Audi Latest Automaker to Introduce Gas-Price App

Joining automakers such as GM and Ford, whose respective infotainment systems — Chevrolet MyLink and MyFord Touch — offer drivers the ability to find the nearest station with the cheapest gas, Audi has added an app to its lineup helping folks find where to fill 'er up frugally. The German automaker announced this week that, beginning in May, members of its A3 family of hatchbacks equipped with Audi connect will have access to Refuelling Stop, a new online service that provides information about where to find the cheapest gas.

According to Audi, the service consults an online database of gas stations and prices and matches the list to the driver's current location or destination. The driver can sort search results by price or distance, and simply click on the station and set it as the navigation destination. The system will even consider the type of fuel required by the A3, which can be premium or diesel depending on the engine.

Audi Announces Pricing for 2014 A8 L TDI

As expected, Audi will continue to expand its U.S. diesel line, led by the clean-diesel variant of the automaker's flagship luxury full-size sedan, the 2014 A8 L TDI. Pricing for the A8 L TDI, Audi recently announced, will start at $82,500, excluding a destination charge; for comparison, the Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec clean-diesel sedan starts at $93,000, excluding a destination charge.

The 2014 A8 L TDI has a new 3.0-liter clean-diesel engine paired with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system. According to Audi, the sedan will boast the best fuel economy in its segment: an EPA-estimated 24/36 mpg city/highway. The 3.0-liter puts out 240 horsepower and 406 pounds-feet of torque, and Audi says it's good for a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.4 seconds.

Audi to Bring More Diesel Models to the U.S. Market

Diesel variants of Audi's A8, A7, A6 and Q5 models are expected to go on sale for the 2014 model year. With a full lineup of new diesel vehicles joining the recently upgraded Q7 TDI, Audi hopes to continue making an efficient, green footprint in the United States. 

More 2012 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

"Owners of Audi TDI engines have helped save over 4 million gallons of gasoline, or the equivalent of more than 240,000 barrels of foreign oil, since the introduction of Audi TDI to the U.S. in 2009," Scott Keogh, President of Audi of America, said in a statement. 

2013 Audi A8: What's Changed

Most significant changes: A V-6 and new V-8 are added

Price change: $6,530 lower 

On sale: V-6 and W12 models available now; V-8 in summer; S8 in fall 

Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? If you're looking for a more affordable A8, you should wait.

For the 2013 model year, the Audi A8 gets a series of new engines and trims, bringing down the model's overall starting price.

The 2013 A8 now has four engine choices instead of two. The new A8 can be equipped with a carryover 500-horsepower, 6.3-liter W12 or two new engine offerings: a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 (replacing last year's 4.2-liter V-8) or a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6. A new Audi S8 model is equipped with a 520-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. Both 4.0-liter V-8s come equipped with cylinder deactivation, which turns the V-8 into a four-cylinder under certain conditions. All the models are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Cars.com Family Reviews the 2012 Audi A8 L

When it comes to the intersection of sedans and families, size matters, according to Cars.com Family contributor Courtney Messenbaugh. The 2012 Audi A8 L is long on cabin and cargo space, making this luxurious sedan a perfect fit for Courtney’s family of five. What wasn’t perfect was its lofty starting price: $84,700.

2012 Audi A8 L Review

2013 Audi S8: Photo Gallery

Unlike the recently unveiled 420-horsepower S6 and S7, the 2013 Audi S8 gets a more potent 520-hp V-8 engine, which is a 148-hp increase from the A8's regular V-8 powertrain. 

More 2011 L.A. Auto Show Coverage

Like the other “S” trims, the S8 is distinguished by brushed aluminum inlays, Alcantara trim and different wheel designs.

Toyota Camry Most Stolen Car

The Toyota Camry was the most stolen new passenger car in 2009, according to the most recent information provided by the National Crime Information Center, a government agency that is part of the FBI.

Out of all the Camrys produced in 2009, about 781 were stolen. Keep in mind that the Camry was (and is) the best-selling passenger car. So the fact that it leads the list isn't remarkable; in fact, the rate at which it was stolen was nearly half the national average. 

New Audi S6, S7 and S8: First Look

• Competes with: S6 with BMW 550i; S7 with BMW 550i Gran Turismo; and S8 with Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
•  Looks like: The A6, A7 and A8 with “S” badges
•  Drivetrain: 420-horsepower, 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 with seven-speed automatic in S6 and S7; 520-hp version with eight-speed automatic in S8; all are all-wheel drive
•  Hits dealerships: Spring 2012

You can kiss goodbye the V-10 engine in the former S6 and S8, as a smaller and more efficient V-8 becomes the most notable feature to the high-performance version of the luxury sedans, as well as the new S7 hatchback. Audi is introducing the three at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
 
All of the new S models use a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. In the S6 and S7, the boosted V-8 makes 420 horsepower, while the S8’s V-8 packs a more potent 520 hp. This is a 110-hp jump from the A6 and A7’s existing 3.0-liter supercharged V-6, and a 148-hp increase from the A8’s V-8.
 
In the S6, the new engine is 25 percent more efficient than the outgoing V-10, Audi says, thanks to features like cylinder deactivation, which switches between four- and eight-cylinder operation.
 
Teamed to the S6 and S7 are all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission. The S8 comes with an eight-speed-automatic transmission. All include a form of adaptive air suspension with variable dampening and selectable driving modes.

Audi Sales Held Back by Slim Inventory

You would think setting sales records month after month would be a good thing, but it’s also had a negative side effect for luxury brand Audi. There aren't enough cars on lots for all the shoppers walking in the door to buy.

Audi’s 227 dealerships collectively have about 10,000 cars on their lots, which is equivalent to a 27-day supply for the entire lineup. A 60-day supply is considered healthy, according to Ward’s Auto.

That situation is somewhat of a mixed-blessing, said Johan de Nysschen, president of Audi America. At least people want Audi vehicles, but the situation is causing some shoppers to desert the brand. Audi cannot satisfy demand for its A4, A5, Q5 and Q7 crossovers, or the redesigned A8 flagship; all these models have less than a 20-day supply.

Such short supply means the desired vehicle — right trim, powertrain and color — often aren’t available without custom ordering it from the factory and waiting for delivery. Audi says preorders make up 31% of sales currently. That’s not a good thing because many car shoppers don’t like purchasing a vehicle in this manner. “[It’s] unsustainable because we’re losing business … and some of our dealers are unprofitable,” de Nysschen told Wards Auto. He also added that his company could be selling twice as many diesel Q7 crossovers if they were available.

Audi hopes the rollout of the 2012 Audi A6 and A7 will take pressure on some off of its more constrained models. The 2012 Audi A7 went on sale earlier this month, and the A6 goes on sale later this summer. However, we don't see how that will please Q5 fans who might be prefer to buy a new BMW X3 or Volvo XC60 rather than waiting for a Q5.

Audi Constrained by Vehicle Supply (Wards Auto)

Hybrids, Luxury Cars Top Cars.com Search for April

Fuel-efficient cars and some luxury models topped our 15 biggest gainers in Cars.com search traffic for April. After analyzing the last 30 days of search data, the recently launched Infiniti M35h, Fiat 500, Ford Focus and the Lexus CT 200h saw significant gains on our site.

Increased search demand for more fuel-efficient options lead to a surge in compact and hybrid car traffic on Cars.com when gas surpassed the $4 a gallon mark for the first time in 2008. As we near $4 a gallon once again, it looks like the same trend is shaping up this time around; the only difference is this time more automakers are prepared with fuel-efficient options, including luxury players.