Coming Soon - "The Praudi?"

Audi and Prada, that Italian status symbol in the world of high-fashion clothing, have announced that they will hook up on "joint projects in the areas of sport and culture."

No word yet of any joint project in terms of vehicles. The two said they are planning to work together in 2009, linking their logos in high-profile events. First out of the box is a sporting event in February. The two will jointly sponsor the yacht "Luna Rossa" during the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series — thus stacking brand name upon brand name.

"Audi and Prada are strong brands," said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi AG board of management member for marketing and sales. "We aim to pool these strengths and build up a long-term partnership."

Inside Line says: Here's hoping that the devil may not be the only one wearing Prada, since we have little trouble envisioning an Audi R8 Prada Edition. —

Well, we have a Prada phone, so...why not

10 Years of the X5

Since its arrival, its been the falgship of the BMW line, and quickly found favour with J'can buyers (although intial response to the X6 may have surpassed that)

BMW celebrates a decade of the X5, dubbed the Spoerta Activity vehicle (SAV)

Porsche - with 4 doors - speeds into Shanghai

Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, will be presenting the new Panamera to the public for the first time at Auto Shanghai 2009 in China from 20 – 28 April. Porsche’s unique, four-door Gran Turismo will be making its world debut at a press conference on 19 April and will be entering the market in late summer 2009.

The four-door Panamera combines a wide range of features seemingly contradictory at first sight, and offering a unique synthesis quite unparalleled in the premium segment: The Panamera comes with all the sporting and dynamic characteristics of a genuine Porsche combined with a very high standard of motoring comfort. Despite its extra-low and sleek coupé silhouette, in turn, the Panamera offers more than ample space and roominess inside for four passengers and variable loading space for a substantial amount of luggage. And last but not least, the Panamera proudly boasts power units offering a high standard of fuel efficiency despite the car’s outstanding performance.

VW steps on the gas with online ads

Online advertising might be one of the few areas that benefit from the imploding auto industry.

Maybe it was the success of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, which used advertising campaigns on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere to beg for a bailout, but now other automakers say they plan to move advertising from other places, such as television, magazines and newspapers, and push them toward online.

Automakers want to spend less and target better, so buying advertising, creating content, including video, and getting involved more in social media marketing makes sense. Tim Ellis, VP-marketing at Volkswagen of America’s VW brand, told AdAdge that the company plans more digital advertising because “that’s where all the conversations are.”

GM has already announced it was slashing its budget, including no Super Bowl ad, so how much online advertising will benefit is still fluid.

TT gets update, as does A3

From Which? News, UK 06 January 2009

Audi is welcoming the New Year with limited Black Edition A3 models, and an expanded range of TT sports cars.

The Black Edition Audi A3 is available as a three-door hatch, five-door 'Sportback' hatch, or A3 Cabriolet. As the name suggests, the most striking visual feature of these models is that they have been ‘de-chromed’. This means black finished grills, and on the Cabriolet black surrounds for the rollbars and shoulder line.

Finishing off the mean looks are Xenon headlights with LED running lights, tinted rear glass for the hatchbacks, and 18-inch alloys in exclusive 'dark titanium' finish. A choice of three paint colours is available – with Brilliant Black or Ibis White as no-cost options.

These Black Editions are based on the range-topping S line trim, so they already feature sporty bodywork and suspension, plus part-leather seats and electronic climate control. In addition, the Black Edition features a Bose stereo, rear parking sensors, flat-bottomed steering wheel, and 'Piano black' interior inlays.

S line trim is available across the TT range

Alongside the A3 Black Edition announcement, Audi has also revealed changes to the TT line-up.

Both 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesel versions of the Audi TT will now be available with the option of quattro four-wheel drive, while a new top-spec S line trim is also being introduced across the range.

BMW Jamaica plays 3, 7

Look out for local launches of the new 3 and 7 series from Stewart Motors. No firm dates yet, but keep checking the autobahn for more.