logo
#

Latest news with #AudiKorea

Audi Korea unveils new A5 sedan, accelerating market comeback
Audi Korea unveils new A5 sedan, accelerating market comeback

Korea Herald

time15-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Korea Herald

Audi Korea unveils new A5 sedan, accelerating market comeback

Audi Korea unveiled the new A5 sedan and its performance-enhanced S5 trim at a media preview event on Thursday to reinforce its momentum to reclaim its position as a leading imported car brand in Korea. 'As I mentioned during the New Year media roundtable, 2025 will mark the year with the most new model launches for Audi,' said Steve Cloete, executive director of Audi Korea, during the event held in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. 'Today, we are excited to unveil these cars.' The sedans represent Audi's second full redesign unveiled in Korea this year, part of a plan to launch 16 new models this year — the largest number since the company's Korean debut in 2004. Built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion, the sedans offer class-leading interior spaciousness. By adopting an upgraded mild hybrid electric vehicle powertrain — an advancement over the previous 48-volt hybrid system — the models effectively address the noise and vibration issues often associated with diesel engines, the company noted. 'Audi is evolving, perfectly balancing combustion engine excellence with electric revolution. … The development will further strengthen our brand presence here in the Korean market and serve as a foundation for the next leap forward,' Cloete said. The unveiling event also featured a test drive of the A5 and S5, demonstrating their performance under extreme driving conditions such as sudden acceleration, high-speed cornering and abrupt deceleration. 'The models are not intended to be driven like sports cars, but we wanted to showcase their capability to handle such demanding situations,' an Audi Korea official said. Once recognized as one of the top three imported car brands in Korea alongside Mercedes-Benz and BMW by 2023, Audi slipped to seventh place in sales last year, selling 9,304 units in 2024. The lack of new model launches is believed to be a key factor behind the sluggish sales, prompting the company to accelerate its efforts to reclaim its former position by maximizing new car introductions in Korea. The A5 is scheduled to launch in Korea in July, starting at 57.89 million won ($41,415).

Audi's new Q6 e-tron blends power, comfort and quiet luxury
Audi's new Q6 e-tron blends power, comfort and quiet luxury

Korea Herald

time09-04-2025

  • Automotive
  • Korea Herald

Audi's new Q6 e-tron blends power, comfort and quiet luxury

German carmaker eyes Korean rebound with 16 new vehicle launches this year Audi, once renowned alongside BMW and Mercedes-Benz as a member of the 'German Big Three' in South Korea, faced a 47.9 percent decline in sales, dropping to 9,304 vehicles and ranking seventh in 2024. Starting with the all-new Audi Q6 e-tron -- a premium midsized all-electric SUV that combines comfort and sportiness ideal for a family car -- Audi Korea is set to launch 16 models this year, seeking a turnaround in the Korean market. The Audi Q6 e-tron, the German luxury carmaker's flagship model, is the first Audi vehicle to feature the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) technology, a modular car platform for large electric cars developed by Audi and Porsche under the Volkswagen Group. According to Audi Korea, this advanced platform has enhanced energy efficiency and power output by 30 percent and 33 percent, respectively, enabling a longer driving range and more powerful performance than the smaller Audi Q4 e-tron SUV. Of the three models – Q6 e-tron Performance, Q6 e-tron Quattro and SQ6 e-tron -- The Korea Herald got the chance to test the premium trim of the Q6 e-tron Performance vehicle with additional convenience features, including the 10.9-inch display in the front passenger seat. The recent media drive covered a round trip of approximately 230 kilometers through Seoul and Gangwon Province. The standout feature of the vehicle is how it offers a smooth ride on highways or even bumpy roads. Even at speeds over 100 kilometers per hour or when passing over speed bumps, it maintained stability without feeling excessively shaky, which is typical of some SUVs. The car's PPE platform, which lowers the vehicle's center of gravity, combined with steel spring suspension and Audi's new Frequency Selective Damping technology, minimizes road vibration and ensures stable cornering. With dual-pane glass, the vehicle maintains a quiet cabin even at high speeds, effectively blocking out wind and road noise. This feature is particularly advantageous for those seeking a quiet ride during heavy traffic and commute hours. Among the four driving modes -- dynamic, comfort, efficient and customized – dynamic mode gives a sportier appeal, with strong acceleration. Unlike the Porsche Macan 4, the Q6 e-tron Performance does not incorporate artificial engine sound, providing a quiet but powerful drive. The car also responded quickly to the accelerator and brake, allowing for fast speed control on the road. The e-tron model can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 21 minutes, with a range of 468 km on a single charge. Starting with a battery of 99 percent in Seoul, the vehicle drove through Wonju, Gangwon Province, and returned to Seoul with 56 percent remaining after a total of 260 kilometers ride, demonstrating efficient energy consumption. In terms of the Advanced Driver Assistance System, the car requires more updates as it only provides a warning alert to maintain the center rather than keeping the vehicle centered in the lane. The Q6 e-tron does not stray far from the design language of Audi's traditional internal combustion SUVs. It maintains the brand's flagship single-frame grille while the side profile takes over its SUV shape, complemented by sleek lines and a straight roofline to blend the designs of gas-powered and electric vehicles. Inside, the car boasts an ergonomic design with headrest speakers. Launched in Korea on Mar. 21, the Audi Q6 e-tron models start with a price tag of 82.9 million won ($55,900). hyejin2@

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store