Audi g-tron unites ecology, economy and high-tech in groundbreaking fashion.

Not only can the Audi A3 Sportback g-tron use fossil natural gas and biomethane, it also runs on eco-friendly Audi e-gas, which Audi produces from wind energy at the world’s first ever industrial power-to-gas plant in Wertle in Emsland in the German state of Lower Saxony. This cutting-edge technology enables fluctuating energy sources such as wind and solar power to be stored on a large scale for the first time – a vital step forward for increasing renewable electricity, which is also good news when it comes to recharging the A3 e-tron, the sister model of the A3 g-tron.

The Audi A3 Sportback g-tron is equipped with an 81 kW (110 bhp) petrol engine that has been optimised for operation with natural gas, and is the first ever CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) car to be manufactured in series by the brand with the four rings. It has a bi-fuel design and is able to cover a distance of over 400 kilometres on a single tank of gas thanks to its low consumption of 3.2–3.3 kg/100 km on the NEDC cycle, and a further 900 kilometres on petrol power when no CNG filling stations are available. Running the A3 g-tron on Audi e-gas enables virtually CO2-neutral operation.

Audi e-gas is a synthetic methane gas that is manufactured using hydrogen produced by electrolysis and CO2 extracted from the exhaust-gas flow of a waste biogas plant. When Audi e-gas is produced using green electricity, exactly the same quantity of CO2 is absorbed as the Audi A3 g-tron releases in gas mode. Consequently, an A3 Sportback g-tron refuelled with Audi e-gas currently represents the most eco-friendly form of long-distance mobility.

Article source: www.audi.com

Hugely popular Audi SUV celebrates landmark sales success

• Production jubilee for mid-range SUV
• Best-selling premium SUV in its segment: nearly 1.6 million deliveries worldwide

This Thursday, the one-millionth Audi Q5 drove off the production line at Audi’s main plant in Ingolstadt. The jubilee car, an SQ5 in Sepang Blue, will be delivered to a family in Germany. The international success of the Audi Q5 began in 2008, when Audi launched this model in the segment of mid-range SUVs – the second Q-model from the brand with the Four Rings after the Audi Q7. Since then, the Audi Q5 has developed into a favourite with the customers and can be seen on the roads of more than 100 countries. Because Audi produces this top-seller also in China and India for the respective local markets, worldwide deliveries sum up to nearly 1.6 million vehicles.

 “The Audi Q5 is a genuine guarantee of success for us. For that reason, I am very proud that we have created a worldwide crowd puller with this SUV model from the main plant in Ingolstadt. One million Audi Q5 cars – that is due to the outstanding performance of our production team. We achieved it with great effort and commitment,” stated Albert Mayer, Plant Director at the Audi site in Ingolstadt.

Peter Mosch, Chairman of the Group Works Council of AUDI AG: “On behalf of the Works Council, I would like to thank all the colleagues who put our Audi Q5 on the roads. Their skills make this SUV into an absolute bestseller.”

The company handed over a total of 266,968 Audi Q5 cars to its customers worldwide last year, which is about eight percent more than in 2014 (247,446). The success of the Audi Q5 is steadily continuing, with a further increase in unit sales of 4.7 percent in the first half of this year. The Audi Q5 continues to be the bestselling premium SUV in its segment. 

Audi employees in Ingolstadt build more than 650 automobiles of this model every day. In addition, the Audi Group produces this top-seller also in Changchun, China, and Aurangabad, India, for the respective local markets. Altogether, nearly 1.6 million of the Audi Q5 have been sold worldwide since the start of production in 2008. The SUV is especially popular in China, the United States and Germany.

Audi Ingolstadt is the lead plant and mentor for the new Audi plant in Mexico. The Audi Q5 will drive off the production line in San José Chiapa for the world market as of late September. 

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Ready to configure on audi.co.uk now, with first UK examples set to arrive during November

• Q2 available to order now, priced from £22,380 OTR
• Entry-level three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI available later this year, starting at £20,230 OTR
• SE, Sport and S line specification available from launch
• Range-topping Edition #1 model separately available to order from September 2016, priced from £31,170
• Standard equipment highlights include progressive steering, Audi smartphone interface, Audi pre-sense front with pedestrian recognition, 16” alloy wheels and LED lights front and rear (S line models)
• Engines at launch comprise 150PS 1.4 TFSI and 115PS 1.6 TDI, both with manual or S tronic transmissions
• 2.0 TDI 150PS with the option of quattro AWD due in September
• Suite of class-leading technology also available from Audi virtual cockpit, Audi Phone Box and Audi connect to the head-up display and Audi side assist

The new Audi Q2 is now available to order in the UK, ushering in fresh, functional design and a bold yet familiarly premium take on the compact SUV class. Featuring a host of customisation options designed to make every model stand out from the crowd, the Q2 also incorporates a suite of Vorsprung durch Technik innovations from the full-size class with a distinct focus on connectivity and infotainment. Prices start from £22,380 OTR, with more engines and an even lower pricing point to follow shortly, including an entry level three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI and a 2.0 TDI with 190PS, the latter introducing the option of quattro all-wheel drive. From next month, Audi is also introducing an entirely new and individual specification to the line-up – the Q2 Edition #1.

Its individual and immediately eye-catching road presence is further emphasised by the three specification levels available from launch – SE, Sport and S line. Both SE and Sport models are equipped with contrasting lower bumpers, side skirts and wheel arch trims in matching Manhattan grey, while the signature S line full body colour finish further enhances its distinctive visual appeal.

The full body colour paint finish can also be separately selected as a no-cost option on Sport models, if preferred. Vibrant colour choices include the newly available Coral orange as well as Vegas yellow and Ara blue, all of which accentuate the lines of the polygon design, concave door flanks and coupé-like roof.

As the most notable exterior ident, the C-pillar blade is configurable in four different colours, depending on specification. As standard, a Manhattan grey metallic paint finish is appointed to SE (optional on Sport), Ice silver on Sport (optional on S line) and matt Titanium grey to S line. Alternatively, Ibis white C-pillar blades can also be opted for on all three specifications.

Fully equipped - SE, Sport or S line

Entry-level SE versions benefit from a raft of features as standard. Among them is the Audi smartphone interface, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displayed via the MMI screen once a phone is plugged in via USB. A Bluetooth interface is also standard, as is the MMI radio plus with MMI controller and heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors. Inlays can be chosen in white or orange as standard and in matt brushed aluminium or illuminated design (part of the LED Interior Pack Advanced) as an option. Progressive steering is also standard in the Audi Q2. Its steering rack is designed so that the steering ratio becomes increasingly direct when turning. This affords the new Q2 precise and agile steering with little effort in downtown traffic and on winding country roads. The electro-mechanically driven and thus highly efficient steering adapts its assistance to speed and works together with the optional Audi active lane assist and park assist.

Sport models gain 17-inch alloy wheels (up from 16 inches on SE), Audi drive select with five operational modes, cruise control, light and rain sensors and sport seats upholstered in cloth.

SD-card based MMI navigation is displayed via the seven-inch central screen and includes a three-month trial unlocking the Audi connect portfolio. Red or yellow inlays and optional matt brushed aluminium or illuminated inlays can be selected for the interior.

Stand-out features on S line models include the hallmark front, side and rear styling enhancements, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with LED rear lights and dynamic sweeping rear indicators, LED interior lighting and front sport seats upholstered in cloth/leather upholstery with S embossing on the backrests. A multi-function perforated leather steering wheel is also standard, featuring grey contrasting stitching and S line badging. Inlays are finished in brushed aluminium.

Stand-out features – The Q2 Edition #1

A striking newcomer coming to the top of the Audi Q2 range next month is the Edition #1, offering a host of standard equipment over the rest of the range. Finished in unique Quantum grey with contrasting lower body sections in Manhattan grey, C-pillar blades exclusively painted in brilliant black and 19-inch rotor alloy wheels in gloss anthracite black with a diamond cut rim, the Edition #1 makes an unmistakable visual impact. A black styling pack extending to the front grille, rear diffuser, exterior mirrors and single-frame grille rounds off the unique appearance. Inside, illuminated inlays in format design run across the dashboard and knee insert trim and can be lit in 10 different colours (optionally available on all other specifications). Another point of differentiation is the front sports seats which are upholstered in Fine Nappa leather and feature contrasting stitching with the addition of contrast stripes in Amaretto brown. The Amaretto brown theme continues to the design selection floor mats, kneepads and door armrests with their contrasting stitching.

Broad portfolio of driver assistance systems

Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 also come from the larger Audi models – including the Audi pre sense front with pedestrian recognition that is standard. The system recognises critical situations with other vehicles as well as pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, and if necessary it can initiate hard braking – to a standstill at low speeds. Other systems in the line-up include adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, the lane-departure warning system Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition and rear cross-traffic assist.

Connected from the outset

The Q2 is equipped with a standard MMI screen that is positioned high on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the centre tunnel. When MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is ordered, the user also gets a touchpad on the central control element. In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by natural language operation and the integrated MMI search. Furthermore, customers can use MMI touch to query the online services of Audi connect thanks to the embedded SIM card that is permanently installed in the car. A three-month free trial is activated upon delivery of the vehicle (MMI navigation is required on SE models) and can be extended after this period for three years using a flat rate data plan. The SIM card also permits roaming in most European countries. The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function. It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the MMI navigation plus system. The system then uses it for navigation.

Highly efficient engine line-up from launch

Initially available to order with a 150PS 1.4 TFSI or 1.6 TDI engine producing 115PS, buyers can opt to equip both with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic transmission (1.6 TDI S tronic available from September). The 1.4 TFSI uses Cylinder on Demand technology to reduce fuel consumption by deactivating the second and third cylinders during partial loads and when coasting. As a result, up to 54.3mpg combined is achievable, corresponding to emissions as low as 119g/km. Acceleration to 62mph takes only 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 131mph.

The 1.6 TDI is even more efficient, returning up to 64.2mpg on a combined cycle in conjunction with 114g/km of CO2. Maximum torque of 250Nm between 1,500 – 3,200rpm contributes to a 0-62mph sprint time of 10.3 seconds and a 122mph top speed.

A three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI with 115PS and a four-cylinder 2.0 TDI with 150PS will become available later in the year. As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi will also offer the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines bar the 1.0 TFSI (standard for the 2.0 TDI).

From mid-2017 a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine allied exclusively to quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic transmission will be introduced, and at that point it will also be possible to combine the 150PS TDI and TFSI engines with quattro drive.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Major milestone reached in rigorous Audi testing programme

• 12 years of a car’s life replicated in just 19 weeks of testing
• 100th car in the Ingolstadt corrosion and aging test is an Audi A4
• Sylvia Droll, Head of Materials Engineering at AUDI AG: “Endurance test exemplifies our high quality requirements worldwide"

Ingolstadt, August 2, 2016 – Audi Quality Assurance has conducted its 100th ‘INKA’ test – on an Audi A4. The Ingolstadt corrosion and aging test is one of the toughest assessments a car has to go through at Audi. Performed at the Audi global headquarters, it simulates the challenges of 12 years of a car’s lifetime in a span of just 19 weeks. Quality Assurance uses this method to verify an Audi's effective corrosion protection and durability.

In the course of performing 100 ‘INKA’ tests, Audi Quality Assurance has completed a total of 322,500 testing hours, covered more than one million kilometres (621,371 miles) and driven through 2,800 mud tests and 1,900 salt tests.

“Audi stands for superior build quality, high-quality material appearance and high reliability – even many years after a car is first registered,” explains Sylvia Droll, Head of Materials Engineering. “The INKA test is an essential tool for assessing the quality of our models and for further optimising our production methods.”

The endurance test covers five phases. First the car is misted with salt in a climatic chamber at 35 degrees Celsius. Next it is exposed to a tropical climate of up to 50 degrees Celsius and maximum air humidity of 100 percent. In phase three, 80 halogen metal vapor lamps, each with an output of 1,200 watts, heat the body to a maximum of 90 degrees Celsius. In the process, the colours in the interior must not fade and the materials must not become brittle.

The fourth phase simulates winter-like conditions at the polar circle. At minus 35 degrees Celsius, a four-post hydropulse machine rocks the car to simulate the body torsion and strain on parts of the vehicle and engine mounts that cars endure on rough roads. In parallel – phase five – test drivers repeatedly drive through specially prepared routes on the open testing grounds.

A total of 12,000 kilometres (7,456.5 miles) are travelled with each model, including driving through saltwater and mud. At the end of the test, the quality inspectors dissect the entire car into around 600 individual parts and check these for weak points.

Audi Quality Assurance conducted the first INKA tests in 2002. Technical Development has been assessing pre-series cars using the same test method for 40 years now.

A video detailing the various processes involved in the INKA test on a Q7 model can be viewed, downloaded at up 1080p or embedded via this link: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/audimediatv/video/extreme-conditions-for-the-audi-q7-the-inka-test-1336

Article source: www.audi.co.uk