Audi has announced more powerful TT RS Plus, coming in both Coupe and Roadster versions, and now featuring a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo good for 360 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. Customers will have the option of going with a manual six-speed transmission or the seven-speed S tronic. The Coupe with S tronic transmission can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds, with the manual lagging just behind at 4.3 seconds. The roadster splits the difference at 4.2 seconds (manual: 4.4 seconds). Both models are electronically limited to a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph). The exterior of the TT-RS Plus is distinguished with a single-frame radiator grille in polished anthracite with trim frame finished with a matte aluminum look. The side mirrors are outfitted with carbon fiber reinforced polymer, while the Audi RS sport exhaust has black oval tailpipe trims. The 19-inch wheels are painted black with red accent on the rim flanges, and a large fixed rear wing increases downforce at the back of the car.

The Audi TT-RS Plus is expected to launch in April following its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Check out multiple images in the gallery following the click. via: WCF

Within the last couple of years, the Audi A6, A7 and A8 have each received a facelift that subtly refined their external styling and upgraded their power plants, drive-trains and technology. Now it’s the A5′s turn. Beginning at the front, the A5 and its sportbacked twin, the S5, now sport a new grill and lighting design popularized by earlier A6 models as well as a chiseled hood that  sharpens at the iconic Audi logo. The interiors have also been refreshed with multifunction streering wheels, upgraded gear levers and accessory controls, and a new selection of upholstery colors and inlays, including aluminum trigon, walnut, or a fine natural grain ash finish. Under the hood, while the A5′s still has the same 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine, the S5 now sports a 333hp, 3.0-liter TFSI supercharged V6, but both are now equipped with quattro and S-tronic transmissions. While there’s still no word about its price, be on the lookout for the new 2013 Audi A5/S5 to hit showrooms next year.

Rounding out an already perfect year, Audi presents the A1 Quattro, the most powerful edition in its A1 subcompact class. Armed with a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, the same 252 horsepower powerplant found on the Audi S3, the A1 Quattro is capable of dashing across the 62 mph marker from a standing start in just 5.7 seconds. Yet, much considerations were on efficiency as well, with an average of 27.67 miles per gallon in fuel consumption. Permanent all-wheel drive functions perfectly in sync with its six-speed manual transmission via a highly intelligent electronic control.

But the most notable aspect of this special edition is its appearance. A near identical throwback to the Audi Quattro of the 1980s, the car features a Glacier White paint scheme, high-gloss black roof, and red accents. The design cues are even noticeable on the 17-inch wheels, in a turbine fan silhouette. The same sport seats found on Audi’s S performance series, designers lavished the interior’s A1 Quattro in Silk Nappa leather with contrast seams in red. The same theme continues onto the floor mats and other parts. Finally, door sills feature the A1 Quattro designation.

Set to launch on later half of 2012, Audi will also offers a number of accessories and options to go along with the new vehicle. Though there is one drawback, the automaker will only produce 333 units, which will make the A1 Quattro one of the most prized subcompact of 2012.

With a name like Venom Edition, you can expect the tuned Audi A8 from ANDERSON GERMANY to be nothing but a boring four door sedan. First and foremost, the exterior of the A8 is covered in satin gunmetal gray, bringing out the gloss black details on the grill emblems, exterior trims and 22 inch wheels. All of the windows are tinted black and even the tail lights are smoked out for a totally stealth look. Carbon fiber side mirrors are reflected by carbon fiber details on the interior trim, continuing the sporty theme inside. As far as the performance is concerned, the mild mods on the sports air filter, racing catalytic converter, exhaust system and reprogrammed ECU increases its power output. The modded 4.2 liter V8 engine puts out 442 horsepower, a considerable improvement over the standard 350 horsepower. via: Carscoop

Audi has unveiled the A1 Samurai Blue at the Tokyo Motor Show, a special one-off model dressed with colors inspired by the uniform of the Japanese national soccer team, the reigning Asian champions whose nickname is “Samurai Blue.” The vehicle is supported by red 18-inch wheels in a unique polygonal design, and powered by a 1.4 TFSI engine delivering a respectable 122 horsepower. Inside are sport seats with Samurai Blue graphics adorning the back, and a jet black interior accented with blue or red air vent nozzles, and more Samurai Blue artwork at the center console and floor mats. The A1 Special is set to hit the auction block with proceeds going to charity. via: WCF

Its interesting to note that while Lamborghini and Audi are part of the Volkswagen AG automotive group, and share identical components, both are still fiercely competitive against one another. After Lamborghini donated its newest Gallardo edition to the Lazio Highway Police Department in Italy. Audi is looking to challenge the title of “world’s fastest police car” with its own R8. Tuned by specialists at Abt, the Abt Audi R8 GTR Polizei recently debuted at Essen Motor Show. Based on the Abt R8 V10 GTR, the special edition eliminated additional weights with the usages of carbon fiber parts. The additions of Recaro racing seats, stainless steel rollover bar, police light bar, reflective paint, and a healthy dose of 612-horsepower (up from the standard 518 hp) by its 5.2 liter V10 engine gives it a 0-62 mph acceleration time of only 3.2 seconds. That’s more than enough juice to chase down any other cars on the Autobahn. via: WCF

With the A1, Audi has a solid contender in the super-compact market – competing with the Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, and the BMW 1 Series for young, urban, affluent drivers. And after introducing a 3-door A1 in 2010, Audi is now hoping to lure more buyers by offering a 5-door version of the sporty and unique car. The new Sportback will offer a full backseat, with an optional 5th seat, as part of an interior that offers more room and storage space than the 3-door. Audi is also committed to offering plenty of options for the A1, in both performance and personalization; at the high end is Audi’s MMI navigation plus, with DVD drive voice control, a 6.5-inch fold out 3D LCD, and a 14 speaker 465-watt Bose surround sound system. For performance, buyers can choose between three gasoline and three TDI diesel engines, for an available 185 hp, and Audi’s 7-speed S Tronic transmission is available. In all, the small size of the A1 requires few compromises – solid exterior lines, a full range of performance and comfort options, and a well-engineered and designed interior. Still no word on a US release of the A1, but you can see a gallery of what’s going to be hitting European markets in 2012 after the jump. via: Autoblog.

Audi has announced the release of the successor to its factory produced R8 LMS GT3 sports racing car, which in just three short years has already posted wins in 115 races and twelve national and international titles. The new R8 LMS Ultra for 2012 is packed with enough improvements that the vehicle is set up to continue the winning tradition. It’s lost a bit of weight at the same time it’s gotten safer, thanks to new carbon reinforced plastic doors and high-energy-absorbing crash foam (as well as a new PS1 safety seat). The car has also gained a new transmission, better equipped to handle long-distance runs, and undergone improvements to its cooling system in the form of large side air vents for increased airflow, as well as larger engine and transmission fluid cooler. Additionally, the aerodynamics have been optimized, with a wider front hood and repositioned rear wing with larger end plates. Though the same production-based 5.2-liter V10 is carried over from the previous model, potentially good for 570 horsepower (contingent on restriction regulations per individual racing series), a new exhaust with race catalytic converters should improve engine performance. via: Autoblog

For those who think a Smart car is too opulent, Audi introduces its Urban Concept. Sort of a cross between a dune buggy and a soapbox racer that you’d see in the Yo Gabba Gabba! remake of The Road Warrior, the stripped down car is truly a work of function, not art. It has open wheels and an exposed suspension supporting a body built with aluminum and carbon fiber. The engine delivers 40 bhp and 71 lb-ft of torque, enabling the vehicle to achieve 40 mph in six seconds and a maximum speed of 60 mph. Its range is 30 miles on a full charge. After pushing the cabin back and sliding into the seat, the driver has to acquaint himself with just a handful of controls. A gear selector panel is operated by a single button, while a digital display shows speed, distance traveled, range and battery charge status. There are two air vents, and it probably doesn’t need mentioning but yes, there is no AC. For environmentally conscious urbanites who want a bare-bones means of conveyance and isn’t afraid to put their lives in the hands of passing SUV drivers, you’ll be interested to know that Audi is planning a limited volume production run of the vehicle. Click through to check out more images of the Audi Urban Concept, a car that looks like a lot of fun to drive in large, empty parking lots. via: CAR

Over the last 39 years, the A4 has been the best selling model from Audi and it keep evolving to keep fans satisfied. The 2013 A4 and high performance S4 models are refined with subtle improvements on the exterior along with its internals. Overall design is revised with sleek lines and aerodynamic form, maintaining its relevancy amongst the whole Audi line up. Under the hood, there will be various power plants on offer, six turbo diesel and four gasoline engines to be exact. However, only a handful of the options will enter the States ranging from 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder and 3.0 liter supercharged six cylinder engine in the S4. via: autoblog

After several sneak peeks in a form of concept cars at various motor shows around the world, Audi is ready to unveil the 2014 e-tron Spyder. This vehicle is in fact a more sophisticated version of the previous e-tron coupe we saw back in Detroit motor show. Each front axle is equipped with an electric motor which pushes 89 horsepower each, along with the rear wheels powered by a twin turbo 3.0 liter V6 TDI that produces 296 horsepower, a combined output of 385 horsepower. The Spyder moves from stand still to 60 mph in around 4.2 seconds, spinning the large 20 inch wheels like an airplane turbine engine. It is a stunning piece of automotive design and technology, giving an indication of the direction Audi will be taking in the near future. via: autoblog

To say that the Audi RS5 has undergone a facelift wouldn’t be far off the mark. In anticipation of its arrival to this side of the Atlantic, the car has received a new face featuring refashioned LED headlamps, new daytime running lamps and a revised lower fascia with a wider grille. Underneath its attractive exterior the vehicle remains unchanged, with the same 450-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive system that enable the car to accelerate from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds. Expect the RS5 coupe to land in U.S. Audi dealerships in 2012.