Guide Car: A8

Showing posts with label A8. Show all posts

Monday, August 24, 2015

AUDI continues to dominate the Volkswagen Group, with higher income and great profit margins.

Audi Group in first quarter: €14.7 billion revenue, €1.4 billion operating profit, 9.7 percent operating return on sales
CFO Axel Strotbek: “Despite ongoing high investment, we are systematically pursuing our ambitious profitability targets”
Audi TT Roadster, Audi RS 3 Sportback, Audi R8 and Audi Q7 start next stage of model initiative

The Audi Group has posted strong results for the first quarter of 2015: Worldwide sales by the Audi brand increased compared with the prior-year period by 6.1 percent to 438,229 units. In the months of January through March, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer of premium cars generated revenue of €14,651 million and an operating profit of €1,422 million. Its operating return on sales was 9.7 percent.

In the first quarter of this year, Audi grew in all regions. Compared with the prior‑year period, worldwide unit sales increased by 6.1 percent and deliveries to customers totaled 438,229 automobiles with the Four Rings (Q1 2014: 412,848). Along with the growth in unit sales, the Audi Group increased its first‑quarter revenue by 13.1 percent to €14,651 million (Q1 2014: €12,951 million). Operative profit surpassed the prior‑year level by 8.2 percent and amounted to €1,422 million (Q1 2014: €1,314 million).

At the publication of the interim report for the first quarter, Axel Strotbek, Board of Management Member for Finance and Organization at AUDI AG, commented: “Despite ongoing high investment, we are systematically pursuing our ambitious profitability targets.” He stated that the operating return on sales of 9.7 percent for the first quarter (Q1 2014: 10.1 percent) confirmed the successful course of the Audi Group, which is currently making enormous investments for new products and technologies and to expand its international production network.

Audi plans to invest a total of €24 billion by 2019. The focus of the biggest investment program in the company’s history is on technical innovations and new models. In addition, the manufacturer of premium automobiles intends to expand its worldwide production structures. As in the past, all the investment in property, plant and equipment is to be financed out of the cash flow from operating activities.

The Audi Group achieved pre‑tax profit of €1,497 million in the first quarter of this year (Q1 2014: €1,398 million) and a return on sales before tax of 10.2 percent (Q1 2014: 10.8 percent).

By 2020, Audi plans to expand its model range to 60 automobiles. The Ingolstadt‑based premium manufacturer has been delivering the new Audi TT Roadster to customers since late March. The next new models to enter the dealerships will be the new RS 3 Sportback, the new Audi R8 and the new Audi Q7, giving Audi additional impetus with the next stage of its model offensive.

The company intends to continue its growth in the full year and to deliver significantly more automobiles of the Audi brand than in 2014. One challenge is the uncertainty relating to the economic environment and the development of key currencies in 2015. At the same time, advance expenditure is growing for new production facilities, innovative technologies and attractive automobiles. Another factor is the significant increase in the intensity of competition in key markets and the technological change within the automotive industry towards alternative drive concepts, in particular to comply with stricter CO2‑limits all over the world.

With the targeted volume growth, the Audi Group’s revenue will rise moderately, depending on the economic conditions. The company anticipates an operating return on sales within the strategic target corridor of eight to ten percent.

The New face of Luxury from Audi, we give you the new A8 Flagship Saloon.

More equipment for SE Executive, new Sport trim and emission improvements

New Sport specification for A8 models includes striking exterior package and long list of standard technology
3.0 TDI quattro power increases to 262PS, yet emissions fall by 6g/km to 149g/km on SE and SE Executive models
2016 Model Year Audi A8 now available to order
New look Sport versions available from June

New heights of luxury and new lows in CO₂ output have just been achieved in the Audi A8 range, which in addition to further improved TDI engines and a raft of equipment upgrades also gains a striking new Sport specification with a look that references the flagship S8.

The first versions of the updated 2016 Model Year A8 range can be ordered from today priced from £59,585 OTR, and the new Sport models from June. UK deliveries will start in the summer.

Offered in standard or Long Wheelbase formats, the latest range features a rationalised choice of engines. Long Wheelbase versions will continue to be available with the highly efficient petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain and with the quintessential Audi luxury saloon power source – the 6.3-litre, twelve-cylinder, 500PS W12.

Another formidable petrol engine – the 4.0-litre TFSI with Cylinder-on-Demand technology – will also remain at the heart of the 520PS S8, which is available exclusively with the standard wheelbase.

A pair of TDI units powers standard wheelbase versions, and both are also available in conjunction with the Long Wheelbase body. The 3.0-litre V6 TDI benefits from a slight power increase from 258PS to 262PS and a further reduction in CO₂ output from an already impressively low 155g/km to 149g/km (in conjunction with 18-inch wheel), equating to a combined economy figure of 49.6mpg.

The 4.2-litre V8 TDI retains its prodigious 385PS and 850Nm of torque, enabling it to propel the predominantly aluminium-bodied saloon to 62mph in a mere 4.7 seconds (standard wheelbase) without ruling out the potential for up to 39.2mpg. CO₂ output in this version also falls from 194g/km to 189g/km.

New Sport specification

The two TDI engines can be complemented by three levels of specification – SE, SE Executive and a new Sport option, which is reserved for standard wheelbase versions and replaces the Sport Executive trim in the outgoing range.

Sport models are now more distinctly marked out visually by a new dynamic exterior package featuring front and rear treatments reminiscent of the flagship S8, combined with pronounced ‘S’ style side skirts and 19-inch alloy wheels in a seven-parallel spoke design.

Not surprisingly all three specification levels are lavish, and include features such as Valcona leather upholstery, double glazing and a 180-watt audio system, combined with advanced technology including all-LED headlights, HDD satellite navigation and the fingertip-sensitive MMI Touch infotainment control system.

Over and above the SE equipment, SE Executive versions add features such as the Audi parking system advanced with reversing camera, the advanced key for convenient locking, unlocking and starting without direct key intervention and powered, hands-free bootlid operation.

New additions at this level for the 2016 Model Year include powered door closure, comfort front seats with 22-way powered adjustment and memory function and privacy glass for the rear windows.

In addition to a purposeful new look, the exterior specification of the new Sport models also includes new 19-inch seven parallel spoke alloy wheels and state-of-the-art MatrixBeam LED headlights, which use banks of LEDs that can be individually shut off to avoid dazzling oncoming and leading traffic while retaining full beam illumination.

Inside, a 600-watt Bose sound system upgrade and Mobile Phone Preparation – High with Audi connect bringing in-car internet-based services and establishing a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot add to the potential for information and entertainment.

Long Wheelbase TDI, Long Wheelbase W12 and S8 models feature their own bespoke and even more all-encompassing equipment lists.

With its lightweight construction, quattro all-wheel-drive and standard four-mode adaptive air suspension the A8 has always been one of the most agile and controllable luxury saloons.

A8 4.2 TDI models capitalise on these assets even more fully with the help of an additional sport differential enabling torque transfer between the rear wheels for greater adjustability, and driveability in all A8 models can be further enhanced by options such as a firmer sport version of the air suspension and a dynamic steering system.