Motor Authority - blog Tag: TDI

Diesel models may account for half of all vehicle sales in Europe but in the U.S. their numbers still hover around the 3% mark. As fuel prices gradually increase in time, however, American consumers will inevitably seek alternatives to gasoline powered models in greater numbers.

One of the more popular alternatives will likely be diesel, due to availability of the fuel source and infrastructure, as well as the diesel engine’s high torque characteristics and excellent economy.

One of the major proponents of diesel fuel in the U.S. is Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, who stated that American consumers will get more clean diesels--but they will...

Diesel models may account for half of all vehicle sales in Europe but in the U.S. their numbers still hover around the 3% mark. As fuel prices gradually increase in time, however, American consumers will inevitably seek alternatives to gasoline powered models in greater numbers. One of the more popular alternatives will likely be diesel, due to availability of the fuel source and infrastructure, as well as the diesel engine’s high torque characteristics and excellent economy. One of the major proponents of diesel fuel in the U.S. is Audi CEO Rupert Stadler, who stated that American consumers will get more clean diesels--but they will pay a premium for them. Stadler explained that diesel roll-out in the U.S. would require a very high level of investment and that there is no guarantee of a return on the investment--one of the primary reasons we don’t have as great a diesel offering as Europe currently enjoys. As mentioned, things will eventually change. Audi’s U.S. chief Johan de Nysschen predicts that as much as 20 to 25% of the automaker’s local sales will feature diesel powertrains in the foreseeable future. Audi’s first diesel sold in the U.S., the Q7 TDI, already accounts for 35% of Q7 sales and has proven so popular that they were sold out. The share is even higher for the A3 TDI subcompact, he added. It appears diesel is here to stay and we will only see more options available once more and more consumers realize the benefits of the oil-burners. [AutoNews, sub req'd] Read More

The second new diesel from Audi this year, the 2010 A3 TDI offers hatchback practicality and clean-diesel frugality in a relatively affordable package. Starting from $29,950 before an $825 delivery fee, the hatch technically just squeaks under the $30,000 mark.

But you get a good deal of value for that $30,000. The standard A3 quattro is nothing to sneeze at, with an excellent Audi interior, fun and sporty handling and more practicality than the average compact sedan.
Throw in the A3 2.0 TDI's 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway efficiency rating and you've got a car that's just as efficient and just as nice to drive as the Lexus HS 250h hybrid....

The second new diesel from Audi this year, the 2010 A3 TDI offers hatchback practicality and clean-diesel frugality in a relatively affordable package. Starting from $29,950 before an $825 delivery fee, the hatch technically just squeaks under the $30,000 mark. But you get a good deal of value for that $30,000. The standard A3 quattro is nothing to sneeze at, with an excellent Audi interior, fun and sporty handling and more practicality than the average compact sedan. Throw in the A3 2.0 TDI's 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway efficiency rating and you've got a car that's just as efficient and just as nice to drive as the Lexus HS 250h hybrid. Not to mention it's several orders of magnitude more attractive, and several thousand dollars less expensive. The A3 TDI follows on the heels of the Q7 TDI, which both Motor Authority and TheCarConnection has had the chance to drive recently. The smooth power delivery, effortless acceleration and generally transparent demeanor of the Audi diesel means there's no reason to reject a modern oil-burner in favor of a less efficient gasoline engine unless you just crave high-revving power. Rated at 140 horsepower and 236 pount-feet of torque, the A3 TDI is sure to offer a similar experience behind the wheel, pulling strongly from low revs and on to its 130 mph top speed. [Audi] Read More

Audi will be releasing a host of models in coming years to expand into new segments as it attempts to topple BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the quest to sell more than a 1.5 million vehicles by 2015. Some of the cars in the pipeline include the A1 premium hatch, A7 four-door coupe and a Sportback version of the current A5 Coupe.

Earlier this week, Audi released the first details for the new A5 Sportback, which is set to go on sale in Europe following a debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Pricing in Europe will start at €33,650 (approximately $45,000) for the base 2.0L TDI model, however, Audi has confirmed that an even cheaper...

Audi will be releasing a host of models in coming years to expand into new segments as it attempts to topple BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the quest to sell more than a 1.5 million vehicles by 2015. Some of the cars in the pipeline include the A1 premium hatch, A7 four-door coupe and a Sportback version of the current A5 Coupe. Earlier this week, Audi released the first details for the new A5 Sportback, which is set to go on sale in Europe following a debut at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Pricing in Europe will start at €33,650 (approximately $45,000) for the base 2.0L TDI model, however, Audi has confirmed that an even cheaper model will arrive in the middle of next year. Described as offering the practicality of an Avant wagon with the elegant styling of a coupe, the new A5 Sportback features a five door body with an elongated profile. This coupe-like silhouette is the result of a roof section with a long, tapering roofline that is 36mm lower than the A4 Sedan and of the short overhangs at the front and rear as well as the long wheelbase of 2,810mm. Inside, there’s 980L of storage available with the rear seats are folded and generous space for four adults. Initially the A5 Sportback will be available with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines. The two petrol versions, the 2.0 TFSI quattro with an output of 211hp (155kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque and the 3.2L V6 quattro generating 265hp (195kW) are both equipped with the Audi valvelift system. This feature can produce more power and higher torque as well as lower fuel consumption. The following engines are also available right from the start: the 2.0L TDI with 170hp (125kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque, a 6-speed manual gearbox and start/stop system, the 2.7 TDI with 190hp (140kW) and 295lb-ft (400Nm) of torque, and the 3.0L V6 TDI with 240hp (170kW) plus an enormous 369lb-ft (500Nm) of maximum torque and quattro all-wheel drive. To ensure optimal handling performance the A5 Sportback comes with a newly developed electronic stability program with an electronic differential lock on the front axle. The car also comes with the Audi drive select dynamic driving system, which allows the driver to choose between three different modes which influences the throttle response characteristics, the shift points for the seven-speed S tronic or multitronic transmissions, and supports the servotronic steering. If the vehicle is equipped with the MMI operating system, a fourth, freely programmable level is also available. Expect more details to be released closer to the car’s unveiling in September. 2010 Audi A5 Sportback Audi's head designer sketches the A5 Sportback Read More

It wasn't so long ago that the superior fuel efficiency of diesel-powered vehicles could be rationalized away due to the higher per-gallon price of the fuel compared to gasoline. Now, however, a dip in the price of diesel has pushed it below gas, and lit sales on fire in the process.

The price difference is significant, especially when taken in light of the stronger fuel efficiency of most diesel engines. According to the Department of Energy, the average price for a gallon diesel as of June 22 is $2.61, while the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.69. If your car requires premium, that'll be another $0.25 or so -... It wasn't so long ago that the superior fuel efficiency of diesel-powered vehicles could be rationalized away due to the higher per-gallon price of the fuel compared to gasoline. Now, however, a dip in the price of diesel has pushed it below gas, and lit sales on fire in the process. The price difference is significant, especially when taken in light of the stronger fuel efficiency of most diesel engines. According to the Department of Energy, the average price for a gallon diesel as of June 22 is $2.61, while the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is $2.69. If your car requires premium, that'll be another $0.25 or so - but you already knew that. So now that it's not just more efficient, but also cheaper, to drive a diesel, it's no surprise that Americans are flocking to the few carmakers that offer them. In fact, Volkswagen saw a rise of 71% in sales of the Jetta TDI between April and May, reports AutoWeek. They are expecting to do just as well or better in June. Mercedes-Benz is also benefiting hugely from the sales trend, in part because it offers both the M-Class and GL-Class SUVs with diesel powertrains, in addition to the R-Class crossover. Between the three, Mercedes has sold about 15,000 diesels so far this year in the U.S. BMW could also see some benefit from the lower fuel prices thanks to its offering of the 335d and X5 xDrive 35d. Those vehicles, along with the Volkswagen and Mercedes models, are also eligible for a tax break of between $900 and $1,800 under a provision of the Lean Burn bill. Read More

Not much is yet known about Abt Sportsline's latest take on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, but the numbers are enough to pique any enthusiast's interest: 560hp (412kW), 886lb-ft (1,200Nm) of torque and sports-car-like 0-62mph (100km/h) times of just 5.5 seconds.

How Abt boosted the big V12 diesel from its 500hp (373kW), 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) torque baseline to the new and improved status is still a secret, but with that much straight-line juice, it'll be sure to have some suspension and wheel/tire enhancements to help deliver a sportier experience in the curvy bits too.

Wheels up to 22in will be available with the new package, though the remaining... Not much is yet known about Abt Sportsline's latest take on the Audi Q7 V12 TDI, but the numbers are enough to pique any enthusiast's interest: 560hp (412kW), 886lb-ft (1,200Nm) of torque and sports-car-like 0-62mph (100km/h) times of just 5.5 seconds. How Abt boosted the big V12 diesel from its 500hp (373kW), 738lb-ft (1,000Nm) torque baseline to the new and improved status is still a secret, but with that much straight-line juice, it'll be sure to have some suspension and wheel/tire enhancements to help deliver a sportier experience in the curvy bits too. Wheels up to 22in will be available with the new package, though the remaining details of the tuning kit will have to wait for the full reveal. For now, the photo above, provided by Abt and showing a lightly photo-edited version of the standard Q7 V12 TDI, is the only preview of the car available. Unfortunately for Americans, however, it won't really matter what the final version looks like,the beastly Q7 isn't available as Audi only sells the efficient but decidedly more tame Q7 3.0L V6 TDI in the States.2010 Audi Q7 V12 TDI2010 Audi Q7 SUV Read More

In the U.S. the 2009 Audi A3 is only offered with a pair of petrol engines ranging in displacement from 2.0L up to 3.2L, but in the rest of the world Audi offers a full range of engine options including both petrol and TDI diesel units. Overseas the A3 engine family has now been expanded with the addition of two new 1.6L TDI engines offering 90hp (66kW) and 105hp (77kW), respectively.

With fuel economy of 57.37mpg (4.1L/100km) , the A3 1.6 TDI with an output of 105hp (77kW), emits a mere 109g of CO2/km. These figures are made possible by efficient technologies such as the car’s engine start-stop and energy recovery system.... In the U.S. the 2009 Audi A3 is only offered with a pair of petrol engines ranging in displacement from 2.0L up to 3.2L, but in the rest of the world Audi offers a full range of engine options including both petrol and TDI diesel units. Overseas the A3 engine family has now been expanded with the addition of two new 1.6L TDI engines offering 90hp (66kW) and 105hp (77kW), respectively. With fuel economy of 57.37mpg (4.1L/100km) , the A3 1.6 TDI with an output of 105hp (77kW), emits a mere 109g of CO2/km. These figures are made possible by efficient technologies such as the car’s engine start-stop and energy recovery system. Performance is reasonable given the car’s economy but don’t expect things to sizzle here. The energy recovery system draws kinetic energy from the car’s brakes when slowing down, converting this to electricity to take the load off the alternator, which draws power from the engine and thus consumes fuel. According to Audi, this improves fuel economy by as much as 3%. The more powerful model allows the A3 to reach 62mph in 11.4 seconds and powers it up to a top speed of 121mph. The less powerful 90hp (66kW) unit transmits 170lb-ft (230Nm) of torque and takes 12.9 seconds to cover the 0-62mph dash. Even without an engine start-stop or energy recovery system, it rates in at 52.57mpg (4.5L/100km) and only emits 118g of CO2/km. Both cars are now on sale and are priced at €22,550 for the 90hp (66kW) model and €23,550 for the 105hp (77kW) model.2009 Audi A3 facelift and A3 Sportback Read More