Audi and parent company Volkswagen have been burning up auto shows lately on their quest to become the number one automaker in the world. At each show, the company raises the bar slightly higher, and the upcoming North American auto shows are no exception. The new Audi Q7 is about to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show, and it is going to have a lot of surprises. The 2016 is definitely an improvement on the 2015. It is lighter, more powerful, and definitely more efficient thanks to a plug-in diesel hybrid variant. It weighs 717 pounds less than the 2015 thanks to the use of some carbon fibre, aluminum and high-strength steel; and remains the roomiest in it's class. Depending on the engine, it will be either 28 percent more efficient, as in the TFSI, or 23 percent more efficient, as in the TDI model. The 2016 Audi Q7 is also going to be the most powerful four-wheel drive SUV available. The 3.0-litre TFSI delivers a healthy 328 horsepower, and the 3.0-litre TDI brings 268 hp to the table. Not impressed? Try the 500 lb-ft of torque produced by the plug-in diesel hybrid version. Yes, we used 500 pounds of torque in the same sentence as the words plug-in hybrid. The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will follow soon after, bringing with it 369 horses and 516 lb-ft of torque from the two motors. It will be four-wheel drive, and achieve an astounding 138 miles per gallon with a 35 mile range.

Auto123 just drove the newest electric option in the Audi lineup, the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron, also available in a few flavours. Range and power are on the rise for this one.

Audi is recalling about 50,000 vehicles for a rather bizarre reason. Basically, if fluid is spilled in the back row of seats, a loss of power could occur suddenly.

Audi has confirmed what has been expected for some time, which is that it is discontinuing its R8 sports car after the 2-23 model-year. The car will have been produced for just over 15 years.