Cars Audi

Reviews of Audi cars.

25 Jan

Insurance tips for first time buyers

Posted in General on 25.01.12

Insurance prices have experienced a near unprecedented surge in recent times. This means a new drivers choice of car may be dictated entirely by the potential cost of their insurance premium. To buy a car with a high insurance grouping could end up with the new or young driver owning an asset they find impossible to insure, with prices often running into the thousands.

Insurance groups range from 1 to 50 with 1 offering the lowest premiums and 50 the highest. The new driver needs to place priority on targeting insurance groups 1 to 4, which might not provide the most inspirational list of cars but there are some appealing modern vehicles in this category.

The Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Suzuki Alto are cars often described as City Cars due to their inner city functionality. They’re typically small vehicles with low road tax costs, lean fuel economy and most importantly, group 1 insurance. Most of these cars are around 1000cc.

Any new driver needs to utilise the internet when searching for the best insurance policy. Many sites such as www.endsleigh.co.uk will draw upon a vast bank of insurance providers to allow for the most competitive quotes.

For cars with a more serious edge, you may wish to look at groups 2 and 3, where larger engines and more serious looking body shapes enter the market. The Fiesta, Corsa and Clio are all in this territory as engine sizes move towards the 1200cc mark. The Ford Fiesta seems to be a critics-favourite as far as small cars go, with its purposeful design, quality interior and spritely performance.

When searching for the cheapest insurance premiums it can be wise to incorporate your car on a multi-car policy. A young driver may benefit from being added to their parent’s policy or even being insured as a ‘named driver’. The internet is endowed with a range of sites like www.endsleigh.co.uk offering competitive and innovative deals.

Any new driver should try and factor the cost of insurance into the price of their new vehicle. Some might pay more for insurance than they do the vehicle itself, so a car that seems to be a bargain is rendered completely impractical by a sky high insurance premium. Keep costs down with sites such as www.endsleigh.co.uk.

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Suffering a head injury from a car accident can be a really traumatic event, and can affect your life in a severe way. However, if it wasn't your fault, then you can claim compensation with the help of the brain injury site.

16 Jan

The Peugot iOn

Posted in General on 16.01.12

With everyone looking at ways of reducing their ‘carbon footprint’, cars have been getting a rather bad press recently. Even so-called ‘greener’ models are said to be contributing too much to the already pretty much depleted air quality.

However, there is an answer. The electric car will keep the emissions to a minimum and probably save you a bit on fuel.

The Peugot iOn is one such car and won the prestigious Next Green Car: City Car award in 2011 – showing the versatility of Peugot in creating cars that will cause the least concern in this environmentally aware world. The iOn’s compact size and ultra stylish looks make it the perfect car for nipping around the congested city – the electric power steering makes for gymnast agility – whether it’s a night out with friends or the dreaded grocery shop. Four adults can fit comfortably in this car – despite what it looks like on the outside – and there’s athe option of folding down the backseats if you require a little extra room for whatever reason. And it doesn’t run up your electricity bill. In fact, the iOn’s running costs are significantly lower than a standard model with a traditional engine – especially if it’s charged overnight using off-peak energy.

When it comes to safety, the Peugot iOn does not fall short. The battery equipment is located under the floor pan which contributes to stability. This is reinforced by an Electronic Stability Program, an Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Emergency Braking Support – all as standard. This, along with front air bags, chest air bags, side air bags, isofix anchors and ‘fasten safety belt’ warnings, contributed to the iOn being awarded a four star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The iOn is equipped with a lithium-ion battery which stores more energy than the batteries of yesteryear. It will fully charge in around nine hours from a common household power point – and the five meter safety cable is supplied as standard.291

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15 Sep

Audi parts online

Posted in General on 15.09.11

There are a number of places online where you can find parts for Audi vehicles, from companies selling car parts directly, to those who offer a service securing parts from car breakers. One of the best sites to visit for this is What Part? (www.whatpart.co.uk), which is a UK based company specialising in locating used and new car parts. This company is able to find new and used parts for Audi cars of all models and is able to find parts quickly due to the size of its network of car breakers. Furthermore they are able to secure these parts at a considerable discount compared to those offered by main dealers – ensuring savings of around 80% for consumers.

In terms of buying parts for Audi vehicles directly, there is the company 247 Spares, which describes itself as “UK’s most visited and trusted car parts and accessories website” and to offer the biggest independent network for Audi car parts in Britain, with the cheapest prices. A quote for Audi parts can be secured for free via the website, while actual orders can be searched for, ordered and delivered from the site – although the overall savings of roughly 80% are around the same as those offered by What Part?

Audi themselves have the site Audi Online Parts, where any mechanical, collision, accessories and Audi Collection parts required for their vehicles can be obtained directly from the company itself. The downside of this site for UK customers is that they are based in the U.S. – in New Jersey – which obviously means greater shipping and delivery times, as well as working out currency difference issues with regards to pricing. However, the site states that any parts ordered which are in stock will be shipped on the same or the next business day, meaning that delivery times to the UK should still be reasonably good.

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11 Aug

Audi Silverstone Driving Experiences

Posted in General on 11.08.11

For something a little different, why not try the Audi Silverstone Driving Experience. If you think that you might enjoy learning how to get the very best out of a number of beautiful Audi models whilst at the same time improving your general driving abilities, then this is a perfect opportunity for doing so. Don’t inderestimate the difficulties thoughm if you enjoy a challenge then you will find that this experience is very demanding indeed.

The Audi Silverstone Driving Experience is unique in that it is the only one supported directly by Audi. It is held on Silverstone’s Stowe Circuit where you will get to drive three of the top performing Audis and take them to the edge of their impressive capabilities. The cars you get to drive are the TTRS, the RS5 and the R8 V10. You will receive expert supervision but how much you are able to get our of the cars depends largely on you.

The specific aspects addressed by the training include car control, how to stay safe whilst driving very fast, spotting dangers and evaluating risks. In terms of technique you will learn how to corner fast, how to use understeer, how to change lane at speed, high speed braking including threshold braking, and how to manoeuvre the car to avoid dangers. You will also get to be a passenger in the car when it is driven to its limits by a professional.

The day begins early with a breakfast and after that you will be in the tick of it all day apart from a short lunch brake.

Both Audi TT models are top performers and have thunderous pace but if you enjoy real speed, then the highlight of the day will be driving the R8 V10. Apart from its stunning looks it really is a performer. The V10 engine is 5.2 litres and it develops a massive 525 bhp and has a 0 to 62 mph acceleration time of less than 4 seconds and, as you might anticipate, superb handing.

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15 Jul

The History of Audi

Posted in General on 15.07.11

August Horch was the pioneering German engineer who founded Audi in 1910. In his early life Horch trained as a blacksmith and a shipbuilder, with a keen interest in Motors. He gained a degree in engineering and took a job working for Karl Benz (co-founder of Mercedes-Benz) for 3 years, before leaving to start his own company A. Horch & Co. in 1899. In 1901 the company manufactured its first car, but only 8 years later he left the company over a dispute. He founded a new business named Horch-AutomobilWerke; however, he lost the rights to the Horch name after a court case with his old rival company. It was then that Horch renamed his company Audi, the Latin for equivalent of Horch, as both mean ‘Hark’ or ‘listen’ in their respective languages. Audi found early success, with an initial range of four-cylinder models and a subsequent six-cylinder model in 1924. Horch left the company in 1920, going on to publish an autobiography and become an honorary professor.

Under Nazi control, Audi joined the Auto Union consisting of the original Horch Company, Dampf-Kraft-Wagen (DKW) and Wanderer. The four ringed emblem of Audi is a tribute to these four companies, linking together to form a stronger entity, headed by leaders of the industry, including August Horch. During the Second World War the Auto Union concentrated on producing armoured cars and transport vehicles for the Nazis, whilst producing a range of small cars, suitable for the economic climate of the time. When Germany fell to the allies, most of the Auto Union’s factories were destroyed. The Union itself broke as the country divided and DKW became the most influential brand, having bought most of the shares in Audi prior to the war. This run was short lived, as DKW couldn’t compete with Volkswagen which thrived in economic boom in the early 60s. Bought-out by its rival, the DKW name and their two-stroke engine was dumped in favour for Audi and the new four-stroke engines.
The modern era of Audi had arrived, as the brand grew to encompass the early saloon cars of America in the 70s, the rallying success of the Quattro in the 80s and the iconic sport cars of the 90s.

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28 Jun

Young Drivers

Posted in General on 28.06.11

As anyone who has tried to purchase car insurance at a young age will know, it can be an extremely expensive thing to do. Researching before jumping in and taking out the first policy you can find is always recommended. Talk to friends and family – Hastings Direct Online is a great place to start looking.

In general car insurance for young people, in particular teenagers, is much more expensive than for people in their late twenties and beyond. This is due to the fact that statistics show younger drivers to make far more expensive claims than their older counterparts, with young drivers much more likely to claim for a larger crash and older people suffering more low scale damage to their vehicles. This has been the case for a very long time but is there any way for young drivers to make sure that they are paying as little as possible despite these age based disparities?

One tip is that modifications on your car are a no-no. Although many people will want to modify their car, doing so can send your premiums through the roof so it would be advisable not to do it. Also be aware that if you make modifications on your car and don’t declare them to your insurer then your insurance is likely to become invalid so always declare any changes you make.

Installing security measures is also a good idea, especially through firms recognised by your insurer. They may cost money at first but in the long run you will be saving on your premiums so it is worth a go.
Building up your no claims discount is always important but for young drivers it could be the difference between being able to afford a car or not so make sure you at least try to do this. Taking on insurance in your own name is again expensive at first but it is a good long term investment.

Finally, adding experienced named drivers to your own policy, especially those with unblemished policies themselves is a good idea. Follow all of these steps and you should really see the financial benefit.

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20 Jun

Audi R8 Spyder V10

Posted in Audi, General on 20.06.11

If you desire a vehicle that is stylish, fast and dramatic then look no further than the Audi R8 Spyder V10. It’s the perfect summer car as the roof folds down to reveal the gorgeous interior that is perfectly suited to the stylish and sophisticated individual.

The Audi R8 Spyder V10 has been described as both epic and ordinary, which may seem like an odd combination yet in fact it’s the perfect combination. The super fast vehicle offers a practical yet feisty vehicle, that can be toned down on weekdays but revved up on the weekends, with the engine behaving quietly when you need it to be but noisy when you want it to! It handles commuting and a motorway as well as it handles spiralling country roads and mountain drives.

The Audi R8 Spyder V10 is quite a step up from the original R8 in price and comes in at £8,690 over the standard model and one negative point is the space, which is certainly limited on this model in order to encase the fold down roof. Saying this however no one in their right mind would buy this vehicle if they intended to carry around a large family or a lot of equipment.

The noise the engine makes is every car fanatics dream and that’s hardly surprising when it encases an impressive pair of TT RS straight-fives and a Formula One V10 engine on top of heaps of powerful torque.

This model is super fast and many who drive the vehicle can’t get the hang of the shift in power, which goes from 6,000 rpm up to an astounding 8,700 rpm, which in fact means 0-62 in just over 4 seconds. The Audi R8 Spyder V10 is 100kg heavier than the coupe, which only illustrates how much more power has been added to this model.

When checking out this vehicle online you will probably want to have a look for some insurance quotes – a cost which needs to be considered before buying this fast car. If you click here now you can receive a quote quickly and easily from a top insurance company.

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05 Jun

Audi A1

Posted in Audi, General on 05.06.11

Audis are a very popular choice for both the young and the old, this is mainly due to the fact that there are so many different styles available, some are more sporty, others are a little business like, a few offer more space such as the Q7 for example and others offer a family vehicle style, for example the A3 that still looks high status.

If you wish to insure any one of the above vehicles then you will be met with a range of providers, visiting a website is often the easiest solution and will allow you to sift through a range of providers at the click of a button. Once you have seen your perfect match, the website will more than likely ask you to ‘click here now’ in order to be taken to the next level of the process, which will more than likely require a few more details prior to finalising the deal.

The Audi A1 is a popular choice for many and comes in the shape of a more affordable vehicle that is still very stylish. At just 1.4 of engine size, this model is also classed as a lower-risk vehicle when it comes to insurance. The sub-compact vehicle however still offers 1.4 TFSI Attraction 6-speed manual form.

This is certainly the vehicle that Audi’s new generation of customers are lusting after and it is no wonder when it offers progressive design, advanced technology and uncompromising quality as well as an impressive faultless driving experience.

The Audi A1 comes in two different style; these include the Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Attraction 6-speed manual and the A1 1.4 Ambition 6-speed manual. Both of the above models are also available with the option of a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. This in turn means the vehicle will be available with a steering wheel mounted paddle shifter

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01 Jun

Audi TTS Review

Posted in General on 01.06.11

Are you not happy with the performance of Audi TT and want a sports version designed with maximum engine performance? Meet the Audi TTS, a sports car designed to indulge avid Audi TT fans as well as sports car fans in general with superb engine power, great technological features, and aggressive handling like you have never seen before.

If you observe the exterior design, Audi TTS is highly similar to the original Audi TT, with minor changes and great additions to the mix. It is not just a facelift at all, because when seen from a more detailed perspective you will definitely be able to see several new features and design changes that will help this car performs better at high speed.

Another distinct feature found in Audi TTS is its S-Tronic transmission. The electronically-controlled transmission system offers a lot of great benefits indeed. You will be able to shift up and down without so much of a hassle; couple the transmission system with superbly aggressive engine, and you will have a car that can go from 0 to 100 in under 4 seconds in hand.

This car will certainly surprise you. Hop on one and hit the throttle, and you will feel the power produced by its V6 engine right away. Competing with Porsche or BMW roadsters will not be a problem at all if you are riding an Audi TTS. The 2010 Audi TTS might be a bit pricey, but getting one will definitely be worth every penny.

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30 May

Audi Q3

Posted in Audi, General on 30.05.11

The term compact Sports Utility Vehicle does sound somewhat strange. SUVs are supposed to be massive by definition, cars that can fit your whole family in and then some and do it smoothly and without fuss (although using a lot of petrol!). Now though there are a whole host of smaller SUVs which come at a lower price, still can fit a good few people in, and can get you about a lot faster as well. The Audi Q3 is one of these compact SUVs and a luxury one at that, offering you a great deal of comfort and throwing loads of state at the art multimedia functions at you so that sometimes if it feels like you are driving an iPhone. If I make his sound bad then I shouldn’t be, its actually rather good fun.

The style of the car owes more to previous Audis than it does to other SUVs in the market as it looks like a bigger version of one of their coupes. Managing to make an SUV look really sporty is no mean feat so hats off to Audi, but it is exactly what they have been doing for many years now so we really should have expected.

One of the great things about the Audi Q3 is that it has several modes for driving that will suit different areas and different people. These are not the usual driving modes that seem to do absolutely nothing to the car other than say “sport mode” on the display. The engine management and the optional adaptive dampers actually change how the car feels which is upsettingly rather impressive.
The Audi Q3 seems to be a rather good compromise between a sporty smaller car and a large SUV. Plenty of room for passengers and a big boot – measuring 460 to 1,365 litres in capacity – combined with a fun drive means you get the best of both worlds. At well under £30,000 when it comes out, the Q3 will be available in a year or so at a very reasonable price as a used car.

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