Auto Expo 2016: Audi to showcase new R8, next-gen A4 could come too
Audi is gearing up for the Auto Expo with some exciting offerings. The company has officially announced that the new R8, the A8 L Security and Prologue concept will be displayed but we suspect the new A4 will be the German Carmaker’s big unveil. BMW will launch the updated 3 Series in India at the same time and Jaguar in all likelihood is going to bring the new XE to India at the Expo. The segment sure is going to get a lot busier.
New Audi A4 at the Auto Expo
The new A4 may look like a facelift of the old car but it is all new. It’s also larger and lighter than its predecessor and a lot more fuel efficient. Two engines that could make it to India are the 2.0-litre units. The TDI diesel is carried over from the Audi lineup developing 177bhp. What is impressive is a claimed 21 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency. The 2.0-liter TFSI gets big upgrades. It’s now rated at 252 horsepower and 370Nm of torque. The new A4 gets a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox and front-wheel drive setup.
New Audi R8 V10
The second generation Audi R8 is more powerful, dynamic and faster than its older generation R8. Unlike the outgoing car, the R8 in its new avatar comes with the V10 block from launch. The new R8 will be powered by the same 5.2 litre FSI V10 engine with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system available. Two versions with one producing 532.6bhp and the other one is the R8 V10 Plus with 601bhp of power. Audi’s new R8 also gets the virtual cockpit display like the new Audi Q7 and the Audi TT. The R8 is one of the last naturally aspirated supercars to go on sale since every manufacturer is shifting to turbocharging.
Audi A8 L Security
Audi like its other German rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW has now stepped on to the Customised armoured car segment by introducing the Audi A8 L Security. The car was showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. The A8 L security comes certified with resistance class VR 9 with ERV 2010 guidelines. The A8 L will be powered by the new 6.3 litre W12 direct-injected engine with a massive peak power of 500bhp and peak torque of 625Nm. The car will be manufactured at Audi’s top-secret plant in Neckarsulm, Germany. The A8 L will be competing against the Mercedes-Benz S Guard.
Audi Prologue Concept
Audi’s future design philosophy might be showcased at the Auto Expo. The prologue concept is a 5-door model with a raised body giving it a mid-size SUV stance. The concept made its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show. The concept will get Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. The Prologue would be a high-end technology car with unrestricted everyday practicality. The Prologue concept will enable digital interaction between driver and passenger.
