Where we stand: January 2011
A subsidiary of Volkswagen, the Audi brand, once known for its conservative cars, has, in more recent times, built its reputation around performance vehicles including eye-catching sports cars like the Audi TT and Audi R8.
However, recent reports suggest that Audi is firmly behind the push towards green technology as it lines up an €11.6billion investment, the bulk of which will go towards the development of electric and hybrid drive components (see article). The company also aims to be among the dominant players in the era of electric sports cars (see article).
Audi today
In 2009, Audi appeared to go green by announcing a number of innovations to improve the fuel economy and emissions figures of its existing models.
The first step was to introduce a new version of the Audi A5 (see article), with CO2 emissions cut below the 140g/km mark; which was followed by a greener Audi A4 (see article) and an Audi A3 (see article) that would break the 100g/km threshold. At the same time, Audi announced its plans to reduce the fuel consumption of its model range by 20 per cent by 2012 compared to 2007 levels thanks to the implementation of a number of technologies (see article). These included a start-stop system that shuts down the engine when a car reaches a stop; an on-board computer with an efficiency programme to help drivers save fuel; and an energy recovery system that converts kinetic energy into electrical energy.
Despite the improvements, Audi chairman Rupert Stadler remained adamant that the company would not be positioned as a green brand and would maintain its sporty image while taking natural steps to improve fuel economy (see article).
However, the next natural step for Audi proved to be a significantly green one, when it introduced the Audi E-Tron, which somehow managed to maintain Audi’s traditional sporty good looks but with a completely electrified model (see article). The two-seat sports car features four electric motors, with a power output of 2,650Nm and the ability to race from 0-62mph in just 5.9seconds. However, it also has an operating range of 155miles and zero emissions.
Indeed Audi has continued on its path of improving its existing models too – with the introduction of a new Audi A1 model (see article) with CO2 emissions as low as 105g/km.
Greenest models on sale:
The following are the greenest models of all Audi cars available now in the UK:
Audi A1 – Greenest Model: 1.6TDI SE with combined fuel consumption of 70.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 105g/km.
Audi A3 – Greenest Model: 1.6TDI manual with combined fuel consumption of 74.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km.
Audi A4 – Greenest Model: Technik Saloon 2.0TDI (136PS) manual with combined fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 120g/km.
Audi A5 – Greenest Model: Coupe 2.0TDI (170PS) manual with combined fuel consumption of 55.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 134g/km.
Audi A6 – Greenest Model: Avant 2.0TDIe with combined fuel consumption of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.
Audi A7 – Greenest Model: Sportback SE 3.0TDI with CO2 emissions of 139g/km (no official fuel consumption figures available).
Audi A8 – Greenest Model: 3.0TDI Quattro with combined fuel consumption of 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 174g/km.
Audi Q5 – Greenest Model: 2.0TDI Quattro manual with combined fuel consumption of 45.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 162g/km.
Audi Q7 – Greenest Model: 3.0TDI Quattro with combined fuel consumption of 38.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 195g/km.
Audi TT – Greenest Model: Coupe 2.0TDI manual with combined fuel consumption of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 139g/km.
Audi R8 – Greenest Model: Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro with combined fuel consumption of 20.9mpg and CO2 emissions of 315g/km.
Audi RS – Greenest Model: 3 Sportback S Tronic with combined fuel consumption of 31mpg and CO2 emissions of 212g/km.
Audi tomorrow:
In addition to consistently improving the environmental performance of its existing models, Audi has lined up several exciting green concepts that will debut in the coming years:
- Audi E-Tron Spyder – A two-seat plug-in hybrid sports car (see article) that follows on from the initial E-Tron concept. The vehicle, revealed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, will have fuel economy figures of 128mpg and CO2 emissions at just 59g/km while achieving a range of 621miles and reaching a top speed of 155mph.
Also lined up are hybrid versions of the Audi A8 saloon car and the Q5 SUV, both of which should debut in late 2011; a hybrid version of the Audi A6 in 2012; with the Audi R8 E-Tron also set for a 2012 release.
