Top U.S. executive will lead endurance test of Audi TDI vehicles
Audi TDI system represents the world’s most fuel-efficient technology
Cross-country drive to show TDI answers today’s energy challenges
Clean diesel delivers driving performance and power
America will soon discover Audi TDI(R) turbocharged clean diesel technology, which has earned media attention and consumer praise throughout the world for its exceptional fuel efficiency and dynamic performance. Next month, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI will debut in the U.S. during the Audi Mileage Marathon, a two-week cross country drive that will display the world’s leading fuel-efficiency technology.
This won’t be an ordinary coming out party. Instead, Audi will demonstrate the Q7 3.0 TDI’s capabilities and ultra-low emissions system ahead of its 2009 U.S. launch by putting it through tough, real-world conditions.
The Mileage Marathon will cover more than 4,800 miles starting in New York and concluding in Los Angeles. From October 5-20, 184 drivers representing countries in North America, Europe and Asia will drive the fuel-efficient vehicles in 13 daily stages, during which they’ll experience the confident sportiness and extraordinary efficiency of Audi’s TDI models.
Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen will lead the rally of 23 Audi TDI vehicles along America’s city streets and highways to illustrate how Audi’s clean diesel technology answers concerns about fuel prices, energy dependence and global warming.
“Driving responsibly and driving for pleasure have always been considered incompatible ideals,” said de Nysschen, Audi of America’s executive vice president. “Our cross country test showcasing TDI technology will prove that Audi has redefined diesel vehicles as car-lover’s cars without the guilt.”
Spotlight on the Audi Q7 TDI
The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI doesn’t just recast diesel for an American audience, it also represents the ultimate progress in SUV engineering.
“Audi knows consumers are concerned about fuel economy and we want to make sure they know how Audi’s TDI engineering is reshaping their options,” said de Nysschen. “The Q7 TDI will be one of America’s first clean, highly efficient, 7-passenger SUV, combining the power and capacity Americans expect in an SUV with notable fuel efficiency and ultra low emissions.”
The Mileage Marathon’s TDI fleet will recast outdated perceptions of diesel vehicles. Gone are the days of loud, smoky, under-performing diesel engines. Due to its EPA estimated 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the Q7 3.0 TDI offers highway driving range of more than 600 miles, far more than a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. It also provides 400 lb-ft of torque, more than most exotic sports cars.
Audi TDI
By reducing up to 90 percent of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) from a vehicle’s emissions, the Audi TDI exhaust purifying system complies with the world’s most demanding emissions law — California’s LEV II Bin 5. The TDI system also meets the upcoming Euro 6 norm limits planned for implementation in 2014. Compared with the fleet average of gasoline engines typically found in the U.S., the TDI achieves a fuel-efficiency advantage of up to 40 percent. This means that today’s diesel technology is designed for tomorrow’s challenges and can make a greater contribution to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels than any other type of engine.
Just the Facts
- Audi has now sold more than 4.5 million cars with TDI engines.
- Audi’s first American TDI diesel introduction under the new 2008 emissions guidelines will be the company’s luxury Audi Q7 3.0 TDI sport-utility vehicle.
- The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI sets a new standard for acceleration and power with 233 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, while seating seven.
- Audi Q7 3.0 TDI is designed to meet emissions regulations for all 50 U.S. states.
- Diesel vehicles typically get 20-40 percent more miles to the gallon than gasoline vehicles.
Efficient and Low-Emission System
Perfecting the TDI is just one part of Audi’s integrated technology strategy to further reduce CO2 and the emission of pollutants in all models. Audi has built this strategy on its state-of-the-art combustion engines and on the components of its modular efficiency system, including direct injection and turbocharging, the TFSI gasoline engines and TDI diesel engines. Audi’s powerplants provide convincing performance with comparatively low consumption now, while their innovative technologies form a solid basis for significant fuel consumption reductions in coming years.
The TDI Traveling Fleet
Along with the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI, the brand new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI will debut in the Mileage Marathon. The Audi A4, the sportiest sedan in its class, will also make an appearance with the 3.0 TDI engine. The Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI — equipped with the innovative and efficient S tronic transmission — will add yet another highlight to the Mileage Marathon’s efficiency story.
The cars will be monitored during each leg of the journey and evaluated by speed, distance and fuel economy. Adding to the fuel-efficiency equation, each Audi vehicle on the Mileage Marathon will be equipped with Michelin Green X(R) energy saving tires as standard equipment. Michelin tires carrying the Green X sidewall designation — including the Latitude(R) Tour HP and Primacy(TM) HP featured on the marathon — guarantees a level of energy efficiency among the highest in the market and reduced CO2 emission while maintaining all the advantages of long wear, safety, and other performances.
The Mileage Marathon is working with four sponsors throughout the program. The fuel sponsor for the drive is Shell, a global leader in diesel technology and technical collaborator to Audi. The marathon will be fueled with ultra-low sulfur diesel and participants will refuel at Shell-branded stations along the route. However, two vehicles will kick-off the marathon fueled with Shell GTL, a synthetic fuel made from natural gas and one of the components of Shell V-Power Diesel race fuel, which fuels Audi in the Le Mans series. The two vehicles will test this revolutionary gas to liquid technology, which is synthesized from natural gas and has outstanding cetane quality and exceptional purity to burn more clearly and efficiently than conventional diesel. Additionally, Michelin is supplying all of the tires and will provide Michelin Maps & Guides Products as in-car and online reference sources for the event. The European clothing company Belstaff is sponsoring the staff clothing. Lastly, Sirius Satellite Radio is a sponsor and Audi installs Sirius exclusively in all of its vehicles sold in the United States.
Coming to a City Near You
The route of the Mileage Marathon leads across America from New York to Los Angeles, passing major cities like Chicago, Dallas and Las Vegas as well as vistas, including the Rocky Mountains, Death Valley and the Grand Canyon.
The route includes a realistic mix of city driving and rural driving on urban streets, interstate highways and country roads. In this environment and under conditions that mirror everyday driving, the TDI will be able to clearly show off its superiority over every other efficiency technology.
Driving enthusiasts are welcome to follow Audi’s Mileage Marathon online by visiting http://www.audimileagemarathon.com/ and media can find more information at http://www.audiusanews.com/ .
Mileage Marathon Cities & Dates:
- New York, New York: October 5 – 6
- Washington, D.C.: October 6 – 7
- Cleveland, Ohio: October 7 – 8
- Chicago, Illinois: October 8 – 9
- Memphis, Tennessee: October 9 – 10
- Dallas, Texas: October 10 – 11
- Amarillo, Texas: October 11 – 12
- Denver, Colorado: October 12 – 13
- Durango, Colorado: October 13 – 14
- Sedona, Arizona: October 14 – 15
- Las Vegas, Nevada: October 15 – 16
- Mammoth Lakes, California: October 16 – 17
- Monterey, California: October 17 – 19
- Los Angeles, California: October 19 – 20
Source: Audi of America, Inc.
