When the Audi Sportback Concept sauntered into the Detroit spotlights last year, the four-ring brand told us that the "concept" was very close to what would become the production A7, a car we hear will debut late this summer at the Moscow Motor Show in August. A few months short of its rumored date with destiny, though, we've caught it working out at the Nurburgring.

The coupe-styled SUV trend is about to land at Audi, having already touched vehicles of other luxury makes, including the BMW X6, Acura ZDX, and Land Rover Evoque. It’s rumored that the new vehicle will, predictably, be called the Q6, and slot between the Q5 and Q7 to eventually do battle directly with the X6 of archrival BMW. A test mule of that upcoming sporty SUV may have been caught in disguise, as these shots from our spy photographer show an Audi Q5 with some rather suspicious features.

Priced from $56,850

Even though many of them are now working on hybrids, European automakers’ response to gasoline-electric vehicles—long championed by Japanese companies—has been to first scoff and then to point to their robust lineups of fuel-efficient diesel powertrains. Of course, diesels represent about 50 percent of the market in Europe, but they have never been offered widely in America. Fluctuating fuel prices are slowly beginning to change that, and although Euro diesels recently launched in the States have been installed in sedans and SUVs, small oil burners make sense, too. After all, if a premium sedan with the economy of a compact is impressive, let’s see what happens when you drop a diesel into a compact.

Audi might be the hottest brand among luxury carmakers—more styling-oriented and more sporty than others, but still something of an insider's tip. What the brand doesn't have is a history as rich as that of Mercedes-Benz, or even BMW. Audi can be traced back to a number of companies originating as early as 1899, but the brand, as we know it today, did not surface until the 1960s—with some rather bland cars.

Due to arrive in the U.S. in about a year’s time, the 2011 Audi A8 is completely redesigned, carrying many of the styling cues seen on recent concept and production Audis, along with a luxury-sedan-load of new technology. It rides on a new aluminum spaceframe with the latest in Audi’s lightweight arsenal. Design-wise, the new A8 seems familiar—the look is a nice evolution of the outgoing A8's understated style.

When a press release titled “Scion Announces Pricing for Restyled 2011 xB” hit our inbox, we thought to ourselves, what restyled xB? This one, we guess, although the tweaks to the body and interior are so subtle that we’d forgive you for not noticing.

From the Something-We-Figured-Was-Coming-But-Are-Thrilled-To-See-Anyway Department comes Audi’s announcement of the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro. It’s basically the V-8 version of the V-10–engined R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro, which itself is scheduled to appear in U.S. showrooms starting this September.

Just as we hear reports of Audi planning a race-ready but street-legal R8 GT3, MTM comes out with this – a massively fast, supercharged, lightweight, Rear-Wheel-Drive version of the V8-powered supercar called the R8 GT3-2. The “2″ at the end represents its drive wheels, differentiating it from the standard AWD cars.

If you think the standard Audi R8 supercar is a bit too “posh” for you, check out what German tuning firm Abt Sportsline just churned out.

The ABT R8 GT R isn’t just your standard tuned car, but a lightweight, high-powered race car for the road and track. The first thing Abt did to this monster is take of Audi’s stock hood, front and rear aprons, rear wing, tailgate, and even the outline edge on the rear, external mirrors, and the door panels – replacing them with their own versions made completely from carbon fiber. The side windows are even replaced with a high-strength, lightweight material called Makrolon. All this stripping down doesn’t sacrifice anything but bulk, and makes for a weight savings of over 220 lbs – a significant number when flying down a track.

We just got word of a rumor reporting that the coveted Audi RS5 super-coupe might end up coming to the States, despite Audi’s saying it’s for the European market only. Last month we learned that the RS5 will get a naturally aspirated version of the wonderful 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the R8. In the RS5, it will produce 450 hp with 317 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to propel itself from zero to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds. The standard transmission is Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic box, with sadly no word of a manual transmission anywhere.

Readers of German magazine “Auto Zeitung” recently gave Audi a few design awards. First up, Audi was voted “Brand with the most beautiful cars,” beating out over 50 other carmakers.

After tons of speculation and confusion, Audi finally officially confirmed they will be bringing the high-powered TT RS to the United States. Initially, the car was set to be a model only sold overseas. What changed their minds? After putting up a poll on their Facebook page, Audi had more than 11,500 US-based people express interest in the car in the first month. Chances of 10,000 of them being wide-eyed teenagers just wanting to see one on the road? Pretty damn high, probably, but I think the car will do well over here.

First appearances are everything, and Audi are certainly making a good impression…
To mark their first official appearance at the 2010 SEMA show next month, Audi of America has confirmed it will be showcasing six stunning new models – including the Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak car – at the prestigious Las Vegas show.

The mid-level luxury car market has turned into a battle royal with the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Infiniti M and the Jaguar XF existing as some of many prestigious packages reloading for a premium sedan fight. An ultra-competitive luxury car market, the position of standing still is essentially going backwards. While a redesign of the Audi A6 occurred just two years prior, a sense of urgency set in within the Ingolstadt, Germany headquarters to freshen their important mid-sized four-door.

Throughout the economic conditions, it is interesting to note luxury car sales have been brisk as some customers were apparently able to achieve a financial footing more quickly than others. Enjoying sales up 17.1% in 2009 and 22.9% in 2010, luxury brand Audi boasts amazing US sales thanks to a desirable portfolio of vehicles. Starting with the entry-level Audi A3 before progressing right up to the supercar Audi R8, those cars as well as the choices in between is both tempting and indulging motorists. For too many, the upfront price of these vehicles leaves the inner desires of some automotive lovers unfed despite their hard work. After taking into consideration fuel, state auto insurance, as well as your whole financial well-being, the prospect of leasing a new or previously-owned Audi vehicle could be a sound opportunity to absorb the thrill of possessing German luxury. With Audi, they have been making the goal of luxury car motoring surprisingly accommodating but does require foresight.