The north-south trans-European Audi efficiency challenge ended late this week and the 120 customers and journalists covered 4,200 km demonstrating how thrifty these cars can be. As expected, the A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI came out on top of the heap with an average over the full distance of 71.3 mpg (U.S.).
By the time the fleet of 20 cars and SUVs arrived in Italy, the A4 2.0 TDIe had covered the distance at an average of 53.5 mpg, excellent for a mid-sized sedan. However, Audi brought along more than just the usual high-mileage specials. The high performance TT-RS achieved 31.8 mpg. The Q7 TDI clean diesel equipped with the same after-treatment system as the U.S.-spec version averaged 29.4 mpg, similar to what we achieved a year ago on the U.S. mileage marathon. The biggest surprise was the 500 hp Q7 V12 TDI which got 24.8 mpg!
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE:
Ingolstadt, 2009-10-02 Audi Efficiency Challenge A to B at the finish line - efficiency in the entire model range
- New Audi A3 1.6 TDI impresses with fuel consumption of around three litres
- High performance models make their case with outstanding consumption figures
- Long-distance trip through Europe under everyday conditions with 120 participants
The Audi Efficiency Challenge A to B has crossed the finish line. After nine days and approximately 4,200 kilometres through Europe from north to south, the consumption figures bear testament to the outstanding efficiency of the entire Audi range. The brand's new "paragon of efficiency" is the Audi A3 1.6 TDI. With an average best-of-day figure of only 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres, it stayed considerably below the already excellent nominal consumption of 3.8 litres, equating to CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. "The outstanding consumption figures achieved on the Efficiency Challenge demonstrate that efficiency is a standard feature in every Audi", commented Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management of
AUDI AG for Finance and Organisation, speaking from the finish line in Bée. "The Audi Efficiency Challenge is clear proof of our Vorsprung durch Technik," said Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development.
The Audi Efficiency Challenge drove with 20 cars from five model ranges on the proverbial trip from A to B that, in fact, went from Å on the Norwegian Lofoten Islands to Bée in northern Italy. A total of 120 brand customers and international journalists took part in the tour.
Of each participating Audi model, there were two technically identical vehicles on the grid. Teams of two drove against each other to achieve the best daily fuel consumption.
With a mix of country roads, motorways and city traffic, the participants made the efficiency drive under everyday traffic conditions in nine one-day legs through eight European countries, delivering along the way powerful proof of the excellent efficiency of the entire Audi range. "The outstanding consumption figures achieved on the Efficiency Challenge demonstrate that efficiency is a standard feature in every Audi. Because a vehicle focused specifically on optimum use of energy is the basis for efficient driving," commented Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Finance and Organisation, speaking from the finish line in Bée. "But they also show that the driver has a huge impact on efficient driving."
With the Efficiency Challenge, Audi clearly demonstrated its leading role in TDI technology. Alongside the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI, the Audi A4 2.0 TDI e also turned in an excellent average of 4.4 litres. The Audi TT TDI underscored its position as the most efficient sports car in its segment with an average consumption of 5.0 litres. And even the top model in the TDI range, the 368 kW (500 hp) Audi Q7 V12 TDI came in with an average result of 9.5 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres.
Efficiency and driving pleasure go hand-in-hand
The drivelines with petrol direct injection also proved themselves to be exceptionally efficient. The Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI achieved an average of just 5.3 litres on its journey from Norway to Italy. The 245 KW (333 hp) Audi S4 shone with a best-of-day average of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and the Audi TT RS demonstrated with an average consumption of 7.4 litres that efficiency and driving pleasure go hand-in-hand at Audi.
"The Audi Efficiency Challenge is clear proof of our Vorsprung durch Technik," said Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Technical Development. "The results demonstrate the success of the efficiency technologies that we use in all our model lines."
Efficiency comes as standard
The average of the best-of-day figures prove that efficiency comes as standard in every Audi.
A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI: 3.3 l S3 Sportback: 7.2 l
A4 2.0 TDI e: 4.4 l S4: 7.9 l
A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI: 5.3 l A5 Sportback 3.2 FSI quattro: 7.8 l
Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro: 8.0 l Q7 V12 TDI: 9.5 l
TT 2.0 TDI: 5.0 l TT RS: 7.4 l
Travelling under everyday traffic conditions
The term "driving from A to B" represents everyday mobility – the sheer diversity of individual transportation that we all take for granted, and for which the automobile has become the indispensable basis. Audi took this literally – with the Efficiency Challenge A to B. The tour began in northern Europe, in the Norwegian town of Å on the Lofoten Islands and wound its way through Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland to northern Italy – to Bée at Lago Maggiore.
The tour was divided into three waves of three days each – the first went from Å to Trondheim in Norway, the second to the German capital of Berlin, with the third ending in the ultimate destination, the village of Bée overlooking Lago Maggiore. Along its way, the tour had a diverse range of roads and scenery on offer – ranging from the coast roads of Norway to the autobahns of Germany. Impressive cities like Oslo, Copenhagen and Prague were also en route, as were the High Alps – not always ideal conditions for efficient driving, but a reflection of everyday reality.
Leading role in efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, Audi holds the leading role among the premium manufacturers – 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, celebrated its world premiere on the "A to B", and succeeded in demonstrating 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. An important factor in this impressive performance is Audi's modular efficiency platform, which brings together a broad portfolio of highly effective technologies. Audi is implementing these new solutions, such as the recuperation of electrical energy, in a variety of ways across its entire model range.
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