Audi has found another way to reduce the emissions associated with the manufacture of its cars; using a train powered by green electricity to transport its new vehicles from the production line to the docks, ready for shipping.

Its 36-strong model line-up produced at headquarters in Inglostadt, Germany can now be transported to the North Sea loading port of Emden, emission-free.

From this month onwards, the German brand will be operating its transport trains on the Ingolstadt – Emden route with electricity from renewable energy sources. This allows Audi to eliminate the emission of around 5,250 tons of CO₂ per year, more than 35 kilograms (77 lb) per car transported. The line to the North Sea loading port, the hub for overseas exports, is the brand’s most important transport route. Three trains loaded with Audi models travel this route each day and carry roughly 150,000 cars a year.

"CO₂-free rail transport is an important element of our environmental efforts and is of great interest to us," says Ernst-Hermann Krog, Head of Audi Brand Logistics.

Audi is also establishing an ever-more energy efficient range of cars too. Currently its range consists of 53 engine and transmission variants with emission of 140g/km CO2 or  less. Of these, 19 versions achieve CO₂ emissions of less than 120 g/km, and three of less than 100 g/km.

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Audi has opened the order books on its cleanest ever model. The highly anticipated new supermini A1 model is available to order from today (May 6) as the carmaker reveals full pricing and specification details.

The German premium carmaker’s first entrant into the mini car segment has emissions from just 105g/km of CO2 and 70.6mpg (combined) and is set to appeal to a new breed of buyer. It is widely tipped to become the brand’s biggest seller when the first deliveries are made to UK customers in October.

The carmaker promises that the new model will offer all the familiar luxury of associated with its cars simply on a smaller scale. The firm says the new A1, priced between £13,145 OTR and £18,280 OTR, is ‘the latest, more concentrated embodiment of Vorsprung durch Technik’ and its ‘more diminutive dimensions are its only half measure’.

Features common to the SE, Sport and S line options available for UK A1 models will include alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. The model will also make full use engine start-stop function, energy recuperation as standard to make it the greenest Audi ever.

In the initial launch phase, three ultra-efficient TDI and TFSI engines will be available, all of which compensate for their relatively small displacements with the latest turbo charger technology.

The new 1.2 TFSI petrol engine linked exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission kicks off the range, its 86PS and 160Nm peak power and torque outputs enabling a 0-62mph time of 11.7 seconds and a 112mph top speed, delivered with 55.4mpg capability and low CO₂ of 118g/km.

The more familiar 1.4 TFSI power unit is next in line, and delivers its 122PS and 200Nm via the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Equipped with S tronic it takes the A1 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds, and on to 126mph where conditions allow, and in this form comes impressively close to matching its smaller counterpart on economy and emissions, delivering up to 54.3mpg with CO₂ output of 119g/km.

The 105PS 1.6-litre diesel, the lowest CO2 emitting model in the range, is the third engine option. Using a five-speed manual gearbox, its impressive 250Nm torque output powers the A1 to 62mph in 10.5 seconds and on to a 118mph top speed, while retaining the potential to achieve 70.6mpg economy with emissions of 105g/km. That means that the A1 will be road tax free in the first year.

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The Audi R8 GT is well renowned as a high performance sports car – but now it can be noted for its green attributes too.

The German manufacturer has presented a limited production version of the vehicle with its output increased to 412kW with the ability to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 199mph.

However, despite its performance capabilities, the vehicle includes a number of green attributes such as a lightweight construction with the body weighing a meagre 210kg. Further weight reductions were achieved by making the windshield with thinner glass; using thinner sheet metal for the fixed rear wing; and using carbon fibre reinforced plastic for the long rear hatch.

The engineers also worked hard to shave weight from the technical components of the R8. They cut one kilogram from the power brake system; four kilograms from the aluminium caps of the brake discs; and 9.4kilograms from the battery. Substantial weight savings were also achieved on the interior with the new lightweight carpeting accounting for 7.9kilograms and the bucket seats with a chassis of glass reinforced plastic accounting for 31.5kilograms.

The vehicle certainly shows how much weight can be removed from a car… at least if money is no object!

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While some vehicle manufacturers are focusing on making the switch to electric cars, Audi is going one step further by trying to ensure that its electricity is produced in a sustainable manner.

The company has signed an agreement with the international consortium Desertec Industrial Initiative with the long term goal to produce electricity in a climate-friendly manner from the deserts of North Africa and the Middle East. Today, the Desertec Industrial Initiative is working to develop conditions for targeted investment in solar and wind energy.

Speaking about the agreement, Rupert Sandler, the chairman of the board of management of Audi AG, commented that he hopes electric cars from Audi will run on sustainably produced electricity and to achieve the goal the company will support the development of solar- and wind-driven power plants.

Audi hopes to introduce its first small series electric car to the market in 2012 and is looking at taking an above average percentage of its energy from renewable sources including placing photovoltaic panels on its roofs to feed green electricity into the German grid.

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The Audi Q7 may not be the greenest vehicle in the company’s line-up but it has made some encouraging steps in the right direction thanks to a revised engine line-up.

Audi will offer two new petrol engines and a second generation 3.0l V6 TDI diesel as part of its new line-up.

The new TDI has a rated output of 176kW and a constant 550Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 2,500pm. Fuel consumption will be just 32mpg, with CO2 emissions at 195g/km – this represents an improvement of 19 per cent. The improvements have been achieved partly because the engine weighs less than before at 437lbs; while the new turbo-charger is exceptionally responsive and as the crankcase and cylinder heads have separate cooling water circuits the coolant is not circulated in the engine block during the warm-up phase which saves energy and raises oil more quickly to its operating temperature.

A 3.0 TFSI petrol engine will also be offered which replaces engine displacement with supercharging. It includes a basic version that develops 200kW and has a maximum torque of 400Nm with a top speed of 138mph and the ability to race from 0-100km/h in 7.9seconds. Meanwhile, a more powerful version can achieve 440Nm between 2,900 and 5,300rpm; has a top speed of 151mph; and can reach 100km/h in 6.9seconds. The engines consume 22mpg with fuel consumption cut by 12 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.

Finally, the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI also has its fuel consumption reduced from 24mpg to 26mpg and it delivers more torque than before. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.4seconds with a top speed of 150mph.

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Just in time for the warmer weather, Audi has introduced its cleanest A3 Cabriolet yet. Using its smallest capacity petrol engine ever featured on an Audi, the carmaker has succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions while still improving performance of the new car.

The new A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI, which opens for order this week priced from £19,985 OTR, is set to replace the 1.6-litre MPI model, and uses turbo charging to more than match its output of the older vehicle. The new car is part of the carmaker’s aim to boost fuel efficiency while still retaining its reputation for producing luxurious performance cars.

The new compact engine on the cabriolet weighs just 89.5 kilograms with the help of an aluminium crankcase, combined the latest turbo charger technology with direct petrol injection to ensure that optimum efficiency isn’t achieved at the expense of driveability. It generates the same 105PS output as the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated unit it replaces, along with 175Nm of torque between just 1,500 and 4,100 rpm- a 27Nm increase over its predecessor.

Linked to six-speed manual transmission, the A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI can reach 62mph from rest in 12.2 seconds, and continue to a top speed of 118mph – increases of 0.3 seconds and 4mph over the 1.6MPI. Despite these improvements, it also boosts combined fuel economy by 9.2mpg to 49.6mpg, and drops CO₂ output by 35g/km to 132g/km.

Ongoing Audi efficiency drive

The new Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI is the latest example of the Audi’s drive to cut emissions by replacing larger capacity petrol engines with more compact alternatives using direct injection to deliver even more impressive performance results with economy and emissions improvements. In the A3 range alone the 1.4 TFSI petrol with 125PS has effectively replaced the 115PS 1.6 FSI, and the common rail 1.6 TDI with 105PS has taken over from the pump jet injection 105PS 1.9 TDI, both with impressive results.

The new A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI opens for order this week priced from £19,985 OTR.

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With the aim of making significant weight savings and reducing the risks of noise, vibration and harshness, Audi has become the first customer to adopt the GKN Driveline’s new Direct Torque Flow technology for propeller shafts.

The technology provides a direct connection to the gearbox or differential with the torque transmitted from the CVJ inner race to the outer shaft. The GKN Driveline direct torque flow solution reduces component complexity meaning it saves weight, assembly time and costs.

The solutions can be used to connect a propeller shaft to both a vehicle’s rear final-drive unit and its transmission.

It’s not the first link up between Audi and GKN, with Audi also using the GKN Driveline side-shaft on the new Audi A8. This enables the shaft assembly to telescope inwards and support the crash safety strategy of the vehicle. As the A8 is high performance in nature and requires the propeller shaft to work at speeds up to 10,500rpm, the GKN system comes with a host of additional features to boost performance including a low-level of rotational imbalance, a lightweight steel tube and sealing systems.

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The 2010 Geneva Motor Show has played host to many of the green cars of the future – but Audi’s A8 parallel hybrid technology will be on our roads sooner than you may expect.

The technology architecture of the A8 hybrid is actually a preview of the Audi Q5 Hybrid which is expected to enter the market either later this year or in early 2011. That doesn’t mean that the A8 Hybrid will be left on the shelf, however – it is due in late 2011/early 2012.

As for the car itself, the Audi A8 Hybrid takes its power from a four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI engine as well as an electric motor – together they have an output of 180kW and 480Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6seconds and can reach a top speed of 146mph.

The 2.0 TFSI has received plaudits in the industry having been named “engine of the year” five times in a row since 2005. It uses a direct fuel injection with turbocharging, combined with an AVS Audi valvelift system that regulates the valve lift in two stages. This improves the cylinder charging and ensures powerful torque build-up.

The engine’s impressive credentials do not come at the expense of fuel economy, however.

Average fuel consumption for the Audi A8 Hybrid amounts to 38mpg with emissions at 144g/km of CO2. This means that in city traffic, the hybrid drive uses around 20 per cent less fuel than a conventional model. The hybrid drive has been designed for fully electric powered driving up to 40mph and for a distance in excess of 1.2miles. Above 40mph the combustion engine does the propulsive work while the electric motor recharges the battery.

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Following on from Volkswagen’s own e-mobility plans, Audi too has spoken about strengthening its hybrid and electric drive portfolios.

Among the initial plans, Audi will debut a Q5 Hybrid in late 2010/early 2011 that will be the first production Audi hybrid. It will be followed with the debut of the A8 hybrid concept car, which is scheduled to be revealed in Geneva later today, and boasts CO2 emissions of 144g/km. Another Geneva debutant will be the Audi A1 E-tron (see article), which is an extended range electric vehicle. It is widely anticipated that Audi will launch the E-tron electric car by the end of 2012.

The Audi A8 Hybrid has two power units – the 2.0 TFSI engine and the electric motor, which have a combined output of 180kW and 480Nm of torque. Average fuel consumption is 38mpg and CO2 emissions are 144g/km. The vehicle uses a parallel hybrid configuration with an electric motor integrated between the four-cylinder petrol engine and the eight-speed transmission.

The Audi A1 E-tron by contrast, is electrically propelled with a range of more than 31 miles in city traffic. It uses a compact range extender that consists of a single-rotor Wankel engine and electrical generator. The mean fuel consumption is 1,248mpg and CO2 emissions are equivalent to just 45g/km.

Speaking about the plans, Rupert Stadler, the chairman of the board of management for Audi AG, stated that in future customers will be able to choose from a broad range of driveline technologies and that the current TDI and FSI engines will be accompanied by electric power. He said that the hybrid driveline will be followed by all-electric vehicles and the “E-tron” name will play a similar role for the Audi brand as the “Quattro” synonym.

Meanwhile, Michael Dick, a member of the board of management for technical development at Audi AG, outlined that full hybrids will be used primarily to reduce fuel consumption and that plug-in hybrids will demonstrate their strong points when drivers expect to cover longer distances in electric mode. Meanwhile, electric cars will come into their own in urban mobility areas.

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The Green Piece Column. Tuesday 23 February 2010

Steeped in tradition, having been established in 1905 and now set for its 80^th edition, the Geneva International Motor Show has always been one of the highlights of the automotive calendar.

Regarded as a level playing field for the world’s car manufacturers as Switzerland lacks an automotive industry of its own, exotic supercars usually steal the spotlight at the event but this year, after turbulent times for the industry, the focus is on green cars and the future of the business. With that in mind here we look at the top 10 most exciting green cars expected to be unveiled at the show.

1. BMW Concept ActiveE

Making its European debut in Geneva, the BMW Concept ActiveE is a fully electric drive vehicle based on the BMW 1 Series (see article). It features a specially developed motor that delivers 125kW/170hp with a maximum torque of 250Nm.

It is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and has a range of 100 miles on a single charge.

2. New 2011 Ford Focus

Already unveiled to North American audiences in Detroit in January, the 2011 Ford Focus will make its European debut in Geneva with fuel consumption savings of 10-20 per cent compared to outgoing models (see article).

The new Focus is expected to include the next generation Focus ECOnetic technologies including automatic stop-start, smart regenerative charging and low tension front end accessory drive to bring emissions down to a targeted 99g/km with fuel economy at 74.2mpg.

3. Citroen DS High Rider

A brand new hybrid concept, the Citroen DS High Rider hopes to capitalise on the higher efficiency of a diesel combined with an electric motor and is capable of operating by diesel or electric power separately dependent on the conditions (see article).

Details of fuel economy and emissions of this exciting prototype are remaining under wraps until the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors.

4. Peugeot SR1

A new concept car by Peugeot, the SR1 uses the Hybrid 4 technology that is expected to be launched in the Peugeot 3008 in 2011. A 1.6litre THP petrol engine is combined with a rear electric motor that develops 70kW and with the two powertrains operating simultaneously the SR1 can deliver power as high as 230kW.

Its combined fuel cycle performance is 58mpg, with CO2 emissions at 119g/km.

5. New 2011 Audi A1

A new super-mini from the German carmaker, the Audi A1 boasts CO2 emission figures as low as 102g/km according to preliminary figures (see article).

 

Though Audi is shrinking in size to meet green car market demand, the A1 retains its signature sleek, streamlined look and can develop 160Nm of peak torque that enables it to race from 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds with a top speed of 111mph and fuel efficiency in the region of 55.4mpg.

6. New 2011 Bentley Continental SuperSports Convertible

As part of Bentley’s ongoing commitment to biofuels, the manufacturer will debut its flex-fuel capable Continental SuperSports Convertible at the event (see article).

With flex-fuel in full use, CO2 emissions fall by as much as 70 per cent and yet the vehicle still produces remarkable sports car figures, racing from 0-60mph in 3.9seconds and with a top speed of 202mph.

7. New 2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

Simply one of the greenest cars to date, the new Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion will be the second cleanest conventionally fuelled diesel on the market (behind the Smart ForTwo) with emissions at just 91g/km and fuel efficiency as high as 80.7mpg (see article).

This remarkable small car has certainly stood the test of time but with a new advanced 1.2litre TDI engine, automatic stop-start technology and regenerative braking, it takes the carmaker to an all-time high in fuel efficiency.

8. Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme

The Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme is a diesel plug-in hybrid car that can travel 34miles on its lithium-ion batteries before a small diesel engine starts to charge the batteries (see article). This range-extended concept is a rebadged version of the Saturn Flextreme first introduced in 2008 and is expected to emit 40g/km of CO2 or less based on European test procedures for range extended vehicles.

Its total range is expected to be more than 300miles with average fuel consumption at 174mpg.

9. “5 by Peugeot”

Another Peugeot debutant at the event will be the “5 by Peugeot”, a new concept car that expresses the carmaker’s desire to establish itself in the luxury sector (see article).

With Hybrid 4 technology it has an overall maximum power of 200bhp with super low fuel consumption at 74.3mpg. Its CO2 emissions, although not yet confirmed, are expected to be a meagre 99g/km placing this car right at the top of its sector.

10. New 2011 Lotus Elise

With all the hallmarks of a super car, the new Lotus Elise certainly isn’t the average green car, but thanks to a number of technological advances it manages to combine performance with efficiency (see article).

Thanks to a new 1.6litre engine that is 200cc smaller than the previous Elise model but still produces similar power at 160Nm at 4,400rpm, it has the lowest CO2 output of a petrol sports car in the world with emissions at less than 155g/km of CO2 and fuel economy at 38mpg. Nevertheless it still manages to race from 0-60mph in 6.0seconds with a top speed of 124mph.

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the Press on March 2 and to the public on March 4. We’ll bring you all the latest information from the event in our news section.

Faye Sunderland

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