The Audi Trimaran was a student project by designer Stefanie Behringer (Pforzheim Technical College, Germany) for the Audi concept design studio in Munich. There are no plans to put the Trimaran into series production, but it is nonetheless an eye-catching project.

“The Audi Trimaran is a new concept which integrates two jet skis in a motorboat. The hull architecture is based on a trimaran, consisting of a main center hull supported by two smaller outrigger hulls.

Two jet skis are stored inside pods in the outriggers. The main boat is powered by two lightweight and efficient Audi TDI diesel engines, whereas the jet skis are electrically-driven. At low speeds of up to 8 knots, for example in bays or harbors, the boat can be moved using the jet ski engines alone, which produce no emissions or noise.

At higher speed up to 30 knots, the two diesel engines can be switched on continuously. During this process the electric motors in the jet skis support the diesel engines while accelerating, so that the boat is planing faster and less fuel is needed. At the same time the diesel engines recharge the batteries in the two jet skis.

The main advantage of multihulls is efficiency. This is due to the very slender hulls, which have less friction resistance in the water. Furthermore multihulls have very stable driving characteristics and lie at anchor very calmly.

The boat is 15m long and, due to its slender center hull, is only 6.40m wide. The jet ski drive concept allows you to go even into shallow water, because the draft is only 58 cm. On deck there is space for 12 people, while below the boat offers four berths. By flipping down the saloon table, another two berths can be offered.

The design is based on the Audi brand values of progressive, sporty and sophisticated.

The boat has an athletic, elegant appearance without being too powerful or aggressive. The main proportions of the exterior follow the graceful character of a sailing yacht, emphasized by the mesh surfaces within the outriggers and the shape of the main hull, which narrows to the back.

At the same time it embodies “Vorsprung durch Technik” (“Progress through Technology”) with a very technical and sophisticated look-and-feel.

The silver frame, which links the outrigger pods with the main hull, accentuates the technical aspect of Audi and is reminiscent of the aluminum frame structures of automotive engineering.

The jet skis follow the elegant and light appearance of the main boat.

The high side walls prevent spraying water, while the storage in the front gives space for equipment like a snorkel, fins or shopping from the mainland. The suspended seating bench offers excellent driving comfort.

The deck area is the place for relaxation and meeting together. As the opposite pole of the more technical and emotional exterior, the deck area design is based on very calm and puristic shapes, reminiscent of a typical lounge character. Between the two spacious seating benches, which grow out of the large sun lounger surfaces from the back, a table can be moved out of the floor. The huge panorama glass roof does not only shield the passengers from headwinds, but can also work as sun protection when shaded.”

Source: Audi

A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver

Audi is a dominant force at Le Mans, winning 9 times in the last 11 years.

Le Mans perfectly exemplifies the Audi ethos and its approach to engineering and product development. In short, it’s Vorsprung durch Technik in action.

Win an ipad2 – Win an ipad2. We want to bring your city to life through the people that make it amazing.

From artists and designers, musicians and bloggers, even trapeze artists, we're calling everyone and anyone that shape the cities they live in.

New Volkswagen Amarok Experiment

Volkswagen demonstrates the power of its Amarok pick-up by using it to demolish a 67m high steel chimney weighing approximately 140 tonnes and standing at nearly the same height as Westminster Abbey.

The chimney would normally have been demolished using a 40 tonne excavator, but after months of careful planning from structural engineers and demolition experts EDS, the Volkswagen Amarok was given the opportunity to be the first pick-up to attempt such a task.

Chrysler Group LLC Achieved Net Income of $116 Million in First Quarter 2011; First Quarterly Net Income Since Company Began Operations in June 2009

Chrysler Group LLC today announced its preliminary financial results for the first quarter (Q1) 2011, reporting that it achieved its first quarterly net income since the Company began operations in June 2009.

Net Income in Q1 2011 was $116 million compared to a net loss of $197 million in Q1 2010.

Chrysler Group’s improved sales and financial performance in the first quarter show that our rejuvenated product lineup is gaining momentum in the marketplace and resonating with customers,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Group LLC.

“These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, suppliers and dealers, all of whom are helping Chrysler create a new corporate culture built on the quality of our products and processes, and simple, sound management principles.

“We remain focused on delivering great products to our customers and continuing to achieve the sales and financial targets outlined in our 2010-2014 business plan,” added Marchionne.

- Net Income totaled $116 million in Q1 2011 compared to a net loss of $197 million in Q1 2010
- Modified Operating Profit totaled $477 million in Q1 2011, up from $143 million in Q1 2010
- Net Revenues in Q1 2011 were $13.1 billion, up 35 percent from $9.7 billion in Q1 2010
Cash at March 31, 2011, was $9.9 billion, up $2.5 billion from December 31, 2010

via Chrysler LLC

2012 Audi A7 Papercraft model

The Audi A7 design began with a clean sheet of paper.

Graphic design artist Taras Lesko started this project with 285 clean sheets of paper. Using photos and drawings of the A7, he designed 750 model pieces out of card stock, which he then printed, folded and glued together.

His equipment was a laser printer, two desktop cutting plotters, glue and an X-ACTO knife. More than 245 hours later, he had created his own bold vision. Amazing!