15.5.2009 Audi to improve fuel economy by 20%

From September, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand will start to implement a series of measures to increase the average fuel economy across its model range by 20% by 2012.* These include the use of new technologies which include an engine start-stop system, the use of regenerative braking and an efficiency program built into the onboard computer.

The start-stop system reduces consumption by shutting down the engine once the car has come to a stop, the gear lever is in neutral and the driver has released the clutch pedal. Operating the clutch then starts up the engine again. The driver can also manually switch off the start-stop system at any time.

In the standardised driving cycle the start-stop system lowers fuel consumption by about 0.2 litres per 100 km, therefore reducing CO2 emissions by around 5 g/km. The new system is set to make its debut in the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI (manual) and in the Audi A4 and A5 with 2.0-litre engines (manual). Numerous other models will follow this year.

Audi also plan to increase the number of models using 'regenerative braking' systems. During braking, kinetic (movement) energy is converted into electrical energy and stored in the battery for later use. When the car next accelerates, the battery uses this stored energy to relieve the alternator and thereby save fuel. Previous tests have shown improvements in fuel economy of up to 20%. The energy recovery system is already standard equipment on the Audi A3 1.4 TFSI (manual), the Audi A4, A5 Coupé and A5 Cabriolet with two-litre engine (manual), the A6 and the Audi Q5 and Q7.

The third technology to be deployed by Audi is a new efficiency software program. This adds to the existing Audi Driver Information System which displays all consumption-related data to the driver, and makes recommendations for efficient driving. The program continuously analyses the energy consumption in the vehicle and gives the driver up-to-date tips for saving fuel, depending on the driving situation and driving style. Typically, fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 15% by adopting eco-driving techniques.

*2007 baseline, Newspress