Audi Scores Highest Ranking in the 2012 Total Quality Awards

Audi Scores Highest Ranking in the 2012 Total Quality Awards™ by Strategic Vision

Audi A8 is named best overall model and luxury segment winner, while Audi A4 is recognized as segment winner

Audi ranked as the top overall brand in the newly released 2012 Total Quality Index™ (TQI) study presented by Strategic Vision, scoring 918 out of a possible 1000 points. Additionally, among luxury brands priced $40,000 and above, Audi improved the most from 2011. Individual accolades include the Audi A8named as the overall Best Model and Luxury Car, and the A4 topping its category in the Near-Luxury Car segment.The Audi A8 is named the overall Best Model and topped the Luxury Car segment with scores that outpaced the industry standards in all areas, particularly environmental friendliness, seat comfort and interior quality. The 2012 Audi A8 flagship sedan, known for its superior design and advancements in engineering, technology and performance, received the overall Best Model award.

With a score of 942 out of 1000 points, the A8 was the highest-performing model in the 2012 TQI study. Innovative technological amenities, such as the Audi connect™ system, which offers Google Earth™, Google™ Local Search, clear and efficient Google™ Voice Local Search, real-time weather, fuel prices, news and travel information as well as a Wi-Fi connection for up to eight devices, facilitated the Audi A8 to surpass its competition with high marks. Audi is the only brand globally offering factory-installed wireless Internet, an advance now available in core models, such as the Audi A4, Audi A5 and Audi Q5.

For 2013, the A8 retains and refines several qualities that are heavily praised in the previous model year. The 2013 Audi A8 model line expands from two to five models. The new 3.0 TFSI® supercharged V6 and new 4.0T twin-turbo V8 engines are faster and more fuel efficient than the outgoing 4.2 liter V8 engine. The 3.0T V6 produces 333 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque and accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The Audi A8 4.0-liter TSFI bi-turbo V8 engine features an all-new powertrain that produces 420 hp and 444 lb-ft of toque and seamlessly goes from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds. All engines are paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission with the confidence-inspiring Audi quattro® all-wheel drive system.

The Audi A4 also topped its category thanks to its progressive styling, customer perception and vehicle reliability. The Audi A4, the only car in its class to offer quattro all-wheel drive, features the award-winning 2.0 TFSI engine with 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. of torque, combined with Audi valvelift system, variable valve timing and TFSI direct injection. Design refinements give the A4 model-line athletic elegance, most noticeably with the available Audi xenon plus lighting with LED daytime running lights and tail lamps. Available convenience technologies, such as Audi MMI® Navigation plus with Audi connect and Audi music interface, add pure enjoyment to the driving experience. Entertainment is provided by an Audi six-channel stereo system with ten speakers, or an available Bang & Olufsen® 505-watt, 14-speaker sound system.

Strategic Vision has presented Total Quality Awards annually since 1995. Based on Strategic Vision’s quantitative “ValueCentered®” NVES study, the Total Quality Index was calculated from the responses of 45,390 buyers who purchased 2012 models between September and December 2011.

To learn more about the Audi premium performance models, please visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com.

McGrath Audi
301 North Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
1-888-364-6780

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Audi A8: 2012 ‘Connected Car of the Year’

The editorial team at Connected World magazine selected the Audi A8 in their first annual Connected World Connected Car of the Year awards! The awards highlight vehicles with technology that strikes the right balance between safety, convenience, and infotainment.

The Audi A8 was chosen as the top vehicle in the Ultra-Luxury category. Among the factors considered were active safety features and distraction-free drive; connectivity focusing on comfort and convenience; and infotainment options offered in distraction-free manner, including music, video and Wi-Fi.

“Drivers have reached a point in which they are looking for a vehicle that is safe and reliable, and can keep them connected while on the road, just as they are able to while in the office or in their homes,” says Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, Connected World. “And, as consumers, we also want to be connected in a distraction-free environment. The connected cars named as winners for 2012 are certainly providing these options, and so much more.”

With the Audi A8, Audi is the first company worldwide to feature factory-installed wireless internet, enabling the innovative infotainment system called Audi connect. Previously only available in the A6, A7, A8 and Q7, Audi connect is now available on all A4 and A5 models, making Audi the only brand worldwide to feature this level of integrated connectivity in the B segment.

Stop by McGrath Audi and test drive the vehicle with technology that strikes the right balance between safety, convenience, and infotainment.

McGrath Audi
301 North Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025
1-888-364-6780

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