New photos of its modified Audi Q5 SUV

The self-proclaimed world's largest tuner of VW Group vehicles, ABT Sportsline, has published new photos of its modified Audi Q5. The German firm offers various performance packages for the compact SUV with power and style treatments across the range of trims. On the outside, ABT's bodykit that includes front and rear aprons, rocker panels, new grille, a relatively large roof spoiler plus various alloy wheels (up to 22-inches in diameter) work to create an aggressive look for the German SUV.

For the interior, ABT's tuning program includes a series of accessories ranging from the decorative inserts made of carbon-fiber to a full leather trim.

The more important news is under the hood as ABT's "power-kits' boost the 2.0 TDI diesel's output from 140 to 170HP, the 3.0 TDI diesel's from 240 to 310HP and the 2.0 TSI gasoline engine from 211 to 240HP with a 275HP version following in the next few months.

The engine upgrades can be complemented by a sport brake system with 380mm disc and a sport suspension that brings the SUV closer to the ground.

Audi TT Roadster with 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP

Let's face it; a substantial number of buyers in the roadster segment are more concerned about their car's looks (and how they look inside it...) than anything else - performance included. That said, Audi's move to downsize and offer a new 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 160HP on the TT Roadster makes total sense. Priced at £23,910 OTR, and due with its first UK customers in April, the new entry-level TT slots into the range just below the existing 2.0 TFSI model costing £27,355.

The turbocharged and directly injected 1.8-litre TFSI unit is linked to a six-speed manual transmission launching the TT Roadster 1.8 TFSI to 62mph (100km/h) in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph or 224km/h with a combined fuel consumption figure of 40.9mpg UK (6.9 lt/100km or 34.0mpg US), equating to CO3 output of 159g/km.

Audi R8 with 530HP Supercharged V8 Tuned by Wheelsandmore

Can't wait for the 525HP Audi R8 5.2FSI V10? Then you might be interested in Wheelsandmore's new performance package for the R8 4.2-liter V8. The German tuner offers an ECU kit for €1,700 that gives the V8 an extra 30HP for a total output of 450HP. If you're willing to depart with €32,500 -or roughly the equivalent of a new TT Coupe in Germany- Wheelsandmore will add a kompressor boosting output to 530HP. Since we don't have an issue with cash, €13,998 will get you a set of 8-piston front and 6-piston rear brakes with high-performance pads.

Still have more money available? No problemo, €4,800 will give your R8 a handmade rear silencer with a valve system (optionally remote controlled add €900), €900 will buy you new springs, €3,999 an aluminum full race suspension and €8,949 a hydraulic lift full-race suspension that allows the lifting of the front and rear axle by 30mm.

Another €5,500 will get you a carbon-fiber front lip spoiler and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser while Wheelsandmore also offers two different sets of 20-inch alloys wheels wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx rubber for €9,250 and €9,800. For the record, all prices include 19% German tax and installation.

And since we're pretty sure that you like doing your math, the base price of an R8 V8 FSI in Germany is €109,100 while its V10 FSI counterpart costs €142,400...

Audi Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Special ExhibitionAudi Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Special Exhibition

In celebration of the brand's centenary, Audi is launching a new exhibition at its museum in Germany entitled "From Horch to Audi – The history of perfection has a new name". From March 11 to July 16, 2009, visitors to the Audi museum will be able to see thirteen cars dating from before the Second World War, including the first model to bear the Audi name, a 1911 Audi Type A, and a world premiere, the 1935 Audi 225 Front Special Roadster which was recently rebuilt.

Both these cars, and many other exhibits as well, will be making their first public appearance after having been recently restored.

First Video of new Audi A5 Convertible

CRAZY DRIVE

EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DETAILS

It took them a while, but the folks over at Ingolstadt finally released official video footage of their all-new A5 Convertible that will be making its premiere at the Geneva Show. Whereas most of its rivals like the BMW 3-Sereis Convertible and the Lexus IS C have opted for a retractable hardtop, Audi's four-seater comes with a conventional fabric top. The A5 Convertible will be offered with various gasoline and diesel engines ranging from the entry-level 160HP 1.8-liter TFSI to the S5's 333HP 3.0 V6 TFSI.CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

Audi TT-RS Official Pics Cropped and then Leaked

The cropping and leaking of official car pictures weeks or even days before they are officially revealed is becoming the new in-thing in the motoring world. Audi is the latest "victim" of this practice after these cropped pictures of the TT-RS leaked out. The high-performance TT looks like a real pocket R8 from these pictures. LED daytime running lights feature prominently at the front, so do bi-xenon headlights and honeycomb-design air vents with three blades at the bottom front.

The wheels are dual-spoked and feature brake calipers with the RS badge on them. Unlike the TT-S it appears the rear wing on the TT-RS is fixed which means it doesn't move up and down depending on the speed of the car. Finally the cherry on top is the actual TT RS badging that can be seen clearly next to the left rear lights.

Plenty of times before the TT-RS prototype has been caught by spy photographers during its many periods of testing. Recently powertrain details were reported as being a 2.5-litre engine making 340hp (253kW) and 332lb-ft (450Nm) of torque. It's a force fed motor using either turbo technology or a supercharger. Audi may even surprise with its new 3.0-litre supercharged engine.

Everyone who stays put on WCF should be able to view extensive official pictures and details of the TT-RS when the 2009 Geneva International Motor Show opens on March 3.

Modified Audi S5 with 510HP for Geneva Debut

The Audi S5-based AS5-R from ABT Sportsline will be making its worldwide debut at next month's Geneva Show. ABT's tuning proposal for the most powerful variant of the A5 coupe includes an updated version of the current S5's 344HP 4.2-liter V8 engine that has been modified to produce an output of 510-horsepower. For the record, Audi is planning to replace the S5 Coupe's V8 with the recently introduced S5 Cabriolet's new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that develops 333HP.

ABT did not disclose any more information on the car, but aside from the engine-tune up, the AS5-R will also benefit from a new bodykit and larger alloy wheels along with a modified suspension and a more powerful braking system.

The German tuner's Geneva booth will also host the firm's latest creations including the ABT VW Sciorcco Coupe and the ABT Audi Q5 and R8.

Audi Prices the new Q5 SUV from $37,200

Just a week ahead of its U.S. market launch, Audi announced pricing for its new BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLK rival, the 2009 Q5. In the States, the luxury compact SUV will be offered initially with a 270-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine is mated to a six speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and, three different equipment levels. Pricing for the entry-level Q5 Premium starts at $37,200 while the better equipped Q5 Premium Plus and Q5 Prestige begin from $41,500 and $48,200 respectively. Keep in mind that the above prices do not include a destination charge of $825, taxes, title or dealer charges.

Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro High Res Wallpaper gallery

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro is ready to assume the mantle of "it" car for 2009. You probably still remember all the tasty details from our Detroit Auto Show coverage, but here's a brief refresher, just in case. The latest, greatest R8 packs Ingolstadt's 5.2L V10 under its glass engine cover. That lump, in this application, punches out 525 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, which should let the new, super-duper R8 sniff around the 200-mph barrier. We've had fond things to say about this V10 in both its lesser and more extreme forms. Will it be "just right" in the R8? We can't wait to find out firsthand. In the meantime, feast your eyes on a slew of new photographs just released by Audi. They're all in the gallery below.