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.

October's Fastest- and Slowest-Selling Cars

It appears shoppers clamored more aggressively for incoming 2013s last month. Cars for the 2013 model year averaged just 23 days to sell from the day they hit lots while 2012s averaged 121 days. Combined, the group averaged 73 days to turn. That's a wider gap than October 2011 when 2011 and 2012 cars averaged 15 and 93 days to turn, respectively.
 
New or redesigned cars topped the month, with the seventh-generation Nissan Sentra and all-new Subaru XV Crosstrek taking just five days each to move. The redesigned Ford Fusion and Honda Accord plus the all-new Ford C-Max Hybrid made this month's movers, as well.
 
We focused on just 2013 models for October since automakers had a vast majority of 2013 models on sale. October did have one notable redesign in the Loser column: the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, which averaged 92 days on dealer lots. The regular Malibu, meanwhile, took 32 days to sell. That’s better but still below average for 2013s. Is the new Malibu getting lost in the slew of redesigned family cars? Sales fell 6% in October, putting the Malibu behind the Fusion and well in back of the redesigned Accord, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima.

Here are October's fastest- and slowest-selling cars:

Sales of Diesels Continue to Rise

Cheap gas prices aren't the only thing on drivers' minds this year. U.S. sales of diesel-powered vehicles are on a roll. According to research firm Baum and Associates, sales of diesel vehicles during the first six months of 2012 are up 27.5%. 

Through June of this year, 61,214 diesel-powered vehicles have been sold in the U.S., which doesn't look like much, but sales are on a steady climb. U.S. sales of clean-diesel vehicles increased 22.3% in June, compared with last June. Similarly, they increased 14.4% in May and 28.2% in April compared with those months in 2011.

Audi Sound Concept Uses 62 Speakers

Audi really wants you to enjoy your music. The German automaker has developed the Audi Sound Concept, which creates “wave field synthesis” using five woofers, five tweeters and 52 midrange speakers.

A spatial audio rendering technique, wave field synthesis essentially creates a sound quality that permeates the cabin of the car — in this case, a prototype Q7. No spot in the car has less sound quality than any other spot.

The speakers are arrayed in the roof pillars, in doors and even in the instrument panel beneath the windshield. The system can even create the illusion of sounds coming from outside the car. In its demonstration, Audi included the sounds of a lion roaring nearby and a helicopter buzzing overhead.

Don’t get excited too quickly, though: There are no plans yet to make the Audi Sound Concept commercially available. The project is mostly about demonstrating what is possible with in-car sound technology (not to mention it’s probably quite expensive). For now, Audi buyers are stuck with the 14 speakers of the Bang & Olufsen advanced sound system.

Audi Sound Concept: One Car, 62 Speakers (Gizmag.com)

2009 Audi Q7 Video

For his review of the 2009 Audi Q7, Cars.com reviewer Bill Jackson takes on the diesel version, which he calls a “mixed bag.” In addition to his take on engine noise versus power on the road, Jackson gives a brief explanation of the sea of buttons one faces from Audi’s navigation system. Watch the video to find out if these issues are enough of a hindrance to bar him from recommending an otherwise pleasing luxury SUV.

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has been a second tier player in a crowded segment of luxury crossovers, but according to Cars.com reviewer Bill Jackson the diesel version of the Q7 manages to distinguish itself with a sure-footed, muscular ride that gives any driver a reason to smile. Yet the Audi has a few marks against it, one of which is a deal-breaker for Jackson. To find out what that is and if it will keep you from even test-driving a Q7, read his full review.

2009 Audi Q7 Review

Ch-Ch-Changes: 2010 Audi Q7

It’s that time again: The auto show season is winding down and all the brand-new models have been unveiled, but car companies still have to update existing nameplates. Audi is offering minor tweaks to its Q7 SUV, including a mildly revised front and rear end. The most noticeable change, of course, is the LED running lights encircling the entire headlight design. The rear also gets full LED brake lights.

The interior remains basically the same, with new leather front seats and Audi’s third-generation infotainment system with MMI (multi-media interface). The voice-activation feature for the navigation system is quite interesting. Users just need to say commands, such as “I need gas” or “I’m hungry,” for the computer to find the right points of interest in the vicinity.

Engine choices include the existing 3.6-liter V-6 and 4.2-liter V-8, along with a new TDI option for those looking for a diesel alternative. Audi says its 2010 Q7 TDI will get 25 mpg with a 600-mile range.  

The 2010 Q7 goes on sale this fall. A few more images are below. 

Audi Announces Pricing for 2009 Q7 TDI

Audi announced that its 2009 Q7 TDI will start at $51,900. The Q7 TDI has a clean-diesel engine that complies with emissions regulations in all 50 states and gets 17/25 mpg city/highway. That’s a 30% improvement over gasoline engines of a similar size. The Q7 also qualifies for an Alternative Motor Vehicle tax credit of $1,150.

The 2009 Audi Q7 TDI will go on sale later this month.

2009 Audi Q7 Diesel to Get 17/25 mpg

Audi said today that its diesel-powered Q7 3.0 TDI will get 17/25 mpg city/highway. That’s 25% better than the non-diesel Q7 V-6. Audi spokesman Chris Bokich called the figures official estimates; earlier reports had only pegged the highway figure, and final EPA certification is still pending. If the numbers hold up, they’ll put the Q7 TDI squarely between three-row diesel competitors like the Mercedes-Benz GL320 Bluetec (17/23 mpg) and BMW X5 xDrive35d (19/26 mpg). Mercedes’ smaller ML320 Bluetec (18/24 mpg), meanwhile, is about even with the Audi. All four have standard all-wheel drive.

There’s no pricing info yet — the TDI goes on sale in April — but we imagine it will rank in the Q7 lineup somewhere between the regular V-6 ($43,500) and V-8 ($59,220). The X5 diesel costs $51,200; Mercedes’ M-Class and GL-Class diesels run $48,600 and $58,200, respectively. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the Q7 qualify for tax credits, too. Under the IRS’ Advanced Lean Burn Technology Vehicles program, the X5 diesel qualifies for an $1,800 tax credit. The ML320 and GL320 Bluetecs qualify for $900 and $1,800 credits, respectively.