Audi Named Best Luxury Brand for Total Cost of Ownership by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Audi today announced that it is the recipient of three inaugural Total Cost of Ownership awards from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, including Best Luxury Brand overall. The 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards honors the vehicles and brands with the projected lowest average Total Cost of Ownership during the initial five-year ownership period. The awards were presented today to Audi of America by Vince Nelson, executive vice president of analytic insights for Kelley Blue Book, at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, and included:

• 2012 Audi – Total Cost of Ownership: Luxury Brand 
• 2012 Audi A5 – Total Cost of Ownership: Luxury Car
• 2012 Audi Q7 – Total Cost of Ownership: Luxury Sport Utility

Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs and well as cost of fuel during the ownership period, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, state fees and more. Audi beat all other luxury brands in the category, including luxury makers that claim free scheduled maintenance.

The seven-passenger Audi Q7 exceeds driver and passenger expectations for functionality and comfort. Q7 customers have the option of a gasoline turbocharged, fuel-injected 3.0 liter TFSI engine, or a powerful yet fuel efficient V6 turbocharged direct injection TDI clean diesel engine.  The Q7 TDI achieves an EPA estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 20 mpg combined and provides a range of more than 600 miles from a full tank that holds 26.4 gallons of fuel. The Audi Q7 features a luxurious, premium interior with adjustable rear middle seats, foldable seats in the third row, and available panoramic roof. The 2012 Audi Q7 offers the most advanced Audi technologies available, including Audi connect™ with a rolling Wi-Fi® Hotspot for up to eight devices and Google Voice Local Search. The Audi music interface with iPod®/iPhone® connectivity ensures user friendly perusing of play lists and song titles via the Audi MMI® system. A full complement of airbags, including Sideguard® head curtain airbags for all three rows of seats ensures passengers stay safe.

The 2012 Audi A5 is available in Coupe and Cabriolet models and offers drivers and passengers exceptional performance and safety.  The A5 is equipped with the award-winning Audi 2.0L TFSI® engine, a fuel-sipping, yet torque-laden powerplant that generates 211 hp at 4,300 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. The Coupe offers the choice of a precise six-speed manual transmission or an available Tiptronic® eight speed automatic transmission, while the Cabriolet model comes standard with an Audi FrontTrak® front-wheel drive, multitronic® continuously variable transmission, with a Tiptronic eight-speed available on quattro® models.  The 2012 Audi A5 – known for its award-winning design and distinctly Audi interior and exterior – features unmistakable LED daytime running lights and an ergonomic interior designed around passenger comfort.  Available driver convenience technologies, such as Audi MMI® Navigation plus, Audi MMI Radio plus, and Audi music interface, add pure enjoyment to the driving experience.  A full complement of airbags and electronic stability control ensures passengers stay safe.

For more information on award-winning Audi vehicles, please visit Audiusa.com.

ABOUT KELLEY BLUE BOOK'S TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP AWARDS
2012 marks Kelley Blue Book's inaugural Total Cost of Ownership Awards.  The 2012 Total Cost of Ownership Awards honors the vehicles and brands (luxury and non-luxury) with the lowest average Total Cost of Ownership during the initial five-year ownership period. 

Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership is developed using Kelley Blue Book® Residual Values to calculate depreciation costs.  Depreciation plays the largest role in Total Cost of Ownership, followed by the cost of fuel during the ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book calculates total ownership costs for new vehicles by applying a sophisticated valuation methodology along with critical financial data from third-party providers.

By reviewing the Total Cost of Ownership for vehicles on their consideration list, consumers can better understand the overall financial implications associated with vehicle ownership through the initial five-year ownership period.  Kelley Blue Book's Total Cost of Ownership data is available on www.kbb.com, and features easy-to-understand charts and graphs to help car shoppers make informed purchase decisions by breaking down the typical ownership costs for a particular vehicle, including depreciation, expected fuel costs, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, state fees and more.  

ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2011, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016, AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

SOURCE Audi of America, Inc.