Archive for July, 2008
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
The power base at Audi is changing yet again as a 180PS version of the all-new 2.0-litre TFSI unit takes over from the 1.8 TFSI in the A5 coupé – the latest step in an exhaustive engine development programme bringing average CO2 reductions of as much as 10 per cent for core Audi models within the past 12 months. The A5 2.0 TFSI (180PS) is priced from £26,710 OTR and will reach its first UK customers in October.
Derived from the 211PS version of the turbo charged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder FSI engine introduced earlier this month in the A5, and sharing its new, economy enhancing Audi valvelift technology, the new 180PS unit holds a 10PS power advantage over the 1.8 TFSI, and delivers its peak output 800rpm earlier. Torque also increases by 70Nm to 320Nm, which is available from 1,500rpm to 3,900rpm, ensuring that the A5 2.0 TFSI can out-accelerate its predecessor to 62mph by 0.6 seconds, taking 7.8 seconds to go the distance, and can continue to 148mph.
All-important fuel economy and emissions control have naturally taken a step forward compared with the outgoing model as well, the A5 2.0 TFSI registering 42.8mpg in the combined cycle test – a 3mpg or 7.5 per cent improvement over the 1.8 TFSI – and emitting 154g/km of CO2, down from the 1.8 TFSI’s 169g/km – a 9 per cent reduction.
This enhancement to the A5 engine range is yet more evidence of the pursuit by Audi of a 20 per cent decrease in fleet-wide CO2 emissions by 2012, as pledged by Audi Board of Management Chairman Rupert Stadler. Within the past 12 months, Audi engineers have managed to make significant progress towards this target in the core ranges, reducing average CO2 output by around 9 per cent for the A5, 10 per cent for the A3 hatchback, 6 per cent for the A4 Saloon and 8 per cent for its Avant equivalent.
Standard specification for the new A5 2.0 TFSI 180PS includes 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, 3-zone electronic climate control, a 10-speaker Concert CD audio system, full Milano leather upholstery and rear acoustic parking. Sport models with sports suspension ride 20mm lower on larger 18-inch 10-spoke V design alloy wheels, and inside upgrade to sports seats.
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Volvo C30 at Brands Hatch for the WTCC
Volvo’s new Green C30 race car took its debut in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in the seventh race of the series at Brands Hatch this weekend. Volvos priority was to test the new ethanol driven race car against the best in the world. This was a debut which gave both a taste for the future and some drama.
“We are very happy with the weekend. We knew beforehand that a one-off entry in to WTCC would not be easy. Partly because we would race on a completely new tyre for us and partly because we would have a total of 42-45 kilos of extra weight as a debutant with ethanol in the tank. But this only spurred us even more” says Derek Crabb, Motorsport Director for Volvo Cars.
Robert Dahlgren managed to qualify tenth out of twenty-six drivers in a qualifying session where the thirteen fastest drivers were within one second. Amongst others, Dahlgren outqualified two of this years absolute dominating drivers in series, SEAT’s Gabrielle Tarquini and Rickard Rydell.
The outqualified veteran Rickard Rydell would however reappear in Dahlgren’s rear view mirror during the first race heat. After ten laps in to the heat where Dahlgren was fighting for tenth position with James Thompson, Rickard Rydell crashed in to Dahlgren who ended up off the track and had to end the race there. Unfortunately, the car was damaged in a way that could not be repaired in time for the second heat which starts 45 minutes after the end of the first heat.
Despite the dramatic end to the weekend, Volvos Driver Robert Dahlgren is very happy:
“We came here to evaluate and learn. The job was completed as planned and gave us a taste for more. To jump in to WTCC and be in the top ten straight off with a completely new car is good. The crash itself has to be considered as a compliment – if a top-ranked factory drives has to crash in to you to get past, then you know you are doing a good job.”
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Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Audi is continuing on its course of worldwide growth and has founded its own sales company in Taiwan – just as it has in markets such as Canada, Australia and Korea.
Audi Taiwan Limited will begin operations in February 2009 with ambitious goals: The number of cars delivered to customers in Taiwan is to be more than doubled by 2015.
“We see great potential for our fascinating products in this dynamic growth region,” says Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG responsible for Marketing and Sales. “With a highly qualified and motivated Audi team, we will offer our customers an exclusive brand experience in Taiwan.”
The premium manufacturer from Ingolstadt has been represented on the Taiwanese market by an independent importer for over 20 years now.
Approximately 1,900 Audi vehicles were delivered to customers in Taiwan in 2007. Audi has set ambitious goals for itself in the future and is now getting ready to reach them with its own sales company. The brand with the four rings wants to more than double its sales figures in Taiwan – and establish itself as the most attractive premium manufacturer by 2015.
“Our cars are very popular with customers in Taiwan, who have a high appreciation of design and technology. We will significantly expand our model range here,” says André Konsbruck, Head of Sales Overseas. Audi will be introducing four new models on the Taiwanese market in 2009 – including the recently presented Audi Q5 and the Audi R8 sports car.
In addition, Audi is investing heavily in its dealership and service network. The brand with premium service wants to be the customer satisfaction leader and the most attractive employer in Taiwan as well. Eleven exclusive new dealerships will be opening in the coming years on this Asian growth market; three new Audi dealers are planned in the metropolis of Taipei alone.
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