Models and services Monthly summary

Audi is the first premium brand to introduce a prestigious long-wheelbase version in the upper mid-size category exclusively for the Chinese market: the Audi A4L’s wheelbase is 60 millimeters (2.36 inches) longer, which benefits rear-seat passengers in particular. The A4L thus offers unrivalled spaciousness in its segment.

A milestone in transmission technology is now available in the Audi S3 and S3 Sportback sporty compact models. The S tronic dual-clutch transmission unites the powerful two-liter TFSI engine with the road in a manner that is both sporty and efficient. This ensures quicker acceleration, high agility and ride comfort along with improved fuel efficiency.

Faster, further, more agile: the new Audi S4 and S4 Avant are well-trained athletes. Their new engine, the 3.0 TFSI, combines the power of 245 kW (333 hp) with an astonishingly low fuel consumption of 9.7 (Avant: 9.9) liters per 100 km (24.25 US mpg or 23.76 US mpg for the Avant). The quattro permanent four-wheel drive system ensures practically loss-free transfer of this power to the road; a sports suspension and a high-performance brake system control it reliably. The dynamic look outside and in, together with the generous range of standard equipment, underline the exclusive character of both new S models from Audi.

It has not even hit the market, but it has already won an award: “Bild am Sonntag” named the new Audi Q5 the best vehicle in this year’s special SUV class, awarding it the “Golden Steering Wheel”.

Five first-place finishes and a special award for Audi at the 7th Internet Auto Awards: a truly impressive achievement for the brand with the four rings. In the automotive industry’s largest online poll, the Audi A3, A4, A6, A8 and R8 models all finished at the top of their respective classes, which earned them “Carolina” awards. The Audi R8 also received the “Most Popular Car in Europe” special award. Over 300,000 online users submitted votes to the automotive website AutoScout24.

The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system is the cleanest diesel in the world, and an extremely economical form of propulsion into the bargain. This was demonstrated on the very first leg of the Audi Mileage Marathon on Monday, from New York to Washington. The best participants in this major real-life test criss-crossing the American continent achieved an average fuel consumption of an impressive 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers (31.79 US mpg).

In the "Autonis 2008" reader poll sponsored by the magazine "auto motor und sport" (ams), an impressive three Audi models emerged triumphant in the face of high-caliber competition from all over the world. Wins for the A3, A4 and Audi Q5 made the brand with the four rings the most successful carmaker in this year's poll.

Audi is making a habit of winning the Auto Bild Design Award conferred by readers of Auto Bild: After voting the Audi TT the winner in 2006 and the Audi R8 the victor one year later, the readers of the German automotive magazine this year chose the Audi A4 as the “most beautiful car of the year,” and thus as the overall champion.

Audi is continuing to make its mark on the Indian automobile market. The company today announced the start of local assembly of the new Audi A4.

At the Paris Motor Show (October 2-10, 2008), Audi is unveiling the A1 Sportback concept study: following on from the Audi A1 project quattro, the three-door show car presented in 2007, this is a concept for a five-door four-seater for the sub-compact class – once again exhibiting all the characteristics of a genuine Audi.

Efficiency is the way into the future – Audi is introducing the current state-of-the-art for its fuel-saving technologies at the Paris Auto Show.

Audi is offering a glimpse into the future of the after-sales business at the 20th Automechanika. Here in Frankfurt, the brand with the four rings is presenting technical innovations such as the Audi Service Cam, the 3D service software SerVision and the Audi Quick Ammeter, winner of the Innovation Award 2008. An additional highlight is the world premiere of the Audi Q5 Service Mobil, which enables comprehensive vehicle analysis on-site via GoBook.

Readers of the German specialist sportscar magazine Powercar have spoken: Thanks to its victories in four classes in the Powercar readers poll – achieved by the S3, S5, RS 6 Avant and R8 – Audi has captured the mantle of most successful automobile manufacturer.

For the first time, Audi Sport will offer a racing sports car specifically developed for customer use in the form of the powerful 500 hp plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 which will be available from autumn 2009. The logistics and factory space required for the AUDI AG customer programme will be created over the next few months in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Györ.

426 kW (580 hp) and 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) of torque – with its twin-turbo V10 and quattro permanent all-wheel drive, the Audi RS 6 is a car without equal. Following on the heels of the RS 6 Avant, Audi now presents the sedan. It drives like a supercar thanks to its superior performance and thrilling dynamics, yet offers all of the everyday utility of a large business sedan.

A winner always builds on his strengths: That’s why Audi has again upgraded its luxury class A6 model. Efficient engines have been added to the drive-train lineup, with innovative technologies cutting fuel consumption by about 15 percent across the whole model range.

During the Salzburg Festival, Audi will fuel its fleet of A8 models with the eco-friendly diesel fuel GTL fuel, which is extracted from natural gas using a special technological process that liquefies the gas (Gas To Liquids). In combination with efficient TDI diesel engines, this measure enables the CO2 emissions from the Audi fleet to be reduced by around 13 percent compared to last year.

Audi is increasing its lead in infotainment technology even further. A new generation of the MMI, the supreme solution for multimedia, communication and operation, has been announced. With a high-capacity hard disk, a DVD drive and fast processors, it is much more versatile and its performance is higher than ever before. The new MMI’s first appearance will be in the A8 luxury sedan, but before long it will also be available for two other model lines.

Audi is maintaining its successful efficiency strategy: the new Audi Q5, the sports car in the SUV category, is its latest model to combine high performance with low consumption. This progress is underpinned by an extensive package of hi-tech solutions ranging from energy recuperation to engine downsizing.

Powerful, spontaneous and ultra-efficient: this is the new top version in Audi's V6 engine range. The 3.0 TFSI develops 213 kW (290 hp) and a huge 420 Nm (309.78 lb-ft) of torque. It combines two state-of-the-art technologies in perfect style – gasoline direct injection and compressor supercharging. The hi-tech V6 will go into production later in the year.

20 randomly selected readers of a motoring magazine and a team of two from Audi fully exploited the efficiency potential of the new Audi A4 2.0 TDI with an output of 88 kW (120 hp) in order to drive from Basel to Vienna and back on a single tank of fuel. All eleven teams made it to the end and still had between five and nine liters (1.32 and 2.38 US gallons) of diesel left over.

Powerful dynamism, stamina and endurance are just as important in sport as out on the road. To be successful, you need to use your energy as efficiently as possible: On June 23, eleven white Audi A4 2.0 TDI models took to the start in the efficiency competition organized by Audi and Auto Bild. To stand a chance of winning, however, the teams have to complete the total distance of over 1,650 kilometers (1,025.26 miles) with an average fuel consumption of under four liters (over 58.80 US mpg).