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Thin-film solar cells in panoramic glass roofs of Audi models: Audi and Alta Devices, a subsidiary of the Chinese solar-cell specialist, Hanergy, are working together on this development project. With this cooperation, the partners aim to generate solar energy to increase the range of electric vehicles. The first prototype is to be built by the end of 2017.

As the first step, Audi and Hanergy want to integrate Alta Devices’ thin-film solar cells into a panoramic glass roof. In the future, almost the entire roof surface is to be covered with solar cells. The electricity they generate will flow into the car’s electrical system and can supply for example the air-conditioning system or the seat heaters – a gain in efficiency that has a direct positive impact on the range of an electric vehicle.

“The range of electric cars plays a decisive role for our customers. Together with Hanergy, we plan to install innovative solar technology in our electric cars that will extend their range and is also sustainable,” stated Audi Board of Management Member for Procurement Dr. Bernd Martens.

At a later stage, solar energy could directly charge the traction battery. “That would be a milestone along the way to achieving sustainable, emission-free mobility,” continued Martens.

The green electricity will be generated by innovative solar cells. They have an efficiency of more than 25 percent, they are very thin and flexible. Furthermore they perform very well also in conditions of low light and high temperature. The solar cells are produced by Alta Devices in California.

Dr. Ding Jian, senior Vice President of Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Limited, CEO of Alta Devices, Inc. and co-leader of the Audi/Hanergy Thin Film Solar Cell Research and Development Project, said: “This partnership with Audi is Alta Devices’ first cooperation with a high-end auto brand. By combining Alta’s continuing breakthroughs in solar technology and Audi’s drive toward a sustainable mobility of the future, we will shape the solar car of the future”.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

The players from Spanish record champion Real Madrid will be driving Audi cars again in the new season. On Thursday, the football stars received their personal models in the Spanish capital city. Before the handover, the players changed from their football outfits into racing suits. In simulators, they were able to get an impression of the Audi e-tronFE04’s handling, Audi’s fully electric race car in Formula E.

Again at the very top of the wish list of many footballers, including Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić and Casemiro, is the Audi Q7 (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.6–7.2; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 199–189). 14 players in total selected the premium SUV, three of them the Audi Q7 e-tron quattro plug-in hybrid model (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 1.9–1.8; combined electricity consumption in kWh/100 km: 19.0–18.1; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 50–48). Popular as well are the sporty RS models. Coach Zinédine Zidane opted for the Audi RS 6 Avant (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 9.6; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 223), Cristiano Ronaldo and Keylor Navas for the Audi RS 7 Sportback (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 9.5; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 221). Captain Sergio Ramos will be driving an Audi R8 Spyder (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 12.5–11.7; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 292–277).

Before the handover of the company cars, the football stars performed a virtual test drive in the Audi e-tron FE04. The fully electric race car will have its first official outing at the Formula E season opener in Hong Kong (December 2/3). In addition to the players from Real Madrid, a number of fans qualified for a lap in the race simulator before the handover as well. Dani Carvajal finished as the fastest driver on the circuit inside the replica Formula E cockpit simulator.

Audi has been partnering with Real Madrid since the summer of 2003. The club won three of the most recent four Champions League titles and in 2017 was the first team to even defend the title in the premier competition.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Vorsprung durch Technik brand steps up research into synthetic fuels as project partner in new Swiss e-diesel production facility

Audi e-diesel from renewable energy, water and CO2
Planned participation in pilot facility in Switzerland

Audi is systematically building on its e-fuels strategy. Together with its partners Ineratec GmbH and Energiedienst Holding AG, the company has plans for a new pilot facility for the production of e-diesel in Laufenburg, in Canton Aargau (Switzerland). For the first time, the energy needed will be supplied from the renewable source of hydropower. The planned facility will have a capacity of around 400,000 litres (87,987 gallons) per year.

For some years now, Audi has been conducting research into climate-friendly, CO2-based fuels such as e-gas, e-gasoline (petrol) or synthetically manufactured e-diesel fuel. The company is now taking the next step in e-diesel production. “At the project in Laufenburg, thanks to a new technology we are able to handle the production of e-diesel efficiently in compact units, making it more economical. The pilot facility offers scope for sector coupling, in other words combining the energy sectors power, heat and mobility, and makes it possible to store renewable energy,” explained Reiner Mangold, Head of Sustainable Product Development at AUDI AG.

Audi e-diesel has the potential to make conventional combustion engines operate almost CO2-neutrally. To produce it, the power-to-liquid plant converts surplus hydropower into synthetic fuel. A chemical principle is applied: The green power generated on site in the hydroelectric power station produces hydrogen and oxygen from water by means of electrolysis. In the next step the hydrogen reacts with CO2, using an innovative and very compact microprocess technology. The CO2 can be obtained from the atmosphere or from biogenous waste gases and, as with all Audi e-fuels, is the only source of carbon. Long-chain hydrocarbon compounds are formed. In the final process step these are separated into the end products Audi e-diesel and also waxes, which are put to use in other areas of industry.

There are plans to produce the first quantities of e-diesel in Laufenburg as early as next year. Audi and the project partner companies Ineratec and Energiedienst AG will submit the planning application for the facility in a few weeks’ time. Construction work is to begin in early 2018.

This is now Audi’s second partnership in a pilot facility that operates according to the power-to-liquid principle. Audi has already been working together with the energy technology corporation sunfire in Dresden since 2014. There, sunfire is exploring the manufacturing of e-diesel using the above principle, but involving different technologies. The other Audi e-fuels projects include its own power-to-gas facility in Werlte, north Germany, which makes Audi e-gas – in other words synthetic methane – for the g-tron models A3, A4 and A5. The Ingolstadt carmaker is also researching the manufacture of e-gasoline (petrol) together with specialist partners.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Successful model wins in the “Large SUV” category
Important award for Audi in a competition renowned throughout Europe

Ingolstadt/Berlin, November 7, 2017 – The Audi Q5 has won the 2017 “Golden Steering Wheel” in the “Large SUV” category. Prior to the selection, readers of the German automotive trade magazine Auto Bild, its 20 European sister publications and the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag had determined nominations from the new cars presented in 2017. An international panel of experts crowned the winner from these nominations. Peter Mertens, AUDI AG Board Member for Technical Development, accepted the prize for the Audi Q5 on Tuesday evening in Berlin.

A total of 42 models competed in five categories in this year’s “Golden Steering Wheel” contest. After a Europe-wide reader survey, 20 cars made the final round and were judged by the experts: race drivers, engineers, designers, connectivity specialists, frequent drivers, critics and, not least, the editors-in-chief of all European sister publications of Auto Bild. They tested the finalists and determined which would win the coveted trophy. The Audi Q5 won through against seven other competitors in the “Large SUV” category. “The expertise and broad cross-section of opinions represented by the jury panel, as well as its renown throughout Europe, are what make the prize so coveted within our industry. The 2017 “Golden Steering Wheel” for the new Audi Q5 shows we have produced a worthy successor to the successful first generation of this SUV model line. We are proud of this prize,” said Peter Mertens at the award ceremony at the Axel-Springer-Haus in Berlin.

The new Audi Q5 was launched at the start of the year. The second generation of the best-selling Audi has established several new standards in the B segment of premium SUVs. The best drag coefficient in the competition, consistent lightweight design and modern engines ensure high efficiency, as does the new quattro drive system with ultra technology. In addition, the new Audi Q5 offers a broad portfolio of new driver assist systems, modern infotainment and connectivity equipment, and air suspension with damper control.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The new Audi RS 4 Avant (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.8; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 200-199*) unites impressive driving performance with excellent suitability for everyday use. The model made its world debut at this year's IAA trade fair in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Customers in Germany and other European countries can order the Audi RS 4 Avant from Thursday, November 2, onward. The basic price is € 79,800.

The newly developed 2.9-liter TFSI engine in the Audi RS 4 Avant delivers a completely new dimension of torque and efficiency. From 1,900 to 5,000 rpm, the V6 twin turbo sends a huge 600 Nm of torque to the crankshaft – 170 Nm more than in the previous model. With its output of 331 kW (450 hp), equating to a performance of 155.5 hp per liter, the RS 4 Avant accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, which is 0.6 tenths faster than before. The RS dynamics package increases the electronically controlled top speed from 250 to 280 km/h. In the new European driving cycle, the vehicle uses just 8.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, equivalent to 200–199 grams of CO2 per kilometer. These values represent a 17% reduction in fuel consumption compared with the previous model.

In using the 2.9-liter TFSI V6 twin turbo, Audi Sport is following up on the legendary first-generation RS 4 Avant. The RS 4 released back in 1999 was also equipped with a V6 twin turbo – the first ever highly supercharged twin turbo engine from Audi. Delivering an output of 280 kW (380 hp), the engine performs at 141 hp per liter. The first RS 4 Avant went from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Huge demand for this founding vehicle of the V6 twin turbo success story led Audi to double the original number of models planned for production. In total, the brand produced 6,030 units of the first-generation RS 4.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

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