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
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE
Ingolstadt, 2009-09-25 Efficiency Challenge A to B: Audi demonstrates outstanding efficiency
- New Audi A3 1.6 TDI with consumption figures around three litres
- Impressive results from high-performance models, too
- Long-distance tour through Europe with 20 models from the Audi range
On its very first outing under real-life traffic conditions, the Audi A3 1.6 TDI is already turning in impressive consumption figures. With a top mark of 3.0 litres per 100 kilometres, the latest version of the successful model came in well below its already excellent nominal consumption of 3.8 litres, equating to CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. The other models of the Audi range also shone on the first three days of the "Efficiency Challenge A to B", which covers 4,182 kilometres from A on the Norwegian Lofoten Islands to Bée in northern Italy.
A total of 120 journalists and brand customers are taking part in the tour in 20 cars from across 5 model ranges. The interim results after the first three days offer clear evidence of the outstanding efficiency of the entire Audi product range. Alongside the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI, the Audi A4 2.0 TDI e turned in an exceptional best-of-day result of 3.9 litres. A further new model, the Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI, also covered the route through Norway with a best consumption figure of 4.9 litres.
Efficiency is standard fit in every Audi – which is why the sporty top-of-the-range models are also taking part in the Efficiency Challenge – with similarly impressive results. The powerful 245 kW (333 hp) Audi S4 achieved a best figure of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres, and even the top model from the TDI range, the 368 kW (500 hp) Audi Q7 V12 TDI, sipped only 8.7 litres.
The best-of-day results from the individual models on the first wave:
A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI - 3.0 l S3 Sportback - 7.0 l
A4 2.0 TDI e – 3.9 l S4 – 7.7 l
A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI – 4.9 l A5 Sportback 3.2 FSI quattro – 7.5 l
Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro – 7.9 l Q7 V12 TDI – 8.7 l
TT 2.0 TDI – 4.9 l TT RS – 7.3 l
On tour under everyday traffic conditions
The phrase "driving from A to B" also stands for everyday mobility – for that multiplicity of individual transportation that everyone takes for granted. In recent days, Audi has been taking this quite literally – with the "Audi Efficiency Challenge A to B". The journey began in northern Europe, in the Norwegian village of Å on the Lofoten Islands and travels through eight countries all the way to northern Italy, to Bée on Lago Maggiore.
The tour has been split into three waves of three days each – the first runs from Å to Trondheim in Norway, the second to the German capital of Berlin and the third ends at the ultimate destination, the village of Bée above Lago Maggiore. Along the way, the tour offers a diverse range of roads and landscapes; it wends its way along the coastal roads of Norway, as well as the autobahns of Germany. Impressive cities like Oslo, Copenhagen and Prague are also on the itinerary, as are the heights of the Alps. The Audi Efficiency Challenge ends on 30 September 2009.
Leading role in efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, Audi holds the leading role among the premium car makers – right now, 32 models emit less than 140 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The latest version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI, with only 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre, is celebrating its world premiere on the "A to B" and can now demonstrate its efficiency under real-life traffic conditions. The A4 2.0 TDI e with its 100 kW (136 hp) 2.0 TDI emits only 119 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This excellent performance is in no small part due to Audi's modular efficiency platform, which brings together a broad portfolio of highly effective technologies. Audi is applying these new solutions, such as the recuperation, in a variety of ways across its entire model range.
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