Audi shifts to eight-speeds for most models

A formal press conference probably won't happen until this summer, but we hear that Audi dealers have received their 2011 order guides, and it looks as though the company will be going from 0 to about 70 percent of U.S. sales being eight-speed automatic transmissions. Beginning this fall, the eight-speed will replace today's six-speed automatic in the A4 2.0-liter turbo sedan and wagon, the A5 2.0-liter turbo coupe and cabriolet, the Q5 2.0-liter turbo, the Q7 3.0-liter turbo, the Q7 diesel, the Q7 with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and the all-new A8 and A8L with the 4.2-liter V8.

OFFICIAL: 2014 BMW 2 Series

OFFICIAL: 2014 BMW 2 Series The new BMW 2 Series has been leaking like a sieve for the last week or so, so BMW must be relieved it’s now official and out in the open. Much of the detail we’ve already reported is confirmed with the official reveal, and we already know what the 2 Series looks like thanks to the official photos leaking yesterday, , but now we know which models are going to be rolling in to BMW’s UK showrooms in early 2014. There will be three 2-Series models available at launch – the 220i, 220d and M235i – which will cost £25,040, £25,868 and £34,250 respectively, with a choice of four trim levels - SE, Sport Modern and M Sport.

VW Up! (2011): Georg Kacher has the lowdown

By Georg Kacher Motor Industry 12 August 2010 11:40 It's only a year to go until Volkswagen launches its new Up! microcar family. The Up!