Audi: 38 Percent of all Models Sold in 2010 were Equipped with Quattro Drive

In 2010, the year that Audi celebrated the 30th anniversary of the quattro, it sold an impressive 437,792 quattro-equipped cars, or about 38 percent of its total production. The brand with the four rings said it sells more all-wheel drive vehicles than any other premium manufacturer in the world.

The most popular all-wheel drive Audi was the Q5 compact SUV, with 155,025 sales. The German company will soon add a hybrid version to the Q5 range, while a smaller SUV, the Q3, is due to be launched next month at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Aside from the Q5 and Q7 SUVs, the quattro system was also a popular choice among other models, ranging from the A3 to the A8. According to Audi, almost a quarter of all “A” series model sales in 2010 were vehicles equipped with four-wheel-drive,

“Quattro is one of the Audi brand’s greatest success stories, and today we are writing what may well be its most exciting chapter,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi board of management member. “As we move down the road toward electric mobility, we see entirely new possibilities for Quattro technology. The electric quattro of the future will be even more agile, safer and – above all – more efficient,” adds the executive.

Audi offers more than 130 quattro model variants if you take into account the different body types, engines and transmission options. The most advanced version of the quattro system, available in the RS5, A7 Sportback and the new A6, features a crown-gear center differential and torque vectoring.

By Dan Mihalascu

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MR Car Design Tunes 374-horse Audi Q7 V8 TDI, Brings its Styling in Line with the Facelift Model

The pre-facelift Audi Q7 4.2 TDI is the focus of MR Car Design's latest tune. The German firm starts off with the exterior styling of the large SUV, bringing it in line with the refreshed Q7. The kit includes a front bumper with LED daytime running lights, new headlamps and LED tail lights. There's also a new set of 22-inch wheels wrapped in 265/35-22 rubber, while interior improvements are limited to an available sports steering wheel sourced from the RS6.

Under the hood, MR Car Design's engineers managed to squeeze another 48-horses and 110Nm from the 4.2-liter turbocharged V8 diesel, lifting output from 326HP to 374HP, and peak torque from 760Nm to 870Nm. They also removed the electronic speed limiter.

Other available performance upgrades include an electronic module for the suspension that lowers the Q7's ride height.

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Project Kahn gives the 2011 Audi Q7 a Styling Makeover

Striving to improve the look of the 2011 Audi Q7, British tuner Project Kahn released a comprehensive styling package for the German SUV. While there’s nothing wrong with that, we feel that an engine conversion would’ve been a welcome addition as well, justifying the aggressiveness of the wide body kit.

Taking inspiration from the firm’s previous Q7 project, the bodykit includes widened wheel arches, front wings with vents, modified bumpers and a rear roof wing. Kahn RS-X alloys round up the exterior changes.

Inside, all seven seats are clad in black perforated Nappa leather with contrasting Maranello Red stripes , while passengers sitting at the back can enjoy the entertainment package that includes two headrest-mounted 7-inch TFT screens, DVD player, wireless headsets and remote control.

The white speedometer and red rev-counter, new sill plates and aluminum pedals complete the interior upgrades.

All accessories are available as standalone pieces.

By Csaba Daradics

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Anderson Germany Rolls Out Tuned Audi Q7 V12 Diesel with 550HP

Tuning specialist Anderson Germany has got its hands on the most insane version of Audi's Q7 SUV, the flagship V12 TDI model. In stock form, the 12-cylinder oil-burner generates an output of 500 horsepower and a ludicrous 1,000 Nm (757.56 lb-ft) of torque from six liters of displacement, enough to get the all-wheel drive model to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds. A new air filter and software optimizations from Anderson Germany help increase output by 10 per cent to 550-horsepower.

The tuning firm also fitted the Q7 V12 TDI with new brakes featuring eye-popping red-calipers and a lowering module for the suspension.

Next up on Anderson Germany's list is the exterior enhancements, which come in the form of a carbon fiber package for the front grille surround, mirror caps, rear diffuser and roof rails, while all logos, the air-vents, the twin tail pipes and the grille are finished in a shiny black color. The smoked lights at the back and a new set of 22-inch alloy wheels with black spokes shod in 295/30 22 tires all around, are also part of the package.

For the interior, the tuning company proposes white carbon-applications on the dashboard, steering wheel and doors, while the seating surfaces and door panels are upholstered in leather and quilted black Alcantara with contrasting white seems. Optionally, Anderson Germany also offers a matching child seat. The new LED lights round off the interior upgrades.

The German tuner has not given pricing yet on the new Q7 V12 TDI package.

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