For 2010, the Audi TT is reduced to a single powertrain choice, the 2.0T Quattro, as front-wheel drive and the 3.2-liter V6 (including its optional manual transmission) have been discontinued.
IntroductionAppealing competitors include the BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37, and if you prefer Audi's particular brand of style, the company's own A5 coupe merits consideration.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and OptionsThe 2010 Audi TT is available as a 2+2 hatchback coupe or a two-seat roadster, both of which come in one trim level known as Premium. Other options include an adjustable suspension with magnetorheological dampers, different 18-inch wheels, extended leather packages and leather upholstery with baseball glove-style stitching. The S line Package adds 19-inch wheels, S line bumpers, sport seats, special upholstery, a sport steering wheel and headlight washers.
The 2010 Audi TT comes standard with Quattro all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/29 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined.
True to Audi tradition, the interior of the 2010 Audi TT is beautifully built. The flat-bottomed wheel and supportive front seats give the interior a sporty feel, while the coupe's hatchback design and fold-down rear seats offer practicality and ample luggage space, to the tune of 23 cubic feet with those seats folded.
Driving ImpressionsThe 2010 Audi TT is now only available with the turbocharged four-cylinder and Quattro all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is a rarity among luxury sport coupes and especially convertibles, so those in frosty climes will appreciate the TT's all-weather traction.
The 2010 Audi S6 gains Audi's third-generation MMI electronics controller, including better graphics, improved menus and easier navigation operation. Because 59 percent of its weight hangs over the front wheels, even its Quattro all-wheel-drive system's 40/60 power distribution can't save it from speed-scrubbing understeer.
The 2010 Audi S6 is a high-performance sedan available in one loaded trim level. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, summer tires, a sunroof, adaptive xenon headlights, LED running lights, front and rear foglights, keyless ignition/entry, power tilt-telescoping steering column, eight-way power front seats with lumbar adjustment and driver memory functions, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, the MMI controller, a hard-drive-based navigation system (includes real-time traffic) and a 13-speaker surround-sound system with six-CD changer, satellite radio and iPod interface. Options include rear side airbags, non sport seats, a blind-spot warning system and 18-inch wheels with summer tires.
The all-wheel-drive 2010 Audi S6 is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 that cranks out 435 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy estimates are 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
Safety Standard safety equipment on the 2010 Audi S6 includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, all-wheel drive, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are an option. Trimmed in leather and aluminum with birch wood accents, the S6's cabin carries on the Audi tradition of finely wrought interiors.
Driving Impressions There's no payoff in terms of ride comfort, either -- the 2010 Audi S6's suspension is sports-car stiff.
The 2010 Audi S5 gets a cabriolet (soft-top convertible) variant that's available only with a new supercharged V6, whereas the coupe keeps the previous V8. The 2010 Audi S5 is a calculated addition to Audi's arsenal, a high-performance luxury coupe/convertible intended to counter BMW's growing stockpile of turbocharged sporting machines.
Shared with other performance cars in Audi's lineup, the cabriolet's force-fed V6 makes 333 horsepower and as much torque -- 325 pound-feet -- as the coupe's 4.2-liter V8. The high-performance 2010 Audi S5 is available as a coupe or soft-top convertible (the cabriolet) in two trim levels: Premium Plus and Prestige.
The base 2010 Audi S5 Premium Plus comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, xenon headlamps, foglamps, power heated exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, an electronic parking brake, a multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel, a panoramic tilt-only sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, power and heated front sport seats, napa leather upholstery, a 50/50-split-folding rear seatback, Bluetooth, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) with dash-mounted controls and a CD audio system with satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack. Optional on the Premium Plus trim are the navigation system and Bang & Olufsen sound system. The cabriolet-only Comfort package adds a neck-level heating system and ventilated seats with special Milano leather upholstery.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the coupe, and a six-speed automatic with manual shift control is optional. On the cabriolet, a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual is the only available transmission.
In performance testing, we spurred a manual-transmission 2010 Audi S5 coupe from zero to 60 mph in a fleet 4.9 seconds. The V6-powered cabriolet comes in at 17/26/20 mpg.
Coupes have side curtain airbags as well, while cabriolets have active roll bars behind the seats.
Driving Impressions The optional variable-ratio steering system that comes with the 2010 Audi S5 Drive Select package provides a similarly contrived feel. The coupe's 4.2-liter V8 is simply one of our favorite engines.
The 2010 Audi S4 is a high-performance sedan available with one of two packages: Premium Plus or Prestige. Standard equipment for the Premium Plus includes 18-inch wheels with summer tires, a sunroof, automatic xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, foglights, automatic wipers, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power sport seats, leather and faux-suede upholstery, heated front seats, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth, a dash-mounted Multi Media Interface (MMI) electronics controller and a 10-speaker stereo with single-CD player, satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack.
The available 2010 Audi S4 Drive Select Package adds adaptive suspension dampers, an enhanced steering system, a sport rear differential and selectable driving settings. Stand-alone options include 19-inch wheels, adaptive cruise control, full leather seats and a power rear sunshade with manual rear side shades.
Powertrains and Performance The 2010 Audi S4 is powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through Audi's ubiquitous Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which features a 40/60 front/rear torque split. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual (S tronic) is optional. A sports rear differential (which varies torque between the rear wheels) is also available.
EPA-estimated fuel economy is above average for this class of car, with 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with the manual.
Safety The 2010 Audi S4 comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a hill-holder for the manual transmission. Rear side airbags are optional.
Interior Design and Special Features The MMI controls are conveniently arrayed around the console-mounted shifter on models equipped with the navigation system.
Driving Impressions The 2010 Audi S4 is a sharp-handling car, with tenacious AWD traction and little body roll to speak of. We'd skip the optional Audi Drive Select system, however, as it makes the driving experience overly complicated -- and the standard suspension, throttle and steering calibrations are just fine. The new supercharged V6 doesn't yield the same knee-weakening auditory pleasure as the Audi S5's V8, but it sounds plenty spirited, and it boasts more torque and vastly better fuel economy.
Carbon-fiber trim for the door sills and body kit. Even with the least desirable powertrain -- the base 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V8 coupled with the "R tronic" single-clutch automated manual transmission -- the R8 is one of the most scintillating sports cars on the planet.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi R8 is a two-door midengine exotic sports car offered in two trim levels that correspond to engine size: 4.2 Quattro and 5.2 Quattro. The 5.2 Quattro adds the V10 engine, a "hill-holder" feature for the conventional manual transmission, wider intakes and body sills, glossy (rather than flat) black exterior accents, napa leather upholstery with additional leather interior trim, a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a navigation system and a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors.
Most of the 5.2 Quattro's accoutrements are available as options on the 4.2 Quattro. Body-colored "side blade" exterior styling panels are also available in place of the standard contrasting side blades.
Powertrains and Performance The 2010 Audi R8 4.2 Quattro sports a midmounted 4.2-liter V8 -- clearly visible through the R8's distinctive transparent engine cover -- that churns out 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The power flows to all four wheels (56 percent to the rears by default) through either a traditional six-speed manual transmission or Audi's six-speed R tronic automated manual. The latter features a computer-controlled clutch and can be shifted using either the console-mounted shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. R tronic also offers a fully automatic mode.
The 5.2 Quattro trims the 0-60-mph time to a blistering 3.7 seconds. Somehow the beefier 5.2 manages to be more fuel-efficient at 12/20/15 (manual) and 13/20/16 (R tronic).
Standard safety equipment includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, seat-mounted side airbags and knee-protecting airbags.
Interior Design and Special Features Audi claims there's room behind the 2010 Audi R8's seats for two golf bags, although your results may vary.
Audi has dropped the 2010 Audi Q7's base 3.6 trim level.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi Q7 is a large luxury crossover SUV that seats seven passengers. There are three trim levels that correspond to engine choice: the 3.6 Premium (3.6-liter gas V6), the TDI Premium (diesel V6) and the 4.2 Prestige (4.2-liter V8).
The Premium Plus package adds xenon headlights, front parking sensors, a rearview camera, a navigation system (with voice control and traffic reporting), driver-seat memory settings and a Bose surround-sound audio system. The Q7 TDI has the 3.6 Premium features along with a monochromatic color treatment, 19-inch wheels and additional exterior chrome trim.
The TDI and 4.2 also offer a Luxury package with upgraded leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner and ventilated front seats. Stand-alone options include fancier 20- or 21-inch wheels, a towing package, a cold weather package (which includes a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats), a panoramic sunroof, extra interior leather coverage and four-zone climate control.
Powertrains and Performance Although the power plants are capable, the Q7's beefy weight of 5,000-plus pounds blunts their performance. Fuel economy ratings for the 2010 Audi Q7 V6 stand at 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined.
Safety The 2010 Audi Q7's standard safety equipment includes antilock brakes, a stability control system (with hill-descent control and rollover detection), traction control, active front headrests, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags. Seat-mounted side airbags for the second row are optional.In addition, Audi's blind-spot warning system alerts the driver when another vehicle is along the Q7's side.
Driving Impressions Handling is good, especially with the available adaptive air suspension.
Compact luxury crossover SUVs like the 2010 Audi Q5 are multiplying like bunnies. In terms of practicality, the Q5's maximum cargo capacity is on the small side for this segment at 57 cubic feet, but its capacity behind the rear seat (29 cubes) and rear-seat room are wholly competitive.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options The 2010 Audi Q5 is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. Standard equipment on the Premium includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, eight-way power front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, tri-zone automatic climate control, a trip computer, Audi's MMI with dash-mounted controls, and a 10-speaker stereo with a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary input jack, an SD card slot and satellite radio.
The available MMI Navigation package adds a hard-drive-based navigation system with real-time traffic updates, voice control, a rearview camera and the third-generation MMI system with console-mounted controls, improved menus and a joystick-like button atop the main control knob for enhanced functionality.
Available options on the Prestige include 20-inch wheels and the Audi Drive Select adjustable vehicle settings system. The Luxury Package for Prestige models adds special leather upholstery and ventilated front seats.
Powertrains and Performance Every 2010 Audi Q5 features standard Quattro all-wheel drive and a 3.2-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined -- respectable ratings for a compact luxury crossover.
Safety The 2010 Audi Q5 comes standard with stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are optional.
Driving Impressions Most shoppers should find the 2010 Audi Q5's standard suspension, steering and transmission calibrations perfectly adequate.
The standard wheelbase version gets 19-inch wheels and a revised trunk lid with integral spoiler. As it always has, 2010 Audi'sA8 flagship features an impeccably finished cabin, powerful yet refined performance and polished road manners.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and OptionsBoth 2010 Audi A8 models come standard with alloy wheels (19-inch on standard A8, 18-inch on L trim), xenon headlights, a sunroof, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) system, a navigation system, cruise control, leather upholstery, 16-way power front seats, heated front and rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a parking system with a rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, a power trunk opener, power door closers, Bluetooth and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with satellite radio, iPod connectivity and a CD changer.
Options include 20-inch wheels, carbon-fiber interior trim (standard A8), massaging front seats (standard A8), a solar-powered venting sunroof, upgraded leather interior trim, a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system and a Technology package that adds adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system and a blind-spot warning system.
Standard on all 2010 Audi A8s are antilock brakes, stability and traction control, full-length side curtain airbags, front- and rear-seat side airbags and active front headrests.
For 2010, the Audi TT is reduced to a single powertrain choice, the 2.0T Quattro, as front-wheel drive and the 3.2-liter V6 (including its optional manual transmission) have been discontinued.
