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Audi RS 3 Saloon Audi continued its winning streak at the International Engine of the Year Awards collecting the prestigious award for the ninth time in a row in the 2.0 - 2.5 category, writes Trish Whelan .   The car’s 400hp engine makes it the most powerful series-production five-cylinder on the global market. The judging panel praised the engine’s impressive torque of 480Nm, available at just 1,700 rpm, as well as the distinctive sound of the turbo unit.   This powerful engine is described as an ‘Icon of the Audi brand’. While at the heart of the Audi TT RS Coupe and RS Roadster, it also powers the Audi RS 3 Saloon and Sportback. This engine allows the TT RS and TT RS Roadster to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.7 and 3.9 seconds respectively with the RS 3 saloon and Sportback achieving this in 4.1 seconds. The top speed for all four models is 250km/h as standard, with the option of increasing this to 280 km/h. The International Engine of the...

This short video offers an example of how Audi dealers in Ireland will be presenting their potential customers with augmented reality views of the car they are interested in, writes Brian Byrne . It's also a global first for Audi. Audi Ireland has teamed with Irish Irish experiential technology agency vStream to launch Audi’s first global pilot programme in Ireland. It uses Microsoft HoloLens, the world’s first self-contained, holographic computer, and enables customers to interact with holographic digital content to provide a better customer experience.

Donal Duggan, Head of Business at Audi Centre, Sandyford. The Charles Hurst Audi Centre in Sandyford, Dublin, was the starting point for a 2,000-miles relay of electric vehicles on a fundraising initiative for BEN, the automotive industry charity, writes Brian Byrne . The vehicles were visiting Charles Hurst dealerships in Northern Ireland before travelling to Scotland, and then through England to Eastbourne ... target date for arrival is in October. Over a six-month run they are visiting 180 Lookers outlets — Lookers is the parent company that includes Charles Hurst dealerships. Dubbed the Electric Charge, the relay will include a range of fundraising activities along the route, from carbon neutral days and green energy workshops to test drive events and golf days. Vehicles being used include the Nissan e-NV200 electric van, the electric Hyundai Ionic and the soon-to-be-released Jaguar I-PACE, which is being previewed by Lookers Jaguar at the London Motor Show. Donal Dug...

The production version of Audi's first electric SUV, the e-tron, will be unveiled in Brussels in August, writes Brian Byrne . The vehicle is expected to have a 400km range on a full charge. A coupe-style Sportback will be launched next year. An aspiration to deliver 800,000 electric cars annually by 2025 will be underpinned by the company's strategy of offering electrified versions of all its models by that date. Most of these will be pure electric, the balance plug-in hybrids.

This is the new Audi A6 Avant, which goes on sale in its first markets later this year, writes Brian Byrne . It's the 5th generation of the model, with the wagon being somewhat longer than the saloon version, and will be available with adjustable air suspension. The interior features two touchscreens stacked above each other in the centre, along with a new version of the now-familiar main instruments screen. A plug-in hybrid will eventually be available.

An RS 5 Sportback debuted at the New York Motor Show makes it the first time the RS performance grade has been available in the format, writes Brian Byrne . The 5-door coupe features the RS style cues outside and in, including the typical flat-bottomed steering wheel and red stitching in the leather trim and seats. The car is powered by a twin-turbo 2.9 V6 petrol engine.

Audi's first all-electric car in Ireland will be an SUV with a rated range of 500km, writes Brian Byrne . The vehicle will be delivered to first customers here in 2019, and will be based on the e-tron quattro concept model. Audi is also a partner in a joint venture with BMW, Daimler, Ford and VW to build a network of charging stations around Ireland in association with Topaz.