In news that will surprise almost nobody, Audi has announced that it will be swapping the S5’s 4.2L V8 engine in favour of a lighter, almost as powerful, and much more fuel-efficient supercharged V6. Just as it did with the S4 range. The charged six will pump out 245kWs and a healthy 440Nms, meaning that only the power figure has dropped - down 15kWs - so Audi fans needn’t worry about performance.

It’s unlikely that the 4.2L V8 will disappear from Audi specifications lists just yet, as there’s every chance a twin-turbo version could see duty in new iterations of the S6 and S8. Both of which are currently powered by a de-tuned version of Lamborghini’s 5.0L V10 and could benefit from the improved handling and fuel efficiency the V8 could potentially provide. More...

Consumer research firm Strategic Vision's Total Value Index is a measuring tool that combines what consumers have to say about their vehicles with various ownership measures calculated by Strategic Vision. Variables incorporated into the index include a consumer's expected reliability, expected fuel economy, price paid, and expected resale value. The Value Index has determined consumers are looking for the best pricing along with quality cues that indicate a vehicle's long-term value.

In the Total Value Index for luxury SUVs, the Q7 managed to beat out such strong competitors as the Mercedes-Benz GL and ML models, the Lexus GX 470, and the BMW X5. Standard equipment, technical innovations, and affordability in class were all used as vehicle measuring points in the Total Value Index. More...