• Second stage of large-scale practical test takes cars to Denver
  
• Powerful Audi Q7 3.0 TDI has ultra low emission system
  
• Audi Q5, Audi A4 and Audi A3 demonstrate TDI engines' lead

INGOLSTADT/DENVER : October 14, 2008 - As the Audi Mileage Marathon progresses, TDI technology continues to demonstrate its exceptionally efficient use of fuel.


With more than half of the 8,000-kilometer (4,971-mile) route now completed, 90 drivers from twelve countries have already driven the 23-vehicle fleet. The best economy figures for the Audi Q5 are particularly impressive: despite the long distances and high average speeds, this
model with its 3.0-liter TDI engine has recorded a fuel consumption of only 6.2 to 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers (37.94 to 36.19 US mpg) on most of the stages.

Audi Mileage Marathon drivers have to contend with typical mixed US road traffic conditions, and maintain speeds that are within the official limits, but close to the upper threshold of those normally encountered. The roads vary widely according to the landscape through which the Marathon passes. In Illinois and Texas, there were stages in flat country, but now the Rocky Mountains have been reached and the gradients are more severe. Sections of the route passing through urban areas and along country roads make the itinerary even more realistic.

With their excellent fuel consumption figures, the 23 vehicles taking part in the Mileage Marathon confirm the supreme efficiency of TDI engine technology. The Audi Q5 ‘performance SUV’, for instance, with its 3.0 TDI engine developing 176 kW (240 hp) and a peak torque of 500 Newton-meters (370 lb-ft), is not just a superb performer. Its best fuel consumption figures are even more impressive: between 6.2 and 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers (between 37.94 and 36.19 US mpg). Apart from TDI engine technology, the highly efficient 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and many other technologies from the modular-element program contribute to this excellent result. The fuel economy of the Audi A4 3.0 TDI is even more outstanding: with tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, it has recorded best fuel consumption values below six liters per 100 kilometers (39.2 US mpg).

Yet even this model is outperformed by the Audi A3 2.0 TDI with S tronic, which has regularly achieved fuel consumption figures significantly below five liters per 100 kilometers (47.04 US mpg). The US version of the new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system has also performed exceptionally well in this large-scale fuel economy test. With best values below eight liters per 100 kilometers (29.4 US mpg), this sevenseat SUV with its powerful 165 kW (225 hp) engine and maximum torque of 550 Newton-meters (405 lb-ft) is not only remarkably economical, but also complies with the toughest exhaust emission legislation in the world, the Californian ULEV II BIN 5, with results even better than those called for in the Euro 6 standard, which is not scheduled to come into force until 2014.

This arduous road test started in New York and will end in Los Angeles after covering almost 8,000 kilometers (4971 miles). The next stage of the Mileage Marathon, on Tuesday, takes the vehicles to Sedona; on Wednesday they will reach Los Angeles. Measurement of the participating vehicles’ fuel consumption is being monitored by the US motor sports association IMSA.

Images : AMM - On the way to Durango, Colorado





Images : AMM - On the way from Amarillo to Denver




Images : AMM - On the way from Chicago to Memphis







[Source : AUDI]