Audi launches Australia’s most-efficient mid-size sedan
Home >
News >
Audi
28th February, 2010
- New Audi A4 2.0 TDI e is launched in Australia with consumption of just 4.8 litres/100 km
- Seven key measures combine to make it the most efficient family sedan in Australia
- Audi now offers 22 models in Australia with 7.0-litres/100 km or less
Audi Australia unleashes the most-efficient mid-size sedan in Australia with the local launch of
the new A4 2.0 TDI e model.
The Audi A4 2.0 TDI e, equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, sips just 4.8 litres of diesel
per 100 kilometres and emits a mere 124 grammes of CO2 per kilometre, making it the best value of any
vehicle in its class.
The new Audi A4 2.0 TDI e is available as a sedan only for Australian customers and is priced from
$49,900 (Manufacturer's List Price, which excludes dealer delivery fees and the various statutory
charges).
According to Immo Buschmann, Audi Australia’s General Manager Marketing, efficient and progressive
combustion engines are a clear focus for the company’s product strategy in Australia.
“While Audi has a clear focus on fully-electric vehicles for future sustainable motoring, our
mid-term philosophy is to continue reducing the consumption of our excellent combustion engines.
These engines become more efficient with every new generation, and there’s still more room for
improvement in the future,” Mr Buschmann said.
“Our TDI engines in particular are strong sellers in Australia. Audi is very committed to TDI
technology globally, and particularly for Australia. It is part of what we call ‘Progressive
Performance’ or the intelligent use of every single drop of fuel. We believe that Audi TDI technology
is the right technology for today. It is efficient, clean, carries none of the negatives of the
diesels of old and even facilitates dynamic performance.”
“This latest TDI e model clearly demonstrates our commitment to improving consumption and
performance with everyday motoring solutions,” Mr Buschmann said.
Following in the successful footsteps of the A3 1.9 TDI e, launched in Australia in May 2008, the
Audi A4 2.0 TDI e model highlights the brand’s goal to reduce consumption by at least 10 per cent
with every new model generation. In fact, Audi’s goal is to reduce overall consumption by 20 per
cent by the Year 2012.
Its Australian introduction brings the number of vehicles currently available in the Audi range
with consumption of 7.0 litres/100km or less, to a total of 22.
Michael Dick, AUDI AG’s Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development believes
efficiency is standard in every Audi.
“This latest e (efficiency) model is particularly persuasive proof that efficiency, strong
performance, comfort and driving enjoyment are not mutually exclusive,” Mr Dick said.
The new A4 2.0 TDI ‘e’ model develops an output of 100 kW and reaches 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
Top speed is a handy 215 km/h and yet fuel consumption is a very low 4.8 litres/100km.
The engine, however, is only responsible for half the fuel consumption of the vehicle, and only
a fraction of this can be optimised. This highlights the importance of examining every single
vehicle component for its potential to reduce consumption.
For the A4 2.0 TDI e, it is exactly this combined impact of several key efficiency features that
facilitate the vehicle’s extremely low consumption.
New for Australia, the standard Start-Stop system is especially effective during city driving.
In fact, around 1.5 litres/100 km can be saved with the use of start-stop in city traffic. In the
standard ‘highway’ driving cycle, the start-stop system reduces fuel consumption by some 0.2
litres/100 km, which equates to about 5 grammes CO2/km.
As soon as the vehicle comes to a stop, the shift lever is in neutral, and the driver removes
his or her foot from the clutch pedal, the system turns the engine off. The engine then turns back
on as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed.
The start-stop system functions extremely quietly, smoothly, and quickly. While the driver is
stepping on the clutch pedal to shift into first gear, the engine instantaneously returns to its
idle speed.
The A4 2.0 TDI e also features a 6-speed manual transmission with a final drive ratio that is
higher by five per cent — enabling a reduction in engine speed in each of the six gears.
The engine-management system has also been modified for maximum efficiency.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
Standard equipment also includes the recovery of braking energy. Aided by intelligent alternator
regulation, this system converts surplus kinetic energy to electrical energy during a vehicle’s braking
phases. This electrical energy is temporarily stored in the electrical system’s battery. When the vehicle
resumes acceleration, the battery supplies this stored energy to the vehicle’s network — reducing the load
on the alternator and thus saving fuel.
An on-board computer with Driver Efficiency Programme is also part of the standard equipment package.
The Driver Efficiency Programme notifies the driver when it is sensible to shift gears to conserve fuel.
The on-board computer displays all fuel-efficiency data on the centre Driver Information screen, and offers
fuel saving hints while driving in real-time.
These Driver Efficiency aids, or recommendations, enable drivers to conserve fuel to the tune of 30 per
cent — simply by modifying their particular driving habits. Audi’s efficiency programme continuously
analyses the vehicle’s energy consumption and gives the driver situation-specific advice on how to optimise
fuel efficiency based on the current driving situation or driving style.
The A4 2.0 TDI e also consumes less fuel thanks to enhanced aerodynamics including additional ‘drag’
optimisations such as an underbody trim panel, the partially enclosed radiator grille, and the reduction in
ride height of 20 millimetres which is facilitated by the sports chassis.
The new Audi A4 2.0 TDI e - Summary of ‘efficiency’ measures
- Efficient TDI engine technology
- Start-Stop system
- Longer gear ratios on efficient 6-speed manual transmission
- Energy recovery system - converts kinetic energy to electrical energy
- Driver efficiency program
- Aerodynamic optimisations - underbody panel, reduced ride height and partially-enclosed radiator
- Engine management system
The ‘e’ models from Audi
The Audi ‘e’ models are particularly progressive examples of the company’s drive to reduce consumption
within its range, combining maximum efficiency with excellent dynamics.
The original Audi A3 1.9 TDI e achieved a combined fuel efficiency figure of 4.5 litres per 100 km and
a CO2 value of only 119 grammes per km with an output of 77 kW and a top speed of 194 km/h.
The Audi A6 2.0 TDI e is equipped with a 100 kW diesel engine, and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in
10.3 seconds, with a top speed of 208 km/h. Average fuel consumption is only 5.3 l/100 km.
The A8 2.8 FSI e, with its 154 kW V6 on average consumes only 8.3 litres of fuel, making it the most
efficient petrol engine in the luxury class. With the launch of the brand new generation Audi A8, the 3.0
TDI version will be the most efficient luxury sedan with consumption of just 6.0 litres/100 km.
Audi plans to continue the expansion of its ‘e’ model line in the near future and continue to put its
modular efficiency technologies into production cars, such as Start-Stop and energy recuperation to name
a few.
By the year 2012, the brand with the four rings will once again have significantly reduced CO2
emissions while continuing to hone its sporty, elegant profile.
|
