It’s a great day to be Canadian. Why you ask? Well, along with the overall friendliness, beautiful scenery and lack of crime, it now appears as though Canada will get the incredible Audi TT-RS.

Haven’t hear of it? Well, you know that TT-S that’s currently on sale with the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. Well, add an extra cylinder and 0.5-liters of displacement and then make the whole package a lot more hard-core and you’ve got the TT-RS. In total it makes 335-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque and when combined with quattro all-wheel drive and offered exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, it can hit 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds.

Its unusual that Canada would get a model that the United States wouldn’t, unless of course Audi is still planning to bring the car here as well. Plus, Audi Canada hasn’t officially confirmed this report either. However, there is one good reason that Canada could get the car, namely, the high price of cars in the country. Even when the Canadian and U.S dollars are at parity, (like they pretty much are now), vehicles in Canada cost anywhere from 10 to 15 percent more – plus the significantly higher taxes. This makes it possible for Audi (or any other automaker) to make a slight profit, which would be impossible in the U.S. on a 10 to 15 percent cheaper car.Generally, automakers still choose not to sell such vehicles in Canada because of the low volume possible.

According to Monvolant, (which also claims the BMW X1 rear-drive model will make its way to Canada), just 250 TT-RS models will be imported to Canada. Lucky bastards, eh?

[Source: Monvolant via Autoblog]

News that Audi is planning a light-weight version of the R8 emerged several weeks ago, but according to a recent report the car already exists – or at least one of them does, anyway. Designed to bring Audi’s R8 GT3 LMS car to the production realm, it could get the R8 GT3 moniker, designed to take on Porsche’s iconic GT3.

According to Audi R8 project boss Armin Kappler, one road-ready car has already been produced, but has yet to be given the full approval. Likely to keep the 5.2 FSI V10 engine, the car would shed pounds though the use of light weight carbon fiber body parts and a stripped-down interior, while also see the use of a dual-clutch gearbox. What remains to be seen is if Audi would deliver the car without quattro all-wheel drive, as the GT3 race car is a rear-drive machine. This would go against Audi’s quattro philosophy, but would make sense considering the GT3 name and would also help keep weight to a minimum.

If Audi does move ahead with plans for an R8 GT3 street car, it would mean that much like Porsche and Lamborghini, a new R8 iteration would debut almost every year.

[Source: AutoCar]

With Audi’s recent unveiling of the A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show and news the Q5 Hybrid is on its way, Audi has made known plans to add more hybrid models, starting with the A6. According to a report by AutoWeek, the next-generation A6 will be offered in full hybrid form late in 2012 as a 2013 model.

Audi is likely to add even more hybrid variants of its models after that, with a plan to significantly increase is offering of hybrid and electric cars over the next few years. The move is part of a plan by parent company Volkswagen to “own” the alternative power segment. VW will have some catching up to do, however, as Toyota already has quite a head start. However, VW also plans to surpass Toyota as the world’s largest auto maker over the next few years.

In addition, VW will make a big push with electric cars, having recently shown several Audi E-Tron concepts at different auto shows throughout the world. According to Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, Audi aims to build e-tron to become synonymous with electric vehicles, just as quattro has become synonymous with all-wheel drive.

Along with Audi developing its own E-tron models, VW will bring a slew of EVs to market in the next few years, including an E-Up (an electric Up minicar), an E-Golf and an E-Jetta. According to VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn, the E-Jetta will go on sale in the U.S., but probably not until 2013.

In addition to these changes, Audi also plans to improve the efficiency of its gasoline engines by 30 percent by 2020.

[Source:  AutoWeek]

After its debut at the Geneva Auto Swow last week, Audi has released several videos of the new RS5, including some track footage alongside the original Quattro – the car that started it all. Taking after the Quattro, the RS5 is a mean machine with sexy styling. It is powered by the same 4.2-liter V8 found in the RS4 or R8, but output has been upped to a total of 450-hp at 8250 rpm, while maximum torque of 317 ft-lbs is available from 4000 to 6000 rpm. Combined with Audi’s S-tronic dual-clutch 7-speed transmission, quattro all-wheel drive and a 3,803 lb curb weight the RS5 can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds.

Featured for the first time on the RS5 is Audi’s new crown-gear differential, which allows for up to 70 percent of the power to be distributed to the front wheels, or as much as 85 percent to the rear wheels. Under normal operation, the RS5 has a 40:60 rear-bias. In addition, the RS5 features an electronic limited slip differential, that slows the inside wheel in a turn when wheel spin is detected. Plus, an optional sport differential will be made available, distributing power between the rear wheels.

The RS5 sits 0.79 inches lower than the A5 and comes standard with 19-inch wheels (20s are optional). Other highlights include 14.37-inch, 8-piston front brakes, as well as optional carbon-fiber brake discs. There’s also Audi’s drive-select program to control different levels of throttle response, steering, transmission gear changes, the sport differential and even the exhaust system. As for the big rear spoiler, it pops up at speeds above 74 mph and automatically retracts at 50 mph.

Check out both videos after the jump:

With Audi having just launched its all-new 2011 A8 luxury flagship sedan and fuel efficient diesel and hybrid models put on display at last week’s Geneva Auto Show, the next step for the big grilled saloon will be a high-performance model. That’s right, the S8 is set to return.

According to a report by Car & Driver, along with a few spy photos of the model caught winter testing, the S8 will forgo the Lambo-sourced V10 (which wasn’t all that impressive anyway) for a twin-turbo V8. Displacement for the new motor is set at 4.0-liters and while power will be about the same at 450-hp, torque will be significantly higher, resulting in much better low-end grunt.

The new turbo-eight will also deliver much improved fuel economy, while the reduced weight over the front axle should help make for a more dynamic driving experience, while keeping the luxo-barge’s overall weight down.

The S8 should arrive as a 2012 model, so expect a debut late this year or early in 2011.

[Source: Car & Driver]

With a new V10 Spyder having just joined the Audi R8 lineup and a V8-powered drop-top reportedly in the works, Audi isn’t done expanding the R8 lineup just yet. According to a report by Car & Driver, Audi aims to follow after Lamborghini by introducing a “Superleggera” version of the R8.

Not only will the light-weight R8 take inspiration from the R8 LMS cars with carbon fiber components, but it is also likely to use a more powerful version of the 5.2-liter V10. Currently that motor produced 535-hp in the R8, however, Lamborghini recently unveiled a 570-hp version in the new Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera at the Geneva Auto Show. Better yet, C&D says we should expect that Audi will finally replace the 6-speed R-tronic auto-box with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. A six-speed manual is likely to continue as a standard item.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Audi will revive the A2 model, to slot in between its A3 hatchback and the funky new A1 model, which the company debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last week. “There’s clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler to AutoWeek, which comes as a bit of a surprise considering how close the two models really are.

According to the AutoWeek report, the A2 will play a role in Audi’s electric vehicle push, with a new model expected to arrive in 2014. It’s not clear if the next generation A2 will keep the original’s function-first approach or if Audi will attempt to make it a more premium and more sport-oriented model.

There is a strong possibility that the A2 will actually just be an electric version of the A1 (shown as the A1 E-Tron in Geneva).

[Source: AutoWeek]

Audi really went all out to promote its new A1 at the Geneva Auto Show. Newly-signed brand ambassador Justin Timberlake gave Audi’s press conference star power, drawing one of the largest crowds on media day.

Unfortunately the pop star’s appearance was a little underwhelming in this reporter’s opinion.

Lesson #1: If you’re going to have one of the biggest stars on the planet promoting your brand, don’t stick him in a hole in the wall and out of sight of at least a third of the crowd. Just take a look in the gallery below. JT’s on the big screen, but if you look a bit to the left and squint, you can just about make out his hand holding the microphone.

Lesson #2: If you’re going to have a band set up on stage and you’re bringing in a pop star like JT, people will want to see him sing. They don’t want to see him introduce an alternative rock band from Sweden. Nothing wrong with Torpedo’s performance; they acquitted themselves quite well in fact. Personally, I wouldn’t want to be asked to perform when I’m the second most popular musical act on the stage.

Thankfully, the A1 put in a better performance than its co-star. Audi’s new sub-compact has MINI firmly in its sights. The small car (155.5-inches in length, 97.2-inch wheelbase, 68.5-inches wider and 56-inches tall) comes with four engine options.

Diesel options include two 1.6-liter versions with either 90-hp and 169 ft-lbs of torque or 105-hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque. Gasoline models get either a tiny 1.2-liter TFSI 4-cylinder with 86-hp and 118 ft-lbs of torque or a 1.4-liter TFSI with 122-hp and 147 ft-lbs of torque. Five and six-speed manual transmissions come standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available.

But how does it perform? Let’s ask our man JT:

“It’s … fast. And, um … still an Audi.”

Lesson #3: Don’t let JT ad lib.

Gallery: Audi A1

Hot on the tailpipes of the new A8 comes Audi’s A8 Hybrid, which has just made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show. Rated at 38-mpg (average) using the European test cycle, it should be slightly lower with the less-generous U.S. cycle. Audi claims a fuel economy improvement of 20 percent in city driving.

Power comes from (what else), Audi’s incredible 2.0 TFSI engine, combined with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack for a total of 245-hp and 354 ft-lbs of torque. This enables not only impressive fuel economy, but also reasonably good performance (for a hybrid) with a 0-62 mpg time of 7.6 seconds.

The system is a full two-mode hybrid capable of running on gasoline, electric power or a combination of both. It can operate on pure electric power for over 1.5 miles at seeds up to 40 mph.

GALLERY: Audi A8 Hybrid

Official release after the jump:

Along with the launch of the new Audi A1 at the Geneva Auto Show, the automaker unveiled an E-Tron electric vehicle concept.

The A1 E-Tron is powered by a 102 hp electric motor with a range of 31.07 miles. A compact Wankel rotary engine kicks in when needed to recharge the lithium-ion battery, potentially extending the range to 124.27 miles.

According to Audi’s calculations, the fuel A1 E-Tron’s range extender gasoline engine has a fuel consumption of 123.8 mpg and produces 72.42 g/mile of CO2 gas.

Gallery: Audi A1 E-Tron Concept