In addition to its lineup of after sales and electronics products, Audi will put on display six-vehicles including the driver-less Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak and a customized R8 Spyder tuned by STaSIS Engineering. The latter is equipped with a 5.2-liter supercharged V10 engine delivering 710-horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, and can complete the 0 to 60mph [96 km/h] sprint in 3.1 seconds.
The new Audi TT RS with its 340HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five that harks back to the original Ur-Quattro of the 1980s is the center of focus for MTM's latest tuning proposal. The German firm has developed new software for the engine's ECU and a sport exhaust system featuring new middle- and end- pipes with throttle valves.The tuner offers three different engine packages, the first two being extremely close in performance. The Stage 1 kit boost power from 340HP to 402HP and maximum torque from 450Nm to 550Nm for a top speed of 285km/h (177mph) while the Stage II kit, to 408HP and 555Nm for a maximum speed of 287km/h (178mph).
Finally, the Stage III kit lifts output to 424HP and 560Nm allowing the TT RS to achieve a top speed of 292km/h or 182mph.
The engine upgrades can be complemented with a set of 19- or 20-inch Bimoto alloy wheels.
This here is the Autonomous Audi TTS, a research model for a car that does away with the driver altogether in order to explore the best capabilities of current and future driver assistance technologies. The prototype car is the collaborative work of the Volkswagen Group Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), the Stanford University Dynamics Design Lab (SDDL) and Sun Microsystems.Nicknamed after Michelle Mouton, one of the most successful female rally drivers ever, the Autonomous TTS is equipped with a fully automated drive-by-wire system that controls the steering, throttle, brakes, gearbox and parking brake as well as a special GPS system to help communicate with the piloting software developed by the researches over at Standford University.
The software package is what enables the vehicle to drive at the limits of handling in various speeds and conditions on a range of surfaces.
While Audi doesn't intend to use the Autonomous TTS to completely substitute the driver (or at least we hope it doesn't...), the company says that the technology found in the car could help dramatically reduce the number of fatalities worldwide by intervening in hazardous situations as well as to take over routine driving tasks such as parking the car in an assigned spot in a garage.
The prototype model is still in the testing phase but if all goes well, Audi is considering a run up at Colorado's famous Pikes Peak to replicate the 12.4-mile Pikes Peak International Hill Climb sometime in the first quarter of 2010.
Not that we agree, but the Audi TT is often referred to derogatorily as a "hairdresser's car". Well, let's just say that we'd really like to see someone go up to this particular TT driver and tell him that in his face, or better yet, let him know it via the front-passenger's side window... Click through to watch this bizarre video.
Unlike people that celebrate their birthday one day, companies usually try to make the best of it (commercially) by rejoicing all year around. Continuing its centenary festivities, Audi has now announced the launch of a special edition version of its TT 2.0 TFSI Coupe, this time for the Japanese market. The German firm will produce a total of 100 numbered examples of the coupe that's based on the S-Line version and will be available in a choice of two special colors, a pearl blue and a bright orange finish.
Highlights include the carbon fiber exterior trim, the 19-inch alloy wheels shod in 255/35 R19 sport tires and the upgraded interior with black leather seats and contrasting stitching in white.
