Blog

Drivers in search of a vehicle they can drive in all weather and even head off road every now and again should take a look at the redesigned 2013 Audi Allroad.  The vehicle stands out from other off-roading vehicles, thanks to its luxurious and upscale interior features and modern design.  The Audi Allroad is a cross between a Wagon and a Crossover SUV.  Visit your Clearwater Audi dealer to take the 2013 Audi Allroad for a test drive to see if it meets your needs for an all-around vehicle: Changes to the 2013 Audi Allroad In the past, the Audi Allroad wagon didn’t get much attention from buyers.  The newly redesigned Allroad is situated to attract a larger number of buyers.  The vehicle sits 2.5 inches higher off the ground, giving it better ground clearance and making it possible to go off road sometimes without damaging the undercarriage. The interior of the Audi has gotten a number of redesigned features with higher end materials and overall improved appearance. Trim Options and Features The 5 passenger Audi Allroad is offered with three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. More features are added as standard offerings at each trim level. Premium Trim Level The standard features for this trim level of the 2013 Audi Allroad include: ·         Leather seating ·         8-way power front seats ·         Power lumbar in front seats ·         Split-folding rear seats ·         18 inch wheels ·         Cruise control ·         Automatic climate control ·         CD Player, Satellite Radio, 10 Speaker sound system You can upgrade to the convenience package with the Premium Trim level which will provide  an iPod interface, Bluetooth connectivity and an enhanced trip computer. You can also upgrade to a Lighting package with the Premium Trim and get LED running lights and bi-xenon headlights. Premium Plus Trim The Premium Plus trim level includes everything from the Premium trim in addition to the following features: ·         Heated exterior mirrors ·         Heated front seats ·         Memory functions for driver ·         Power liftgate ·         Auto-dimming mirrors ·         3-Zone automatic climate control An optional MMI Navigation package upgrades the car with a real-time traffic navigation system, rear parking sensors and a rearview camera, HD radio and the ability to control certain aspects with voice commands. Prestige Trim Level The standard features on the Prestige trim include: 14 speaker premium sound system from Bang &  Olufsen Navigation package Blind spot warning system Adaptive headlights Keyless entry and keyless ignition Additional options you can purchase include rear sunshades, adaptive cruise control and adjustable settings for steering and transmission.

Modern cars have entertainment systems that rival those found in our homes!  At our Florida Audi dealership, we know that the entertainment options of a vehicle are just as important as the performance, power, fuel economy and style when it comes to choosing a new car.  Here are some things to consider when thinking about a car entertainment system for your next Pinellas Park area Audi purchase: Entertainment Features You May Not Find Anymore As new technology is developed, you may find that some entertainment features you’ve come to expect in cars will no longer be available.  There are many features found in older cars that are quickly becoming outdated, so if you’re considering entertainment features in your next car, you may want to avoid technology that may be gone tomorrow, including: DVD systems- having cars with built-in DVD players used to be one of the most desired entertainment options, but passengers aren’t looking to watch DVDs in the car, anymore.  Most passengers, including children, are now traveling with small handheld devices like iPads, Kindle readers, video games, or laptops.  Instead of DVD players, vehicles are coming with USB ports and charging outlets so people can charge their portable electronics. Knobs - Twist knobs are rarely used in new cars anymore, now that touchscreens have become more common.  A touchscreen allows the driver to control all of the aspects of the car from heat to air conditioning to navigation to the radio. CD players - since most people have moved on to mp3 players, very few cars come equipped with cd players, anymore.  Most are now including iPod or auxiliary jacks so you can plug in your mp3 players. Entertainment System Considerations Before you go car shopping, spend some time thinking about what you want in your entertainment system.  It may help you narrow down your choices if there are multiple vehicles you like that have different entertainment systems included.  Ask yourself the following questions to help you determine which options and features are important to you and which are not as important: Are you satisfied with the standard audio speakers or do you prefer upgraded sound quality? Do you want a touchscreen to operate all of the car’s entertainment features and controls? Do you need a GPS/Navigation system as part of the car or can you use your phone or portable navigational device? Can you connect your phone for hands free use or voice activated controls through the radio of your car? Are there USB ports for your electronics and are they located in convenient places? Does the radio include Satellite radio?

If you have leather seats in your Audi, there is a good chance that they are among the favorite parts of your car!  There is nothing quite as comfortable or soft as leather seats in the car, but if you don’t take care of the leather, you could find yourself with color faded or stained leather that just doesn’t look or feel as nice as it should.  Here are some tips for taking care of the leather in your Audi from a Clearwater Audi dealer in Florida: Common Problems that Damage Leather Seats There are many situations which can damage or affect the appearance of your leather seats, including, but not limited to: Child car seats Sun rays Water, coffee, soda, or other spilled beverages Food Sharp and/or pointed objects Dirt, dust and grime How to Keep Leather Seats Clean If you want to maintain the leather seats in your vehicle you need to create and follow a leather maintenance schedule – much like you maintain the engine and tires of your car.  If you take steps to prevent damage to your seats, you won’t have to worry about restoring damaged leather.  It’s much easier to prevent problems than it is to fix them after they happen! Use a microfiber towel - wipe your seats down regularly with a soft, microfiber towel to remove dirt, dust and debris. Vacuum weekly – vacuum the car interior weekly, including the seats, floors and trunk. Avoid food and drinks – if at all possible, keep food and beverages away from your leather seats to prevent problems but if you must eat or drink in the car and you have a spill – clean it up immediately to avoid stains. Protect and Condition Your Leather Seats You will get the best results if you protect and condition your leather seats once a week.  It’s a bit of a time commitment, but it will pay off when your seats maintain their appearance and softness! Leather cleaner – use a product specifically designed for leather to clean your seats.  Don’t use cleaning products designed for other surfaces as they can cause more damage or staining. Leather conditioner – purchase a leather seat conditioner product to rub into the leather to help prevent fading and keep the seats feeling soft. Ongoing protection – if you have children, consider seat covers until they are old enough to protect the seats.  If you are using car seats, cover the leather with a towel or mat first to prevent rips or puncture wounds from the car seat.

One of the fastest cars on the market, the 2013 Audi S8 is a four door, five passenger sedan that will leave just about all other cars on the road in a cloud of dust!  It will only take you 3.5 seconds to go from zero to 60 miles per hour – which is faster even than a Camaro Zl1 and Shelby GT500.  The Audi S8 is kind of what you get when you cross an executive sedan with a Lamborghini! Want to learn more?  Visit your Pinellas Park area Audi dealer and take the 2013 Audi S8 for a test drive to feel the power for yourself. 2013 Audi S8 Performance and Engine How does the Audi S8 go so fast?  It’s got a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 engine that delivers 520 horsepower and 481 lb-ft of torque.  It also has an 8-speed automatic transmission with torque converter that shifts quickly with no detection of the power interruption.  The car has all-wheel-drive which means it handles just as well at faster speeds as it does at more normal, driving speeds. Traveling at a speed of 60 miles per hour, it will take you 107 feet to come to a stop using the 15.7 inch front brake rotors which you can choose from cast iron or carbon-ceramic. As the driver of a 2013 Audi S8, you have some options using Audi Drive Select.  You get to pick your ideal steering weight, throttle sensitivity, suspension settings and behavior of the transmission. Fuel Economy The 2013 Audi S8 is designed for speed and handling rather than improved fuel economy.  That being said, the car does get 26 miles per gallon on the highway and 15 miles per gallon in the city. 2013 Audi S8 Technology and Interior Features You’re not trapped into the standard one-size-fits all features when you buy a 2013 Audi S8.  You have options for what color leather seats your car has and the look and style of your trim options.  The speedometer is sharp looking, with a gray dial and white needle, while the push button engine start is in a bright red color. For technology, the Audi S8 is loaded with driver assistance systems, including the exterior camera with 360 degree viewing to help you see all angles around your car for parking and changing lanes.   You can upgrade to a 1400 watt Bang & Olufsen audio system if you want.

Are you the type of driver who needs to feel the power of your car every time you pull away from a stop sign or traffic light?  If so, you might want to check out the 2013 Audi Q5.  It’s a five passenger, four door SUV designed to please the power-seekers. You’ll hit 60 miles per hour from a stopped position in 5.5 seconds, and yes, you will feel the power!  Your Clearwater Audi Dealer has the 2013 Audi Q5 in our showroom and we invite all interested drivers to take it for a test drive and see how it feels. 2013 Audi Q5 Power and Performance The engine is a 3.0 liter, supercharged V6 with 272 horsepower and 296 lb-ft of torque.    The vehicle is all-wheel-drive and has an 8-speed automatic transmission.  You can flip a switch on the transmission and enter Sport mode to get the most speed and take-off power.  You won’t find too many cars quicker than the 2013 Audi Q5. 2013 Audi Q5 Fuel Economy The Q5 gets 18 miles per gallon on city streets and 26 miles per gallon on the highway with a stop-start system designed to conserve fuel.  The previous Q5 model got 18 miles per gallon city but only 23 miles per gallon on the highway, so this is an improvement with the redesign. Infotainment System The Audi Q5 offers a voice activated, screen display infotainment system which lets you manage all of your entertainment and car controls without lifting your eyes from the road or your hands from the steering wheel.  The car technology also includes streaming Bluetooth audio. Other Options If you’re not in need of so much power or take-off ability with your car, you might be interested in the Q5 with a 2.0 liter turbo four cylinder, or the hybrid version which has an electric motor and four cylinder gas engine combination – both vehicles which are also available in 2013.  By fall of 2013, be on the lookout for an Audi Q5 with an oil-burning diesel engine. Test Driving the 2013 Audi Q5 Don’t ever take a reviewers word for it – you should visit your local Clearwater Audi dealership and take the 2013 Audi Q5 for a test drive to see how it feels when you drive it yourself.

Chances are, you do not want to get pulled over by a cop or get issued a traffic ticket for any reason.  There are a number of driving habits that will call attention to yourself and likely result in your getting a ticket if a cop happens to be in the area.  Here are some tips from your Tampa Bay area Audi dealer to help you avoid traffic tickets: Watch Your Speed If you have a tendency of driving faster than the posted speed limits, you can expect to get pulled over at some point and get a ticket.  This is an easy situation that you can avoid getting a ticket, simply by watching your speedometer and the posted speed limits to make sure you are not going faster than is allowed for the area you are driving in.   If you tend to speed too much on the highway, use your cruise control to keep a consistent, steady speed so you aren’t accidentally going faster than you planned. Cell Phones and Driving Florida does not currently have laws banning cell phones for texting or talking while driving, but statistics show us that driving and using your cell phone is a deadly combination.  In many states, cell phone use by novice drivers is prohibited, and there are also states that ban all texting use of cell phones or using cell phones without a hands free device.  While you will not get a ticket in Florida for using your phone, it’s not a bad idea to get in the habit of using a hands free device when talking on the phone and driving and limited your texting for when you are not behind the steering wheel of a moving vehicle. Tailgating Tailgating is when you drive too close behind the vehicle directly in front of you.  It’s dangerous because if the car in front of you needs to stop unexpectedly and you aren’t paying attention at that instant you can easily crash into their rear end.  If a cop sees you following too closely to the vehicle in front of you, they will often pull you over.  If you’re lucky, they’ll just issue a warning and tell you to back off, but they can issue a ticket for dangerous driving. Improper Lane Changes When changing lanes on a multi-lane highway, you need to use your turn signal to let other drivers know your intentions.  If you change lanes without a turn signal, you can get issued a ticket.  Also, if you cut cars off or move more than one lane at a time, you can be issued a ticket for reckless driving and improper lane changes.

The Audi A6 received a full redesign in 2012, but returns in 2013 with a few new options and improvements for drivers who were holding out for the newest model.  Audi competes with BMW for vehicles that combine both luxury and sportiness in a way that no other car makers have been successful with.  Here’s what you should know about the 2013 Audi A6, available at your Clearwater Audi dealer: What’s New for 2013 Since the vehicle was just redesigned completely in 2012, it didn’t need a ton of updating for 2013.  You can now choose an all-wheel drive option for the base engine.  Also, the 2013 Audi A6 has a top-view camera system that allows the driver to peek around the corners of the car and directly behind them to eliminate blind spots, and a start/stop engine function that conserves fuel. 2013 Audi A6 Exterior The 2013 Audi A6 kept the 2012 changes to the exterior, including more angular headlights and a larger, trapezoid shaped grille.  The outside dimensions of the A6 are slightly smaller than previous years, but there is a longer wheel base, which provides more room for passengers on the interior.  The overall weight of the A6 has decreased, since there is more aluminum used in the creation of the car. There is an adaptive suspension to keep your ride smooth and comfortable. Interior Features and Technology The 2013 Audi A6 features pedestrian detection night vision, and mobile internet for using Google Earth data for navigation, as well as a simplified Google search engine to look up information on the run.   The Multi Media Interface (MMI) offers controls for the navigation system, entertainment, and communication with a pop-up screen from the dash.  Buttons and knobs are on the center console to make it easy to make adjustments and the system has crisp graphics and a touch screen. The backseat offers more legroom than other cars in this class, but the trunk only offers 14.1 cubic feet of space which is on the small side.  If you need more cargo room and less room for passengers, however, you can fold the rear seat flat and use the pass-through for longer objects. 2013 Audi A6 Power and Performance There are five trim levels, and the power and performance will depend on which vehicle you choose.  You can choose from 2 liter turbo charged four cylinder engines or 3 liter supercharged V6 engines.   Continuously variable automatic transmission and front wheel drive comes standard on all 2013 Audi A6 vehicles but you can upgrade to all wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic if preferred.