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Audi will be celebrating the world premiere of the new A3 Sportback at the Geneva Motor Show. Prior to this, the premium manufacturer is sending the fourth generation of its success model to take a very special test: On São Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago, journalists will test the compact sports car and experience the highest level of driving dynamics on challenging routes.

 

Pure emotion: the original thought

In a place where volcanoes once created a whole chain of islands and where there is a high level of volcanic activity, Audi is demonstrating the core of its DNA: the quattro drive. The fourth generation of the A3 will present itself in its most emotive form in the pristine landscape of São Miguel, where the spectacular Azores Rallye is held. The all-wheel drive in the compact model is the latest stage in the evolution of a successful technology. An electro-hydraulic multi‑plate clutch that is managed by a precisely tuned all-wheel software forms its core. Aside from providing the A3 with a maximum level of stability, grip, and driving pleasure, it is also extremely efficient. In interaction with the adaptive suspension and the progressive steering, this results in a sporty performance that impresses in tight winding roads and varied mountain and valley stretches in particular.

Intelligent regulation: the quattro drive in detail 

The clutch is located at the end of the prop shaft, in front of the rear axle differential – an installed position that benefits the axle load distribution in particular. Inside is a package of plates that operate in an oil bath. Its metal friction rings are arranged behind one another in pairs – one ring of each pair is rigidly meshed with the clutch housing, which rotates with the prop shaft; the other ring is meshed with the short output shaft to the rear axle differential.

Audi tailored the electronic torque distribution control specifically to suit the new A3 and integrated it in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. It takes the data of the suspension sensors into account and detects not only the driving condition and road properties but also the driving style. The control unit uses this data as a basis to calculate a torque distribution that provides optimum efficiency and passes the value on to the clutch. This is particularly efficient. 

The all-wheel drive distributes the torque with full variability between the front and rear axles. During normal driving operation, the majority of the engine’s power is transmitted to the front wheels. When driving off or when the front axle has little traction, the clutch diverts the torque at lightning speed: In this case, an electric axial-piston pump is activated, which applies up to 44 bar of hydraulic pressure to the clutch plates. The more the clutch plates are pressed together by this pump, the more drive torque is transmitted to the rear axle – the maximum is 100 percent. The clutch can already transmit part of the torque to the rear axle when the driver turns the steering wheel with a sporty driving style. As soon as the driver accelerates, the torque presses the A3 into the curve. During load changes, the distribution of torque allows precise turning into the bend, which further increases driving dynamics. 

Full control: the Electronic Stabilization Control 

The wheel-selective torque control, a software function of the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), is the icing on the cake when it comes to sporty characteristics. When the new Audi A3 drives through a curve at high speed, the program applies the brakes slightly to the two wheels on the inside of the curve. The difference in drive forces on both axles turns the car into the bend, allowing it to follow the steering angle precisely. This makes the handling even more agile, fluid, and safe.

The perceived response of the quattro drive is also changed in the three functional modes of the ESC. This allows the traction and driving stability to be adapted to the driver’s request. If the ESC has to regulate, its adjustments are gentle and virtually imperceptible. Maximum power transmission is ensured in ESC ON mode. This means that acceleration is safe and stable and performed with as little wheel slip as possible. By selecting Sport mode, the driver can drift on surfaces with a low coefficient of friction, such as snow, in a controlled, safe manner. The greater wheel slip in this case provides increased driving pleasure. In ESC OFF mode, the amount of possible wheel slip is nearly unlimited, allowing the Audi A3 to offer puristic handling characteristics. 

Variable in every situation: the progressive steering

Due to their design, conventional steering systems always require a compromise between sportiness and comfort. The electromechanical progressive steering in the new Audi A3 solves this conflict. Its toothed rack and pinion have a special shape and toothing. This results in different gear ratios depending on the steering angle. When the steering wheel is turned in heavily, it is smaller and the steering is very direct. This decreases the steering effort in urban traffic and while maneuvering and increases the level of comfort considerably. 

On curvy roads, the progressive steering increases the driving dynamics, allowing the A3 to offer an even sportier driving style. The steering wheel has to be turned just 2.5 times to get from end stop to end stop; the steering ratio in the center position is 14.3:1. The power assistance is in perfect harmony with this character and adapts to the driving speed. At low speeds, it is higher in order to enable easier maneuverability; as the speed increases, the power assistance is decreased continuously. This allows the driver to experience a calm, full steering feel even when driving at high speed on the highway.

The progressive steering is equipped with a highly efficient electromechanical drive that outputs power only when it is needed. It works together closely with various assist systems, such as the adaptive cruise assist, the collision avoidance assist, and the park assist.

New damper technology in the compact model: the adaptive suspension

Comfortably soft or sporty and taut? Both are possible with the suspension with adaptive damper control. Three damper characteristics ensure that the driver can experience the spread of the driving characteristics and enjoy particularly agile handling. Sensors measure the vertical acceleration of the body structure and the relative movement of the individual wheels in relation to it. The control unit processes its signal in a matter of milliseconds and adapts each damper to the condition of the road, the driving situation, and the driver’s requests in an individual and ongoing. The dampers include electromagnetically actuated valves that can be regulated extremely quickly and in a highly energy-efficient way. Depending on their position, they allow the hydraulic fluid to flow faster or slower, which changes the characteristics of the dampers between soft and hard.

The driver can switch the basic damper settings between the three modes of comfort, auto, and dynamic in the Audi drive select system. In doing so, the suspension increases the range between a soft rolling motion during smooth driving and with taut handling so that the driver gets an intense experience of the spread. In the case of a sporty driving style in curves, the dampers support the car and ensure that it does not dip as much when braking. This ensures that the wheels stay in closer contact with the road. 

A question of character: Audi drive select 

The Audi drive select system is the interface between the regulated suspension and drive systems and the driver. It can be switched between five modes – comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, and individual – via a physical button located near the gearshift or selector lever. If the driver selects the “individual” setting, they can freely specify their personal preferences to a great extent.

In every A3 model, Audi drive select varies the characteristics of the throttle response and steering assist. Depending on the equipment, the system also incorporates the S tronic, the quattro drive, and the suspension with damper control. It also influences comfort and safety systems such as the automatic air conditioning, matrix LED headlights, seat belt tensioner, and adaptive cruise control.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

The Audi Q3 Sportback**, which was introduced just a few months ago, prevailed against strong competition in its category “compact SUVs/cross-country vehicles” for the “Best Cars 2020” readers’ choice award. Audi’s strong performance was rounded off by places on the podium for the A1**, the A5 Sportback**, the A8**, and the e-tron**. The popular competition is organized by trade magazine “auto motor und sport.”

 

** The collective fuel consumption values of all models named and available on the German market can be found in the list provided at the end of this MediaInfo.

“This victory for the Q3 Sportback** is extraordinary confirmation for us, especially since we already won last year with its close technical relative, the Q3**,” said Audi’s Head of Design, Marc Lichte, at the award ceremony, which took place today in Stuttgart. “Customers appreciate our concept of the compact premium SUV with a progressive exterior,” the Head of Audi Design added. “Its coupé-like roof line makes the Q3 Sportback appear considerably longer and thus makes it an elegant brother of the Q3.”

The “Best Cars” readers’ choice award, which “auto motor und sport” presented for the 44th time this year, is one of the most important competitions in the European automotive industry. More than 100,000 readers selected their favorites from 387 models in eleven categories. Each reader had two votes per category: one for the overall winner and one for the best imported model. The “compact SUVs/cross-country vehicles” category was the biggest category with 63 models, along with the large SUV category (also 63 models). The Audi Q3 Sportback won with 11.5 percent of the votes. Other Audi models on the podium: The A1 (“compact cars” category) won second place, and the A5 Sportback (“medium-size class”), the A8 (“luxury class”), and the e-tron (“large SUVs/cross-country vehicles”) each came third.

 

Fuel consumption of the models listed
(Fuel consumption, CO₂ emission figures, and efficiency classes given in ranges depend on the tires/wheels used as well as the selected equipment)

Audi Q3 Sportback
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (US mpg): 7.7–4.7 (30.5–50.0); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi): 174–123 (280.0–197.9)
Audi Q3
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (US mpg): 7.6–4.7 (30.9–50.0); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi): 174–124 (280.0–199.6)
Audi A1 Sportback
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (US mpg): 6–4.7 (39.2–50.0); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi): 137–107 (220.5–172.2)
Audi A8
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (US mpg): 11.4–5.7 (20.6–41.3); Combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi): 260–151 (418.4–243.0)
Audi e-tron
Combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km (62.1 mi): 24.3–21; Combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi): 0

Article soure: www.audi-mediacenter.com

On its journey to becoming a provider of entirely CO2-neutral premium mobility, Audi is making excellent progress at its own sites. By the middle of 2022, the premium brand will equip one in ten parking spaces with a possibility to charge electric cars, most of which will be accessible to the public. This independent concept is the largest charging infrastructure project carried out by a German employer. The investment provides Audi with a head start in terms of setup and operation expertise for the hardware and software of such charging concepts while also allowing the company to pilot a new business area of mobility.

 

Audi is setting up more than 4,500 charging points for battery-operated vehicles, thereby contributing to the energy transition in private transport. “Establishing such extensive charging infrastructure is a completely new challenge,” Maximilian Huber describes his task. The project manager for site charging is not only in charge of building the charging points but also the energy manager and software provider for the comprehensive charging solution at the automotive manufacturer’s sites. At the main plant in Ingolstadt alone, there will be 3,500 charging points available in the final development. There will be 1,000 charging points in Neckarsulm, just under 100 in Brussels and Győr. Likewise, charging infrastructure will be built at the factory in San José Chiapa. The company already offers expansive charging capacities at the training centers at Munich Airport. The entire project has a total budget of up to EUR 100 million.

A charging concept on this scale is unique in Germany so far – and requires meticulous preparation and largely independent energy management. A separate project team has therefore been preparing and structuring the concept for the implementation since the middle of 2017. The fundamental decision to electrify ten percent of all parking spaces was already made a year earlier. “Such lead times are necessary because the planning and expansion of the energy supply on this scale alone takes multiple years,” explains Huber. Carrying out the setup during ongoing production at the locations is a particular challenge.

The project team is responsible for planning the entire strategy, investment, and concept, and manages the setup and operation of the charging infrastructure as well as the billing of charging procedures at the Audi sites. In this context, the charging points are expanded to suit the needs of the employees and other people using the parking lot, the charging infrastructure is designed accordingly, operating rules are set, and a hotline and support are provided. Recording that complies with calibration law and invoicing of the charging procedures are further important aspects.

At the sites in Brussels, Ingolstadt, and Neckarsulm, charging infrastructure with a total power input of 21 megawatts is already available. This corresponds to the power consumption of a small town with 14,000 inhabitants. This includes 600 charging points with an output of up to 22 kilowatts (kW) and 60 direct current charging points with an output between 50 and 350 kW. By the middle of 2022, there will be 4,500 charging points, each with an output of up to 22 kW, and approx. 50 more with an output of up to 350 kW each at the plant sites alone. A dynamic and intelligent load-management system will be controlling all power input across sites this year already, so the power connection does not need be expanded.

In addition, there is the equipment of the three Audi Training Center locations at Munich airport. Audi’s largest individual charging park with a power input of 2.1 megawatts is connected to the grid here. In connection with the construction of the new ATC IV building, the solar power generated is used for the charging procedure in combination with a battery buffer storage device. “It’s not just about energy supply, though,” says Huber. The project team has also created its own navigation map on the basis of Google Maps that allows employees to see in real time where charging terminals are available. Invoicing via online systems and the integration in an internal settlement system are further important services. 

In the medium term, it is being checked how to make the acquired expertise available to other companies that need to expand their charging infrastructure. This is the next step on the company’s journey from a pure automotive manufacturer to a mobility service provider. Audi has set itself the goal to become the leading CO2-neutral premium provider. By 2050 at the latest, the company’s operations are to be entirely CO2-neutral. 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi is moving ahead with networked traffic lights in Düsseldorf. After Ingolstadt, the city on the Rhine is the second in Europe in which Audi is introducing its Traffic Light Information service. At the end of January, Audi drivers will see information from around 150 traffic lights in their cockpit, thus increasing their chance of catching a “green wave”. By early summer most of the intersections in Düsseldorf, approximately 450 out of a total of some 600 installations, will be networked. Vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) services like Audi Traffic Light Information increase efficiency, convenience and safety on the roads.

 

Audi Traffic Light Information consists of two functions: Green Light Optimized Speed Advisory (GLOSA) and Time-to-Green. GLOSA calculates the ideal speed for getting a “green wave”. For example, if the function indicates the applicable speed limit, the next traffic light will be reached at green. Drivers do not have to accelerate unnecessarily, they are not stressed, and they drive more safely. GLOSA can also suggest reducing speed gradually about 250 meters ahead of the traffic lights so that the driver and the cars behind reach the intersection when the lights turn to green. This reduces uneconomical stop-and-go traffic. 

If stopping at a red light is unavoidable, a countdown displays the seconds remaining until the next green phase begins (Time-to-Green). Drivers can relax, take their foot off the gas pedal and save fuel. A number of studies conclude that drivers move through cities more efficiently thanks to networked traffic lights. In a pilot project, Audi was able to reduce fuel consumption by 15 percent. 

“With Audi Traffic Light Information we wish to improve convenience for drivers, increase traffic safety and encourage an economical style of driving that looks ahead,” says Andre Hainzlmaier, head of development for Apps, Connected Services and Smart City at Audi. 
“To do this, we have to predict precisely how traffic lights will behave in the next two minutes. At the same time, exact forecasts are the biggest challenge. Most signals react variably to traffic volume and continuously adapt the intervals at which they switch between red and green.” 

Audi and its project partner Traffic Technology Services (TTS) have developed a complex analytical algorithm that calculates exact predictions from three sources: from the control program of the traffic signals; from the real-time data of the traffic computer, a combination of road-occupation cameras, detector strips in the road surface, data on approaching buses and trams, and buttons that pedestrians press; as well as from historical data. The forecast algorithm improves itself continuously and learns how, for example, the traffic volume changes in morning commuter traffic or at midday when children leave nurseries and schools. 

The Audi fleet plays a decisive part in optimizing the traffic light forecasts. “The cars send anonymized data when traffic lights are crossed to an Audi backend, which checks whether the actual crossings of traffic lights correspond to the forecast data. Only after this are the traffic lights cleared for the display in the car,” Hainzlmaier explains. 

In future the cities, too, will receive useful information about their traffic light infrastructure. The data show, for example, whether cars stop unusually often at a particular intersection or whether the average waiting time is comparatively long. “We aggregate the recorded data into reports that we will make available to the city authorities. Traffic lights can then be given more efficient phasing and traffic will flow better.”

Audi Traffic Light Information premiered in 2016 in Las Vegas. Today this V2I service is available at more than 10,000 intersections in North America, including some 2,000 in Manhattan/New York City and more than 1,600 around the US capital Washington D.C. Audi is also the world’s first automotive manufacturer to network its series-production models with city traffic lights.

Audi Traffic Light Information operates in all Audi e-tron, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q7 and Q8 models that have been produced since mid-July 2019 (the “2020 model year”). The pre-requisites are the Audi connect Navigation & Infotainment package and the optional camera-based traffic-sign recognition.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi and FC Bayern München are heading toward the future together: The two premium brands have been forming a strong team since 2002, and have prolonged and expanded the substance of their partnership until 2029. Audi is FC Bayern’s exclusive automobile partner. The next decade will be focused on strategic collaboration in the areas of innovative marketing and electrification. As a clear reference to this commitment, all licensed players of the record champion will receive an all-electric Audi e-tron in 2020.

The partnership between Audi and FC Bayern München is a success story: Since 2002, the brand with the four rings has been supporting the most successful German football club. Additionally, Audi has been a shareholder of FC Bayern München AG since 2011. Joint events and initiatives have been filling this collaboration with life. The Audi Cup, which in 2019 was held for the sixth time at the Allianz Arena, ranks among Europe’s high-caliber preparatory tournaments. 

“FC Bayern München perfectly fits Audi’s new strategic direction,” says Hildegard Wortmann, Board of Management Member of AUDI AG for Marketing and Sales. The two strong brands are known for premium experiences worldwide. “We want to be close to our fans, customers and potential customers. As FC Bayern München’s exclusive automobile partner, we have the opportunity to present electric mobility and connectivity, and to turn them into tangible experiences.” Alexander Seitz, Board of Management Member of AUDI AG for Finance, China and Legal Affairs: “Our collaboration with FC Bayern as one of the top-flight international clubs with 650 million fans worldwide and 135 million fans just in China opens up new, joint marketing opportunities, especially including China, the most important growth market for Audi.” 

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Chairman of the Executive Board of Bayern München AG, says: “I am delighted about the early extension of our partnership with Audi. For FC Bayern, this agreement marks an important strategic move going forward. FC Bayern and Audi have been working together confidently, respectably and to the advantage of both brands for more than a decade and a half. Now it is assured that this partnership will continue throughout the nearly ten years ahead.”

Andreas Jung, Executive Board Member of FC Bayern München AG for Marketing, says: “Both Audi and FC Bayern value a forward-thinking focus and innovations on the one hand as well as consistency and dependability on the other. Both partners share a commitment to being ‘number one’ in Germany. We greatly look forward to many joint activations, to many joint events and to many more joint years with Audi.”

For the entire fleet provided by Audi to FC Bayern, an average maximum level of 95 grams of CO2/km has been agreed to for the entire term of the agreement. This practically equates to the legal requirement to be met by manufacturers’ fleets as of January 2020. At least half of all vehicles will be electrified in the future. 

By prolonging their agreement, both partners have a long-term planning horizon for further activities designed for sustainability. In terms of substance, the commitment is put on a new basis: The vehicle partnership under which all of FC Bayern’s stars and officials drive Audi models is turning into a strategic collaboration in a joint effort of advancing the areas of electrification and use of innovative marketing activities and dialog platforms. At the Allianz Arena, Audi’s visibility and the Audi experience will be enhanced for visitors, while at FC Bayern’s new flagship store in the heart of Munich, a diverse Audi offering will be available. Other projects of the future collaboration include charging columns, plus test drives around the Allianz Arena and at the FC Bayern campus and training facilities at Säbener Strasse.

Moreover, the joint commitment of AUDI AG and FC Bayern München is being intensively lived within the company’s own “Audi Fanclub FC Bayern.” With a membership of more than 6,000, it is the club’s biggest fan club worldwide. For the employees, the sponsoring commitment again encompasses numerous activities as well, such as employee specials at football matches, the Audi Cup and at meet-&-greet opportunities on the occasion of vehicle handovers to the players. 

The new strategic partnership also includes the opportunity to carry out individual projects with other brands of the Volkswagen Group. 

Audi has also extended the partnership with FC Bayern’s basketball players, which has existed since 2011, into 2023. “We are delighted to continue partnering with this young and trendy team in the coming years,” says Hildegard Wortmann. “The home matches at the Audi Dome and other joint events provide Audi with outstanding opportunities to inspire the enthusiasm of fans, customers and potential customers – especially from a young and digitally savvy target group – for our brand and products.” Audi is planning to expand its activities as a mobility partner in the coming years, focused on electrification, digitalization and mobility services. Players and officials will continue to drive Audi cars.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

 

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