form of the E350, or a 5.5L, V8 that churns out 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque in the form of the E550 cab.

“2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is a smooth Spanish Fly(er)” – Autoblog

Nissan Juke

Based off the Nissan Qazana concept crossover we saw at last years Geneva Motor Show, the slightly larger Nissan Juke comes with a squared-off roofline along with a pair of extra doors. In the European markets the Nissan Juke is available in either a 1.5-liter turbo-diesel I-4, or one of two 1.6-liter I-4s, one of which comes with a turbocharger.

“filling a niche between the Versa hatchback and Rogue crossover.” – Consumer Report

Porsche Cayenne

The lighter, more powerful and fuel-efficient Porsche Cayenne comes with a complete interior and exterior styling re-design. Watch out for the Cayenne S Hybrid – a highly advanced full hybrid that delivers the performance of an eight cylinder with the fuel-economy of a six cylinder. It packs 333-hp, through its supercharged V-6 engine teamed with a 47-hp electric motor.

“…the Cayenne isn’t the sportiest member of the Porsche range, but it does offer a level of precision, feel, and driver gratification that is lacking in many other luxury SUVs” – MotorTrend Magazine.

Video: Iron Man 2 F1 racecar scene sneak peek

By Mark Kleis

From http://www.leftlanenews.com/

Iron Man 2 is well on its way, and if the first film was any indication of the amazing cars in Tony Stark’s collection, we expect a strong showing for the sequel. Aside from the Audi R8 convertible we spotted Robert Downey Jr driving last summer, we know that at least one scene will involve Stark’s own F1-style car racing on the streets of Monaco before being cut in half by Whiplash (Mickey Rourke).

Officially Official: 2011 Audi A1 finally arrives — Autoblog Green

2011 Audi A1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

 

 

Click here for the full article and specs:  Officially Official: 2011 Audi A1 finally arrives — Autoblog Green

Justin Timberlake named new Audi "brand ambassador"

by Jonny Lieberman

From: http://www.autoblog.com/

All we really want to do at this moment in time is make a never-ending series of N'Sync jokes. But we don't know any. So instead, let's talk about how Audi has just picked Justin Timberlake to be their new spokesman. What's JT doing specifically? Seems as if the four interlocking rings folks are gearing up to do some sort of "extraordinary Internet campaign" for the A1 and "That's where Timberlake will play a leading role."

Just yesterday, we published a report that the new Audi A1 will possibly not be coming to the U.S. Obviously, a star of Timberlake's caliber will be able to effectively move metal outside of our shores. But we have to wonder if Audi's naming Timberlake its brand ambassador doesn't kick a little sand into the eye of the A1-is-not-for-here theory. After the all, the guy started his music career on Star Search and later as a Mouseketeer. It seems fairly apparent that Audi would make a move like this if us American types are in fact getting their small premium city car. Then again, we're not really up on our star watching and our Significant Others tell us that JT is an international phenom. In any case, at this moment in time, we just don't know what to think. Press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A1 Graffiti Teasers

[Source: Audi]

PRESS RELEASE:

Justin Timberlake new Audi brand ambassador

• Justin Timberlake gets leading role in Audi A1 Internet campaign
• Timberlake: "I am very excited to be a part of the next evolution"

Ingolstadt, December 16, 2009 – Justin Timberlake will act as an Audi brand ambassador starting in 2010. The entertainer will play the leading role in an exceptional Audi A1 Internet campaign to be launched in the spring of 2010.

"Justin Timberlake is an extraordinary artist. He manages to keep advancing his personal development while proving his abilities in different branches of the arts," says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. "As a superstar he appeals to a young target audience that we're particularly intent on exciting about the compact and efficient A1, which is superlatively well suited for city traffic."

In the spring of 2010, Audi will launch an extraordinary Internet campaign for the market introduction of the new A1. That's where Timberlake will play a leading role. "Audi has always been at the forefront of engineering and technology", says Timberlake, „and I am very excited to be a part of the next evolution conscience with Audi and the A1".

Stanford builds robotic Audi for racing, robotic Volkswagen for parking

by Donald Melanson

You can make a robotic car, and you can make a robotic car -- and it looks like Stanford is leading the charge on the no compromises approach with its new driverless Audi TTS. That, of course, is only the latest in a long line of robotic cars from the folks at Stanford, and it looks like it's also by far their most ambitious, as it's going above and beyond the usual DARPA challenges in the hope of breaking a few records and winning a few races. In fact, the car apparently already holds the "unofficial" speed record for an automous car at 130 miles per hour and, in the long term, Stanford hopes that it'll be able to complete the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which stretches some twenty kilometers and includes no less than 156 turns. To balance all that adreneline, the Volkswagen Automotive Innovation Laboratory at Stanford has also developed a new VW Passat "valet system" that may not win any races, but can sure do some mean parallel parking. Videos of both after the break, more details a few hands-off impressions courtesy of BotJunkie at the links below.

Read - BotJunkie, "Stanford's New Robotic Audi TTS Knows How To Drift, Will Tackle Pikes Peak Next Year"
Read - BotJunkie, "VAIL Demonstrates Autonomous Valet Parking System"

Muppets Invade Autobahn!

German police seek speeding British Muppet
German traffic police have been left looking like proper muppets by a British prankster. An Audi TT with British registration plates has been repeatedly caught speeding on roads in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. But because continental speed cameras are set up for left-hand drive vehicles, the cameras keep missing the driver’s face.

Instead, they keep capturing clear views of a manic Muppet-like toy which the cheeky Brit has propped up on his passenger seat. But police admit they are even baffled about the identity of the muppet.




The No.1 suspect is Animal – the manic drummer from The Muppet Show’s house band The Electric Mayhem. But several residents of Sesame Street are also in the frame, including the lovable monster Grover and Bert’s rubber-ducky-loving sidekick Ernie.

Now police have released one of the photographs in the hope someone will recognise the furry speed demon. A German police source said: “The number plate is not enough. We need clear evidence of who is driving the vehicle too.



Many thanks Hauptkommissar Schulze!

“But because this is a British vehicle we can never get a decent picture. The driver has obviously worked this out because he has placed a large puppet in the passenger seat.

“This may be an example of the famous British sense of humour but it is still dangerous driving. The driver has been caught on camera on several occasions and the puppet is on the passenger seat every time. We suspect he positions the toy deliberately before accelerating past the camera.”