Audi RS4 Avant B9

2018 Audi RS4 Avant

The previous RS4 Avant is one heck of a brilliant Audi because even though for an everyday wagon, it looks and feels absolutely sexy as well as its animalistic V8 engine ever roared. We all missed that RS4 Avant and now, Audi unveiled the all-new model which is based on the Audi A4 B9 Avant model.

So, what's new on the B9-spec RS4 Avant, per se? Pay attention because what's under the hood is disturbing and it is. The old model's V8 engine has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and in place lies the same 2.9 TFSi V6 BiTurbo engine that you get in today's RS5. That means, it produces 450PS of power and 600Nm of torque while mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission. It does 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the one it replaces while it can do a governed top speed of 250kph but it can be bumped up to 280kph by request, which pretty much is the same as the old one if I'm honest.

Sure, the new model has been quite an improvement from the old one apart from the added power from the small V6 turbo engine and replacing the 7-speed DCT with an 8-speed AT because some enthusiasts are unhappy with it, but what's unhappy about the new RS4 is the sound of it and thanks to the downsized engine, it's less shouty than the old model it replaces and you get the impression that it sounds like driving an ordinary estate that you normally use on a day-to-day basis, including shopping. Disappointing the sounds are, the new RS4's dynamics are rather mild indeed, even though it was improved from the ground up thanks to the platform it uses, resulting in a lighter and more rigid ride compared to the previous model.

On normal roads, the RS4 is pretty much civilized on the road because that's how Audis are made, perhaps no wonder some people won't want to be with someone driving an Audi for reasons known only to themselves, perhaps they don't call them entertaining or amusing, but when taken on the track, this is where the serious bit kicks in because even with the dynamic settings on, driving the new RS4 is like getting pummeled by a bear drinking Stella Artois. Remember, this car doesn't have that wonderful feature like the one from the Ford Focus RS, which means it's going to behave pretty much like a front-wheel-drive car and if you're too little, too late, you're be seeing stretch marks on your arms after this.

So much for a 79,800 Euro high-performance wagon but despite all that mild and tangy dynamics, it still works like a wagon should. It even has some room for some groceries and some stuff you bought at the thrift store and some seats for your mates, even families who are sticking with the one-child policy. Still, it's inappropriate to be called a family car because of the pricing, but the RS4 Avant is all about being the jack of all trades, all work and all play like when the world's gone mad thanks to the principle of Murphy's Law.

Fancy a super Audi wagon? No thanks. I'll just stick to the E63 Estate for the time being because it won't give me some stretch marks on my arms.

Photo: AUDI AG

Fourth generation Audi A8

For many years, the Audi A8 has became the Audi that sets the other Audis apart because while most Audis became more of a average peoples' luxury car, the A8 is special because for generations, it has became the big saloon used by action stars as demonstrated in car chases from The Living Daylights, Transporter, Taken, and Ronin. Now, with the new, fourth-generation A8, is it still the Audi that action stars nicked to get through desperate chases?

2018 Audi A8L

2018 Audi A8

First and foremost, let's investigate what's going on with the new Audi A8, starting with the design and by the looks of it, the design was inspired by the prologue concept car, just to make it look like it's ready for filming for another action flick, although it did made a surprise appearance in the Spider-Man Homecoming flick for product placement reasons, but for the average motorist, there's something to worry about the new design and one such hint is the lamps that behave like a set of Christmas lights you saw them hanging at home.

The HD Matrix LED headlights now comes with laser lighting which can really bounce back when it hits things that reflect its lights and then the OLED rear lamps that is as frightening as the rear lamps of the Mustang when lights flash sequentially. To put it all together, the lighting is all Knight Rider-ish but for the average motorist, they should look away in case a car like this passes by and starts flashing its lights, which is now became the lighter equivalent of truck coal rolling behind a Prius.

2018 Audi A8 interior

2018 Audi A8L interior

The new A8 comes with two different bodystyles; a standard size A8 and a longer sized A8L. No matter the variant, the new interior boasts a rather exquisite taste compared to the BMW 7-Series and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. On the driver's side, you will notice that the dashboard's heavily occupied by touch screens much like the Range Rover Velar and while it looks very nice for a luxury saloon, it can be downright complicating if your hands are either smothered with dirt or still wet even when you cleaned your hands with an industrial-sized hand sanitizer. For someone knowledgeable enough to understand how these works, the new A8's dashboard can deliver the same experience as the Surface Pro and let's hope it won't have that error message like the ones you unexpectedly saw in the shopping malls because that would be a major embarrassment.

On the passenger side, if you go for the A8L, you'll have plenty to reasons to sit in the sweet spot where you can toy around with the rear-seat entertainment system, the air-con, the massager, everything at the touch of the rear seat remote operating unit which has the same size as a smartphone. The end result is someone with an "out on a limo" feeling to be humbled among the envy of his inferior siblings who never agree to his policies.

2018 Audi A8

2018 Audi A8L

At the start, the new A8 is priced at EUR 90,600, with the A8 L starting at EUR 94,100, and it comes with two new 3.0L V6 turbo engines; a diesel and a 340PS petrol engine. There will be more powerful V8 variants to follow as well as the flagship W12 that produces 585PS and comes with a special cylinder deactivation technology to save fuel. All engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox and a 48-volt electrical system that works enough for the engines' idle stop and go function.

Drivability, the new A8 features an adaptively damped air suspension as standard and it can be set to either Comfort or Dynamic, depending on driving conditions. It also has an electric actuators that can lift either each of the wheel or the whole car for better body control. Of course, the new A8 does come with the predictive suspension that can adapt through different road conditions but it hasn't finished until next year so we have to wait. In the meantime, we have to make do with the standard suspension setup that works either a proper luxury saloon or a getaway car while suffering dreary understeering. I know that because even though Audi made the new A8 slightly lighter than the previous model thanks to its combined use of aluminum, steel, magnesium and carbon fiber reinforced polymer, the handling feels like it's been slightly improved at all and even with the sport differential, it still feels like it. Even Audi's new four-wheel steering won't budge this big saloon well like how predecessors act like stuntmen in action films.

I know, the new A8 wants to be the next hero car for the next breed of action heroes but there's a major hindrance to its action hero car status because Audi has deployed the most safest features on a car like this. At start, the new A8 can only possess Level 2 Autonomy (Combined Function Automation) and because the A8's trump card in safety, the Traffic Jam Pilot, is a Level 3 Autonomy (Limited Self-Driving Automation), it's not quite ready until next year but I should point out that this clever feature works well in case of nightmarish traffic conditions like you experienced in Metro Manila but there's going to be some paperwork before this Level 3 feature goes on sale to newer A8s. Because the new A8 will host over 40 driver assistance systems, the status of being an action hero car is now gone and it's now...just a plain Audi you don't want to hang out with.

You should know, the new A8 is the first to incorporate a new naming scheme for their trim models, like for example, the 340PS V6 turbo petrol engine-powered A8 will be designated as the 55. while the lesser V6 diesel produces less than three hundred is designated as 50. Sounds confusing but let's not get bogged down with it because with the new A8 hosts a wide array of safety features, it lost its action hero status and it became just an Audi. Perhaps no wonder that in the Spider-Man Homecoming film, a driving instructor teaches Peter Parker how to drive this thing and it does almost nothing at all to show that the A8 is still the car of choice for Hollywood heroes. Sigh, welcome back to being an Audi, you luxo-barge. And to think that while its predecessors are like stuntmen in films like Ronin, Transporter 2 and 3, and Taken, the new A8 goes on a totally different path because of its autonomy but while it has the risk you're willing to take, the A8 still works really rather well in both ways and you will still be appreciated with what Audi done to their flagship saloon.

Photo: AUDI AG

GT SPORT: First ride

With the latest Gran Turismo making its debut on the PS4, looks like I am now back to the writing board to talk about the cars of this newest title and how they impress me not just by their looks but by how they react or feel on the track. First up, let's look at the car I obtained on my first day of gameplay with GT SPORT.



Sorry, a little dark with this picture but bear with me folks because this is the car I got on my first day of GT SPORT gameplay. It's the Audi TTS, a semi-high-performance variant of the third-generation Audi TT.

What is it then? The TT S is powered by a 2.0L TFSi petrol engine that produces 310PS of power output while mated with a choice of either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed flappy paddle that can do 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed limited to 250kph. Apart from the power, the third generation TT S utilizes the MQB platform from every VW Group vehicle of today, and because of the next-generation Audi Space Frame, it's surprisingly lighter than the previous TT S model, and with Audi's signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive, it's capable through different road conditions, be it rain or shine.



It's quite surprising that everyone who's starting GT SPORT for the first time gets their hands on this but let's not get too excited because this car can get bitey because of its understeering nature. Despite this, the Audi TT S is a nice starting point for those who want to sample the twists and turns of the tracks offered on GT SPORT. It can be mild and tangy but it's the start of many things to come in GT SPORT.

So, care to see what I did with this on the Tokyo highways? Let's roll the tape and thank goodness, I made my first GT SPORT clip for this post.





Mild as I said but the TT S knows how to impress a beginner before setting off to check out some more cars and tracks offered in-game. Needless to say, before you head off to the big leagues, why not take some time to discover the cars and tracks in GT SPORT?  There's so much to discover before getting ready for the race of your lives so take your time before you raise a hand for a challenge.

2018MY Audi RS3 Sportback und Limousine

About two years ago, Audi launched their most powerful hot hatch in the stable, the Audi RS3. With its 2.5L 5-cylinder turbocharged engine developing 367PS of power and 465Nm of torques, it could have been the most powerful hot hatch ever created by the Volkswagen Group until the currently-facelifted A45 AMG backlashed it with 380PS of power, which is kinda sad. Now, there's a new RS3 that promises to revolve the patterns in super hot hatch hierarchy and more.

2018 Audi RS3 Sportback

2018 Audi RS3 Limousine

Here it is, the new version and at first glance, it looks slightly different than the old, pre-facelifted RS3 until you get to see what's under the bonnet. The 2.5L TFSi engine as we all know it is now upgraded so now it produces 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque. Mated to an S Tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, it can go from 0 to 100kph in 4.1 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph. 280 if you go for an optional performance package.

The fun doesn't stop there because apart from the added performance, there's also the first-ever RS3 Limousine variant, delivering the same thrills from the Sportback, now with the four-door saloon look to make your day as thrilling as the Taken trilogy films, whatever it takes.

It's great to have Audi reclaimed its rightful throne from Mercedes-AMG for their most powerful hot hatch ever made and with all that power output that surprises speedo boys the most, have the dynamics ever changed now that the RS3 has been revised since our first encounter? Uh, sadly, I don't think so.

Of course, even though the RS3 has been given wider track and a sporty suspension setup, it still is very mild to drive in the corners and even with the quattro all-wheel-drive system, it just feels like an overpowered front-wheel-drive car that can fracture an arm in seconds when turning hard on the bends, especially those with prosthetics. This car can hurt you more than the car itself and even if you try turning hard on the corners, it would be very difficult for a mild and menacing car to get out so you need to be prepared with some painkillers while going on a track day with this car.

What about taking it on the normal roads? Well, because this is a high-performance variant of the Audi A3, be it saloon or hatchback if you may, chances are they might notice you slightly because they can easily mistake you for a normal A3 and of course, being slightly incognito in the public roads, there are some features that can draw some attention to the public apart from the noise that doesn't seem too intimidating to some. One such noticing feature is the special RS screen on the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which is great on track days, but on normal roads, this is a clear example of why this world has gone with the dogs. Think of it like the villain from Austin Powers going on a shopping spree at the department store and that would be proper comedy if you take this hot Audi for a stroll around the metropolis but this is no laughing matter because in terms of accommodating with the normal crowd, that sport-tuned suspension adds some drama to your daily commute and taking it from points A to B, there's going to be some yelling to do when they confide about you and that RS3.

The pricing is what you should be worried about because the Audi RS3 Sportback is priced at 54,600 euros, and the saloon starts at 55,900 euros and they're about more expensive than its rivals from Mercedes-AMG. Sure, their newest RS3 range reclaimed the throne from the A45/GLA45 but in terms of dynamics, they're still mild and menacing because they still don't have the aesthetics of a Ford Focus RS and without it, be prepared for some cruising with a bruising. 

Photo: AUDI AG

Audi SQ5 (Typ FY)

Now based on the second-generation Audi Q5, the all-new SQ5 shows that even a mildly high-performance crossover like this can be a lot more enjoyable to drive as a sportscar while maintaining its daily driver usage as a crossover. So, is the new model better than the previous one? Let's investigate.

2018 Audi SQ5

2018 Audi SQ5

Ever since the second-generation Audi Q5 crossover arrived on the scene several moments ago, I have strong belief that it's amazingly more affordable to buy than the Mercedes GLC, your auntie's next favorite luxury crossover, while it behaves pretty much like the GLC. In this new SQ5 though, this car wants a piece of that action with Mercedes-AMG's GLC43 by doing some similar stuff the GLC43 does in its spare time.

In comparison with the normal Q5, the SQ5 features a much mild and tangy exterior design which is as sharp as a soccer mom in a gym outfit, going out to do some MMAs with some sparring partners or even her next-door neighbor who brings them nothing but Danishes on the silver platter. On the inside, it still feels like a normal Q5. The five-seater capacity, the generous boot space, the MMI navigation plus with MMI all-in-touch, the Virtual Cockpit dashboard, it's all there to keep them waiting.

Time for something that is worth surprising because in the old SQ5, it has a 3.0 TDi engine with two turbochargers that produces 313HP of power and 650Nm of torque. In the new one though, in tune with the times, the diesel engine has been off to the great junkyard in the sky and in place, there is a new 3.0L V6 TFSi petrol engine that powers it, sacrificing torque for added power, 354PS of power and 500Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. With this powerplant along with its quattro permanent AWD, it does 0-100kph in 5.4 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph. It may sound quick for an SUV but it's less pulley compared to the previous SQ5 and it's slightly less fuel efficient as well, 8.3 l/100km compared to the old SQ5's 7.2L/100km. When compared to the similarly-sized Mercedes-AMG GLC43, the SQ5 will be getting left behind in the dust bowl in a red state and looks like now it's not the time to explain these two for the time being.

Because the latest Q5 utilizes the same new platform as the latest VW Tiguan, it's now more nimble and more durable compared to the last one, and for the SQ5, the quattro all-wheel drive and its sport-tuned dynamics makes it as lean and as sharp as an Audi S4 in every tangible way. It maybe great to use in any road condition and it can as addicting as a weekend at the arcade but understeering is very likely and even if you try to hard to get this round the corners, it's a distant struggle to get it right and with so much grip, have it your way because it can be very mild and menacing for a crossover like this.

In terms of overall enjoyment as a sportscar, the SQ5 is a royal pain in the arms because it has so much grip in it but as a everyday car, the SQ5 is not half bad, especially when it comes with the same driver assistance tech as the standard Q5.

Should you buy it? The new Audi SQ5 starts at 65,400 Euros, which is four grand more than the more superior Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and for such pricing, it's no doubt that this new SQ5 won't be cutting against its rival to the teeth but it's a fair start. While the transition from diesel to petrol is quite a surprising feat because Audi's had enough of the diesels following scandals that ruined its reputation, how much more does the SQ5 lose apart from its torque? No one knows but explanations are a lot harder than sampling this new model that despite its transition, it never lost some of its impish character from its predecessor and while the GLC43 can beat it in the game of "top trumps", the SQ5 can cheek squeak its way through the end of a week like MMAs in a pajama party. See if I care about it.

Photo: AUDI AG

Audi RS5 II

Based on the second-generation Audi A5 Coupe, the all-new RS5 wants to be a serious rival to the likes of BMW's M4 and Mercedes-AMG's C63 Coupe, but what exactly is going on about this new and improved high-performance version of the A5 made by the skunk works of the recently renamed Audi Sport, formerly known as quatttro gmbH?

2018 Audi RS5

2018 Audi RS5

Being based on the all-new A5, the all-new Audi RS5 is even better looking than the previous model judging from its new aerodynamics that makes it as leathery as a leather jacket you worn from last night's bar brawl and the same goes to the interior which is also leathery by Audi standards. This is like putting more muscle to your cream biscuits and the thicker the cream, the more delicious it is and for the RS5, it's got more muscle on the design that will make it barely noticeable on the road.

2018 Audi RS5 interior

2018 Audi RS5 interior

So, when the new RS5 is becoming more muscular on the outside as well as on the inside, has it got more muscle on the performance, you might ask? Er, afraid not because for starters, the glorious 4.2L V8 from the previous model has been thrown away to the garbage bin (man, we're going to miss that noise) and in place, there's the new 2.9 TFSi V6 BiTurbo engine that produces 450PS of power and 600Nm of torque. With the 8-speed tiptronic transmission, which is almost as pointless as your nightly boardroom meeting on overtime, it does 0-100kph in 3.9 seconds with top speed normally limited to 250kph or with a little extra service that will raise the limit to 280kph.

That sounds like quick but by the way it sounds? It's like an average six-cylinder luxury saloon you might say and while it sounds so soothe, it's not as intimidating than the old model's V8 engine that some say that fires a droplet of petrol every time you make gear changes, producing more noise. While we're going to miss that glorious noise of that old-timer, that sound of the V6 twin turbo engine is not worthy enough to win the hearts of some speedo boys and that's just the half of the story.

Audi says that the new RS5 features a much improved dynamics courtesy of its new five-link construction on the front axle, the five-link suspension on the rear, the RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control, ceramic brakes, and dynamic steering with RS-specific tuning, but truth be told, it never changed the dynamics of this car, in fact it feels like it' been slightly improved. You can barely feel the difference on how you handle this all-wheel drive mongrel and while it has that all-wheel drive powertrain, which is very nice to drive in any kind of road, you can really feel the understeering every time you turn this car hard on the bends and because it doesn't have that glorious torque vectoring like you get on today's Mercedes E63 or a Ford Focus RS, you're like you're struggling to get it through the corner and this calls for more painkillers when your arms are feeling the aching sensation every time you handle this car very sharply like a pro. Quite an arm-breaking experience, isn't it?

Should you buy it? The new RS5 starts at 80,900 Euros plus on road costs and that's too much to pay than the BMW M4 Coupe, which remains one of the best high-performance luxury coupes to drive today, and expensive aside, what you get is a new RS5 that almost feels like the last time, except it's lost some of its charm due to downsizing terms and despite the added power that will upset the others, it's the handling you should be worrying about as well as your arms because of that understeering despite having quattro on this car.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A5 II Cabriolet

Last time, the Audi A5 has reached in second generation and so far, only two body styles have been introduced to us; the coupe and the five-door sportback version for those who think they couldn't afford the A7. Now with the convertible version, all three body styles of the new Audi A5 are now available as promised. So, what's it all about the convertible version of the new A5?

2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet

Priced at 44,000 Euros, which is seven grand more than the coupe version, the new Audi A5

For starters, the new Cabriolet version looks vaguely identical to the normal coupe version, only this time with the retractable soft top that can be opened or closed at the touch of a button in less than 18 seconds, per se, especially on travelling speeds of up to 50kph. 

Apart from that, check out what Audi did on the inside and yes, it comes with the first ever seat belt microphones to communicate both driver and passenger even when the top is opened. Hold on. Seat belt microphones? Why they made such a noticing feature where you can talk to anyone close to you? Well, that was kind of anticlimactic for Audi to make a feature that doesn't make any sense. Anyway, while the so-called seat belt microphones are as useless as a belly button lint, this is still the same A5 interior as the others. as well as the tech array especially the available "Technology Selection" which comes with smartphone connectivity for iPhones and Androids. These tech features really put the open-top versions of the 4-Series and the C-Class out of context or so they said.

Behind the tech-laden stuff comes the performance, which isn't surprising for luxury convertible standards. We know that this convertible version slightly weighs more than the coupe version due fact that this is the stiffest in its class but for convertible standards, it weighs 40kg less than the outgoing A5 Cabriolet, meaning in the base model, that weighs 1690kg. Not bad, but don't celebrate just yet because the A5 Cabriolet offers almost the same choice of engines as the Coupe version, ranging from a 2.0 TDi, 2.0 TFSi, and the 3.0 TDi engine. The most powerful in the normal A5 Cabriolet for now is the 2.0 TFSi engine with 252PS of power while the most economical is the 2.0L TDi with combined fuel economy up to 4.6L/100km.

2017 Audi S5 Cabriolet

Of course, if you're unhappy with those above, there's the S5 Cabriolet, a semi-hot version of the A5 Cabriolet that is priced at 67,800 Euros plus tax and delivery, now with a 3.0 TFSI engine producing 354 PS of power and top speed normally limited to 250kph, while mated with a tiptronic gearbox. Again, not so sporty as it sounds for a semi-high performance convertible.

Yes, the new model may not be as dynamic and attractive than the competition, the tech, the quattro all-wheel drive system, and its cruising character shows that you don't need to prove a thing to drive a luxury convertible that can get you from points A to B just like the next guy and it wants to follow its own path. Let's face it, folks, while this is not the ideal luxury convertible to thrash around the streets like a maniac, this refined beauty is something worth beholding on the road, even on weekends.

In other words, while it may not be a great convertible to have it around, this is still as civilized as the next person and it's hard to fathom what to do with it when you got your hands on the new A5 Cabriolet. While this is an improvement from the previous A5 Cabriolet, it's still beyond regular for a luxury convertible of this caliber.

Photo: AUDI AG

Second-Generation Audi Q5 (Typ FY)

Slotted below the bigger Q7 full-size SUV, the Audi Q5 is a luxury midsize crossover that appeals more than your auntie's luxury crossover in terms of numerous capabilities this crossover can do and for this second-generation model, there's no denying that the all-new Audi Q5 can pinpoint every potential capabilities that your auntie's crossover can't, especially when your auntie started to own a Mercedes GLC per se. So, will your auntie prefer this one more than the GLC? Let's see...

2017 Audi Q5

The previous Q5 launched in 2008 is basically an Audi A4 with a big body that does nothing more to appease the outdoorsman but rather than the yuppies who prefer taking it on the city centers rather than national parks for business and leisure. For this new model, though, it's becoming personal because apart from the Q7-inspired design that matches its blood with the other Audi SUVs, the new Q5 is all about business and usual, day and night, rain or shine, clean and dirty, no matter the odds.

2017 Audi Q5 interior

2017 Audi Q5 interior

You have to admit that the new interior is basically an improvement compared to the previous model and while it is slightly more spacious than the last one, it's more surprisingly high-tech than ever, meaning millennials can toy around with the features as much as they want before setting off or going out. One such thing is the new MMI with smartphone connectivity that works well with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, giving plenty of reasons to stay connected while on the road, as long as your aware of your surroundings. The new interior looks so promising but the second row seats is somewhat questionable because while you are trying to get inside, it's worth the try to squeezing yourself while getting indulged by that new car smell until some sweaty boys occupying the whole second row and it takes a Febreze to stave them off.

2017 Audi Q5

2017 Audi Q5

At launch, the new Q5 is powered by either a 2.0L TFSi petrol engine or a 2.0L TDi diesel engine, mated with either a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed S tronic gearbox, depending on the model. For now, the most powerful in the range is the 2.0L TFSi with 252PS of power and 370Nm of torque, capable of reaching 0-100kph in 6.3 seconds and onwards to 232kph. The most efficient one is the 2.0L TDi with 4.9L/100km of fuel economy.

Unlike the previous one, the all new Q5 features a brand new platform that is similar to the one used on the latest VW Tiguan, meaning that it's now more nimble and more durable compared to the last one and by utilizing the new quattro drivetrain, it's now more capable to handle situations than ever, making it an all-weather multirole that you can take it anywhere as long as you're curious to drive it. Although, the newly updated dynamics on the new Q5 is quite impressive when you consider it, it doesn't feel as sporty as what the name hoped for and it feels...pretty much more like your auntie's crossover on the weekends.

Keeping up with the demands of times, the new Q5 features a wide array of driver assistance and safety systems. Apart from applying some of the many driver aids that makes it as civilized as an autonomous car of the next decade, the new Q5 comes with the predictive efficiency assistant that allows the driver save fuel by specific information on the car's surroundings. Sounds mind-boggling if you ask but it can be somewhat bland and drivers like to drive the way they like.

The new Q5 starts at 39,500 Euros and by surprise, it's amazingly more affordable to buy than the Mercedes GLC, your auntie's next favorite luxury crossover. Although it's less expensive than the Benz, the new Q5 behaves pretty much like your auntie's luxury crossover, only with the slight difference that makes her want to switch cars. Since the new Q5 is built in Mexico, the current American administration will be unhappy about this one because the dreaded 35% tariff will make this new model more expensive than the last one when it hits the US, unless some measures have to be taken to slip through this new kind of mess. Nevertheless, with less to worry about the new American climate, the new Q5 can have its lush in European soil because this is an Audi and Audi is German whether you like it or not.

Source: AUDI AG

FH3 Blizzard Mountain: S1 on ice

Audi's S1 may be a semi-hot A1 for the 50%, but for a small-sized compact, it tries so hard to become the super hot hatch it deserved.

Although this is classified as a super hot hatch that competes against the Astra VXR, A45 AMG, and the RenaultSport Megane, its short on power is a big disadvantage in the straights but thanks to its size, it can squeeze into corners squeaky clean as a thief in the night, as if drivers know how to watch their backs and blind spots for sudden overtakes.

Some people claimed that the S1 has the blessings of the legendary Audi Quattro but upon checking out its driving modes, it all feels wrong. Like the Sport mode, for example, which solidifies the suspension rather than sharpens it, making this car too mild to handle in the bends. It maybe small and nippy but the way the S1 behaves is...just plain mild as an Ivory soap with a point I made moments later.



As you can see, I am rejoined here with my special S1 I drove back in FH2's Storm Island years ago. It's got the same Cinderella Girls Miria design as last time, but it's been updated to handle Blizzard Mountain. With the car set, the S1 faces the harshest challenge yet under extreme icy conditions. When I say extreme, I really do mean it.



It's true. It was the harshest challenge ever faced under extreme icy conditions but the S1 managed to win the race for me, although I wouldn't want to do it against because as the Blizzard Mountain challenges get even tougher, it takes the right strategy and the right car to do such things in order to achieve the full three-star result. Winning the race is easy but winning the race while completing a specific task is a tough act to follow.

Forza Horizon 3: King of Rally Monsters

The Audi Sport Quattro S1 has been well-respected by many enthusiasts as the king of rally monsters because when this car took on Group B rallying, it racked up more WRC wins than any other rally car familiar by many.

From 1981 to 1985, from Hannu Mikkola to Walter Rohrl, the record of 23 WRC rally wins and two championship wins is clear benevolent factor that this legend is unstoppable in its own tracks until the end of Group B rally due to countless fatal accidents recorded in rally history.



With Forza Horizon 3 being a penchant for bringing rally cars on the open landscape, Festival-runners are free to explore the unmatched potential of this Group B rally king by any means necessary and as a matter of fact, spending lots of time driving this legendary rally monster is as enjoyable as a day-long binge watching of every VHS tapes featuring the very best of the Audi Sport Quattro's WRC career from start to finish.

Nothing like nostalgia best served hot and cold in a very reasonable manner and for anyone who has a delicate taste over classic rally machines, there's something worth as delicious as a gourmet school lunch.



With the car's bodykit preset locked and loaded, this 500HP monster has become even more potent on the dirt courses offered all over the Land Down Under, although the added weight is a small price to pay for a rally car with improved dynamics and further work needs to be done in order to bring out the best of this rally monster.

Care to see what's like to be with the legend?



Yeah, the one where the spoiler cut loose is a big whoopsie for me but it's been a honor to get to know about the Audi Sport Quattro S1, the legendary rally monster that teared down the woods during its rallying career.

New Audi R8 Spyder vs. Ferrari 488 Spider vs. Lamborghini Huracan Spyder

You're a rich man, you spend a lot of time doing stuff at the CEO's desk and then going out gambling your luck at the casino on your day-off. You have a lot of money to spend on those super-fast cars but your probability of your choosing would be open-top supercars because you want to look cool driving on those things. There are three choices, which one would you go for?

2017 Audi R8 Spyder

Let's take a look at your first choice of the latest open-top supercars on the market today, the brand new Audi R8 V10 Spyder. You may have noticed that while it maybe slightly heavier than its hardtop equivalent, it still comes with its new Audi Space Frame as well as its 5.2 V10 engine developing 540PS of power and 540Nm of torque, while mated to a 7-speed double clutch gearbox which shifts like magic bur that doesn't stop you from spoiling your day out with this open-top supercar, especially that it can get from 0 to 100kph in 3.6 seconds and onwards to 318kph. Because it's priced less than two hundred grand, this new Audi R8 Spyder is a supercar bargain.

2017 Ferrari 488 Spider

Then, let's take a look on the new Ferrari 488 Spider, which is an updated version of the old 458 Spider, the car that will make everyone agree that it's the best mid-engined supercar ever made. It may have the same V8 as the old 458 but it's been miniaturized and turbocharged so this 4.0L Twin Turbo V8 engine produces 670PS of power output while mated to its F1 7-speed double clutch gearbox, resulting to its 0 to 100 km/h time in 3 seconds. While it may slightly more than the coupe version, its dynamics remain just as fun as the normal one and with the roof up, the upside of having one on the track day meet is that while you can enjoy its F1-inspired dynamics, you can really hear the noise of its V8 engine very clearly but since this is turbocharged, you can't hold your case for a little while longer, knowing this this Ferrari's too matured for its own good.

2017 Lamborghini Huracan Spyder

Or if you're unhappy with those two, you can have the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder instead. Like the new Audi R8, it has a 5.2L V10 engine but it produces 610PS of power output while mated to the same 7-speed double-clutch gearbox as the R8. The age of V10 engines maybe soon endangered but with the Huracan Spyder, you can assure that this modern open-top supercar still has that old-school charm that car enthusiasts really love to listen like the sounds of good old 80's rock and roll from their old CD collections. Because this is a Lamborghini, you can be very addictive while driving this open-top Huracan on the road and on the track, despite the added weight on it.

With these open-top supercars currently available on the market, it's hard to decide which one is the best. The Audi R8 Spyder has the most value for money, the Ferrari 488 Spider for its power that beats them in their own little game of top trumps, and the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder for its old-school charm that wouldn't settle for anything else. How you live it up and sum it up with those three is up to you, my dear bachelor and bachelorette.

Audi A5 II

2017 Audi A5 Coupe

2017 Audi A5 Sportback

It's been almost a decade when Audi launched the two-door equivalent of the Audi A4, known as the A5, and while the A5 is made to take on the likes of BMW's 4-Series and Mercedes' C-Coupe, its stale styling never makes the cut against today's generation of two-door saloons. However, this is the latest version, and while this is based on the latest Audi A4, the all-new Audi A5 tries to show its rivals how technologically-advanced this new version is, although the new design feels like it's 10 years ago.

You get two bodystyles at launch; first there's the coupe version, starts at 42,750 Euros, for those who are very sensible enough to have a two-door saloon in the first place, and then there's the five-door Sportback version, starts at 40,850 Euros, for those who believe that the A4's not good enough for them. Either way, they're all the same story for these two bodystyles at the start because whichever A5 you'll be choosing, it's not the performance this car is aftering, it's the tech that counts and looks like you'll be having a hard time understanding the gadgetry deployed on the new model.

2017 Audi A5 Coupe interior

2017 Audi A5 Sportback interior

Of course, while the design is slightly an improvement from the previous model when it first launched almost a decade ago, the new interior is all business as usual for the coupe and as for the Sportback, you get that "out from the limo" feeling that once you got out from the back seat, you will think that you're in charge of almost everything, even your siblings who are not interested in cars at all. Of course, while the coupe is all about your time, all the time, and while the Sportback is all about talent agencies, four star hotels, and all that rut from your briefcase full of work-related materials, understanding the tech that sinks the A5's new interior like Silicon Valley meets Boracay is not an easy task but the more you understand about its interior, the better your understanding how it works like a laptop computer, and with the brand new "Technology Selection" offered on the A5, which comes with smartphone connectivity for iPhones and Androids, this is just the half of the tech-filled platter for the new model.

Okay, the Coupe and the Sportback models offer different range of engine choices and if you start with the normal Coupe version, you should know that there are 11 configurations to choose from; with the most powerful version is the sport 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with 252PS of power and can get through 100kph in 5.8 seconds while the most efficient one is the sport 2.0 TDI ultra with the 6-speed manual which delivers 4.2 l/100km of fuel efficiency. For the Sportback, meanwhile, there are eight configurations available with the most powerful version is of course the 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic with a 0-100kph time of six seconds while the most efficient model is the 2.0 TDI ultra  with the 6-speed manual with a fuel economy of 4.1 l/100km.

2017 Audi S5 Coupe

2017 Audi S5 Sportback

If you need some more, there's also a semi-high performance variant called the S5. Priced at 62,500 Euros for both models, the S5 is equipped with a 3.0 TFSI engine producing 354 PS of power and top speed normally limited to 250kph, while mated with a tiptronic gearbox which isn't sound so sporty for a semi-high performance variant for the A5 models.

Either way, the new model feels a bit like it was slightly improved compared to the first-generation model. Although luxurious and comfortable to drive on the city streets and on the highway, its excitement to drive as a weekend car is almost none and you can't sense how much fun this new model is, even if you're going two doors because who would rather think driving a car with two doors is considered a sleek and sporty ride? However, Audi resorted developing a new quattro all wheel drive system with ultra technology, this upgraded drivetrain feels like it's starting to work rather well like singing kumbaya on a boy scout bonfire night. Still, with technology at its earnest disposal, the new Audi A5's state of the art features in terms of safety and connectivity feels like it's one step ahead to the future and while these new models are here today, they're always ready for tomorrow's ever-changing demographics.

Although the new model doesn't sense its sportiness from within, its becoming a slight improvement compared to the previous generation and it will take owners to grow accustomed to the all-new model by whatever means necessary. The more they drive the new A5, the more they know, and the more they know, the better their experience behind the wheel will be and while having two bodystyles with different powertrains offered is just half the story, there's more to come with the new generation A5 so expect surprises later on for this generation.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi TT Mk3 (Typ 8S) RS

The most powerful version of the Audi TT is back for more, only this time it's now heavily based on the current-generation model as the all-new Audi TT RS is ready to take on the big guns with its blend of compact sizing and big power from its signature five-cylinder engine, proving that this car isn't just a VW Golf R in coupster look, it's one way why Audi makes the most serious machines for those who can't afford a more expensive R8 supercar. The question is, is it good?

2017 Audi TT RS

Before you get your hands on the new Audi TT RS, first you must get to know more about the TT RS in terms of how it looks, how it behaves, and so on, and so forth, and introduce yourself to the hot TT RS is just the half of the story. For this new model, the TT RS offers two body styles to choose from; an open-top version if you're not too serious about pushing this car beyond limits or a hardtop version if you really want to discover its utmost potential as a hot TT for the privileged few. Whichever style you go, you will always be greeted by its racy exterior design just as what you expect from most Audi RS models, hardcore Audis made by the madmen from quattro GmbH for people who believe they like to make a world their racetrack by any means necessary.

It's fair to say that with such exterior design, the new TT RS has a striking impression of a Soviet-made handgun that sounds like the banging of a gong on a dam, and if whoever's driving any kind of TT, even the TT S, will be extremely jealous enough to have one of these someday but that will take a lot of time to wait until it's here, or the budget to spend one because the new model starts at 66,400 Euros for the Coupe version and 69,200 Euros for the Roadster version.

Either way, they're still fitted with its signature 2.5L 5-cylinder engine as before, only this time it's all new and producing 60PS more than the last time, meaning it's now 400PS of power and 480Nm of torque. Sounds juicy enough to put the VW Golf R to shame but there's one major point that will upset some speedo boys elsewhere; it's available only with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. That's it. A 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Even with all that power, you speedo boys are not going to enjoy the paddle-shifting, two-pedal layout offered by the most powerful TT in the range, not if that setup propels this car from 0 to 100kph to 3.7 seconds (3.9 for the Roadster) and electronically limited to 250kph (or 280kph for an optional extra).

For all that power, Audi resorts to improving the dynamics of the TT RS to give the new model some character hidden beneath its exterior design. Despite having an automatic gearbox, which sounds unruly for speedo boys, there's so much time to explore more about the TT RS's dynamism that the folks from quattro GmbH spent endless hours fine-tuning its racy handling for your own driving pleasure. As a four-wheel drive car, the TT RS can be a fun and enjoyable sportscar even when the weather turns against the drivers. It sure is addicting at first but when things are taking it very seriously when it comes to driving it on track days, it's a struggle where its unpredictable understeering acts as a recoil from your steering attack through the harsh bends. Needless to say with that kind of character, you'll gonna need to spend lots and lots of man-hours to get its handling right on track until the day comes when setting lap times in this car becomes as clear as a crystal maze.

As a driver's car, the Audi TT RS is an addictive addition to your garage and you can spend most of the vacation leave getting to know more about this car not in terms of how it looks but by the way it drives with that kind of setup, despite its added power from its signature five-cylinder engine, you can find it very struggling to be accommodated to its double-clutch gearbox set up because some speedo boys won't go easy with the DSG setup, no matter how quick this car is from the starting line. On the bottom line, there's so much to learn from the new model, in fact, this model needs to be more enjoyable than this so speedo boys can deserve more for the hottest TT ever made.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi A4 (B9) allroad

Now, let's talk sport utility wagons. Sure, they maybe classified as crossovers just as what compact hatchback-based ones did, but in reality, they're really station wagons with some added claddings on the outside as well as added ground clearance to make it look tough and rugged but in general, they're just part of their daily routine. Even luxury car companies got mixed into them to sell sport utility wagons to those who believe that a normal station wagon just isn't enough to satisfy their everyday lifestyles.

2017 Audi A4 allroad

One such example of how luxury car companies selling such kind of wagons designated as crossovers is this; the brand new Audi A4 allroad. First and foremost, this is basically an Audi A4 B9 Avant, only this time with some added cladding to look tough and rugged as well as the added ground clearance to make it sound adventurous when taken on the great outdoors. With prices start at 41,700 Euros, that's about over ten grand more than its Avant equivalent but that doesn't stop them from having one of these in their garage right now. Although costly to own than the Avant, it's priced for those who couldn't afford the A6 allroad.

2017 Audi A4 allroad interior

For a tougher side of the A4 Avant, the new A4 allroad with its clever stuff lurking underneath its rugged looks really makes it very capable to handle almost any kind of road conditions as long as the mud isn't problematic enough to get the others stuck on the road and the frozen roads isn't slippery enough to turn them into figure skaters. On normal roads, it behaves like a saloon; comfortable but a little less exciting to soothe your brows all the way home, but when taken to a leisurely ride on the great outdoors, it's all business as usual even when it has unfinished business to deal with.

2017 Audi A4 allroad

There are numerous versions available on the new Audi A4 allroad but the most powerful version is obviously the one with the 3.0L TDi engine with the 8-speed gearbox, a first for the A4 allroad. It produces 272PS of power and 600Nm of torque. It can go from 0-100kph in 5.5 seconds and electronically limited to 250kph. Sounds quick for a crossover but it can be somewhat idiotic and irrelevant for a car that has a sweet spot lying in deceit for the kids in the back. Speaking of the sweet spot, rest assured that it wasn't meant to be a family car because if you have three kids and readying the child seats, you might ruin someone's "sweet spot" for the heck of it. Although this five seater wasn't meant to be used for family trips, the A4 allroad is a fitting for the outdoorsman going into the woods and with that spacing on the back, it fits most of the leisurely stuff an outdoorsman would go for such as hiking, biking, fishing, camping, or even hunting wild animals. Whichever floats their kayak, the A4 allroad is a luxury crossover wagon fit for almost anything through the ends of the earth.

Tempting? Well, if you got some extra cash and if you believe that the A4 Avant wasn't enough, best to buy one right now before anyone else would because crossovers are all the rage right now.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi Q2

If Mercedes had their own baby crossover called the GLA, then Audi had their own take on such thing by giving birth to a sport utility variation of the A1 called the new Audi Q2. As if the crossover trend continues to grow, altering its form, and strengthening perpetually through the years, the new Audi Q2 is just one of the basic examples of why crossovers, no matter how big or small they get, are still everywhere on the roads.

2017 Audi Q2

As stated, the Audi Q2 is basically an Audi A1 with some added ground clearance on it and while it looks more robust and as tough as a high school jock, what this car feels is no jock itch here because it feels more of a compact hatchback rather than being a crossover utility vehicle that was made to go through several trips to the thrift store later. It's more like a Nissan Juke in so many levels, if you ask anyone driving it.

2017 Audi Q2 interior

2017 Audi Q2 interior

The inside job is very similar to the Audi A1 which is based upon and while being small in size, it's still rather nice to sit upon and fiddle around with its toys while you're not moving about. Spacing-wise, the Q2's boot is big enough to fit a macho box and some other thrift store haul while the rear seats are folded. With the rear seats present, it's good enough to fit today's stuff you bought from the grocery or at the mall. Whichever comes first, the Q2 is a practical crossover that knows what the anyone's doing on their daily routine, be it going to work, hanging out with friends downtown, or taking a stroll on your day off.

If anyone's going for the Technology selection & Sound Paket, the Q2 will come equipped with some gadgets to fiddle around such as the Audi Virtual Cockpit instrumental panel, Bang & Olufsen surround sound system, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch, and smartphone interface that works with your iPhone (Apple Carplay) or Android phones (Android Auto), among many others. Now that's smart for a jock on the road.

2017 Audi Q2

What lies under the hood of the Audi Q2 is a choice of either a 1.4 TFSI, 1.6 TDI, or a 2.0 TDI engine. The quickest variant of the Q2 will be the 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic which gets up from 0 to 100kph in 7.3 seconds and the most economical variant will be the 1.6 TDI 6-speed manual that promises 120 - 114 g/km of CO2 emissions, although I should talk about that diesel stuff later on because of the ongoing fiasco happening on with the diesel engines from the VW family tree.

Anyway, because this is basically an Audi A1 underneath, the Q2 is more of a city car than an SUV and the way it behaves as a luxury compact crossover is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class because they can be all-weather compacts for anyone who are feeling under the weather, they're both city cars that like to breathe around the metropolis, they're both luxury cars with a slightly luxury price which is unheard for both luxury car makers. And if you're willing to ask the price difference between those two, better prepare for some questions because the Q2 starts at 22,900 Euros, which is almost five grand less than the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Sounds like a bargain, right?

Yes, the pricing is what sets the Q2 apart but if you can dare to ask what to like about the Q2, chances are is its sizing, its value for money, its tech, and pretty much about it but if you're not afraid to ask what not to like, it could be the enjoyment that you can take it along on a trip and if you got kids, delete it from one of your choices for your next car because that might not be enough to be classified as a family car or two.

Available colors: Brillantschwarz, Ibisweiß, Vegasgelb, Quantumgrau, Florettsilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Korallenorange Metallic, Mythosschwarz Metallic, Nanograu Metallic, Tangorot Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, and Arablau Kristalleffekt.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi SQ7

In the not too distant past, when the first-generation Q7 didn't had a high-performance model, they once offered a V12 variant, which is by no means one of the rarest attempts to create a V12-powered SUV, a breed unknown to many. That diesel-powered V12 Q7 was a rare breed for the privileged few and treated it to be a super SUV in its own right but sadly, like dinosaurs, it was extinct. In today's Q7, you don't expect to have a big diesel engine to be bolted to it but instead, a much milder, yet menacing, version has stepped in and it wants to capture the essence from its prehistoric predecessor, except for every single detail.

2017 Audi SQ7

2017 Audi SQ7

This is the brand new Audi SQ7 and this semi-high performance full-size crossover SUV is just one of the main reasons why performance is becoming a new normal, especially when it's diesel-powered. Sure, despite big setbacks facing today's diesel engines because of today's headlines but the new SQ7 really despises the setbacks and, in return, it does taking cases seriously on the road.

Behind its athletic styling inside and out, the SQ7 is powered by a brand new 4.0L V8 TDi engine with the world's first electric powered compressor. While it produces less than the old Q7 V12, 435HP and 900Nm compared to over 500HP of power and 1000Nm of torque, it's quicker to 100kph compared to the old Q7 V12, 4.8 seconds versus 5.5 seconds while top speed limited to 250kph, couple that to its lightweight construction, 8-speed automatic gearbox, and signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Although as strong as a beefed-up Russian female bodybuilder, its average fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km really means it's surprisingly frugal of a semi-high performance SUV of that size, well-fit for a family vehicle doped for perfection.

Because it's lighter and quicker than the old Q7 V12, you might think that the SQ7 handles better than the old Q7 V12 and the answer is...slightly improved. It maybe lighter compared to the old Q7 V12 thanks to its extensive use of lightweight materials as demonstrated on the normal model but there's still a hint of mildness when you drive it like a sportscar. If it gets understeer, you'll be having a big expression of dragging a very heavy object from point A to point B and when that thing drops on your foot, even when you're wearing shoes, you'll be amputated...quickly. 

Although you'll going to need a lot of force to corner it in the event of understeer, the SQ7 really ups the challenge for those who aren't afraid to say "challenge accepted" and if they get it right, the SQ7, despite the bulk, is a potent competitor compared to sports SUVs, including the Porsche Cayenne or even the Bentley Bentayga.

The price of this hunk of diesel greatness? It starts at 89,900 Euros and that's less expensive compared to the heavyweights, including the Bentley Bentayga. Despite the high-price tag, the new SQ7 really is a potent successor of the old Q7 V12, even though it has a smaller V8 diesel engine, and if drivers get things right to master this diesel behemoth on the road, feels like this day will never end and they will have more fun going places in a semi-high performance SUV that despite its size, it remains a fun family car full stop.

Photo: Audi AG

Audi S4 B9

Based on the brand new and more technologically advanced Audi A4, the semi-high performance variant, the S4, in saloon and Avant versions, may have lost some of the charm points from its previous model, such as the loss of the manual gearbox and supercharger, but it's got AMG's C43 range in its crosshairs. So, is it better than before?

2017 Audi S4

2017 Audi S4 Avant

At first glance, the brand new S4 looks very identical to the normal A4 but when you notice some subtle changes on the exterior and interior to make it look semi-sporty but by stark observation, it's catered to be as elite as an honor student at a very prestigious academy. Remind you of any?

Anyway, once you're done digging out what's new, in and out, what's underneath is what matters because for the new model, the 3.0L TFSi engine loses its supercharger, resulting to become a turbocharged semi-high performance vehicle which a very average sound that makes you wanna go "hmmm". No bark though but the power output of 354PS of power and 500Nm is pretty impressive for a turbocharged engine but it's still short of power compared to Mercedes-AMG's C43. Still, could be worse, the only offering of an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox is one gear short compared to the C43's 9G-TRONIC as well. While it maybe restricted to 250kph, the 0-100kph time is now 4.7 seconds, which is vaguely the same as the C43's but get this; because the S4, like the A4, is utilized on an MQB platform like all good VW Group machines, it's 60kg less than the C43, resulting to combined fuel consumption of 7.4L/100km, compared to the C43's 7.8L/100km. How's that for a semi-high performance car?

As a light car compared to the C43, the new S4, with its signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, is a potent multirole that can handle through bends with mildness, even when it feels under the weather. Because it's lower than the base A4, courtesy of its sport-tuned suspension, its low center of gravity results to even better handling but it's still basically milder in body language and if you can sense its understeering woes, hope you got your painkillers ready because this going be an achy-breaky feeling.

Should you buy it? The S4 is priced at 59,300 Euros for the saloon while the Avant is priced at 61,150 Euros, competitively priced to the AMG C43 range, and while it produces less power than the C43, the S4, despite the loss of its supercharger and manual gearbox, still works like what a semi-high performance should and while this is classified as a sports car, it's still a luxury car ticking all the right touches in partial terms of endearment. Is it better than before? Don't be silly but it's a good fun finding out.

Photo: Audi AG