Commanding 1-2 victory for Audi at Mid-Ohio
Audi Sport North America’s two Audi R10 TDI prototypes were in a class of their own in round six of the American Le Mans series at Mid-Ohio (U.S. state of Ohio).
Full story 
The Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept: A Diesel Revolution
The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner - catapulting the Audi R8 to a top-class performance supercar.
Full story 
Introducing TDI-
- TDI is the name for Audi's clean diesel technology, designed to identify
technologies that meet 50-state vehicle emissions requirements for the
U.S. market.
TDI, short for "turbocharged direct injection," refers to a suite of technologies focused on reducing particulates and NoX output to ensure Audi diesels meet the most stringent California regulations and hence may be sold in all 50 states. This acronym also is synonymous with high-performing diesel engines and powertrains.
Audi will provide its TDI technology on the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI V6, meeting strict emissions standards for 2009 and beyond.
Additionally, the TDI nameplate will help consumers easily identify clean diesel technologies developed not only with the highest emissions standards, but with superior acceleration characteristics, lower fuel consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
This Web site is regularly updated to provide details on how TDI technology is changing the face of Audi motorsports, vehicle engineering and on-road capability.
- TDI is the name for Audi's clean diesel technology, designed to identify
technologies that meet 50-state vehicle emissions requirements for the
U.S. market.
Environment-
- Twenty years ago, it would have been difficult to find an environmentalist actively endorsing diesel passenger cars to help save the planet. By 2008, anyone concerned about pollution, global warming and oil consumption will have diesel cars on their radar screen.
Today’s high-tech diesels are dramatically different than their ancestors. Quiet, smooth and powerful, they also offer significant fuel savings and now meet the toughest emissions requirements ever rolled out in the United States.
With the introduction of new clean-diesel passenger cars from manufacturers like Audi, VW and DaimlerChrysler, additional benefits can be realized even beyond these projections. That’s because diesel engines typically see 20 to 30 percent better fuel economy than gasoline engines. Burning less fuel means fewer emissions of all types, including CO2, from the U.S. light-duty vehicle fleet. And with new catalytic technologies featured in Audi’s TDI technology and the Bluetec clean diesels, the harmful pollutants typically associated with diesel engines are converted into harmless by-products and nearly eliminates nitrogen oxide emissions.
- Twenty years ago, it would have been difficult to find an environmentalist actively endorsing diesel passenger cars to help save the planet. By 2008, anyone concerned about pollution, global warming and oil consumption will have diesel cars on their radar screen.
- Audi Q7 Diesel
-
- Audi’s first U.S. TDI diesel introduction under the new 2008 emissions guidelines will be the company’s luxury Audi Q7 sport-utility vehicle. The Audi Q7’s diesel engine has 233 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, setting a new bar in its class for acceleration and towing power performance.
Audi’s choice to enter the U.S. market with the Audi Q7 diesel first offers a solution to consumers who need a six or seven passenger SUV, but are concerned about the cost of fuel and the environmental impact. The diesel solves both problems by providing an exceptional vehicle for families and SUV aficionados who have been staggered by high fuel prices.
While the 3.0 liter diesel engine will provide outstanding performance, Audi recently unveiled a second diesel engine for the Audi Q7: a V12 TDI diesel engine that takes the vehicle from zero to 60 in 5.5 seconds, putting the Audi Q7 V12 TDI on par with some of the world’s elite sports cars but still gets almost 20 miles/gallon. Audi has not confirmed whether or not the V12 will be available in the U.S.
- Audi’s first U.S. TDI diesel introduction under the new 2008 emissions guidelines will be the company’s luxury Audi Q7 sport-utility vehicle. The Audi Q7’s diesel engine has 233 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque, setting a new bar in its class for acceleration and towing power performance.
- Diesels Are Hip
-
- “It is hip to drive a diesel in Europe,” says Wolfgang Hoffman, head of product planning for Audi in the U.S. European executives first noticed the high-tech new clean diesel cars shortly after the 1999 introduction of Audi’s A8 3.3 TDI, and even though almost 70 percent of executive-class cars are now diesel-powered, these aren’t the only folks driving diesels today. “One part is the rational decision, the other part is in your stomach, the feeling to have the sheer power just a tip of the foot away. When you are driving a diesel you are driving the latest technology,” says Hoffman, “Not a lot has dramatically changed with the gas engine for the last 100 years. The diesel is more for the technically savvy people.” Performance and the high-tech image of new clean diesel cars are attracting all types of drivers to diesels. “Basically diesels are fun to drive,” Hoffman explains.
- TDI in Brief
-
-
TDI can be referred to as “turbocharged direct injection” diesel, but means much more. It is Audi’s reference to highly developed, advanced technology diesel engines, with sophisticated fuel injection systems and exhaust that is cleaner than gasoline engines. As exhaust emission regulations change rapidly, and drivers expect quieter engines with more power, TDI is continually evolving to meet and exceed these expectations.
Audi’s first TDI was a five-cylinder, 120 horsepower inline engine which debuted in the Audi 100 wagon in 1990. It had dramatically improved fuel efficiency compared to a gasoline model, and a driving range that was correspondingly lengthened. This first TDI engine made a gutsy 195 lb ft of torque.
New TDI technology includes common rail permanently pressurized fuel injection. This allows multiple injections of fuel for each power stroke of the engine, tailored precisely to make the most efficient combustion that also minimizes vibrations and noise. Regenerating particulate filters, and other exhaust after-treatment are integral with TDI engines’ smooth, quiet and powerful operation.
-
TDI can be referred to as “turbocharged direct injection” diesel, but means much more. It is Audi’s reference to highly developed, advanced technology diesel engines, with sophisticated fuel injection systems and exhaust that is cleaner than gasoline engines. As exhaust emission regulations change rapidly, and drivers expect quieter engines with more power, TDI is continually evolving to meet and exceed these expectations.
- Audi Sport Blazes A Trail
-
-
In July, 2006, Audi’s R8 won its final race, giving way to the remarkable and unbeatable new R10 turbodiesel, which won the American LeMans Series championship at the Mosport round in Canada in August, as well as the overall victory in June at the 24 Hours of LeMans, the 83-year-old French granddaddy of endurance races.
Audi’s motto is “Vorsprung durch Technik”, meaning to leap ahead with technology, developments that contribute to the sporting image of the company’s road cars. Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive launched the company to impressive rally and touring car race wins, and now Audi’s TDI diesel technology has given rise to the powerful, reliable, quiet and clean R10 prototype sports racing car. The R10’s V-12 aluminum engine produces 650 horsepower and in excess of 800 lb ft of torque, at a relatively calm 5000 rpm.
The R10’s TDI engine is also designed for future production cars, and uses the latest injection, turbocharger, exhaust after-treatment system, and gas-to-liquid blended clean diesel fuel.
-
In July, 2006, Audi’s R8 won its final race, giving way to the remarkable and unbeatable new R10 turbodiesel, which won the American LeMans Series championship at the Mosport round in Canada in August, as well as the overall victory in June at the 24 Hours of LeMans, the 83-year-old French granddaddy of endurance races.