Audi favors Diesel over Hybrids for the Q5 & Q7

Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen is hoping plans for the hybrid variant are pushed back at least two years in the hope the dollar gains strength so as to squeeze some profit out of a vehicle with a pricey powertrain.

In the case of the Q7 TDI, the launch is tentatively set for February 2009, but its model year has not been decided. In an interview with Car and Driver, de Nysschen says his preference is that it be denoted a 2010 model, but to qualify, production cannot start until after January 1, 2009, which would push back the sales date to next March at the earliest. Audi would prefer to begin assembly at the end of this year to ramp up supply, but such action would make the crossover a 2009. De Nysschen says the decision will be made within weeks.

As for the outrageous Twinturbo Q7 Diesel V12 engine is slated for sale in Europe in the second half of the year, de Nysschen says the business case to make it available in 50 states is a hard one to make. The concept, with 500 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque may make the hearts of enthusiasts flutter, but Audi needs to be able to support it in the market and the reality is, “there probably is not enough volume for it to come.” When you amortize the cost over the projected volume, it adds up to a very expensive vehicle, he says. “It would have to be a $130,000 car.”
Putting the V-12 into a production R8 would be less price sensitive, he argues, but he questions whether the hot sports car needs that many engine derivatives.

What de Nysschen would like to see is the new Q5 SUV with a diesel for North America. The all-new Q5, and no formal decision has been made for the diesel in the U.S., de Nysschen says.

Clearly a proponent of oil-burners, de Nysschen says the 3.0-liter diesel could also go in the A4, the A6, and even the A8. A four-cylinder mill could also go in the A4, as well as the A3. He says a diesel A4 for North America is “under consideration.”

As for Audi’s hybrid strategy, de Nysschen says he wants to delay the launch of a hybrid Q7 as long as possible—if not indefinitely—given today’s currency exchange rate and the low projected volumes for the vehicle. The price premium of the hybrid under these conditions would negate the savings to consumers, he says, as well as eliminating any profit margin for the automaker.

As a result, “I’m not pushing engineering to hurry up,” he says, and he is not pushing for hybrid versions of any additional Audi vehicles at this time. “We don’t need hybrids for all segments for Audi in the U.S.”

“I’d like to see hybrids pushed out two more years.” Like many German carmakers, Audi sees diesels as a better option in the U.S. than hybrids. But the automaker also recognizes the well-entrenched perception by American consumers that hybrids are a better solution.

And when Audi is ready to introduce a hybrid, “the Q5 would be a better volume hybrid,” he says. Technically the switch would be easy. “What we can do to the Q7, we can do to the Q5,” de Nysschen says.

Audi celebrates its 1,000,000th A3

Audi has recently finished producing its 1 millionth second generation A3, a model that has has been manufactured since early 2003. The car to hit the million mark was a 2.0-liter TDI A3 Sportback in Brilliant Red and is destined for a customer in Franconia, Germany. Audi's A3 model production started in 1997 and in total has made over 1.9 million first and second generation examples. Currently over 800 redesigned A3's are produced and shipped everyday to customers worldwide.

Much of Audi's recent financial growth can be attributed to entry-level and large volume models like the stylish A3 that give customers an intial stepping stone into the larger four-ringed family.

Audi's smallest offering is available to global markets with five different gasoline engine variations, in addition to three diesel power plants. US customers are limited to two gasoline powered engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder and a 3.2-liter V-6.

Future plans for the A3 model include a new European-only convertible version that will be manufactured this spring in Hungary.

Motortrend by Nate Martinez

Audi S-Tronic AKA "DSG system" to be in the newer A4 Q5 models

The newely developed Borg-Warner derivative transmission system used by Audi is to be packaged in a longitudal format to add the option to the A4 lineup and upcoming Q5 platforms. The DSG system will offer Drive, Sport and Manual modes, with the latter upgrading from six to seven fixed ratios as previsouly announced, and boasts a higher torque threshold of 550Nm. With the development of this new system whereas the older tranverse transmission would only wistand upto300ilbs-ft but tuners have been pushing the system even further than Audi has blueprinted. The new system is to be setup with Audis new 40/60 rear bias setup for better handling and to be rid of the infamous "Audisteer". The new system should be popping up in Europe by the end of this year and the US by 2009/2010.

"Audi has no timetable for US Diesels"

Audi spokesman Christian Bokich said the thinking behind pulling out of the Q7 hybrid launch was
"to launch the diesel properly and also a weak U.S. dollar". Also he is quoted as saying the Audi Q5 hybrid, "probably makes the most business sense because of sheer volume, and Diesel versions of the A6 & A8 for the U.S. are less likely".
"Diesel has always been a main focus and expertise of Audi, and in the future, we won't rule out hybrids, but everything we do needs to prepare the way for a financially sound Audi. The backbone is a strong financial business case. In this case, we're willing to take a look at a hybrid in the future. We have been working on hybrids. But our core competency is diesel cars. We love diesel, even more than our customers."
But considering all US bound Audi vehicles are petrol only, Audi needs to play catchup in America. Mercedes, and Audis parent VW have had diesels for years but the competition is just starting in the US with GM, Toyota considering sharing a diesel platform engine. Honda is also developing a US bound diesel, and has stated newer Type-R's could possibly have a 2.2-2.5 litre turbo diesel engine.

Audi adds 7th gear to the ratio

Audi and Volkswagen have had great success with BorgWarner’s dual-clutch transmission. And now, with the appearance of BMW and Lexus's 7th gear in the U.S. later this year, Audi’s upping its gear count to stay competitive.
Audi is set to introduce a seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, intended for use with the quattro system. The high-performance gearbox is capable of handling torque output as high as 406 lb-ft. With the 6speed Gearboxes only having a torque capacity of 350-400ilbs-ft.
The new geabox should appear in the new Audi Q7 crossover in Beijeing next month.

Audi invests largely in India

German luxury car maker Audi has grand plans in India and is going to invest Euro 30 million (Rs 192 crore) by 2015 in production alone. Audi India, Audi's national sales office, was set up in Mumbai last year.

Currently, Audi's India portfolio has a limited range on offer: TT, A8, A6, A4 and Q7.

Local assembly of the A6 has started from the company's plant in Aurangabad and the same will begin for A4 by this year end.

New Forza Motorsport 2 Downloadable Audi Vehicles

A new downloadable content pack for Forza Motorsport 2 has been released. 13 stunning new and customizable rides have been added to the game's robust 340+ car roster.

Available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 400 Microsoft points, the March Car Pack's 13 vehicles include an Xbox 360-themed Peugeot 207 Super 2000, the brand new Audi S5 and 2008 BMW M3, and kings among super cars, the Lamborghini LP640 and the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Additional cars from renowned makers like Porsche, Maserati, and Mitsubishi round out the list.

The complete new car list:
2008 Audi S5
2007 Audi TT Coupe S-Line
1971 BMW 3.0 CSL E09
2008 BMW E92 M3
1989 Ferrari F40 Competizione
1996 Ferrari F50 GT
2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640
2007 Maserati GranTurismo
2006 Maserati MC12 Corsa
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR
2008 Porsche 911 GT2 (997)
2007 Peugeot #1 Peugeot 207 Super 2000 (Xbox liveried 2007 IRC championship winner)

Dollar halts U.S. retail sales of Audi Q7 hybrid

Audi has apparently decided that its new Q7 hybrid will not come to the U.S. after all, citing a slow economy and a weak dollar as the main culprits.

In an interview with Automotive News, Audi U.S. Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen stated that the German automaker could not make a legitimate business case for the importation of Audi's hybrid flagship SUV on a consumer level.

He did however mention that Audi will be selling a "very low volume of cars" to the commercial market. Audi's hybrid powetrain is also a possibility for the smaller Q5 crossover scheduled for debut next year, but a hybrid Q5 would probably not a candidate for the U.S. market either.

Aud is hoping its coming 3.0-liter V-6 diesel version of the Audi Q7will help the automaker to stem the vehicles slowing sales in the U.S. There is still no official word on the price for the Q7 diesel option. De Nysschen said diesels are a more logical product to offer U.S. consumers and have a higher volume potential compared to the hybrid niche market.

Audi diesel invasion

Brian Harper, Canwest News Service

Along with the latest-generation common-rail piezo direct-injection system, exhaust gas recirculation and efficient turbocharging, the key to the TDI's low engine emissions is its cleaning system in the exhaust gas system, which reduces nitrous oxides by up to 90 per cent. A urea solution called AdBlue is sprayed into the catalytic converter. In the hot exhaust, the solution breaks down into ammonia, which the nitrous oxide then splits into nitrogen and water.

Beyond the powertrain, the Q7 gets Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive. The demand-based torque distribution through the quattro drive means all 406 pound-feet generated by the TDI diesel will be distributed to the wheels with most grip, ensuring traction and lateral stability.

As an upscale family hauler, the Q7 ranks right up there. Its gently curving roof, muscular haunches and trademark Audi shield-like grille make it stand out in a crowded parking lot. It has a boatload of passive and active safety features, it is fully contented with the de rigueur modern conveniences and it is spacious and versatile. What it adds with the 3.0 TDI V6 is much-needed fuel economy and a sense that driving the Q7 (and other full-size, diesel-powered sport-utes and crossovers) doesn't necessarily make you an environmental scofflaw.

Our short time in the vehicle still led Fletcher and me to the same conclusion. With all its benefits, why would anyone not want to get the diesel engine?

Head Of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: In His Own Words

No, it wasn't a perfect week for Audi at the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. But there were plenty of positives to be had including a ninth consecutive LMP1 victory at Sebring International Raceway. Chief among them were the news that the German marque will be part of the American Le Mans Series grid for the full season with two diesel-powered R10 TDIs and Audi's induction into the Sebring Hall of Fame. Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich used that platform to reflect on Audi's record at the 12 Hours and what the Series means to Audi as one of its leading manufacturers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's a great honor for Audi being inducted into the Hall of Fame at Sebring. In the name of AUDI AG I would like to thank you very much for this honor.

"Sebring is a very special race, especially for Audi. Back in 1999, we competed in our first ever sports car race at Sebring after racing touring cars for various years. Doing this at Sebring, on one of the toughest race tracks of the world, was a big task for Audi Sport and our team. We were not the fastest in 1999, but we were able to finish the race and even achieved a podium result.

"We learned a lot at Sebring in 1999, and one year later we came back with the new Audi R8. As you all know, it was the start of an incredible career for this car. I remember Don Panoz saying 'This car will be a winner' when he saw the Audi R8 for the first time.

"He was right.

"The R8 became the most successful Le Mans prototype in history with 63 overall victories in just 80 races. It has won the Le Mans 24 Hours five times and remained undefeated at Sebring from 2000 to 2005 before we introduced the revolutionary R10 TDI, our diesel-powered sports car.

"For sure, the winning streak of the Audi R8 was the key factor for being admitted to Sebring's Hall of Fame. We know that Sebring is one of the most prestigious races of the world and the victories Audi has achieved here make us proud. But we've seen Sebring also always as an important test for the Le Mans 24 Hours. If you finish the 12 Hours of Sebring, you can be quite sure you will not face too many unexpected technical problems at Le Mans. ..."

"The American Le Mans Series is an excellent platform in America for an automobile manufacturer to compete in motorsport at a high level with innovative technology. We want to continue to use this platform and to support Audi's diesel campaign in the USA. We will show fighting spirit and try to win as many races as possible.

"Audi has helped the American Le Mans Series to become one of the most popular racing series in the world. And Audi has also been the technological pioneers for the Green Racing initiative in the American Le Mans Series, which Audi very much welcomes.

"We have created the basis for Green Racing with racing our R10 TDI in the American Le Mans Series and proving that you can win Le Mans with a diesel-powered sports car. The ACO and IMSA have made it possible for Audi to showcase this technology at Le Mans and in the American Le Mans Series successfully.

"In 2008, AUDI AG will deliver more than 1 million cars worldwide for the first time in its history. Almost half of them will be equipped with a TDI engine, which, in the meantime, has established itself in almost every world market - with the exception of the USA.

"The TDI engine has enormous potential - specifically in the USA. The American Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the United States of America could save 1.4 million barrels of crude oil every day if just every third car and light commercial vehicle was fitted with a modern diesel engine like the Audi TDI.

"Audi will start a TDI offensive later this year introducing the world's cleanest diesel with low emission system on the US markets. The R10 TDI helps to explain the advantages of the TDI technology to the public and the customers.

"And all this started where...? Exactly: Here at Sebring International Raceway.

"Audi is proud it has made history at Sebring. With the induction in the Hall of Fame, Audi has a place in Sebring's history for ever.

"Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity. Sebring will always remain a special place for Audi and for myself."