A tribute to the FIA World Endurance Championship world titles exclusively for client racing drivers
[source: Ferrari]
Maranello, Italy – In occasion of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Prancing Horse is launching a unique ‘Piloti Ferrari’ specification for the Ferrari 488 Pista. This special custom creation, the latest from the exclusive Tailor Made programme, was designed to recognise the success of clients who race Ferraris and will make its debut on the eve of the legendary French endurance race at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Inspired by AF Corse’s no. 51 car, with which Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado won the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles, this special finish for the new Ferrari 488 Pista is available exclusively for customers involved in the company’s motor sports programmes.
The exterior features a new livery with stripes in the colours of the Italian flag recalling the racing version of the 488 GTE, embellished by a laurel celebrating the WEC title, the logo of the championship and the word “PRO” indicating the class the car raced in. The Italian flag livery features again along the car’s flanks which are also adorned with the personal race number each client will be able to add. The version that will be unveiled at Le Mans carries the number 51 used by the world championship drivers. The matte black S-Duct and the natural carbon-fibre ‘dovetail’ suspended rear spoiler and vent surrounds round off the personalisation of the exterior.
The ‘Piloti Ferrari’ 488 Pista will be available in four different colours inspired by the world of racing: Rosso Corsa, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona and Argento Nürburgring.
The interior, in black Alcantara®, includes seats upholstered with a special perforated version of the same material that incorporates the Italian flag in the central band of the backrest. The national colours are also clearly visible on the edge of the gearshift paddles and on the floormats which, like the carpeting itself, are made of a special technical fabric. The number that features on the external livery also appears on the base of the steering wheel, while all the carbon-fibre trim parts have a matte finish. The personalisation of the interior is completed by an exclusive identification plate and sill trim in carbon-fibre, the latter with the Tailor Made logo.
The ‘Piloti Ferrari’ 488 Pista is powered by the latest 720-cv version of the 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 which has been voted best engine in the world for the third consecutive year at the 2018 International Engine of the Year Awards.
Each 2017 R8 exclusive edition comes standard equipped with full LED headlights, which are now supplemented by a laser high beam module
The R8 exclusive edition represents the full spectrum of what is available to customers through the Audi exclusive program; only 25 examples will be produced
Audi laser light is the latest production technology in a long line of lighting innovations from Audi
[source: Audi of America]
HERNDON, VA – At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi of America will debut its first US production laser light on the 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition. The R8 exclusive edition utilizes full LED headlights, which are now supplemented by a laser high beam module in each headlight.
Each headlight contains one laser module that operates with four high intensity laser diodes. Each module bundles these diodes into a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter then transforms the blue laser beam into a very bright and pure white light. The R8 exclusive edition is also the first Audi vehicle to couple the laser light with dynamic front turn signals.
An identifying characteristic of the laser headlights is their blue light signature in the headlight housing. The laser beam pattern, which is active at speeds of 40 mph and above (when conditions permit), supplements the LED high beam and greatly enhances visibility for the driver by projecting a low and wide beam of light on the road ahead.
Audi laser light is the latest production technology in a long line of lighting innovations from the four rings. Audi pioneered LED technology with daytime running lights on the Audi A8 L W12 in 2004 and all-LED headlights on the R8 in 2008. Lighting innovations such as dynamic turn signals, Matrix LED headlights (not available in the US) and now laser high beams are prime examples of how Audi continues to set an industry standard for automotive lighting technology.
2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition The 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive edition in Quantum Gray represents the full and extensive spectrum of what is available to customers through the Audi exclusive program.
Quantum Gray paintwork aside, each exclusive edition gains a titanium black-optic exterior package which includes a gloss anthracite front grille and 20-inch 10-spoke-Y-design wheels in high-gloss anthracite finish. The R8’s carbon sideblade gets a Solar Orange painted vertical stripe, complementing the racing shell seats, which also boast vertical orange leather elements. The full leather interior package in Black and Signal orange includes an Audi exclusive door sill trim in leather and a leather wrapped steering wheel with a Signal Orange 12 o’clock marker.
Other features include: • Full-LED headlights with laser high beam technology • Quantum Gray exterior color • Titanium Black-optic exterior package • 20-inch 10-spoke-Y-design wheels in high-gloss anthracite • Carbon sideblade with Solar Orange stripe • Steering wheel with Signal Orange 12 o’clock marker • Audi exclusive Full Leather package in Black/Signal Orange • Audi exclusive customized illuminated door sills “one of 25”, Carbon matte • Audi exclusive door sill trim in Leather • Audi exclusive Alcantara® headliner w/ diamond-stitching • Audi exclusive rear panel and rear shelf in Alcantara® • Audi exclusive floor mats • Audi exclusive luggage compartment trim in Alcantara® • Audi Beam – R8 logo
Each R8 exclusive edition in Quantum Gray is standard equipped with fixed backrest racing shell seats, Audi carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber rear diffuser, front lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings, and fixed rear wing spoiler.
A total of 25 Exclusive Edition units will be produced with a starting MSRP of $229,200.
Above price excludes destination charge ($1,250), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
About Audi of America Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. The Audi Group delivered over 1,800,000 vehicles to customers globally in 2015, and broke all-time company sales records for the 6th straight year in the U.S. Through 2019, AUDI AG plans to invest about 24 billion euros – 70 percent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusa.com/newsroom for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.
Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection to celebrate world premiere in Geneva
[source: Audi UK, photos by Audi UK and Audi France]
Editor’s Note: This special edition model was produced for the European market and was never sold in North America.
It is almost exactly twenty years since the once clearly defined boundary between versatile estate car and extreme sports car was blurred by the Audi Avant RS2, so the trailblazer for a high-performance breed which continues to flourish is being commemorated by the new RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection. The new special edition will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show with Nogaro blue paint finish and exclusive equipment.
The customised Nogaro blue, pearl effect paint finish is the most immediately apparent tribute to the esteemed RS2 in the anniversary model. In addition, the frame of the Singleframe grille and the window surrounds are painted high-gloss black, and the roof rails matt black. The RS sports exhaust system terminates in two oval, high-gloss black tailpipe trims.
450PS: the high-revving V8
Under the bonnet of theAudi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection sits a high-revving V8 naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 4,163 cc. The 4.2 FSI delivers 450PS of power at 8,250 rpm, with peak torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) available between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. The resonant eight-cylinder engine powers the anniversary model from 0 to 62mph in 4.7 seconds and takes it to a governed top speed of 174mph. Its combined fuel economy is 26.4mpg – for a CO2 equivalent of 249 grams per kilometre.
With its high efficiency and tall top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to fuel efficiency. The driver can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift operate automatically or change gears themselves using the selector lever or the steering wheel paddles.
The core of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive is the self-locking crown gear centre differential. The compact and lightweight component distributes torque at a default ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axles. This ratio can be broadly varied as required – with up to 70 per cent of the power going to the front and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rear. The crown gear centre differential cooperates with the wheel-selective torque control, which makes handling at cornering limits even more dynamic through selective, small brake impulses. At the rear, the standard sport differential also actively distributes the power between the rear wheels.
The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection rides on 265/30 series tyres. Behind the gloss turned finish 20-inch wheels in 5-V-spoke design gleam red-painted brake calipers bearing RS emblems. The brake discs featuring a wave design are internally ventilated, perforated and joined to the aluminium brake disc chambers by pins. Carbon-fibre-ceramic front discs are available at extra cost. The Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) offers a sport mode and can also be entirely deactivated as required.
Black and blue: the interior
In the purposefully styled interior, Audi offers two different upholstery versions for the electrically adjustable S sport seats with their integrated head restraints. In both cases, the side sections are covered with black Valcona leather; the Alcantara trim for the centre sections and door trim inserts are coloured either black as well or Nogaro blue – in homage again to the Audi Avant RS2. The armrests are covered with black leather, with blue contrasting stitching providing accents. Black or Nogaro blue piping frames the black floor mats.
Black leather with blue stitching also refines the steering wheel rim and the selector lever boot. Blue threads run through the carbon inlays. A badge on the RS selector lever knob of the S tronic and the logos on the door sill trims refer to the special status of the anniversary model.
The Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection will be available in mainland Europe later in 2014 as a limited edition. The possibility of UK specification production is still under discussion.
A modern classic: the Audi Avant RS2 from 1994
The Audi RS2 of 1994 was the first RS model from Audi and also the first high-performance model from the brand to combine full everyday suitability with a dynamic character, becoming the founder of a whole family of peformance-focused models. Audi developed the RS2 in conjunction with Porsche, with assembly taking place at Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.
Its appearance alone was indicative of the power of the first RS model. The front bumper featured powerful air inlets, and the grille was painted black. The exterior mirrors came from Porsche, the rear was embellished by a full-width band of light, and the emblems were large-sized. The RS2 optionally left the assembly line with an exclusive Nogaro blue paint finish, recalling the two victories achieved by Frank Biela on the Nogaro circuit in the French Touring Car Championship of 1993.
The engine drew on Audi’s extensive experience in touring car racing. The 2.2-litre five-cylinder engine delivered 315PS by way of a large turbocharger, high boost pressure, expanded air ducting and adapted engine management. At 3,000 rpm 410 Nm (302.40 lb-ft) of torque was available, with the limiter only taking effect at 7,200 rpm. The RS2 accelerated from 0 to 62mphin 5.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 162mph. A six-speed manual transmission delivered the power to the quattro drivetrain, which had a manually activated locking differential at the rear axle.
The suspension with its all-round transverse links was derived from the set-up of the performance car which laid the foundations, the Audi S2. The shock absorbers were even firmer and the springs were shortened. Porsche supplied the 17-inch wheels, the large, internally ventilated brake discs and the red-painted four-piston calipers.
The interior was dominated by Silk Nappa leather and Alcantara in the colour anthracite, blue or silver grey, and the Recaro seats were electrically adjustable. The instruments bore white dials, while small indicators on the centre console kept the driver informed about the oil pressure, oil temperature and vehicle system voltage. CFRP inlays were optionally available.
Audi offered the RS2 at a base price of £39,500 in the UK. Within a construction period of barely two years 2,908 units were produced – more than the quantity originally planned.
