Audi starts the new year in America with a fresh lineup of new models, each significantly upgraded and offering new and amazing features. The most important launch is the new generation Audi A8 saloon which goes on sale with a starting price of $78,050 for normal and $84,000 for the long wheelbase version. Then there’s the R8 which gets the 4.2 liter V8 for both coupe and Spyder variants. They run for $114,200 coupe and $127,700 convertible. And last but nor least, the refreshed 2011 Audi TT quattro Coupe and Roadster, which start from $38,300 and $41,300 respectively.

More details on each model in the press release below:

“With this 2011 pricing strategy, Audi is determined to hit the sweet spot of performance, technology and value,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “The model year ahead offers great promise for the Audi brand to build on its momentum story in the U.S.”

2011 Audi A8 | Pricing and highlights
The U.S. pricing for the all-new and technology-infused 2011 Audi A8 luxury performance sedan begins with an MSRP of $78,050 (excluding $875 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges).

The starting price for the normal wheelbase version of the Audi flagship model includes a broad range of advanced features, such as an efficient8-speed Tiptronic® transmission and the next-generation of the Audi MMI® system with the industry exclusive MMI touch technology. The touchpad feature with handwriting recognition allows motorists to conveniently enter multimedia, navigation and communications commands. The most luxurious Audi sedan comes with the brand’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive technology and aluminum ASF® construction.

Also available on the 2011 Audi A8 is the Bang & Olufsen® Advanced Sound System, which includes 19 speakers and 1400 watts of power for a sound quality designed for the most discriminating audiophiles. The AudiA8 Bang & Olufsen system is unique because it was included in the earliest stages of the high-end sedan’s development.

The base price of the long wheelbase 2011 Audi A8L is set at $84,000 (excluding $875 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges). The 2011 A8 models will be available at Audi dealerships across the U.S. by late November.

While the new Audi A8 provides an unprecedented degree of driving comforts and innovations, it also reflects the work that Audi engineers have invested into maximizing efficiency without sacrificing any driving performance. In fact, the 2011 Audi A8 achieves 17 mpg in the city/ 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg combined, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That puts the fuel economy of the 2011 Audi A8 on par with the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid. It’s also better than the fuel-economy numbers for the BMW 7-Series hybrid and 6-cylinder models.1

At the same time, the V8 engine in the 2011 Audi A8 produces 372 horsepower and an ample 328 lb-ft. of torque. Available quattro sport differential with mechanical torque vectoring further enhances the performance handling of this luxurious car.

Design highlights:
– Aluminum ASF® frame and aluminum body construction; this lightweight construction technique allows the A8 with standard quattro all-wheel-drive to weigh less than even the 2-wheel-drive S Class and 7 Series.
– New Singleframe® grille design.
– Xenon plus adaptive headlights and LED daytime running lights standard.
– Segment-first full LED headlights available.
– LED taillights with ‘tubular optic’ design.
– Normal and long wheelbase models available: A8L LWB is 5.1 inches longer and has 5.1 inches of increased rear legroom compared to the A8 NWB model.
– A8 exclusive yacht-styled electronic gear shifter ergonomically designed to help ease use of the new MMI® touch handwriting recognition system.

Engine / Drivetrain highlights:
– 4.2 liter V8 engine that produces 372 horsepower and 328 lb-ft. torque.
– 17 city / 27 highway / 21 mpg combined – best in segment fuel economy is the same as the Mercedes S400 hybrid and better than BMW 7 Series hybrid and 6-cylinder models.1
– Brake energy regeneration and Innovative Thermal Management system.
– The A8 is the only car in the segment to have standard quattro all-wheel-drive, and quattro sport differential with mechanical torque vectoring available.

Standard equipment highlights:
– 19” wheels with all-season tires.
– BOSE® Surround Sound System.
– 18-way heated front comfort seats.
– New Audi Navigation plus with new menu structure and new ‘tab’ concept.
– Industry-first MMI touch with handwriting recognition
– High resolution 8” MMI screen and 7” Driver Information Display

Optional equipment highlights:
– LED headlights: While all A8 sedans have standard LED daytime running lights, Audi has introduced the first full-LED headlights in the luxury sedan segment. These lights project light that is close to daylight helping equate to less strain on the eyes at night and are more efficient than Xenon or halogen lights; plus creating a strong design statement on the A8.
– Driver Assistance Package: Includes the next generation of Audi’s Adaptive Cruise Control, Audi lane assist, and Audi side assist systems.The uniqueness of this new package is the way these systems are integrated to help extend the functionality of Audi pre sense to include emergency braking and passenger compartment crash preparation.
– Premium Package: 22-way comfort/climate seats include front seat ventilation and massage function.
– Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System: This second generation of advanced sound from B&O includes 19 speakers and more than 1400 watts of power, for a sound experience designed for the most demanding audiophiles.
– Rear Seat Entertainment: Business-class level rear seat entertainment with dual 10” screens, separate MMI, media jukebox, Audi music interface& Bluetooth® headphones. Available only in the 2011 Audi A8L model.

2011 R8 4.2 quattro and 2011 R8 4.2 quattro Spyder | Pricing and highlights
Following the highly acclaimed introduction of the Audi R8 5.2 quattro Spyder in August, Audi released pricing for the Audi R8 4.2 quattro Spyder. The base MSRP for the V8 version of the Audi convertible supercar is $127,700 (excluding $1,275 destination charge, taxes, title,options, and dealer charges).

Audi also released dramatic pricing news for the 2011 Audi R8 4.2 quattro. The V8 engine in the 2011 Audi R8 produces 430 horsepower, 10 more horsepower than 2010 models provided. But Audi maintained the MSRP on the car at the 2010 base price of $114,200 (excluding $1,275 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges).

Both V8 versions of the Audi R8 supercar will be available in late 2010.

Standard / Optional equipment highlights:
New standard equipment: Bluetooth® mobile phone prep with seatbelt microphone.
– New optional equipment: Titanium Sport Package for R8 Coupes; Enhanced Black Leather Package; Audi Carbon Ceramic Brakes; perforated leather wrapped multifunctional sport steering wheel.

2011 Audi TT quattro Coupe and Audi TT quattro Roadster | Pricing and highlights
The 2011 Audi TT quattro Coupe and Audi TT quattro Roadster arrive early next year in the U.S. market with a range of mid-cycle product improvements. Among the enhancements are higher engine output to 211 horsepower (+11hp) and 258 lb-ft torque (+51 lb-ft), plus Audi Valve lift System (AVS) engine technology.

The base MSRP of the 2011 Audi TT quattro coupe is set at $38,300 when it arrives in the U.S. next year, while the base MSRP of the 2011 Audi TT quattro Roadster is $41,300 (prices exclude $875 destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges).

Design highlights:
– Standard S line® bumpers, new radiator and fog lamp grille design, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, new 18-inch wheels and dual exhaust pipe configuration.
– Five new exterior colors: Volcano Red metallic; Scuba Blue metallic; Oolong Gray metallic; Dakota Gray metallic; Misano Red pearl effect.
– Four new interior colors: Titanium Gray, Magma Red, Nougat Brown.

Engine/Drivetrain highlights:
– All-new 211 hp 2.0 TFSI® engine with Audi Valvelift System (AVS) resulting in more power, torque and improved fuel economy.
– As standard equipment, Audi magnetic ride feature now includes the new‘Sport’ button program which dynamically compliments Audi magnetic rideadaptive suspension damping with adjustments of steering and exhaust sound based on driver input.

Standard / Optional equipment highlights:
– Auto dimming interior mirror and light and rain sensors as standard equipment
– Power seats are standard equipment
– Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights are standard equipment
– Heated fine Nappa Leather seating surfaces and Audi parking system rear now standard equipment for Prestige models; heated seats available stand alone option (Premium Plus model)
– Optional Navigation Plus w/ 6 CD changer or Audi Music Interface (Premium Plus model)
– New optional wheels for Premium Plus and Prestige models