With April comes the New York Auto Show. While not as big a player as the North American International Auto Show and with the Beijing Motor Show just days away, the auto show in the Big Apple is still very significant. In the case of Audi, it proved the chance to reveal two new US market-specific models sure to please and offered one last way to show off the Audi line before the car industry show circuit goes on effective hiatus until fall.
Below is a summary of what can be found on the Audi stand in New York. Public days at the Jacob Javits center begin today, and likely you can catch these and more should you make time for a visit.
Editor’s Note: With this event report you will notice a few format changes being implemented with this story. Some things are simply visual, like a new font and templates in our layouts. Another more functional change is specifically done for the enjoyment of our readers. We’ve upped our photo gallery image sizes from 1024 pixels wide to 1600 pixels wide. With these new larger format photos, we believe our readers will be able to appreciate the images published here at a much greater level of detail.
Audi RS 7 dynamic edition
It’s a little known fact that Audi has offered its more aggressive Dynamic Ride Control (DRC) from the outset on the RS 7, though the installation of the optional and more aggressive non-air adjustable suspension hasn’t become terribly common. Given that, Audi chose DRC as the basis for a limited production run of special ‘dynamic edition’ RS 7 models.
Early this summer the first of such cars will begin to arrive at dealerships. In addition to DRC, they’ll sport crimson red seat belts, red stitching on leather surfaces, extensive carbon fiber options and tornado red painted brake calipers. Exterior paint options will include Ibis White, Suzuka Grey, Daytona Grey Pearl or Phantom Black Pearl.
Audi A3 TDI Sportback
American Audi executives have hinted that more Sportback drivetrains were being considered for the A3 range, though after the A3 e-tron comes to market. So, while it wasn’t a big surprise, Audi still managed to raise eyebrows when it pulled the cover off of a new 2.0-liter TDI version of the car that it says will be on the American market in about a year and just after the e-tron arrives.
No doubt A3 TDI fans will appreciate the move. As for whether Audi will mirror the old Sportback lineup and offer 2.0 TFSI or 2.0 TFSI quattro versions remains to be seen.
Audi A3 is World Car of the Year
One claim to fame of the New York Auto Show is the annual awarding of the World Car of the Year Awards. The awards are a great honor, even moreso when you win the overall World Car of the Year title as did the Audi A3.
Timing was perfect for Audi of America. The team responsible for the USA had no less than an A3 e-tron, the newly announced A3 2.0 TDI Sportback, an A3 sedan, A3 Cabriolet and S3 sedan all on center stage… which made a great place to celebrate the award.
Audi Exclusive R8 V10 plus
It’s fair to say that the team building Audi show cars checked all the boxes in their ordering of the R8 V10 plus on display in New York. In addition to matte Suzuka Grey paint, gloss black alloys and a plethora of carbon fiber, the car also sported cross-stitched red leather seating and even cross-stitched alcantara roof liner.
Audi SQ5 in Daytona Grey Pearl
What you see here is not an Audi Exclusive upgrade. Word from Audi sources is that Daytona Grey is just one of the new colors for the SQ5 planned for model year 2015. Daytona Grey will also be available on the S4, S5, A5 S line competition and a new A4 S line competition.
Audi S3
There’s no real news here, other than the North American launch of the S3 sedan is getting quite close now. These cars are expected in the market by August, and hopefully that means many handsome red versions equipped like this example.
Audi S8
Also on display in New York was Audi’s S-car Q-ship… the S8. The car underwent a recent facelift and this car reflects the North American equivalent. And, while those headlights may look like Matrix Beam units, we’re hearing they’ve not yet been approved by the American lawmakers. In as much, the headlights look like those in Europe but operate more like a standard LED headlight.
Audi Q3 2.0T quattro
Maybe not as exciting as an S8 or an Audi Exclusive R8, the Q3 is no less important to Audi. Its presence on the Audi stand underlines the proximity of the small crossover’s market launch here in the USA. No doubt the new Q3 in addition to the A3/S3 range will help propel Audi’s continued record-setting growth this year.
Audi Exclusive A8L
Like the S8 on the stand, this A8L reflected Audi’s latest facelift to its D4 range. This particular car included several other unique production options. We noted the wheel design seems to match the look one of the RS 6 Avant wheel designs, while inside the A8’s cabin was a veritable menu for exotic interior accouterments that can be had from Audi Exclusive.
See more photos of Audi at the New York International Auto Show in our photo gallery linked below and to the right. Worth noting, we’ve enlarged the size of our photos from 1034 pixels to 1600 pixels wide, making for more detailed imagery from the event.
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