So what better time to unveil the long-awaited, and much speculated upon, V10 version than now? And that’s exactly what Audi has done.

The Audi R8 V10 (is it to be called R10, I wonder?) is to be shown at the Detroit Motor Show in January, and ahead of that Audi has released the first official images of the new car. Not that it is all that hard to work out what it was going to look like!

The new R8 V10 gets the naturally aspirated 5.2 litre V10 engine, as in the LP560, which in the Audi delivers 525bhp and a 0-60 of 3.9 seconds. Which is good, but I’m sure it could have been better. Why? well, just like the games Porsche plays with the Cayman, so it’s not as good as it could be so it doesn’t challenge the 911 too hard, it looks like Audi has had to toe the line a bit to make sure the R8 V10 doesn’t eclipse the LP560. Shame, but that’s car politics for you.

The disappointment is the gearbox. The manual is fine, but Audi has stuck with the less than perfect R-Tronic for the new V10. They really do need a better box that this. Surely they could have used something better from the VW goody-store. Porsche’s PDK would have been brilliant, but any sort of decent DSG ‘box would have done. It’s a bit of a let-down really, so it’s probably best to go for the manual option.

On the cosmetic front, the V10 gets a new set of LED headlights and bigger air scoops on the side blades to suck more air in to the V10. It gets a new rear diffuser to keep the R8 planted, and a pair of oval exhaust pipes replace the quad pipes from the V8.

This is a car we have really looked forward to. The gearbox is a let-down, but everything else looks promising. Prices for the car start at €142,400, which will probably translate to around the £110-120,000 mark in the UK. But expect that to be a fair bit more by the time you play with the options list – the V8 needs at least £12k spending on the options to make it what is should be.

Can’t wait to get our hands on one of these in the New Year.

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A big, hungry-for-air diesel engine in a small supercar was always going to be a problem. There’s nothing wrong with the engine, it is superb, but the R8 and the V12 TDI did not make happy bed-fellows. And Audi has concluded that it is just too problematic to continue with the project. So, does that mean the end of the diesel R8? Not on your life.

Audi are leading the way on big, powerful diesels. The Q7 V12 TDI, which launches at the end of the year, is ample testament that Audi are committed to this route. And they are absolutely right to be. It addresses many of the issues that makers of powerful cars are facing in making products the customer wants, whilst still improving economy. And whilst no diesel engine will ever ‘sing’ like a petrol engine, the wall of torque they offer is a huge compensation.

So Audi is now looking to fit a V8 diesel in the R8. Will it be the same 4.2 engine you find in the Q7 and A8? Well, it seems likely that will be the starting point. That engine, in current form, puts out around 325bhp. I feel sure Audi will be looking for something a little more potent. But maybe not. Maybe it will be an entry-level R8. That would make sense. You’d have the diesel R8 as the entry level, followed by the current V8 petrol version and the range-topping R8 V10, which is due to hit the roads in the New Year.

Whatever Audi actually give us, it seems certain that the R8 will be the first supercar to offer us a diesel option. It’s going to be interesting.

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Despite the so-called slump in car sales, we’re as busy as ever. Understandably everyone, regardless of the size of their bank balance, is nervous about the future when the economy is in the hands of Loose-Lips Darling. Who knows what’s going to come out of his mouth next to drive the economy down. And the newspapers are as bad – ‘we’re all doomed’ – with endless stories about the impending financial meltdown. But as with every financial downturn, people don’t stop spending, they just become more cautious and seek out the most economic way to get what they want. And that’s the same whether you want a new Ferrari or a Ford KA. Which probably explains why, despite the cars we supply being top-end, we’ve seen a 20% increase in visitors on the website in the last couple of months.

Audi, as savvy as ever, has picked a very good time to release the Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro. Yes, it’s going to be very pricey – £100,000ish – but it’s not going to cost an arm and a leg to run. Its combined economy is, near as makes no difference, 25mpg. And that has an impact. No one, however much they spend on a car, wants to do 10mpg to the gallon. Not unless that’s the only way to get the performance they want. But if they can have that performance, coupled with a wall of torque (737 lb ft) and 500bhp, whilst still seeing 25mpg, they’re going to sit up and take notice.

The Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro is going to sit at the very top of the Audi Range. Massively specced it really is the pinnacle, not just of the Q7 range, but of diesel engined cars in general. We’re going to start seeing a raft of high-performance diesels in the near future including Porsche, although probably not the V12, in both the Cayenne and Panamera. And I think that this is the way manufactureres are going to address the economy problems. Long-term, bio-fuels really are a non-starter. In small numbers they work, but we don’t have enough space on our little planet to ‘grow’ fuel, so unless hydrogen powered cars can be made a reality, big, powerful diesel engines are the way to appease the wish for power and economy.

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The original Audi TT carved itself a pretty good niche, but not necessarily one that Audi wanted. It was like the old Mercedes SLK; a bit of a ‘hairdressers’ car (not that there is anything necessarily wrong with being a hairdresser – I used to be married to one and even owned a Salon at one point in a previous life!), which really means it looked cute but there was more show than go.

The current version of the Audi TT has certainly improved the general opinion of the car. It is now an able and well sorted car. Sure, just like all quick Audis, the standard car is a bit basic unless you delve significantly in to the options list. Just like the R8, where a sub £80k headline price seems hugely tempting but you need to spend £90k+ to get the car you want, the TT does need a few bob spending on the options to give you the car you actually want. But that’s a small gripe. The TT is a very sound car. But now we have the icing on the cake. The RS

The Audi TT RS will, despite the rumours, have the first 5 cylinder engine from Audi in 10 years. For those old enough to remember, it was the 5 cylinder engine that really made people sit up and take notice of just how much potential Audi had back in the eighties, when it was used to great effect in the Quattro. And this new 5 cylinder promises a great deal. With sequential turbo chargers delivering power and torque throughout the rev range (a liitle turbo to get things moving at low revs, and a bigger one kicking in at higher revs) and delivering a whopping 350bhp, with a sub 5 second 0-60, the TT RS is getting in to R8 territory. And with its R8-esque body kit, four wheeled drive and even magnetic ride, you are left in no doubt that this is a baby R8.

The TT RS is due to start delivery at the end of 2008. My daughter Claire is hankering after a TT, but as Dad pays it won’t be one of these! But I wouldn’t mind one for myself to play with for a while. It looks that good.

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The Q5 is a shade longer than its rivals, but it would seem, a darn sight more sporty, with a few new toys and suspension choices to hand. A trio of engines is available at launch, but I think it’s a fair bet we’ll be seeing a high-performance version in 2009. For now the 2×2.0 litre cars (a petrol and a diesel) are a good entry point, but the 3.0 TDI is the choice. This engine does a great job in the A6, and not such a good job in the Q7. But in the Q5 it will offer 0-60mph in a little over 6 seconds and 30+mpg. This car is going to be unbeatable in its sector.

I have become a big fan of Audi in the last few years but, although I’ve driven my fair share, I’ve never owned one. But, so long as the Q5 drives as well as I expect, I think this is the perfect car for Carla (L&M). Beautifully made; high driving position (for the less than confident driver); great auto-box (7 speed twin-clutch S-tronic) ample room for the dogs and decent fuel consumption. And, just to make it ideal, a decent turn of speed for when I have to drive it!

Well done Audi. Cracked it again!

From a complete distaste of diesels to a convert (well, not quite a convert, but certainly I consider diesels an option these days) thanks almost completely to what Audi have achieved with their diesel engines. From the 3.0 in the Q7 & A6 (the best car in its sector), through the 4.2 that goes in the A8 and Q7 and now this, the absolutely unbelievable V12 TDI. Where next? The figures are already astonishing- 500bhp and 750lb ft of torque – but I am sure Audi have more tricks up their sleeve.

Audi have chosen Geneva (starts 6/3/08) to confirm what we already knew – that the concept Q7 V12 TDI would become a full production model. And probably quicker than most thought – but why wait?

But Audi haven’t just brought along a pre-production version of the V12. Oh, no! They’ve brought along something they call the Q7 Coastline, which is sort of a cross between a 4×4 and a racing yacht (did they employ the guy who did the Drophead Coupe?) with a wood floor in the boot and white leather. Actually it sounds a bit Swedish. And a bit naff. But, somewhat surprisingly it does work. But I wouldn’t suggest you opt for this particular colour scheme if you have a gaggle of kids. Chocolate and white leather. Not a good combination!

There will be a real demand for this. You get almost Cayenne Turbo performance (although, to be fair, not quite the handling) in a package you can put the wife and kids and luggage in and drive up a mountain or across a desert. And all from around £70k. It’s a car that’s hard to dislike (unless you’re a card carrying tree-hugger, and even then it’s a damn site greener than any other 4×4 with this sort of performance) and very easy to enjoy.

The queue starts here!

I wrote about the upcoming SR8 late last year. The SR8 is the R8 Audi are due to put in the showrooms later this year. It’s the 911 Turbo killing mean machine we want to see, with a huge V10 and mid 3 seconds 0-60. But, much to everyone’s surprise, Audi have announced that there will be an Audi R8 V12 TDI for sale in 2009 – the world’s first diesel supercar.

The R8 TDI gets a 6.0 litre, twin turbo with almost 500 bhp and a huge 740lb ft of torque. With that amount of torque it won’t need to accelerate – it can just move the earth beneath it! But it will offer around 4.0 seconds 0-60 (a good 1/2 second quicker that the petrol version) and a top speed ‘in excess’ of 186mph. No slouch. But in reality, I think it’s the way that performance will be delivered that will be most astonishing. With that amount of torque its mid-range shove is going to be nothing short of stunning. And it’s reckoned to average 24mpg. That’s TT territory with Porsche performance. I’m still amazed at what diesel engines do now, and this seems incredible. And don’t think you can order up the dsg box and paddle-shift in this baby. That amount of torque would shred the box, so it’s going to be manual box only – a good thing. It’s by far the best option on the R8 anyway.

There appear to be a number of cosmetic tweaks on the R8 V12, but these are probably upcoming changes across the range (which will, within the year, encompass the original and the V10 as well as this V12 TDI). My only reservation with this car is on the handling. The R8 is a very well balanced car. It has a lot of poise and handles very well. Will the inevitably heavier diesel block play havoc with this? I can’t believe Audi would let it, but I’m sure it has, and probably continues to be, a problem. But Audi usually get things very right these days, and I’m sure that by the time we get our hands on this it will be well and truly sorted.

At this rate, Audi are going to corner the ‘sensible’ supercar market completely. Look out Porsche!

Back in September I had a play with the Audi Q7 4.2 FSI, which I believed was the pick of the Q7 bunch. But just recently we’ve been seeing more and more people opting for the diesel version. Price-wise they’re much the same, but there seems to be a distinct preference for the diesel version from our customers. So I thought, before the next client asks if we’ve got an Audi Q7 4.2 TDI For Sale I’d better have a day out with one. So I did.

Although it’s based on the Cayenne underpinnings, the Q7 is a fair bit bigger, and heavier, than it’s sibling. That can’t be good in performance terms, but it does make the Q7 more imposing. And it’s prettier than the Cayenne (or the Toureg for that matter). And it is very well equipped, even in standard trim. But the one I’ve got seems to have had every single option boxed ticked on the spec sheet. It’s the ‘S’ line version – a more sporty drive – and it has every bell and whistle, from radar side-assist and the six seat option, to a wonderful Bose system and rear DVD. But it pushes the price up to the £70k level – a huge amount for an oil burning 4×4 by any measure.

The first thing I notice is how damn quiet the thing is. It doesn’t sound like an old truck, even at idle, and although there is a faint vibration at tick-over and at low revs, you’d be hard pushed to know it’s a diesel from driving it. And just like every Audi these days it is beautifully put together. The interior in particular is a very nice place. Well thought-out and well-equipped, it puts the other German marques to shame. Audi really have nailed their interiors in the last few years, and this is one of the best. Their MMI is an object lesson in how to make all the electronic goodies accessible, and BMW could learn a thing or two. But I’ve already done the ‘How well it’s built’ bit on the petrol version, so there’s only one thing that matters. How well does it go?

Bloody Hell! I didn’t expect that. I know diesels have a fair bit more torque, but this thing is ridiculous. There is a real kick in the back from standstill, and it leaves my Cayenne S for dead from a standing start – a little over 6 seconds to 60. And the handling is really very, very good. It feels a little more nose-heavy than the petrol version, but maybe that’s because I expect it to. It turns in well, it holds the road very well, and the ride is rarely, if ever, caught-out by changes in direction or rough roads. Up to 100mph it’s quicker, and more refined, than the petrol version. It starts to run out of steam a little earlier than the petrol version, but in the real world how often would you run a 4×4 at 100mph+? So it has all the refinements of the petrol version and more performance. How can that be right!? It’s supposed to be the ‘cheap to run’ option, not the performance option. Can it really offer the best of both worlds? Well much to my surprise it does. I got 24mpg in a whole day of mixed motoring. At least 35% better than the petrol version on the same sort of journey. Wow!

It’s obviously time I took diesels seriously. This is a superbly refined power-plant and I can honestly say I would buy it over the petrol version. Did I really say that? I prefer the diesel version to the petrol? Good Lord, how times change!

Audi had problems with the early testing of the SR8 when a fire wiped out their test car at the Nurburgring in April. After that, it seemed like Audi had gone off the boil with the idea. But they’re back testing again, according to those well-informed chaps over at Left Lane News, and it seems almost certain that the Audi SR8 will be with us before the end of 2008.

In many ways the SR8 is a big political problem for Audi. It seems likely that Porsche will take a controlling interest in VW Audi in the very near future, and that means that the group will have 2 cars competing directly with one another – the R8 and the 911. That is difficult enough, but if Audi produce the SR8, which now seems certain, then Porsche will find it very difficult to trump that with the 911 Turbo. If, as seems likely, Audi endow the SR8 with the same engine as the astonishing RS6, then there is every possibility the Audi will out-perform even the mighty 911 Turbo. Now that’s enough to make your mouth water! But then there is an extra piece to this puzzle – the Lamborghini Gallardo. Audi own Lamborghini, but it seems likely the SR8 will do serious damage to the sale of the Gallardo. It will be significantly cheaper, significantly quicker and be an everyday car to boot. Will anyone want a 911 or a Gallardo when they can have a better, quicker car from the same stable for less money? Of course they will, but it’s going to have a few heads scratching in the next year to sort out the pecking order.

But frankly I don’t care. Just give me an SR8!

Unlike other supercar makers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin etc, Audi has a very big mainstream model range. And that gives them the ability to let their lesser models bask in the reflected glory of its high-end products. It’s called ‘Halo’ advertising. And it does work. After all, if you were toying with the idea of buying a smallish, family saloon wouldn’t you potentially get a kick out of choosing a car with the same badge and common styling themes as a world-renowned supercar? Well, maybe you wouldn’t, but many would. Audi don’t need to worry about devaluing the R8 by associating it with lesser models as it’s such a sell out success. And to be honest, all the Ford and Volvo bits that have found their way in to Aston Martins, never mind the Fiat bits that have appeared on Ferraris and Lamborghinis in the past, never did any harm.

But what’s the ‘Slowly’ bit about? Well, as I’m sure you’ve realised, it’s about the build speed. Again, a smart piece of advertising. Whilst allowing the lesser models bask in the glory of the R8, it’s detaching itself from the ‘mass-produced’ tag that could be associated. They’re basically saying “Yes we make high-volume cars, but we make the R8 by hand”. So with one advert they’ve let the world see that they make the R8 in a different, bespoke way, but the rest of their range is made by people capable of building a hand-made supercar that has taken the motoring world by storm. Hats off Audi – a clever move.

We will soon be taking delivery of an Audi R8 for ourselves, we’re that impressed. But it won’t be a white one. I’m not sure about white. I have to admit it looks good, But it’s a bit too ’70s for me. Maybe I’m just getting old!

But to be honest, I’d rather have a white one than not have an R8 at all.