Spring 2013 is what I’ve heard…probably a 2014 MY.
3touring is the 3 wagon
I doubt it will come…that’s what the hideous x1 is for
It’s coming.
even if they bring it, it will be DSG only >:(
Lol…I figure it took a minute of my time, who knows. Maybe they don’t want to have me give them my money on a irrational purchase…it’s in their court…
Hopefully at least they get the car up here.
Who the f— wants a 3xx touring. I’d rather go pick up an off-lease e55 or e63 wagon (plenty in the US) for that kinda money.
Yeah E63 ftw
Winter FTL though
Re that “fuck you Audi”, Cory I am not sure what that was for.
They said what they are told to say, and they were nice. Also the girl who answers email at Audi Canada doesn’t exactly make product decisions for north America lol. Even if it was already approved internally to do a limited run here, that person would probably find out about it after we do!
Out of overall frustration obviously. It wasn’t directed at the person answering the email.
With all the web hype created (not just in the Audi community)by the RS4 being in the US I can’t imagine they wouldn’t sell enough to make a profit, especially if this is likely the only RS4 Avant (or S4) that will make it to these shores for awhile (or ever). Customers will make that extra effort or stretch their finances to obtain something so rare/special.
Who doesn’t want to own a unicorn 
FWIW. I reckon it’ll be available come the Summer time.
[quote]Dear bangoman,
Thank you for your recent email via AudiTalk and for your interest in our brand.
Further to your inquiry, we must regretfully advise you that we do not have plans to bring the A6 Avant or the RS4 Avant to the Canadian Market due to low demand for wagons in Canada. The RS4 Avant also requires design changes to meet Canadian regulations and the business case is not profitable for Germany to offer these models to our market. Although we have requested it, the final decision is made by our parent company in Germany.
We thank you for taking the time to write us and apologize that a more favorable response is not possible.
Sincerely,
Stéphanie
AudiTalk
[/quote]
as far as I can remember, they have to crash test 2 of them at least for the new configuration.
If they only sell 500 of them in a limited run or something, it’s tough to make money.
I wish the whole world would create a global crash standard. Really fucking annoying…because we in Canada love avants and diesels…but we don’t get them because Canada has piggybacked on US crash standards, and US market has said loud and clear ‘shuv yer fucking wagons and diesels’
what just happened to my reply? It was here for 10min. and then disappeared.
+1. But it’s clearly a protectionist racket for the Big 3.
I saw it as well… Server issue maybe? As for why they bring those cars, they are their Halo cars and they make huge margin on them… Plus the sell a decent amount in the US if I remember, haven’t looked at Audi sales figures in a few months…
Yeah, 10 variants of the R8 when you take 4.2/V10/GT/Manual/Rtronic/Spyder into consideration.
I saw it too and replied…and they’re both gone into space.
What I said was transmission isn’t a variant, nor is a lightweight version or the new plus version that is coming.
There are 4 R8 variants. R8 spypder, R8 coupe, R8 V10 spyder, R8 V10 coupe.
GT and GT spyder and Plus and Plus spyder will all be bunched in together with the original V10 testing, done 4 years ago.
So we have 4 R8 tests, and we have been selling them in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (and 2014 and 2015 will be the same chassis, but a facelift only).
So let;'s compare that to the B7 RS4 for example. The B7 was sold here for 2 years, 2500 copies for North America.
Audi sells that many R8s ever 18 months here. And the R8 testing was good for a 7 year chassis run. Far and away they’re comfortably making a fortune on that car.
The RS4 (B8) will sell for maybe 18 months, and since it’s an avant, it will barely sell at all. Last powerful avant was the B7 S4…which sold 600/year.
I’m pretty sure transmissions are a variant, just as required as an engine change.
For crash testing? How couldn’t a lightweight version require to be tested separately? Thinner and/or different materials in the glass surfaces, thinner body panels or the use of carbon fiber panels…IMO ALL this stuff screams of a new crash test.
Regardless, I see your point about the number of years they can sell them.
well, reality is that they don’t change body panels etc. They take out the radio, they use some lighter seats, they eliminate the air conditioning, and they put a set of LW wheels on. They may use a different material for the engine cover (plastic vs. glass) but don’t forget the engine cover with glass is an option on most of these cars already.
I don’t think transmission is a different configuration. All guesses on that stuff though.
I have no idea about the panels…I read it here:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-car-buying/audi/r8-gt/
[quote]How Audi managed to shave over 220 pounds from the R8
To achieve the drop in weight, the German automaker first turned to the glass on the supercar. The windshield now uses thinner glass, with the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment, as well as the window in the rear hatch being replaced with lightweight polycarbonate. The changes to the glass shaved just shy of 20 lbs from the total weight. The switch to the fixed rear wing saved 2.65 lbs, the thinner sheet metal and additional body cutouts dropped 5.73 more lbs.
Audi didn’t just cut the materials out, they also swapped them out. The rear hatch, rear bumper and slideblades are now made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, saving another 30 lbs. Other various vehicle technical components, such as brakes and suspension bits, were modified for an impressive 43 lbs of savings - before turning to the interior for changes.
Inside, Audi swapped in lighter carpet and bucket seats, along with various structural changes for another 87 lbs of weight savings.
Although not involved in weight savings, the R8 GT also features white dial gauges with unique badges, along with a newly designed gear selector lever made from CFRP and aluminum. The center tunnel and the door liners sport decorative inlays in the body color, while the door sills feature trims of matte aluminum decorated with the R8 GT logo.
[/quote]
if the price was in the RS5 area (would probably be a bit less if anything given the S4/S5 pricing) I think I could see myself in one of those as much as I want an E63 Wagon, that RS4 is just too sexy to not consider it. But again I still have my doubts although audi had the new allroad driving around about a year ahead of announcing it for the NA market so who knows.
Other fact is that 99% of the people liking that facebook page and saying “bring it here” will never plunk down 80 grand for a wagon. The enthusiast market that really wants these things and will buy the car new is so small.
One of my clients had a C5 RS6 and had put a deposit down with the dealer for the C6 version as they had said “yes its coming” to him numerous times and finally when audi confirmed it wasn’t he was none too pleased. I think they said the sales number for the RS6 for canada was something ridiculous like 50 units (this was a few years ago so I could be screwing up the numbers).
Problem is because it isn’t a flashy car by any means (any of these sedans/wagons) North American’s just don’t a appreciate it. They want everyone to know at a glance how much they spent on their cars. Also not having the autobahn or high speed highways doesn’t help the cause either. They don’t understand the concept of a 150k dollar wagon from audi or a 100k dollar sedan from VW. It’s rather sad people need a badge or something that screams HEY I HAVE MONEY AND NEED MY EGO STROKED.
This is one things that never have made sense to me. A global standard would be more cost effective for the auto makers. Considering they are all companies that make money I’m surprised they aren’t pushing for this.
If you are really crafty and canadian there was a NAFTA ruling that allowed the import of cars from Mexico. The government released this last year.
[quote]OTTAWA, March 23 - Used vehicles from Mexico that can be modified to meet Canadian safety and environmental standards will be allowed to be imported into Canada in the near future.
The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, today announced that amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA) and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) have received Royal Assent.
“We’re committed to maintaining our road safety record,” said Minister Strahl. “At the same time, we’re trying to give Canadian consumers more choice by updating the MVSA to allow them to import eligible vehicles from Mexico.”
The amendments to the MVSA and CEPA 1999 will provide a balance between maintaining safety for Canadians, protecting the environment, and meeting the needs of individual Canadian consumers and commercial importers. The amendments ensure the Government of Canada complies with the North American Free Trade Agreement and continues its cooperative relationship with Mexico. Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations will need to be implemented in order to enable importation of used vehicles from Mexico. It is estimated that it will take between one and two years to complete these amendments. Environment Canada will also need to make amendments to its emissions regulations.
[/quote]
ahh, neat. Guess they change the back end.
I was thinking the Superleggera type cars, just end up with a shit interior, no sunroof, lw wheels, lw rear window and bam, $40,000 please
The R8 GT sounds the most extensive of the weight saving program models based on that.
^ don’t forget these…they probably cost $1K
http://media.il.edmunds-media.com/porsche/cayman/2012/fd/2012_porsche_cayman_det_fd_228111_717.jpg