Autoblog

Audi confirms four new TDI diesel models headed for US

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Crossover, Audi, Diesel

Audi has thrilled the diesel fanatics among us this afternoon, by announcing its intentions to show a whopping five TDI diesel-empowered vehicles (four new) at the upcoming LA Auto Show. TDI versions of the Audi's A6, A7, A8 sedans and its Q5 crossover will be new additions to the automaker's US arsenal, while the Q7 TDI will continue as well. The news isn't completely unexpected, as we received confirmation previously that the A6, A8 and Q5 were all on the way with diesel, but the A7 receiving the engine is news, as is the reveal and on-sale timing. Our previous report indicated that the A4 would also be coming over with TDI motivation, but the Audi announcement makes no such promises.

All of the models in question will be making room for Audi's 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel under their hoods. The powerplant makes some 240 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, and is estimated to return 24 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway when installed in the A8. The Q7 is good for 19/28 city/highway mpg.

The A8 TDI will be the first of the new diesels to become available in the 2014 model year, with that executive sedan being offered for sale in the spring of 2013. The A7, A6, and Q5 TDIs will roll into dealerships in the fall of next year, and the Q7 TDI is, of course, on sale right now for a stating price of $52,000.

Feel free to scroll down to read Audi's own press release for just a tiny bit more detail on the announcement, and stay tuned for our LA coverage, as well.

Continue reading Audi confirms four new TDI diesel models headed for US

Audi confirms four new TDI diesel models headed for US originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi pumps out new twin-turbo TDI 3.0L V6 [w/audio]

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Audi, Diesel

If you're in the market for a new car and diesel's among the options you'd consider, your local Audi showroom should be among your first destinations. The German automaker has made burning oil a cause célèbre right up there with Quattro all-wheel drive, but it's not about to sit on its proverbial laurels and let the competition catch up. To that end, Audi has just announced its most powerful V6 TDI yet.

Called the BiTDI, the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder twin-turbo-diesel packs 313 metric horsepower (309hp on our scale) and a whopping 480 pound-feet of torque. It's being rolled out initially in the UK on the A6 (sedan, Avant wagon and Allroad high-rider) and A7 Sportback, but we're told to expect its arrival soon as an option on the Q7 crossover.

In the A6 sedan, the BiTDI is said to be good for a 5.1-second dash to 62 mph, with top speed (as per usual) limited to 155 mph while returning a 44.1 mph rating on the combined UK cycle. But if that's not full enough a package for you, Audi has also fitted a sound actuator to give its throaty new diesel the exhaust note you'd expect from a hi-po gasoline engine. But you don't have to take our word for it - just click through the jump to listen to a sound file of the new engine, as well as read the official press release.

Continue reading Audi pumps out new twin-turbo TDI 3.0L V6 [w/audio]

Audi pumps out new twin-turbo TDI 3.0L V6 [w/audio] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Audi, Mercedes to double-down on diesels

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel

Diesels have a tough stigma to overcome. Conventional wisdom - or just preconceived notions - characterize diesel engines as loud, slow and dirty. But even without the subsidies the fuel enjoys in Europe, diesels are starting to make an impact in the U.S. market.

Mercedes-Benz recently rolled the fifth of eight diesel models total planned over the next few years. Meanwhile Audi - based on the success of the A3 TDI (accounting for 53% of A3s sold in the U.S.) and the Q7 TDI (43%) - is planning to launch oil-burning versions of the A6 and A8 in the United States as well.

The difference comes down to improving technology (in the form of more advanced particulate filters that keep the exhaust cleaner) and increased availability of the fuel at the pump: studies found that, in 2007, 52% of gas stations in the United States were offering diesel, compared to 35% a decade earlier. Although Mercedes says it does not see the need to subsidize the purchase of diesel models, BMW - a relative newcomer to the diesel game on these shores - offers big incentives to offset the higher purchase costs of diesel models.

Rapidly advancing sales of diesel cars in the United States could, according to Bloomberg, stand to overshadow those of hybrids, whose sales have been slightly dwindling of late.

Photo copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Bloomberg]

Report: Audi, Mercedes to double-down on diesels originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Grown Up: Audi celebrates 20th birthday of TDI

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST

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

As Audi begins to roll out the A3 TDI to its U.S. dealers in the coming weeks and the diesel version of the Q7 takes an ever larger share of sales, it's time to celebrate. This Fall marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the first ever TDI engine. TDI, for the uninitiated, stands for turbocharged-direct-injection, and refers to modern diesel engines from the Volkswagen group. Today's TDI technology has evolved from the 20 year-old 2.5-liter five-cylinder in the Audi 100.

Back then, the first TDI engines retained distributor type injector pumps, although the fuel was sprayed directly into the combustion chambers rather than a pre-chamber. Later, the company used something called Pumpe Düse - pump-injectors - for fuel delivery. This design integrated the high pressure pump and injector for each cylinder. These days, TDI uses common rail injection where a single pump pressurizes a single fuel rail that feeds all of the injectors. Regardless of the injector type, TDI has gone a long way towards improving the power output and reducing emissions of diesel engines. Audi and Volkswagen have built over five million TDI powerplants and remain committed to the technology. Congratulations on the double-decade milestone, guys.

Gallery: Review: Audi A3 TDI

Continue reading All Grown Up: Audi celebrates 20th birthday of TDI

All Grown Up: Audi celebrates 20th birthday of TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Three For Three: Guiness Record Driver aims to pilot Audi A3 across three continents in three days

Noah Joseph — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi

Pattner receives the keys in Ingolstadt - Click above for a high-res image gallery

There are road trips and there are road trips. This one is a fine example of the latter. With an endless roster of driving records under his belt, German auto journalist Gerhard Plattner is gearing up to drive on three continents in just three days, in the process setting yet another world record. His weapon of choice? An Audi A3 1.9 TDI, which the German automaker enthusiastically handed over just the other day.

This will hardly be the first time Plattner has set new records in a Four-Ringed car, as he already set the record for driving around the world in an Audi S2 way back in 1991, a record that still stands to this day. Known by some as "the most versatile driver in the world", Plattner has covered some 7 million kilometers (4.3 million miles) in his career, but this could be the most daunting challenge yet. Together with co-pilot Franz Doppler, Plattner will be driving on three continents - Asia, Africa and Europe - in three days.

Rather than taking the shortest route (from Egypt, along the Mediterranean coast through Israel and Syria and up into Turkey), the German duo will start in Morocco, cross the Gibraltar into Spain, across Spain, Italy, through the Alps, across the Balkans and on to Istanbul. The tour kicks off on June 8 and is scheduled to end on June 11, so stay tuned, and check out the images below and details in the press release after the jump in the meantime.

Gallery: Gerhard Plattner Receives Audi A3 for 3-Continent Tour

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Three For Three: Guiness Record Driver aims to pilot Audi A3 across three continents in three days

Three For Three: Guiness Record Driver aims to pilot Audi A3 across three continents in three days originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All Torque, No Action: Audi reportedly cancels R8 TDI

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Audi, Diesel

Audi R8 TDI Le Mans concept - Click above for a hi-res image gallery

If anyone could have done a diesel supercar, it would have been Audi. After achieving utter domination in Le Mans racing with its R10 TDI, the German automaker unveiled two successive turbodiesel concept versions of the R8 supercar at the Detroit show and then at the Geneva salon in 2008. But after whetting our appetites for an oil-burning supercar with instant power delivery and endless reserves of torque, Audi has reportedly canceled development of its R8 TDI program.

Apparently, the R8 was not originally designed to accommodate the company's enormous V12 turbodiesel engine, and re-engineering the car was proving far too costly for Audi to justify under these financial circumstances, especially when the American market, which accounts for 1/3rd of R8 sales, is marred by diesel prices that are higher than gas. Fortunately Audi's already given us the 5.2-liter V10 FSI and has the convertible version in the works, but a diesel R8 just isn't in the cards.

Gallery: Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

Gallery: Audi R8 TDI Le Mans

[Source: Auto Express]

All Torque, No Action: Audi reportedly cancels R8 TDI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 May 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next Bentley Arnage to feature Audi turbo-diesel

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Green, Audi, Bentley, Rumormill

Bentley Arnage Final Series - Click above for high-res gallery

Bentley has long been rumored to be considering the use of diesel engines. The torquey oil-burners would enable Crewe to continue offering the kind of freight-train muscle for which it has become known while living up to the mandate of offering improved fuel economy, and, with the latest developments in particulate filter technology, reduce carbon emissions, as well. The company's marriage to Audi, which has carved out a nice niche for itself in diesel propulsion, seems to be a match made in motor heaven, and now reports suggest that, at long last, the marriage is set to be consummated with the next Arnage sedan.

According to the latest output from the ever-churning rumor-mill, the replacement for the aging Arnage will employ a version of the V12 turbo-diesel used in the current Audi Q7 TDI. With 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, the twelve-cylinder oil-burner would prove an ideal power-plant for the big saloon, and could get an even higher output version to join the half-century-old 6 ¾-liter V8 found in 530-horsepower trim in the current Brooklands, all while Bentley continues to toy with ethanol-burning variants of its W12 as previewed in the Continental Supersports show car unveiled just days ago at the Geneva Motor Show and Her Majesty's State Limousine.

Gallery: Bentley Arnage Final Series

[Source: 4wheelsnews]

REPORT: Next Bentley Arnage to feature Audi turbo-diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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On Again, Off Again: Winterkorn suggests Bentley diesel

Noah Joseph — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Bentley

Bentleys are known, among other things, for their train-like torque delivery. But while Bentley has toyed with the idea of an oil-burning engine for its big saloons, the idea was ultimately rejected by the luxury automaker due to low market interest. However, Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Bentley's parent Volkswagen Group, has now suggested that diesel engines could make it under the Flying B bonnet after all.

Although previous reports placed one of the group's big V10 or V12 turbodiesels in a potential Bentley model, Winterkorn suggests something decidedly more compact. Namely, a twin-turbo version of the company's 3.0-liter TDI V6, currently under development for sister-company Audi's range-topping new A8. That may be a far cry from the Jurassic-era 6.75-liter V8 pictured above and currently found in the Arnage/Azure/Brooklands or the twin-turbo W12 in the Continental range, but Winterkorn appears more eager to lead the market than follow it.

[Source: AutoCar via AutoblogGreen]

On Again, Off Again: Winterkorn suggests Bentley diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi hitting the road in cross-country diesel Mileage Marathon

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Audi, Event Alert

Click for a high res gallery of the mileage marathon vehicles

It's been a few years since Audi sold diesel-powered cars in the U.S., but that's about to change. After three years of showing what diesel is capable of at Le Mans and in the ALMS, Audi will introduce a diesel-powered Q7 TDI sometime in early 2009. Before that happens, Audi wants to show America what kind of mileage its diesel lineup gets in the real world. To do so, the German automaker has assembled a fleet of 23 vehicles including the coming Q7, the Q5, A4 and A3. Currently the Q7 is the only Audi diesel announced for the U.S. although the company has acknowledged that it's considering other models. A motley collection (aren't all groupings of journalists motley?) of 184 journalists and guests from around the world have been invited to drive the fleet across the continent from New York to Los Angeles in four legs with the goal of seeing who can get the best real world mileage. Among that collection will be several members of the Autoblog and AutoblogGreen teams, including yours truly. The Mileage Marathon kicks off on Oct. 6 in Manhattan and hits the city of angels two weeks later. We'll bring you live reports from the road as we wind across the country, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Audi Mileage Marathon

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hitting the road in cross-country diesel Mileage Marathon

Audi hitting the road in cross-country diesel Mileage Marathon originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3-liter Audi diesel confirmed for Porsche Cayenne

Noah Joseph — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Green, Audi, Porsche

Many will cringe at the idea of a diesel-powered Porsche, but since Stuttgart rolled out its first SUV, we've all had a while to get used to the idea. Although previous speculation held on to hopes that Porsche might employ a more powerful 3.2-liter oil-burner, reports now indicate that the Cayenne diesel will employ Audi's 240-horsepower 3.0-liter TDI V6.

Expect the diesel Cayenne to debut next March, following a probable launch at the 2009 Geneva auto show.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

3-liter Audi diesel confirmed for Porsche Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Did we say 50/50? Audi R8 V12 TDI not coming, 4.2 V8 TDI instead

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Europe, Supercars, Audi

Click above for high-res gallery of the R8 V12 TDI Le Mans

When we heard that there was a 50/50 chance Audi would be offering a production version of its R8 V12 TDI LeMans concept, our interest was piqued. The thought of 737 pound-feet of torque rippling the pavement behind the mid-engined R8 supercar will, unfortunately, remain but a fleeting fantasy in our power-hungry dreams. According to Michael Dick, Audi's head of production, the V12 TDI is not slated for production. That's the bad news... the good news, though, is that there is a coming diesel engine option in the form of Audi's 90 degree 4.2-liter TDI V8. In the Q7 SUV, that engine produces 326 horsepower with torque registering in at 550 pound-feet. While it's no V12, we'll happily take whatever oil burner Audi wants to throw our way. Thanks for the tip, Christian!

Gallery: Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

[Source: GT Spirit via German Car Blog]

Did we say 50/50? Audi R8 V12 TDI not coming, 4.2 V8 TDI instead originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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