Sunday 17 March 2024

Electrical variability: Volkswagen starts pre-sales of the new ID.7 Tourer

Volkswagen is driving forward its major product offensive in the mid-sized class with pre-sales of the new ID.7 Tourer. Following the new ID.7 fastback saloon, new Passat and new Tiguan, the first all-electric Volkswagen estate-car is already the fourth new mid-sized model in just a few months. The business and leisure all-rounder can now be configured and ordered at prices starting at 54,795 euros. As one of just a few manufacturers, Volkswagen is present on the European market with three estate models in the important upper mid-sized class: the sporty Arteon Shooting Brake, the completely newly developed Passat Variant and the ID.7 Tourer. With this model range, Volkswagen offers all relevant drive types in the mid-sized class and thus a particularly large choice for customers. Range of up to 607 km. The ID.7 Tourer was designed specifically for the European market. At the start of pre-sales, the electric Volkswagen can be configured as the ID.7 Tourer Pro with a 210 kW (286 PS) electric drive and a battery with an energy content of 77 kWh (net). The WLTP range is up to 607 km. The ID.7 Tourer Pro has a top speed of up to 180 km/h and can take new energy on board with a capacity up to 175 kW at DC quick-charging stations. With this power, the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in about 28 minutes. Maximum use of space. With a load capacity of up to 1,714 litres, the new ID.7 Tourer is one of the most spacious electric cars on the market. Even with five people on board, a luggage compartment volume of up to 605 litres is available (rear bench seat backrest in cargo position). As the large wheelbase of 2,971 mm almost completely benefits the interior, the overall length of the ID.7 Tourer of 4,961 mm means there is above-average legroom in the rear. Extensive standard equipment. The base price of 54,795 euros includes a two-zone automatic air conditioner with intelligent vents, the infotainment system with touchscreen in tablet format (diagonal: 38 cm, 15 inches) including App-Connect Wireless for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an augmented reality head-up display, the IDA voice assistant, mobile phone interface, four USB-C interfaces, background lighting (10 colours), anti-theft alarm, seat heating in the front, luggage compartment partition net, LED headlights and LED tail light clusters, electrically folding exterior mirrors, surround lighting including logo projection via exterior mirror housings and illuminated door handle recesses, the keyless locking and starting system Keyless Access, rain sensor, black roof rails (75 kg roof load) and 19-inch alloy wheels. Assist systems on board as standard. All versions of the ID.7 Tourer are equipped with assist systems such as the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Lane Assist (lane keeping system), Side Assist (lane change system), the Car2X hazard warning system, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Rear View (rear view camera system) and Light Assist (main-beam control). Simple individualisation by means of equipment packages. The ID.7 Tourer can be customised in just a few steps by means of optional equipment packages. An example is the Comfort package: this combines features such as a three-zone automatic air conditioner (Air Care Climatronic), navigation system, inductive charging interface for smartphones and windscreen heating. The Assist System package additionally includes Connected Travel Assist (assisted driving) and innovative systems for assisted parking. The Interior package Plus includes, among other things, 30-colour background lighting, electrically adjustable ergoActive comfort seats in the front (with massage programmes and active air conditioning), seat centre panels in ArtVelours Eco microfleece in the front and on the outer rear seats, as well as a Harman Kardon sound system with a total output of 700 watts. The Exterior package Plus with Smart Glass offers a large panoramic sunroof as an innovative detail. The glass layers of this smart glass can be electronically switched between opaque or clear. Among other things, this package also includes DCC adaptive chassis control, IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, Dynamic Light Assist (main-beam control) and LED tail light clusters with dynamic turn signals. Optionally illuminated Volkswagen badges on the front and rear round off the appearance of the ID.7 Tourer. New Wellness In-Car App. The Wellness In-Car App is also completely new. This allows synchronised adjustment of various vehicle functions by means of three preconfigured programmes (Fresh Up, Calm Down and Power Break) to enhance well-being on board. Depending on the vehicle equipment, the app accesses the background lighting, sound, air conditioning, Smart Glass function, seat heating, automatic seat air conditioning and seat massage function. Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Saturday 9 March 2024

Confident off-road and on-road: The Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar

It is inspired by the world’s premier desert rally: the Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2. On the exterior, the special model’s raised chassis and the optional decals are reminiscent of the RS Q e-tron designed for the Dakar Rally and featuring an electric drive system and an energy converter. The off-road capabilities of this exclusive SUV, combined with its high and instantly available torque, are perfect for adventurous people who also want to drive off the beaten path electrically. The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 will be available to order from the end of February 2024. The base price in Germany starts at € 119,900. The Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 is based on a Q8 advanced 55 e-tron quattro3. The net battery size is 106 kWh (gross: 114 kWh) and the quattro drivetrain, with its two motors, delivers 300 kW in boost mode with a torque of 664 Nm. This means the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.8 seconds with the standard tires. With the General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires, the car reaches 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds. The range according to the WLTP is up to 483 kilometers. The top speed is limited to 200 km/h (124 mph). Compared with the base model, the electric SUV with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires has a higher ground clearance of 31 millimeters and is designed for improved handling on loose surfaces such as gravel and snow. In the base setting, the vehicle has a ground clearance of 206 millimeters. At higher speeds, the vehicle gradually lowers – by 15 millimeters at 85 km/h (53 mph), 17 millimeters at 100 km/h (62 mph), and 13 millimeters at 120 km/h (75 mph). This optimizes driving stability at high speeds for improved aerodynamics and range. In conjunction with the front angle approach of 20 degrees and the rear angle approach of 26 degrees, the electric SUV is well prepared to tackle light off-road terrain. The vehicle has a ramp angle of 19 degrees. The control strategy for the air suspension has also been revised to meet typical off-road driving requirements. The wading depth is 300 mm. Distinctive exterior accentuates sporty off-road look The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2is available in Siam Beige metallic, Mythos Black metallic, and Magnetic Gray. The Singleframe always comes in body color. The Singleframe's projection light, along with its light strip, creates a consistent connection between the headlights. The Bottom Line is finished in Mythos Black metallic, adding stability. Wider wheel arch trims at the front and rear give the Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 a confident road presence. Opening the driver's door projects "edition Dakar" onto the street with LED lights. The exclusive key cover reflects the edition Dakar2's class. Optionally, a convenience key with anti-theft alarm opens doors and the luggage compartment via wireless communication. Sensors on the door handles allow the key to lock the vehicle. The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 can be fitted with a unique decal package inspired by the legendary RS Q e-tron. Starting with the body color Mythos Black metallic, the car receives a partial embellishment. This means that the wrap uses purposeful transparencies and does not mask the entire surface, even though all exterior components are treated. The wrapped models are limited to 99 units. On the D-pillar, the special model’s serial number can be seen in frosted lettering. The edition Dakar features extensive standard equipment The comfort features of the Audi Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 correspond to those of a typical luxury model. The special edition model rolls off the production line with Matrix LED headlights and taillights as standard for precise and high-resolution road illumination. Standard equipment also includes tinted sun visors for the tailgate, rear door, and side windows. On the inside, the S line interior is now standard: This package includes deeply contoured sports seats upholstered in Dinamica microfiber and artificial leather. The vehicle also features a multifunction sport leather steering wheel, an elegant black roof lining, stainless steel pedals, and a comfort center armrest. The decorative inlays come in brushed matte aluminum, while the door sills feature aluminum inserts. The upper part of the instrument panel and the lower interior elements are finished in black artificial leather. The Audi Sport stitching package in red is available as an option. It adds contrasting accents with colored stitching on the sport seats, steering wheel, knee pads, and door armrests. The seat belts are also trimmed in red to blend in perfectly with the cabin’s sporty feel. A head-up display supplements the screens. It projects important information right onto the windshield – the projections seem to float in front of the driver. Another new feature is a display in the MMI operating system that shows information the vehicle’s tilt angle. Plus, Audi offers MMI background images on the MMI display created especially for the edition Dakar2. The panoramic glass roof enhances the interior's brightness, creating an impression of lightness and spaciousness. The glass element can be opened and closed electronically for added convenience. Audi has crafted theme worlds in the MMI display exclusively for the edition Dakar. These include MMI background images and coordinated ambient lighting. The vehicle's essence is portrayed through three scenes: from desert thunderstorms and tire tracks to a dune landscape. The Audi phone box enhances phone convenience by wirelessly connecting the driver's smartphone and charging it through inductive technology, linking it to the car antenna. The edition Dakar also includes the City and Tour assistance packages as standard features. The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 is equipped with robust features that highlight its practicality. The storage and luggage compartment package is included as a standard feature, featuring a durable luggage compartment liner and sturdy floor mats with edition lettering. Additionally, the special edition comes with a standard roof rack, capable of holding up to 40 kilograms (88 lbs.) and accommodating various items. The roof rack package includes a bag and straps for securing accessories. For added convenience, there's a second charging socket compatible with the Combined Charging System Type 2 (CCS2) to charge the high-voltage battery. The e-tron charging system provides everything adventure-seekers need to charge their vehicle, whether at home, with friends, or at a vacation home. The Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2 is delivered with eight tires. The car comes fitted with General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tires for excellent off-road resilience. The tires also ensure improved grip on a variety of surfaces including gravel, stony terrain, mountain and forest paths, and snow. The special tread pattern optimizes acceleration as well as braking and lateral control quality while also enabling the tires to efficiently self-clean, especially when driving on muddy surfaces. The Grabber AT3 tires also have excellent driving characteristics and low noise emission on asphalt roads for significantly increased driving comfort. The all-terrain tires have an M+S marking, meaning they are suitable for year-round use. A set of summer tires on 20-inch wheels in an attractive 5-V spoke S design is also included with the Q8 e-tron edition Dakar2. More light, visibility, and sound: Special features The optional ambient light package plus with six predefined color profiles stages the interior to great effect. Featuring extensive contour lights in up to 30 colors, it precisely traces the elemental lines of the interior. As an alternative to the standard two-zone automatic air conditioning, Audi offers four-zone automatic air conditioning. The system can use an optional second high-voltage heater to noticeably increase the heating power. This means that the interior warms up faster in very cold conditions, while the additional battery heater ensures that the battery is ready for charging in very low temperatures. The optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound gives the electric SUV an even greater high-end sound experience. It drives 16 speakers with 705 watts of power. The optionally available virtual side mirrors with cameras reduce the overall width of the vehicle by 15 centimeters, improving the drag coefficient. The virtual mirrors provide clearer visibility than conventional mirrors in dusty or wet off-road conditions. Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Sunday 3 March 2024

Electric all-rounder of a new era: world premiere of the ID.7 Tourer from Volkswagen

The ID.7 is the flagship among electric Volkswagen models – a progressive fastback saloon with a long range. Volkswagen is now expanding the ID.7 portfolio in Europe with an estate car: the all-new ID.7 Tourer. It is one of the first all-electric estate cars in the upper mid-sized class. Volkswagen is also represented in this class with the new Passat Variant. Both product lines complement each other and together cover all relevant drive types – from highly efficient petrol and diesel engines to plug-in hybrids with a predicted electric range of more than 100 kilometres (WLTP) and all-electric vehicles. The new ID.7 Tourer combines the emissions advantages of electric mobility with long WLTP ranges (up to 685 km), a high-quality cockpit landscape, outstanding travel comfort and superior spaciousness – making it an ideal business car. Europe-wide presales are scheduled to start in the first quarter of this year. Strong upper mid-sized class. Imelda Labbé, Member of the Volkswagen Brand Board of Management, responsible for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, says: “The new ID.7 Tourer is a perfect estate model, especially for families and long-distance drivers. With plenty of space and a high level of comfort, it impresses fully electrically with long ranges!" The ID.7 Tourer will be produced together with the ID.7 fastback saloon and the ID.4 SUV at the electric mobility plant in Emden, Germany. Electric all-rounder. The ID.7 Tourer differs significantly from the fastback saloon at the rear. The long roof line and its elegant transition to the boot lid in particular are striking design features of the electric estate. In terms of style, the Tourer is a fusion of a classic estate in the format of the Passat, and a dynamic shooting brake such as the Arteon. Thanks to the increased height at the rear, the luggage compartment volume is even larger than that of the fastback saloon: with five people on board, the ID.7 Tourer has a luggage capacity of up to 605 litres (rear seat backrest in cargo position). When loaded up to the backrests of the front seats and up to the roof, this figure rises to up to 1,714 litres. Up to 685 km WLTP range. The new ID.7 Tourer is equipped with the latest-generation electric drive system. Volkswagen will offer two different battery sizes for the ID.7 Tourer. Depending on the battery energy content, the electric touring car is expected to achieve WLTP ranges of up to 685 km. The largest battery is designed for a maximum charging capacity of up to 200 kW at DC quick-charging stations. At this power level, the battery can be recharged from 10 to 80 per cent in significantly less than 30 minutes. AR head-up display as standard. The new ID.7 Tourer will be launched with innovative technological features, including an augmented-reality (AR) head-up display equipped as standard. This projects information relevant to the journey into the driver’s field of vision, so their eyes can stay focused on the road. At the same time, the AR head-up display changes the cockpit architecture because it allows classic instruments to become compact. New Wellness In-Car app. In the new ID.7 Tourer Volkswagen is implementing premium-class comfort. This is made possible with details such as vents that are automatically operated by small control motors, and ergoActive seats with a new pressure-point massage function and automatic air conditioning. Another innovation on board is the panoramic sunroof with smart glass – here, the glass layers can be electronically switched to be either opaque or clear. The Wellness In-Car app is also completely new. This allows various vehicle functions to be adjusted by means of three preconfigured programmes (Fresh Up, Calm Down and Power Break) which can help to enhance wellbeing during the journey or breaks. Depending on the vehicle equipment, the app accesses the background lighting, sound, air conditioning, smart glass function, seat air conditioning and seat massage as well as the ID.LIGHT and the infotainment screen. Articles source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Sunday 25 February 2024

Audi Tradition at many international events in 2024

Audi Tradition is poised to participate in over a dozen international events in 2024 as the classic car season begins. Mainstays of the event calendar include the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England (July 11–14), two classic car rallies at Audi’s home sites – the Donau Classic (June 27–29) in and around Ingolstadt and the Heidelberg Historic (July 11–13) in Neckarsulm – as well as the Sachsen Classic in Dresden and Zwickau (August 15–17). For 2024, the Audi museum mobile, as always, has a varied program in store. In addition to special exhibitions on the history of aerodynamics, the museum of the brand with the four rings will continue its series of lectures and again take part in International Museum Day (May 19) and the Night of the Museums (September 7). For Audi Tradition, the 2024 event season kicks off early this winter: The Ice Race in late January in Zell am See, Austria, will be followed by the Bremen Classic Motorshow (February 2–4), where Audi Tradition will showcase a first-generation Audi RS 4 Avant at a joint booth with the Volkswagen Group brands. Visitors can head there for advice on spare parts for their classic cars. One weekend after the trade fair, Audi Tradition will be on the road in the Rockies and the Alps: An Audi 90 quattro IMSA-GTO and Michèle Mouton’s 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak will represent Audi Tradition at the Aspen Ice Race (February 8–10). The historic Histo-Monte winter rally will take place simultaneously, taking participants on the trail of the legendary Monte Carlo Rally. At the event, Walter Röhrl will pilot the Audi Sport quattro S1 E2, the original rally car he drove in the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally. Röhrl will start in Cannes and cross the Col de Turini on stages 8 and 9 before meeting the fans waiting for the four-time Monte winner and the other riders at the finish in Monaco. Two weeks later, Audi Tradition will take to the ice again at “The Ice” (February 24–25) in St. Moritz, Switzerland. One week later, at the “Amelia Car Week” (February 29 – March 3), Audi Tradition will present the Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak, in keeping with the Pikes Peak theme. There will also be several highlights for spring and summer on the Audi Tradition calendar. In mid-May, in partnership with Audi France – and with beautiful, streamlined Wanderer and Horch vehicles in tow, Audi Tradition will head to the Vintage Revival Montlhéry (May 11–12) on this circuit south of Paris. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 11–14), Audi Tradition will enter and present numerous racecars and legendary drivers from Audi’s Le Mans and rallying past. Reminiscent of Audi’s rallying era of the 1980s, Audi Tradition will join this year’s Eifel Rallye Festival (August 15–17) in Daun and treat fans and spectators to a journey back in time through the history of rallying. The International Edelweiß Bergpreis on the Roßfeld in Berchtesgaden (September 27–29) will round off the event season. In keeping with the theme “Racecars of the Stuck family”, Audi Tradition will enter an Auto Union Type C racecar with dual tires. Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Sunday 18 February 2024

Ice Race in Zell am See: Volkswagen offers a first glimpse of the new Golf R

Volkswagen started the anniversary year of the Golf in a very sporty and spectacular way at the Ice Race in Zell am See (Austria). The new Golf, which will be launched in time for its 50th birthday this year, had its public premiere at the traditional motorsport event on ice and snow. Volkswagen also provided a first impression of its sportiest model: the Golf R – camouflaged, with all-wheel drive and unmistakably R. The future flagship Golf model will celebrate its world premiere in mid-2024. The traditional Ice Race was the ideal place to celebrate the past, present and future of the sporty Golf variants. Spectacular, a bit wild, but totally down-to-earth, the track on ice and snow became the big stage. Racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck and six-time World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson showcased various Volkswagen vehicles in true style by driving at the limits. The cars included the Golf I GTI, which celebrated its premiere in 1975, and the Golf IV R32 from 2002, the forerunner of all performance variants bearing the R brand logo. Volkswagen also presented other historic exhibition vehicles: a rally version of the Golf I GTI and two rally versions of the Golf II. According to Reinhold Ivenz, Head of Volkswagen R, “Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and has stood for sportiness and dynamic performance for more than 20 years. Here at the Ice Race, the past meets the future. We can hardly wait for the Golf R, still disguised here, to celebrate its premiere this summer.” New Golf in action The new Golf was on display in Zell am See in four variants – not only as an exhibit, but also in action. Alongside the Golf R, the Golf GTI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE completed the line-up. Hans-Joachim Stuck says: “The Ice Race is a real spectacle. Other drivers would be putting on snow chains in these conditions, but for us racing drivers, this is when the fun really starts.” Stuck is a two-time Le Mans winner, former Formula 1 and sports car driver and German touring car champion. “At the Ice Race, you meet true motorsport fans and also many people who otherwise have little contact with motorsport – but go home with a lot of enthusiasm for it,” says Stuck. Johan Kristoffersson says: “I love driving a powerful all-wheel drive car on ice and snow – especially if it’s an R model.” The Swede won five of his six World Rallycross Championship titles with Volkswagen. He reveals: “It was great fun to sit in the brand-new Golf for the first time. I can only say that even though the Golf R has not yet been revealed, there is a true sports car under the camouflage that fans of the R brand can already look forward to.” About the Ice Race The Ice Race can look back on a long history that started with skijouring, a daring leisure activity pursued by Nordic and Alpine farmers who let horses pull them over the ice on skis. Skijouring became a sport, but also bolder and more spectacular: motorbikes and cars replaced the horses. In 1937, a course for this was prepared for the first time in Zell am See; the event then took place again from 1952 and became a regular motorsport spectacle until 1974. In its current form, the Ice Race is already a second revival: it was held again in 2019 for the first time since 1974. In 2024, the fourth edition of the contemporary Ice Race presented not only traditional skijouring, but also spectacular racing cars and production vehicles on ice and snow. About Volkswagen R Volkswagen R is Volkswagen’s premium performance brand and is responsible for the sportiest vehicles that complement the product range. Customers currently have a choice of five performance-boosted and enhanced production vehicles – from the extremely dynamic Golf R to the brand’s top model, the Touareg R eHybrid. With more than 35,000 vehicles produced, 2023 was a record year for the Volkswagen R. A total of more than 300,000 R models have been delivered since 2002. The Volkswagen R is now realigning itself for the future. Based on the four pillars – performance, design, innovation and quality – the portfolio will gradually see a shift to all-electric R models by 2030. Article source: www.volkswagen-newsroom.com

Sunday 11 February 2024

Historic victory for Audi at the Dakar Rally

Audi makes history: for the first time, a low-emission prototype with an electric drive, high-voltage battery and energy converter wins the world’s toughest desert rally with the Audi RS Q e-tron. The Spaniards Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz secured Audi’s first victory in the Dakar Rally after around 7,900 kilometers with a lead of 1h 20min. Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist also crossed the finish line. “Congratulations to Team Audi Sport on winning the Dakar Rally,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Audi has once again set a milestone in motorsport. Winning the world’s toughest desert rally with an electrified drive is a visible ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and points the way to our electric future.” The Audi RS Q e-tron has electric all-wheel drive. The energy supply is ensured by a high-voltage battery and an energy converter that runs on residual fuel-based reFuel, thus saving 60 percent of CO2 emissions compared to conventional fuels. “With our revolutionary electrified drive, we have overcome one of the biggest challenges in motorsport after just three years. We are thus continuing a long series of pioneering achievements that have always characterized Audi in four decades of motorsport. I would like to thank the entire team for this outstanding performance in a particularly tough edition of the Dakar Rally,” says Oliver Hoffmann, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Technical Development. At the Dakar Rally, Audi was up against the two brands Toyota and Ford as well as the experienced opponents from Prodrive, who proved to be tough challengers. Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz secured their big lead after having been in the lead without interruption since the sixth stage. For the two Spaniards, who finished first in 2010, 2018 and 2020, this is their fourth success with a different brand, including the second from the Volkswagen Group. However, two-time World Rally Champion Sainz and his experienced co-driver could not be sure until shortly before the end. With Sébastien Loeb/Fabian Lurquin from Team BRX, they had strong pursuers who continued to close the gap until their car suffered damage on the penultimate day. “That was an overwhelming team performance,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl. “Everyone pulled together to make this historic result possible for Audi. A big thank you to this wonderful team. Today we have written a new chapter for Audi, but also in the history of the Dakar Rally.” Daily stages of often more than 400 kilometers, two marathon stages with limited or even no service, as well as 4,600 timed kilometers and 7,883 kilometers in total characterized the 2024 Dakar Rally. Sharp scree and gravel roads, but also towering chains of dunes in the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula and often difficult navigation demanded everything from the teams. Carlos Sainz, who at 61 looks back on a rally career spanning around four decades, recorded a total of eight days in the lead with Lucas Cruz on the twelve stages. The two other Audi crews had also put in a strong performance early on. The Swedes Mattias Ekström/Emil Bergkvist won the prologue at the beginning and improved to second place behind Sainz/Cruz by the rest day after six stages. However, a defect on the rear axle on the seventh stage cost them all their chances. Stéphane Peterhansel, record holder with 14 Dakar victories, was in sixth place shortly before the halfway point after his 50th stage win in the car and his 83rd overall. A defect in the hydraulic system threw him and his French compatriot Edouard Boulanger back to 22nd place on the sixth stage. Both teams then put themselves at the service of Team Audi Sport. Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl and Sven Quandt, Team Principal of the entry partner Q Motorsport, implemented a perfect strategy in a demanding 46th edition of the rally. Whether it was tactically dropping back before the second marathon stage to avoid having to open the route or supporting the leaders Carlos Sainz/Lucas Cruz, the management was able to rely on its strong driver crews at all times. The team personnel also worked tirelessly and reliably during the physically demanding, long and tough rally. Ekström/Bergkvist finished the event in the top 50. Audi Sport has let the highly efficient Audi RS Q e-tron mature so that it is capable of winning within just three years. Under the technical direction of Dr. Leonardo Pascali, Audi Sport set the next historic milestone with the innovative drive: after the quattro all-wheel drive changed rallying forever in the 1980s and subsequently clinched victories and titles galore on the circuit, Audi demonstrated great innovative strength at Le Mans. The efficient TFSI drive, the electrified e-tron quattro all-wheel drive and individual technologies such as the LED matrix light and the Audi laser light stand for a high level of innovative strength and “Vorsprung durch Technik”. Audi’s first all-electric racing car then made its debut in Formula E, before the brand took on the extreme challenges of the Dakar Rally and successfully completed it as the first manufacturer with an electric drive. Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Saturday 3 February 2024

From quattro to e-tron

Audi positions itself as the sportiest manufacturer in the premium segment and has a perfect basis to do so: motorsport. Sportiness, advanced technology and emotive design are the basis for the success of the Audi brand. The genes for this have their origin in racing, since 1980. The success story began with the Audi quattro Excluding the era before the Second World War that included the legendary Auto Union Grand Prix race cars in the 1930s, the motorsport history of AUDI AG began with the Audi quattro. The dominant victories and two manufacturers’ and two drivers’ titles achieved with the “original quattro” in the World Rally Championship between 1982 and 1984 were an important factor in the market success of the quattro drivetrain. quattro victorious in circuit racing as well After Audi had turned rallying upside down and stormed up Pikes Peak (USA) with the Sport quattro in record time on three successive occasions, Audi also made the quattro drivetrain fit for circuit racing: initially with the Audi 200 quattro and the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO in the United States, in 1990 and 1991 with two championship titles for the Audi V8 quattro in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), and ultimately also with the A4 in the production-based super touring cars. In 1996, the Audi A4 quattro won the championship titles in seven countries. Between 2012 and 2016, the all-wheel drive system returned to the race track as the e-tron quattro. Audi R8 most successful Le Mans sports car in present-day racing After the dominant quattro drivetrain was banned from touring car racing, Audi switched to sports prototypes and also underpinned its slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” in this motorsport category for 18 years. Audi, on making its debut at Le Mans in 1999, the toughest endurance race in the world, immediately managed the leap onto the podium, finishing third overall. In the following years, the Audi R8 was in a class of its own. From 2000 to 2002, Audi achieved a historic hat-trick, not least thanks to the TFSI technology that debuted in 2001 and then also subsequently made its way into production. In 2004 and 2005, customer teams clinched two further overall victories for Audi. The R8 secured its spot in motorsport history with a total of 63 victories in 80 sports car races. Title wins following the return to DTM Following Laurent Aiello’s victory with the Abt-Audi TT-R in 2002, Audi returned to the DTM with a factory-backed commitment in 2004 and instantly won the title with Mattias Ekström. In 2007, the Swede triumphed again, followed by Timo Scheider in 2008 and 2009, making Audi the first and so far only automobile manufacturer in DTM history to have managed a title hat-trick. In the 2011 season, Martin Tomczyk completed the success story of the Audi A4 DTM with another title, the fifth in total for the Audi A4 DTM. In 2013, Mike Rockenfeller, diving the Audi RS 5 DTM, clinched the ninth DTM title for Audi. René Rast caused a sensation in 2017 when he clinched another title for Audi in his rookie year. Audi took home the manufacturer’s championship crown in the same year. In 2019 and 2020, Rast won the prestigious title two more times. Audi drivers have thus already won the DTM drivers’ title twelve times. Added to this are six manufacturers’ and eight teams’ titles. Technologically, Audi has mastered one of the biggest upheavals in the history of the racing series with flying colors: In the two years of the DTM turbocharged engine era, the Audi RS 5 DTM, with its highly efficient two-liter turbo engine, was the benchmark with 28 victories, 95 podium finishes, 29 pole positions and 28 fastest race laps, as well as all six of the championship titles. Since 2021, the DTM has been exclusively held for GT3 sports cars. Pioneering achievements with TDI technology With TDI technology, Audi achieved a pioneering feat and, at the same time, demonstrated “Vorsprung durch Technik” once again. In 2006, the Audi R10 TDI featuring a new concept was the first sports car with a diesel engine to triumph in the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours. In total, TDI technology came out winning eight times at Le Mans. In 2007 and 2008, Audi was again victorious with the R10 TDI at La Sarthe. In addition, Audi won the American Le Mans Series with the diesel-powered racing sports car three times in succession and, in 2008, the European Le Mans Series as well. With the R15 TDI in 2010, Audi celebrated a one-two-three result in the fastest Le Mans race of all time and set a new distance record that has not been broken to date. In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, Audi TDI power was again victorious at Le Mans. In 2014, the brand celebrated its 13th victory in just 16 participations. Audi also demonstrates “Vorsprung durch Technik” in terms of energy efficiency. During the entire TDI era, Audi reduced diesel consumption by a total of 46 percent within the space of one decade. First hybrid winner at Le Mans On clinching the first victory with a hybrid race car in the 2021 Le Mans 24 Hours, Audi achieved another pioneering feat in the world’s most important endurance race. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro remained unbeaten at Le Mans for three consecutive years (2012, 2013 und 2014). Many other innovations such as Audi Laser Light have been added to these pioneering feats in technology. The drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles won with the hybrid sports car in the 2012 and 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) complete the track record in Audi’s sports car era that ended in 2016. Success with electric drive concepts The company systematically continued the electrification of its motorsport program, which began in 2012 in endurance racing. Following the LMP program with the R18 hybrid sports car, Audi was the first German car manufacturer to compete in the all-electric Formula E racing series in the 2017/2018 season. With four victories and a total of eleven podium finishes, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler clinched the team championship after twelve races. The brand with the four rings entered the famous Dakar Rally in 2022 with an innovative prototype. Audi made history in January 2024: the Audi RS Q e-tron was the first low-emission prototype with an electric drive, high-voltage battery and energy converter to win the world’s toughest desert rally. Entry into the premier class of motorsport Sustainability also plays an important role in the premier class of motorsport. From the 2026 season, Audi will be competing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship with its own factory team. The development of the drive unit (“Power Unit”) is in full swing at the Neuburg a. d. Donau site. Thanks to open competition, Formula 1 serves as a technology driver for both electric mobility and sustainable e-fuels. Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com