It could be said that the Geneva Motor Show is geared best for the Audi brand. Unlike the Frankfurt IAA, it doesn’t take place in the brand’s German homeland, but what it lacks in home field advantage it more than makes up for in keen focus on clean efficiency, opulent luxury, exotic performance and impassioned design – all key themes at the brand of the four rings.
Stroll around the cavernous Palexpo convention center, located adjacent to the bustling Geneva airport, and you’ll be greeted by the best of the best. While it’s been a rough year for some car makers, it’s been a banner one for others… firmly among the latter is Audi. Ingolstadt’s got a long history here, having debuted the original quattro on these floors… and 2014 marked so many new reveals that not all could fit within the confines of the Audi stand’s large space at any one time.
In this full-length report, we’ll detail each of the Audi reveals. This includes everything from a design study and several new models, to new and unique finds hidden amongst the many display cars at the show.
Audi TT quattro sport concept
That it was based on the new production TT may have seemed like a bit of a shortcoming compared to full-blown concept cars we’re accustomed to encountering on an Audi brand Geneva show stand. Amongst attendees and our own readers, the car may have been written off.. or perhaps mistaken for an upcoming TT RS. In fact, it was neither of these.
Outwardly, the TT quattro sport concept looks quite similar to the TT clubsport revealed last June at the Worthersee show in Austria. And, while some of the cues may appear similar, it is important to understand that this is an all-new and much more aggressive car. Not only is it based on the new MQB architecture, it features an incredibly cool widebody treatment that neither the clubsport nor the TT RS ever had. Whether or not it and its larger arch flares are a precursor to the next-generation TT RS remains to be seen, though we surely hope that is the case.
One thing we know won’t be making the TT RS is what lies beneath the aluminum bonnet. Instead of the RS-spec 2.5 TFSI, this car featured the much rumored “high power” 2.0 TFSI. Based on EA888, this engine weighs in at no less than 420 hp…. 210 hp per liter and more total power than the 2001 season turbocharged FSI V8 in the Audi R8 LMP1 that won Le Mans.
Audi wasn’t revealing many specifics on how we might see this engine come into production, though we did hear a few rumors. It’s quite possible that the engine could see duty in some sort of single make racing series… perhaps a TT or A3-based series. Also, Audi’s chief of development Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg specifically confirmed that the TT RS will continue to use the 2.5 TFSI.
Audi TT & TTS Coupes
What seems most agreed-upon by many of our readers, is that the design and size appear to be quite evolutionary, which is to say that a very similar size and shape makes the redesign not terribly radical. And, while the car it replaces is quite handsome, perhaps some had hoped for a more aggressive take on Audi’s smallest sports coupe.
In person, the changes are more apparent. Lines like the arched fender flares are bolder while the front fascia is the most substantially changed exterior design element of all. Much more radical are the changes on the inside, where the announcement of a fully-screened dynamic information display (the first to be powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 wunderchip) grabbed the most headlines and tempted competing engineers over, clipboards in hand, to shamelessly inspect the car thoroughly just moments after the reveal.
Still more elements will draw your attention inside the car. The cross-stitch pattern seats are a totally new design with partial accenting shell and handsome leather pull strap. The cleanly designed center console and dashboard continue to add many, many more features over the previous car, yet in a streamlined, stylish and functional way most exemplified with the HVAC controls cleverly mounted in the centers of the trademark TT round vents. That particular design is likely to give aftermarket gauge pod producers fits, but they’re a delight to touch and use.
As expected, the new TT chassis has been improved. Already a hybrid aluminum and steel space frame by the Mk2 generation, the Mk3 is thusly improved and sheds more than 110 lbs (50 kg) in overall weight.
Another substantial change quite hidden from view is the evolution of the TT’s quattro system. Still based on the hydraulic clutch system commonly referred to as “Haldex”, the differential is now moved to the rear axle and operates as a full-time all-wheel drive system rolling down the road… so more like the mechanical quattro system in larger Audis, yet still quicker to adjust itself than quattro systems with a mechanical differential. Also, with features like Audi Drive Select now filtering to a Haldex-based cars like the TT and TTS, this means more aggressive power distribution tendencies based on the mode chosen by the driver. ‘Auto’ goes for maximum traction while ‘Sport’ sends more power to the rear.
Four engines will be offered in Europe across the TT and TTS range. These include a 2.0 TDI (184 hp / 280.2 lb-ft / 56 mpg), a 2.0 TFSI (230 hp / 272 lb-ft. / 0-62 mph in 6 seconds), and finally a 2.0 TFSI for the TTS (310 hp / 0-62 mph in 5.3 seconds).
Of course, there are plenty of trim options as well. At launch, this will include no less than 11 different wheel designs and 11 exterior colors. Even better, the latter will include all new paint codes plus favorites from the outgoing TT RS line like Sepang Blue Metallic and Panther Black Crystal Effect.
Expect the new TT and TTS models to arrive in the USA in the first half of 2015. At this time we’re expecting the 2.0 TFSI and TTS models will make up the American lineup for the car.
Audi S3 Cabriolet
Ingolstadt launched its A3 Cabriolet last September at the Frankfurt IAA, while its S3 was already a known quantity on the roads in Germany for some time. That an S3 Cabriolet would come to fruition was likely a foregone conclusion. Even still, the car finally came out from under wraps here in Geneva.
Like other S3 variants, the car makes use of Audi’s S-spec 2.0 TFSI pumping 300 hp and 280.2 lb-ft of torque through the car’s Haldex quattro all-wheel drive system.
With the current generation cabriolets effectively based on the sedans, this new S3 variant shares most of its visual changes with the S3 sedan. This includes both front and rear fascias.
This is the first time Audi has sold an S3 in Cabriolet form, so market potential remains to be seen. Interestingly, we can confirm that Audi has chosen not to offer the S-car version in the USA, the brand’s largest convertible market.
Audi S1
The lack of attention given to the new S1 reveals the storming cadence at which Audi is bringing newsworthy cars to market. With so many models in their lineup… so much that an RS 7 wasn’t even seen in Geneva… and so many star cars to be revealed, the moment in the spotlight for the new Audi S1 was short-lived. It’s not that this littlest S-car isn’t important, just that it had to share the stage with so many other things and most notably the TT.
The S1 dusts off a long-beloved name in the lexicon of Audi lore, and it does so with a 2.0 TFSI pumping 231 hp and 272 lb-ft. through a Haldex-based quattro all-wheel drive system.
Essentially this is the same setup from the limited edition A1 quattro, though it ditches the more radical design of the quattro for a more S-car suited look that also reveals details of the upcoming A1 facelift.
3-door and Sportback options will be offered and were revealed ahead of Geneva, yet only a yellow Sportback graced the stage and eventually the show floor.
Audi claims the S1 will hit 0-62 mph in 5.8 seconds.
Audi RS 4 Avant Nogaro selection edition
Behold, the return of Nogaro Blue. While BMW reveled in its own eye-catching blue paint hue introduction with a Yas Marina M3 sedan parked on the opposite side of the Palexpo show hall, Audi flexed its own azure bonafides with an impressive display of its classic Nogaro Blue hue.
The central newspoint to this display is the new RS 4 Nogaro selection package. Obviously the purpose of this package is to offer a limited edition run of these cars in Nogaro Blue pearl and accent that with styling cues that harken back to the original RS2 Avant. Black optics on grille, window trims and roof rails had already been confirmed, as had red brake calipers.
Interestingly, the display car in Geneva deviated from what we’d seen in the released PR shots of the car. We noticed the car retained accenting blue stitching inside, yet the seats wore black Alcantara instead of the electric blue that mirrored that of the original RS2 and subsequent S4 models that also featured the color.
Another change was the finish on the split 5-spoke wheels. Press shots of the car showed the standard titanium and machined face look while the wheels on the car on the stand replaced their matte titanium segments for gloss black that made for a truly handsome look.
Audi RS2 Avant
Part of the presentation of the Nogaro selection Audi RS 4 was also the display of this pristine RS2 Avant. This first Audi RS-car was built 20 years ago in 1994 and ushered in Audi’s most modern era of performance nomenclature.
At the time, this was achieved through a partnership with Porsche and styling cues are obvious. Porsche Cup 1 wheels, Porsche logo Brembo brakes and other design cues in and around the car harken back to a time when Audi leaned on its Stuttgart cousin for assistance in upping the performance ante… and all during an era when Porsche teetered on the brink, with a slow-selling line of now classic sportscars and nary an SUV to its lineup. Nowadays Audi needs no performance assistance and Porsche has no extra factory capacity nor needs extra work. In fact, the two are now more competitors than ever before with offerings like the Macan and the SQ5 in their respective ranges and a planned on-track battle at Le Mans in just a few months. As if to emphasize this, Porsche’s new 919 Le Mans car sat just meters away from this Audi Tradition-owned RS2. How times have changed…
Audi R18 e-tron quattro
Speaking of that battle planned for June, Toyota has already been slugging it out with Audi for victory in Le Mans, but the big story… the story everyone is waiting to see play out… is the battle with Porsche.
Just across the aisle from the Audi stand, Porsche pulled the wraps off of its new 919 hybrid Le Mans car. Actually, the wraps were pulled by former Audi Sport driver Timo Bernhard and former Red Bull F1 driver Marc Webber. The two represent the high caliber of competition Audi can expect when it returns to La Sarthe this summer.
Not to be outdone, Audi pulled the wraps from its own 2014-spec R18 e-tron quattro. Still in matte black test car livery, Ingolstadt deviated from Porsche’s strategy by not revealing its finalized Le Mans paint scheme just yet. All the better to look menacing in sinister matte black for fans in Geneva.
Like the S1, the R18 e-tron wasn’t the main focus of the show though. It was revealed at 4PM on the first press day in Geneva, and later it was quickly packed back up and trucked away that very night.
A Swiss native, Marcel Fassler was on display to reveal the new R18.
Audi RS 5 DTM
Another racecar hot off the heels of on-track testing is the new 2014 spec RS 5 DTM. Just like last year, this is a non-developmental year for DTM and as such, changes to the cars are kept to a minimum. Any changes were quite subtle, though we did notice a new RS-looking mesh grille now graces the nose and some trick new rear view mirrors undoubtedly offer further aerodynamic efficiency.
The RS 5 DTM on display was essentially finished the matte black of unfinished carbon fiber and adorned with minor decals in place. Again, liveries were not yet revealed, though the car looked stunning parked next to the equally sinister-looking R18.
On hand to present the car was Audi’s reigning DTM champion Mike Rockenfeller. Rocky joined the newly signed Swiss local favorite Nico Muller on stage for the reveal.
Audi Exclusive RS 5
There weren’t any new changes announced at Geneva for the production RS 5 coupe. Unlike the RS 4, there’s no new Nogaro selection edition. Even still, that didn’t stop the fine folks at Audi Exclusive from further emphasizing the blue theme with this tailored coupe they used for display.
The car’s Nogaro Blue paint made for a great lineup nearby the aforementioned RS 4 and RS2 Avants. Inside, the RS 5 featured similarly kitted spec with a very light-colored finish to its leather.
Audi Original Zubehor A3 Sedan
The lone A3 sedan in Geneva made for an interesting mix of details. From the outside, the car featured the standard sedan’s fascia adorned with a body kit from Audi Original Zubehor (a.k.a. Audi Accessories). And, while we’ve seen the body kit before, the car also featured as-of-yet unseen details like carbon fiber mirror caps and a carbon fiber rear decklid spoiler.
Inside the, the sedan featured the European market S line interior configuration with sport seats. It also featured some apparent Audi Exclusive options like additional double-stitched leather on segments of the dashboard.
Audi A8L W12 Audi Exclusive Concept
Typical of a European market Audi show stand was also an Audi Exclusive Lounge. Had you wandered into the space you’d have found one of the recently announced A8L Audi Exclusive Concept limited editions. The car, based on a W12, features a liberal mix of upgrades offered by Audi Exclusive and packaged together for a limited production run.
Audi Exclusive RS Q3
According to sources at quattro GmbH, the Audi RS Q3 has been a surprising success. It’s not that Audi’s performance meisters hadn’t expected brisk sales, but orders for the car quickly outstripped forecast production numbers. Apparently the world is indeed ready for an RS-crossover.
The RS Q3 on hand at Geneva was a handsome specimen, with Daytona Grey paint and a tailored interior from Audi Exclusive.
Audi Exclusive R8 Spyder
With so many new model announcements, there was room for just one R8 on the Audi stand in Geneva. That lone example was a Daytona Grey V10 Spyder with the usual liberal application of Audi Exclusive tailoring. This included very light cream-colored Recaro Shell seats with contrasting black stitching and cross-stitching, while the remainder of the cabin was black and sported contrasting cream stitching.
Audi Exclusive RS 6
Another Daytona Grey example of quattro GmbH’s finest offerings was this RS 6 Avant. In addition to sought-after factory options like carbon fiber optics, the inside of the car was also kitted with a highly tasteful saddle tan interior from Audi Exclusive.
Audi Exclusive Q7
As the Q7 soldiers on in production, product planners in Ingolstadt continue to creatively evolve the 7-passenger SUV and package it in ways that haven’t formerly been available. Case in point was this 4.2 TDI example. On the outside, it featured the same body kit used on the now out-of-production V12 TDI, and accented its Glacier White paint with gloss black painted S-line wheels.
Inside, the car was a showcase for Audi Exclusive options as you might expect.
Audi Exclusive A5 S line Cabriolet
This Glacier White A5 S line Cabriolet looks somewhat normal on the outside with some upgraded Audi Original Zubehor wheels offering the only marker of something truly special. However, it was when we peered inside that it quickly became one of our favorite implementations of Audi Exclusive tailoring and one we think builds a case for a limited edition that Audi seems so fond of building.
To be clear, it’s not a limited edition as far as we know… though maybe it should be. The car featured rich brown leather with accenting white stitching and piping. Capping it all off was use of Audi’s handsome layered wood trim, specifically the black and aluminum trim we’ve previously only seen as optional in S-cars like the S5 Cabriolet.
iPhone 5 Cable for AMI
Though most of our focus at Audi for this story was to highlight cars displayed on the stand, we’d be remiss not to include this display we found in one corner of the stand where Audi Original Zubehor products were on display. What you see here is an Audi Music Interface Cable, and specifically one compatible with iPhone 5 models.
We checked in with Audi of America’s accessories department and can confirm that these are on their way, though some software updates are being finalized in order to realize full functionality. Expect them soon.
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