Audi Cars in India

The famous ‘Four Rings’ - of Audi are symbolised on its badge. It has ruled European roads since 1932, though Audi began manufacturing in 1899. The four rings of the Audi badge symbolize four pioneer car manufacturers of Germany: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. Audi AG came from amalgamating these companies in 1932. Audi cars symbolize status and prestige for Audi consumers worldwide, and for Audi consumers, Audi cars are more works-of-art than simple super efficient machines. An Audi car is a statement of who-you-are.

Audi India began operations in 2007 as a division of Volkswagen Group Sales India Pvt. Ltd., based in Mumbai. Audi cars now in India are fully imported or assembled at the Aurangabad plant of Skoda Auto. Audi India is projecting its cars to the Indian elite as the best luxury cars to match their status.

Cars from Audi :

• Audi A4 (Sedan)
• Audi A6 (Sedan)
• Audi A8 (Sedan)
• Audi Q7 (Sedan)

Audi (Sedan)

Popular Audi models range in on-road price from below rupees thirty-two lakhs to a bit above rupees one-Crore, including

Audi A4 (Sedan)

Available in two variants - A4 1.8L petrol and A4 2.0L diesel, this model caters to the premium luxury market in India. The A4 is the base range presentation in the range of world class Audi cars now available in India. This car is also marketed as a compact executive vehicle around the world. In India, style and substance make it a sure competitor to other C segment cars. The A4 offers an on-road price range between rupees thirty two and thirty four lakhs. The A4 Variants include

A4 1.8T (Petrol)
The Audi A4 1.8 turbo petrol is Audi’s entry level petrol model in India which sports Audi’s remarkable 1.8L In-line 4, 164bhp turbocharged petrol engine with MPFi fuel system. This engine is globally renowned for its high performance, acceleration and torque. New cars having a showroom price of Rs. 28,27,600, and on-road price of around Rs. 31,25,000 inclusive of all charges such as insurance, octroi, RTO, etc. A4 1.8T car prices vary with the car dealer’s location.

A4 2.0 TDI (Diesel)
The Audi A4 2.0 turbo diesel is Audi’s entry level diesel model in India which sports Audi’s remarkable 2.0L In-line 4, 140bhp turbocharged diesel engine. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. New cars in this series have a showroom price ranging from around thirty lakhs to around thirty four lakhs inclusive of all charges like insurance, octroi, RTO, etc. A4 2.0 TDI car prices vary with the car dealer’s location.

Audi A6 (Sedan)

The Audi A6 is truly a grand synthesis of performance, comfort, power, and style. It is the upscale presentation in the Audi series of premium range cars. With its multitronic gearbox, and comfort features it is a wonderful option to an E-class option. There is a host of features to choose depending upon the entry level to upscale presentation in the luxury segment where this car is placed. With its petrol and diesel variants targets the upper middle class and the rich Indian consumer and offers an on-road price range between rupees Fifty two and Fifty three lakhs. The A6 variants include

A6 3.0 TDI (Diesel)
The A6 3.0 TDI diesel is Audi’s mid range diesel model in India, which features Audi’s remarkable 3.0L DOHC engine with direct injection fuel system. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. At the showroom, this car costs around 47 lakhs with an on-road price of around 52 lakhs. This includes standard ancillary charges also.

A6 3.0 FSI (Petrol)
This A6 3.0 FSI petrol is the mid range petrol model in India, which features Audi’s remarkable 3.0L DOHC naturally aspirated engine. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. The A6 3.0 FSI is now available at a showroom price of around 47 lakhs with an on road price of around 52 lakhs including supplementary charges.

Audi A8 (Sedan)

The A8 series is a great car that is serious competition for the Mercedes Benz S class. There’s a great deal of technology in this car that converges into art at some point. The A8 features Audi’s innovative Quattro 4-wheel drive, along with a user friendly multi-media interface. Audi (Sedan) The A8 with its petrol variants targets the upper middle class and the rich Indian consumer and offers an on-road price range between rupees Seventy one lakhs and rupees one Crore. The A8 variants include

A8 3.0 TDI (Petrol)
The A8 3.0 TDI petrol is Audi’s starting range petrol model in India in the A8 series. It features Audi’s remarkable 3.0L DOHC naturally aspirated engine. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. The A8 3.0 TDI is now available at a showroom price of around 64 lakhs with an on road price of around 70 lakhs including accompanying charges.

A8 4.2 FSI (Petrol)
The A8 3.0 TDI petrol is Audi’s mid range petrol model in India in the A8 series, which features Audi’s remarkable 3.0L DOHC naturally aspirated engine. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. At the showroom, this car costs around 71 lakhs with an on-road price of around 77 lakhs. This includes standard ancillary charges also.

A8 W12 6.0 (Petrol)
The W12 6.0 Quattro petrol is Audi’s top range petrol model in India, which features Audi’s remarkable 6.0L DOHC engine with DI fuel system. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. New cars in this series have a showroom price ranging from around ninety nine lakhs to 110 lakhs, which inclusive of all charges like insurance, octroi, RTO, etc. A8 W12 car prices vary with the car dealer’s location.

Audi Q7 (Sedan)

Q7 is a futuristic completely luxurious SUV that leaves its rivals far behind. Equipped with highly enhanced features and state of the art technology, the Q7 is equipped with Audi’s revolutionary Quattro four-wheel drive that makes you go gaga on its performance. The Q7 has the quality that a select few deserve. For the rest, they’ll be content to just learn that the Q7 is a superb technology driven SUV that makes them get off the road to allow the Emperor pass along. The Audi Q7 with its petrol and diesel variants targets the upper middle class and the rich Indian consumer and offers an on-road price range between rupees Sixty three and Seventy six lakhs. Audi Q7 variants include

Q7 3.0 TDI (Diesel)
The Q7 3.0 TDI Diesel is the higher range diesel model in India, which features Audi’s remarkable 3.0L DOHC naturally aspired CRDi engine with DI fuel system. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration, and torque. At the showroom, this car costs around 57 lakhs with an on-road price of around 62 lakhs. This includes standard additional charges also.

Q7 4.2 FSI (Petrol)
The Q7 4.2 FSI Quattro petrol is Audi’s higher range petrol model in India, which features Audi’s remarkable 4.2L FSI engine with DI fuel system. This engine is globally known for its high performance, acceleration and torque. New cars having a showroom price of Rs. 69.5 lakhs and on-road price of around Rs. 75 lakhs inclusive of all charges such as insurance, octroi, RTO, etc. Audi Q7 4.2 FSI car prices vary with the car dealer’s location.

Audi cars are starting to fire the fancy of the rich Indian consumer and the upper middle class with their current range of Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, and Audi Q7 sedan cars. Audi India expects to reach their first marketing targets by 2010, and continues to expand the network of Audi dealerships across Indian metros.

When the name’s Bond and the drink is vodka martini (shaken not stirred), the car’s gotta be Aston Martin. Special agent 007’s famed marquee may roll out on Indian roads in 2007. The British luxe brand, known for its oh-so-snooty bespoke positioning, had announced its India intentions in 2005. Although it didn’t stick to the earlier announced 2006 deadline, auto industry experts say it could now debut in 2007. Thanks to vrooming demand, the company simply did not have enough cars to allocate to India in 2006. Hence the delay, say sources.

When this very British badge finally debuts in India, some of the most celebrated models in the Bond series will be available at a showroom near you. And that would probably include the DBS, new Bond Daniel Craig’s dream wheels in Casino Royale. Experts say the DBS DNA will manifest itself in the Vanquish replacement. So you can look forward to a street version of this screen beauty in the New Year.

The Aston Martin has traditionally been 007’s vehicle of choice. The first time author Ian Fleming gave his whipper snapper spy a British sports car was in 1959 when Bond drove the DB5 in Goldfinger. Before that, it was mostly Bentleys that graced his garage. The DB5 went on to star in a number of Bond flicks including Thunderball (1965), Golden Eye (1995) and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). The last two, though, were strictly cameos with the BMW Z3 roadster hogging top billing in both. BMW and Pierce Brosnan shared another Bond film when the British actor drove the Z8 in The World Is Not Enough.

The DB5 and DBS aren’t the only Aston Martin models in the agent’s life. Bond drove the V12 Vanquish in Die Another Day and both the DBS and V8 Vantage starred in The Living Daylights. Of course, like the Bond girls, 007 cars offer both beauty and variety. During his Roger Moore avatar, Bond drove several Lotus Esprit stunners including the Esprit Turbo in For Your Eyes Only and the Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me.

Aston Martin, like fellow British luxe badge Jaguar, is owned by Ford. All through 2006, European media has been buzzing with news that Ford may look to divest its stake in both companies. However, auto experts say an entry into India is a strategic decision and will not likely be impacted by any future change in ownership. Incidentally, Jaguar too has indicated its interest in an India debut. Another Ford stable brand, Volvo, is also driving into India in a fully-imported form with the XC90 SUV and the S80 saloon.

Aston Martin has already announced it would bring the DB9, V8 Vantage and Vanquish SV12 to India. When they do roll out, each of these cars would cost upwards of Rs 1 crore. Sources say the India interest is part of Aston Martin’s larger emerging market focus. Aston Martin has just announced its decision to debut in Russia and other new markets, including China, will follow as the brand boosts its global dealership network from 120 to 125. An email query to the Aston Martin corporate communications department in UK went unanswered.