Autoblog

Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)!

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

Audi A3 1.6 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has kicked off its latest efficiency marathon in northern Norway this week with a fleet of A3, A4, A5, Q7 and TT models to demonstrate what they can do in the real world. Leading the pack in terms of minimal fuel consumption is the new A3 1.6 TDI. On the road in Norway in the opening stage, the drivers managed to squeeze out an astounding 78.4 mpg average from the 1.6-liter diesel engine. Next up was the A4 2.0 TDI e sedan, which went an average of 60.3 miles on every gallon (U.S.) of diesel.

In addition to the high efficiency models, Audi also opted to include several high performance models this time around to show that even they can get very good fuel efficiency when driven sedately. The 340-horsepower TT-RS averaged 32.22 mpg, while the utterly absurd Q7 V12 TDI with its 500 horsepower diesel V12 managed a startling 27.03 mpg. That's nearly as good as what we achieved with the V6-powered Q7 TDI on last year's U.S. Mileage Marathon, so it's not too shabby for a big SUV that would probably pull a house off of its foundation

Gallery: Audi Efficiency Marathon A to B

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)!

Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TiVo Alert: Audi TDI clean diesels to be featured on "How It's Made"

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Audi, Diesel

2009 Audi Q7 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Time to fire up the TiVo. Tomorrow night, the Science Channel will debut a new episode of "How It's Made" that features the Audi TDI clean diesel engine range. What's the big deal, haven't diesels been around since the death of the dinosaurs? Well, sorta. While they still share the same basic architecture that Rudolph Diesel invented all those years ago, today's modern diesel powerplants are a far cry from the old smoke belching, shake-themselves-to-pieces lumps of yore.

The actual engine featured in the segment will be Audi's 3.0-liter TDI V6, which puts out 225 horsepower and a whopping 406 lb-ft of torque in the engine bay of the 2009 Q7 TDI while still maintaining class-leading fuel efficiency. Soon the German automaker will introduce its second clean diesel-powered vehicle here in the States in the form of the 2010 A3 TDI, which you can read about here.

Anyone interested in what goes into building a modern diesel powerplant will want to tune in to the Science Channel at 9pm (Eastern and Pacific). Click past the jump for the press release.

NOTE: BMW North America contacted us to correct the statement that the Audi Q7 TDI offers class-leading fuel efficiency. With an EPA mpg rating of 17 city/25 highway, the Q7 TDI is bested by the BMW X5 xDrive35d at 19 city/26 highway. The BMW's 3.0-liter diesel is also more powerful with 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque.

Gallery: Audi Q7 4.2 TDI

Continue reading TiVo Alert: Audi TDI clean diesels to be featured on "How It's Made"

TiVo Alert: Audi TDI clean diesels to be featured on "How It's Made" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Clarkson on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI: It's crap and it's brilliant!

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Green, Audi, Celebrities, Diesel

Audi Q7 V12 TDI - Click above for a high res gallery

Last year, Audi announced the most insane version of its Q7 SUV yet in the form of the Q7 V12 TDI. The V12 is an all-new diesel engine that, for now at least, only has a home in the Q7, but at some future date, it may appear in some other VW group products (think: Bentley). The V12 produces 500 hp and a ridiculous 758 lb-ft of torque, enough to get the 2.5-ton SUV to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds.

While Audi has said it has no plans to bring the V12 Q7 TDI to America, Top Gear mouthpiece Jeremy Clarkson got to try one out and came away with mixed feelings. Like many people, Clarkson is no fan of the Q7's looks and thinks the whole premise of the vehicle is ridiculous. On the other hand, brute force does have a way of twisting people's opinions and this big Audi proves to be no exception.

Generally, any sporting motorcycle can leave a four-wheeled conveyance in the dust. Apparently, this Q7 is the exception, as Clarkson was supposedly able to keep pace with Top Gear co-host Richard Hammond on a Suzuki Hayabusa. Even with all this power, the V12 TDI is still rated at 21 mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle. In Clarkson's own words, "Mad. Bonkers. Stupid. [...] It's crap. But it's brilliant too." Too bad they canceled the R8 with this engine.

Gallery: 2008 Audi Q7 V12 TDI quattro

[Source: The Times of London]

Clarkson on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI: It's crap and it's brilliant! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2009 Audi Q7 TDI priced at $50,900

Michael Harley — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Audi

2009 Audi Q7 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Touted as the world's cleanest diesel SUV, Audi has announced pricing on its 2009 Audi Q7 TDI will start at $50,900 (plus $825 for destination charges). Dropped under the hood of the 50-state model is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel that is rated at 221 horsepower. While that may sound a bit low for a seven-passenger SUV, the oil-burner pumps out 406 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to move 6,600 pounds of trailer, says Audi. According to the EPA, the Q7 TDI is rated at 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, giving it a theoretical 600-mile range on a road trip. The Q7 TDI is set to arrive in U.S. dealerships later this month. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

Continue reading 2009 Audi Q7 TDI priced at $50,900

2009 Audi Q7 TDI priced at $50,900 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Mileage Marathon: Day 1 down, Cleveland here we come!

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Audi

Click above for high-res gallery from day 1 of the mileage marathon

One day down, oh so many to go! Actually, only six more days for me as we prepare to leave Capitol Hill this morning on our way to hook up with Autoblog team captain and coach Mr. Neff in his hometown. Over the first day my co-driver Jason Allen from Kelley Blue Book and myself managed to cover the 250 miles from Central Park to Capitol Hill with a fuel consumption of just 28.8 mpg! Not too shabby for for a 5,400-lb SUV. Along the way we spent nearly 40 minutes covering the few miles from the Tavern on the Green to the George Washington Bridge along with a hefty backup just north of DC. For anyone that's used to sitting next to Cummins-powered Ram or Power Stroke Super Duty at light, the level of quiet and refinement in these modern diesels is just startling. This diesel Q7 actually seems quieter than the gasoline powered version. Elsewhere in the fleet there were even more impressive mileage numbers. The Audi A3 piloted by youngsters Denise McCluggage and Kate McLeod got 46.7 miles from every gallon of diesel and Todd Kaho averaged 40.1 mpg in an A4 sedan with the same 3.0 TDI that's in this Q7. Stay tuned for more updates as we head westward.

Gallery: Audi Mileage Marathon: Day 1

Our travel and lodging for this media event was provided by the manufacturer.

Continue reading Audi Mileage Marathon: Day 1 down, Cleveland here we come!

Audi Mileage Marathon: Day 1 down, Cleveland here we come! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline redefines "flagship"

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Audi

Click to view the Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline in hi-res

The Audi Q7 Coastline is not the first attempt at infusing an automobile with a nautical theme, but it very well might be the most exquisite execution we've seen to date. Forget about automotive mishaps like the Mercury Villager Nautica edition and the Plymouth Breeze, this concept rivals even the teak-decked Rolls-Royce Phantom DropHead Coupe for dockside prowess. In fact, a Maserati convertible parked at a Monte Carlo marina would be jealous. This writer, meanwhile, would be hard-pressed to upstage Alex Nunez's poetic waxing for maritime prose in his preview post, but the pearl white sport-ute makes me feel like picking up the clear-coat polish and teak oil just the same.

As you can see in our gallery of high-resolution images, Audi set up an exceptionally photogenic dedicated showroom off the Geneva show floor to showcase the 500hp V12 TDI that would be right at home in a motoryacht's engine room.

Gallery: Audi Q7 coastline concept

Geneva 2008: Audi Q7 V12 TDI Coastline redefines "flagship" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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