The Lamborghini Urus Is Basically an Audi A4 With a More Expensive Engine

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s not unusual for automakers to use one platform across multiple vehicles. Some platform siblings are no-brainers. Others are surprising combinations. The Lamborghini Urus SUV and Audi A4 sedan may seem to have little in common at first glance, but inside, these two cars share more than just a platform.

The Urus is the least expensive Lamborghini model

Lamborghini Urus | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

The Urus is the cheapest Lamborghini model starting at a cool $222,004. Car and Driver says this is the quickest SUV it has ever lap tested at Virginia International Raceway. This hulking SUV accelerated from zero to 60 in 3.1 seconds and completed the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at speeds of up to 121 mph.

The Audi 4.0-L twin-turbo v8 under the Urus’ hood puts out 641 hp. In addition, this five-passenger Lamborghini can tow up to 7,000 pounds, not a feature the brand is known for. All-wheel-drive gives the SUV some off-road proficiency. The Urus offers quick steering and neat cornering at high speed on the trail or the open road.

This SUV may not be the most practical SUV for the typical family. Its near quarter of a million-dollar price tag isn’t the only reason why. It also gets dismal gas mileage. The EPA estimates that the Lamborghini Urus gets 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway.

The A4 and Urus share a platform and more

Audi and Lamborghini are both owned by the same company, Volkswagen Group. That parent company owns the MLBevo platform, which is the basis for the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q8, Bentley Bentayga, and the A4. The platform is also shared with the E-Tron, A6, and Q5.

Inside the dramatic cabin of the Lamborghini Urus sits the same 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system used in the Audi A4. In addition, this system features Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, available voice command, navigation, Sirius XM Satellite radio, in-car WiFi, and two USB ports for charging devices and staying connected.

The futuristic reconfigurable digital cockpit gauge cluster adds to the Urus’ jet cockpit feel. In the A4, it reflects luxury. On the surface, these two vehicles seem worlds apart, but their interiors are shockingly similar. Once the initial surprise wears off, it’s obvious that the price difference between an A4 and a Urus is not about the touchscreen.

Audi’s A4 delivers a lot of luxury for its price

A black Audi A4 four-door sedan
Audi A4 | National Motor Museum/Heritage Images via Getty Images

For the starting price of $40,145, the Audi A4 brings a lot to the table. It’s slower than its platform sibling, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 4.8 seconds. It’s powered by a smaller, 2.0-L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that puts out 261 hp.

The A4’s interior feels more expensive than it is. Features like keyless entry, wireless charging pad, and a memory driver’s seat all add to the high-end feel. Nevertheless, this compact luxury sedan received an NHTSA 5 star overall safety rating. Its rollover safety scores were perfect, and it fared well in front and side collision testing.

Both the Audi A4 and Lamborghini Urus have more in common than meets the eye. It’s a credit to the A4 that it shares many interior features with a car that costs more than the typical house. However, it’s also a detail that makes the entry-level Lamborghini slightly approachable.

RELATED: Performance SUV Options Will Leave Sports Cars in The Dust

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You Can’t Buy a Manual Porsche 911 GT3 in California

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Porsche’s 911 GT3 is one of the most track-focused and hardcore offerings from the German brand. Generally powered by a naturally-aspirated flat-six motor, the GT3 is known for being an absolute screamer of a vehicle, revving to 9,000 RPM. In the past, if customers still wanted the performance of the GT3 with a little more streetablility, the Touring option has been there for those so inclined. Now, California says you can’t have yours. More on that in a bit. Time to learn a little about why this is such a travesty first.

The 911 GT3 Touring is Porsche perfection

911 GT3 Touring | Porsche

If you wanted a GT3 that wouldn’t snap your spine down a bumpy road, your options were limited. That is, until 2017. Beginning that year, Porsche would remove the GT3’s dining table-sized rear wing in favor of a more understated extending unit that rose from the rear deck. The German marque would also soften the suspension just a touch to make the car more palatable off-track.

Journalists loved them, especially because the Touring-spec GT3 could be had with a traditional six-speed manual transmission. For some, this is the best way to enjoy the GT car experience. Windows down, wind in hair, spine intact. Porsche expects the new Touring to be just as popular this time around. That is, save for one place: California. What’s worse, the brand was only told of this after many customers had placed orders.

Too bad you can’t have one in California

The stick-shift 911 GT3 Touring
911 GT3 Touring | Porsche

So, why won’t the Golden State let you have your fun? After all, weed is legal but a Porsche isn’t? Come on. It’s all due to a particular section of the California Code of Regulations, or CCR. The offending law speaks to a section put forth by the Society of Automotive Engineers, which helps regulate automobiles in the state. Turns out, the law is rather outdated.

Last revised in 1998, the “exterior noise criteria” states that the manual-equipped 911 GT3 is too loud. Awfully targeted given the state is plagued by straight-piped Dodge Challengers. It’s definitely a little odd, as a transmission doesn’t necessarily make a car louder. Presumably, a PDK-equipped GT3 Touring will be just as loud at full tilt. Apparently, Porsche is stuck waiting around hoping that the CCR will update the regulations to bring the Touring cars into compliance.

What does this mean for enthusiasts?

A Porsche badge, wet from the rain
The Stuttgart marque’s legendary badge | Jakub Porzycki via Getty Images

This certainly doesn’t bode well for stick-shift purists living in California. If the state thinks the GT3 Touring is too loud, wait till they hear the new V12-powered Ferrari, whenever that releases. Regulations like this are common near race tracks, but it could bode ill for the future of performance cars in the EV era.

Manufacturers have to meet tens of thousands of global regulations when bringing an entirely new car into production. Perhaps it’s inevitable that this was going to happen. Everyone makes mistakes, and maybe this one just slipped by Porsche. Regardless, we’re still waiting on comment from the brand regarding the issue with the GT3 Touring.

RELATED: The 2020 Porsche Taycan 4s Doesn’t Have Enough to Be a Tesla Killer Yet, Says Car and Driver

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When Will the 2022 Audi A3 and Audi S3 Finally Come Out in the U.S.?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

German automobile manufacturer Audi AG is one of the world’s leading producers of luxury vehicles. The Audi A3 and S3 sedans are two of the famed automaker’s greatest creations because of the combination of luxury and convenience that they provide. The wait is finally over as the specs, and release dates for both vehicles are now unveiled.

The Audi S3 | Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images

A brief Audi A3 and S3 history lesson

The original Audi A3 was manufactured and distributed in the mid-’90s. After the less than stellar sales performance of Audi’s supermini economy car, the Audi 50 in the ’70s, Audi dove back into the small car game. The nameplate has survived for decades because of the evolution of its luxury sedan.

The biggest change to the vehicle came in the form of the five-door hatchback in 2005, the second generation of the A3. The aesthetic of the vehicle transitioned from practical to sporty, and the rest is history. The Audi A3 made a name for itself because of its great handling, powerful engine options, and comfortable interior. The S3’s rise to popularity and timeline is extremely similar, making an inseparable duo.

The first Audi S3 was released about three years after the A3, in 1999. It was introduced as the A3’s cooler cousin, a more performance-focused design. Like its predecessor, the S3 really came into its own in the mid-2000s. In 2006 the second generation of the S3 was released with a more modern and exciting-looking exterior. This model year sold extremely well and signaled the rise of the A3 and S3 to the forefront of the market. Next, the A3 and S3 would emerge as premium luxury sedans.

The 2022 Audi A3

A Black 2022 Audi A3 Sedan.
The Audi A3 | Via Audi Media Center

The 2022 Audi A3 sedan will be available for purchase in America in Fall 2021. The price range is $34,945-$42,245. All trims come with a Quattro all-wheel-drive option for an extra $2000. The 2022 Audi A3 continues to offer luxury at a reasonable price.

The base model includes a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Every trim features an engine start-stop and a 48-volt hybrid system. Under the hood of the base Premium trim sits a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 201 hp. The 2022 sedan is a welcome addition to the A3 lineage, delivering a quality base model with several options to upgrade performance and tech through the Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

The 2022 Audi S3

The Audi S3 | Via Audi Media Center

The 2022 Audi S3 sedan lives up to its history of being the superior performance vehicle to the A3. Luckily for consumers, the 2022 S3 also arrives in Fall 2021 alongside the A3, according to Car and Driver. Though the S3’s base model is pricier than the 2022 Audi A3 Premium Plus, it delivers on both performance and comfort.

All-wheel drive is standard to all 2022 Audi S3 models. S3 models also include better brakes than the 2022 Audi A3 models. It uses a 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine that makes 306 hp, over 100 more horses than the A3. The Premium trim starts at $45,945. Audi’s S3 Premium Plus trim costs $48,745, and the final trim, the Prestige, will cost $52,545.

Both the A3 and S3 models have transformed completely since their creation in the late 90s when Audi was looking to break into the small vehicle market again after the Audi 50. The nameplates have each earned their own recognition and fan base. The 2022 Audi A3 and S3 will continue Audi’s rich history of producing small luxury vehicles that perform well enough to retain strong followings.

RELATED: Is the 2020 Audi RS3 Worth the Extra Money Over the Audi S3?

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GM and Stellantis Fighting in Mass. Court to Block Independent Shops From Repairing Cars

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Voters in Massachusetts last November voted for expanded access to proprietary vehicle data so independent shops could repair newer cars. Carmakers want to protect their proprietary data. They don’t want technicians outside of their pool of dealers cracking them open. Now GM and Stellantis have teamed in court to fight against allowing independents access to their technology.

GM and Stellantis have teamed to sue over the “Right to Repair” law

A customer watches as car mechanics work on a car | Ralph Orlowski/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Executives and experts have taken the stand in Boston District Court to testify. Carmakers formed the Alliance for Automotive Innovation to fight the legislation. After it passed they sued the state’s “Right to Repair” law. Though first voted into law in 2013 it greatly expanded with this latest vote. 

Manufacturers claim that expensive developments and resources were spent to create a lot of the systems in new cars. They don’t want to give access to competitors through this new law meant to address repair shops. Manufacturers go so far as to limit warranties and access to certain parts to help protect the technology.

Manufacturers would have to degrade cybersecurity controls to allow access for independent shops

Modern car service technician
Independent car repair technician runs a wireless diagnostic on a late-model Cadillac | MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images

In a brief to the court, the Alliance made arguments against giving unlimited access to vehicle information and diagnostics. They said it will “make serious cyberattacks much more likely and deadly than the attacks on the pipelines and meat processors currently in the news.” The manufacturers would supposedly have to degrade cybersecurity controls to allow access for independent repair shops.

A lot of the testimony is being conducted behind closed doors. This is due to the proprietary information being revealed according to Reuters. GM’s vice president of global security Kevin Tierney, testified earlier this week. In a statement, he said Massachusetts’ law’s “requirements run directly counter to GM’s cybersecurity approach, and would seriously compromise vehicle safety and emissions controls.”

How are the state’s lawyers defending the law?

independent car repair shop service technician
Independent service technician | Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Lawyers for the state say the measure allows car companies to create a standardized system. A third party would be assigned to authorize access by qualified, certified repair shops. Based on their oversight diagnostic system info could be disseminated. It would be similar to how locksmiths are authorized with complicated technical key information. 

But security experts for the car companies say “no way.” Putting technical vehicle information for 300 million vehicles in one central location would be extremely risky. One expert pointed out this would “become the focal point of every hacker, every ransomware hacker, every vehicle thief and crime syndicate in the world.” 

The Alliance went on to argue that there was no way a third party could provide the security necessary to keep so much data safe. 

RELATED: Overpriced Repairs? Consumer Reports Says Stay Away From These Brands

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