“Thanks to an extremely strong performance internationally by our team, around the middle of last year we emerged from the first wave of corona. Following a strong third quarter, this made a major contribution to the successful final push in 2020,” says Hildegard Wortmann, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. “The global situation continues to be challenging at present. Nevertheless, for 2021 we have set ourselves ambitious targets, aim to achieve continued growth, and view the future with optimism.” 

Through the expansion of digital sales and service offerings, for example Audi Live consultation, the Four Rings brand has reacted flexibly and successfully to the challenges of the corona pandemic. Ongoing digitalization of sales and experience gained during the first wave of coronavirus in spring have contributed strongly to Audi ending 2020 with the most successful quarter-year in the company’s history. 

AUDI AG is continuing its transformation into a provider of sustainable premium mobility and is by some distance the biggest maker of electric vehicles among the three German premium brands. The successful Audi e-tron model (including the Audi e-tron Sportback) registered a significant increase in demand last year, with growth of 79.5 percent (47,324 cars) compared with the previous year. The Audi e-tron is the global top seller among electric vehicles made by German premium manufacturers. In Norway it is even the best-selling of all models. In Germany the Audi e-tron (including the Audi e-tron Sportback) was able to more than double its sales volume in the final quarter in comparison with the previous year.

In respect of other models in the range, Audi increased deliveries especially for the Audi Q3 (+18.1% in comparison to the previous year) and the Audi A6 (+11.8%). The high-performance models from Audi Sport were also extremely popular with customers: More than 29,300 cars delivered in 2020 marks a new best, and a clear increase of 16.1 percent compared with the previous year. 

In China Audi supplied more cars to customers last year than ever before. A total of 727,358 automobiles represents a rise of 5.4 percent. The fourth quarter, too, was more successful than any previous period, with 214,467 cars supplied (+7.7%). In the largest market for the Four Rings, rapid economic recovery and high demand for individual mobility led to new record figures. The development was especially positive for the Audi Q2 (+33.8%), the Audi A6 (+41.1%), the Audi A7 (+142.1%), and the Audi A8 (+13.8%).

In the USA 186,620 deliveries of new cars represented a fall of -16.7 percent year on year. Strong consumer demand and the upward trend towards the close of the year demonstrate that the outlook for 2021 is favorable, however. Rising demand can be seen in the SUV segment above all: the share of SUVs in 2020 was 66 percent, and in the fourth quarter it rose to as much as 74 percent. Significant impulses came in the year as a whole from the Audi Q3 (+83.9%) and the Audi e-tron (+10%). In the final quarter the sales performance of the Audi Q5 (+15%) and the Audi Q8 (+11%) was particularly strong.

In Europe, car deliveries declined in 2020 by 19.5 percent to 619,723 units. Nevertheless, the trend was positive for the Audi e-tron (+80.6%, including the Audi e-tron Sportback) and the Audi Q7 (+6.3%). In the fourth quarter an upwards trend was already evident again, despite increasing restrictions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic: the delivery of 178,891 cars between October and December was a rise of 2.5 percent compared to the previous year. In Germany the company supplied 214,427 cars to customers (-21.1%). In Audi’s home market, demand rose clearly again in the fourth quarter: 61,231 vehicles delivered represented a rise of 9.2 percent.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

As part of this, the huge paternoster will be a delight to behold for all motor sport fans. From now on the history of motor sport at AUDI AG will be taking a ride where previously exhibits for particular topics regularly exchanged places. With the exception of the Auto Union Silver Arrows which will remain in their traditional spot on the third floor of the museum, everything which, since the 1960s, has made Audi into the sporty brand it is will be presented on the revolving platforms which accompany visitors on all four floors. This will lend a completely new quality to the motor sport exhibition. Instead of the present five exhibits, there will now be fourteen. These include the Audi A4 DTM winner from 2007, the Audi Le Mans R8 LMP prototype from 2002, the Audi A4 STW from 1996, an Audi Rally quattro Group 4 from 1980, the Audi Sport quattro Rally Group B from 1985, the NSU 1300 TT "Jägermeister" from 1975 as well as the DKW F11/64 touring car from 1963.

This restructuring has made it possible to redesign the previous motor sport exhibition area on the second floor and equip it with more recent Audi icons. In future visitors will see the Audi TT Coupé – a design icon – plus the legendary Audi A2 and the Audi A8, a witness to Audi's return to the luxury segment. The same applies to the Audi RS 4 and the Audi Convertible with its five-cylinder engine which represent the new sportiness of the brand as well as the Audi Allroad quattro from 2001 which heralded the extremely successful SUV segment. This is rounded off by the Audi Duo III, with which the brand with the four rings was already testing electric mobility in the 1990s. And on top of that, technology fans can look forward to three special engine models from the company's history. From now on a fully functional copy of August Horch's first innovation, the smooth-running engine from 1901, will be on view in the pre-war section on the upper floor. On the second floor a DKW two-cylinder two-stroke inline engine from the 1950s and an NSU/Wankel rotary engine from 1968 now stand together with the other cutaway engine models.

After twenty years, it is also necessary to replace some exhibits with exhibition pieces of equivalent value, as leaving historic vehicles to stand for a great length of time is not good for them. Thus the Horch 303 from 1927, the first German eight-cylinder vehicle, is leaving the museum. This special automobile will be replaced in spectacular fashion by its successor model, the Horch 305 from 1928 with the very special Landaulett body – one of the last survivors of its kind. Also joining the exhibition is the Audi Front Roadster from 1936 of which there are now only two and which Audi Tradition had restored to its original state years ago. Another two exciting cars from the pre-war era will also be on show. In 1939 the predecessor to Audi, Auto Union AG, presented the Horch 930 S, a study with a streamlined body at the automotive show in Berlin. Another vehicle to be included in the permanent exhibition is the DKW F 9 prototype from 1940. The war prevented the series production of both models. Visitors to the Audi museum mobile can see them now. 

There is yet another special contemporary automotive witness to find its way into the exhibition - however not as a replacement for another exhibit but to represent an extremely important moment in the company's history: the DKW Munga which was built by Auto Union GmbH from 1956. The off-road vehicle was ordered by the German armed forces founded 65 years ago. It thus helped the young company from Ingolstadt to survive the hard post-war era and contributed towards making the future possible where AUDI AG finds itself today.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

“Felix already had close ties to Audi during his active career. He is authentic, innovative and a great personal fan of our brand,” says Hubert Link, Head of Marketing Germany at AUDI AG. “That’s why we’re delighted to have gained him as a brand ambassador for Audi and look forward to many joint activities in the spirit of sustainability.” Audi has been the principal sponsor of the German Ski Association (DSV) for more than 30 years and in this role has accompanied Neureuther’s entire career along 13 World Cup wins and five World Championship medals. 

“It’s important to me that we handle nature with prudence,” says Felix Neureuther. The 36-year-old former slalom specialist has built a CO2-neutral house with an innovative ice storage heating system in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and produces electric power for himself and his family. “There are many other projects in my mind that would be a superb fit for my partnership with Audi. That’s why I’m very happy about this collaboration and everything that’s still coming.”

Felix Neureuther combines his passion for sustainability as well as performance when it comes to the selection of his car. “In the e-tron, I travel silently, am able to perceive nature and to really unwind,” says Neureuther, describing his impressions of driving the all-electric Audi that also delivers ample driving pleasure. Even so, as a former competitive athlete, he very much appreciates high performance as well. 

The combination of an electric driving experience, simple charging, and high level of suitability for everyday use makes Audi’s plug-in hybrid models especially appealing. The Q3 45 TFSI e and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e complete the range of plug-in hybrids that Audi has brought onto the market since the middle of 2019. At the same time, these two compact SUVs mark the first step into the world of electrified Q models.

245 PS of system output, 13 kWh of energy capacity: the drive and the battery

The two Q3 models both include a 1.4 TFSI as the combustion engine. This four-cylinder delivers 110 kW (150 PS). The drive is completed by a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM), which provides 85 KW of power. The PSM is integrated in the housing of the six-speed S tronic together with the separating clutch. This dual-clutch transmission, which transfers the power to the front wheels, integrates an electric oil pump. This ensures the supply and thus the function of the clutches and with that the gear selection even when the TFSI engine is switched off.

Great driving pleasure and high efficiency – the powertrain of these two new models offers both. The 1.4 TFSI and the electric motor together generate 180 kW of system output (245 PS) and system torque of 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft). Both the Q3 45 TFSI e and the Sportback take 7.3 seconds to burst from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph), and both reach a top speed of 210 km/h (130.5 mph). In the New European Driving Cycle, the consumption of the Q3 45 TFSI e is 1.7 to 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (138.4 to 168.0 US mpg) (39 to 32 grams of CO2 (62.8 to 51.5 g/mi)). The Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e records the same values of 1.7 to 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (138.4 to 168.0 US mpg) (38 to 33 grams of CO2(61.2 to 53.1 g/mi)). The total range achieved by both models is approximately 710 km (441.2 mi) – testifying to their great suitability for everyday use.

The high-voltage battery is located under the vehicle floor in front of the rear axle. Its 96 prismatic cells store 13.0 kWh of energy. It owes this high value to the compact and relatively lightweight battery of a new cell generation. The battery system has its own cooling circuit, which can be coupled to the air conditioning system’s circuit to ensure effective cooling even when requirements are at their highest.

Focus on efficiency: the drive management system

The drive management system of the compact SUV models is designed for high efficiency. Except in extremely cold conditions, the SUVs are always started in electric mode. Both plug-in models can cover up to 61 km (37.9 mi) with zero local emissions in the NEDC (51 km (31.7 mi) for the Q3 and 50 km (31.07 mi) for the Q3 Sportback in the WLTP). The maximum speed they can be driven at here is 140 km/h (87.0 mph). At low speeds, the AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alert System) generates the legally prescribed e-sound to warn other road users. 

In “Auto-Hybrid” mode, the main operating mode, the drive management system divides the tasks between the 1.4 TFSI and the electric motor intelligently and efficiently. The electric motor supports the four-cylinder engine in many situations, for example when passing. When accelerating from low rotational speeds, for example, it applies the high torque that it generates due to its operating principle to bridge the few tenths of a second that the turbocharger needs to build up pressure – its deployment is imperceptible, but efficient. Drivers can prioritize electric drive with the EV button. The drive management system constantly evaluates numerous data points, including the route information from the navigation system and the data about the near surroundings from the vehicle sensors. This allows it to identify when the car is approaching a town sign, a speed limit or a roundabout, or getting too close to the vehicle ahead. When the foot is taken off the accelerator, the Audi Q3 45 TFSI e and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e start to coast with the TFSI switched off in most situations.

The right mode for the right requirements: “Hold”, “Charge” and dynamic

Regardless of the intelligence of the drive management system, the driver always remains in control. By pushing the EV button, they can switch between auto hybrid and electric-powered driving, while a menu opens in the MMI operating system at the same time that offers two additional special driving modes: “Battery Hold” and “Battery Charge”. These serve to keep the battery charge at the current level or to increase the state of charge. What’s more, the driver can influence the character of the drive using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. By selecting the dynamic profile here, setting the S tronic to “S”, and flooring the accelerator, they get the full torque of the electric motor of 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) available to them for up to 10 seconds. As soon as they take their foot of the gas, the electric motor switches to recuperation and recovers energy in generator mode. In this way, the vehicle can also decelerate quickly thanks to its electric motor.

Irrespective of the driving profile, both models always recuperate when the driver steps on the brakes. Up to around 0.3 g– i.e. in the vast majority of brake operations in everyday driving – the electric motor performs the deceleration alone. It is only when the brake pedal is applied more heavily that the hydraulic wheel brakes come into play, activated by an electric brake servo. Thanks to the precise blending, the transition is practically undetectable, and the recuperation remains active. During braking, the system can recover up to 40 kW of power through the electric motor and store this in the battery.

With its balanced character, the suspension of the compact SUVs provides an excellent partner for the drive. The standard Audi drive select system adds even more facets to the driving experience – as it accesses not only the engines but also systems such as S tronic and power steering. In addition to dynamic mode, it also offers the comfort, auto, and individual profiles. The two plug-in hybrids drive on 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, but wheels 18, 19 and 20 inches in diameter are also available as options. The body of these SUVs is 10 mm (0.4 in) higher than that of the Q3 models with conventional drive systems – which means the ground clearance remains the same despite the cover plate for the battery.

Fully charged in 3 h 45 min: charging at home and on the go

The Audi Q3 45 TFSI e and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e can be charged using alternating current (AC) at a 400 V socket with an output of 3.6 kW. An empty battery can be recharged in 3 h 45 min using the standard power charging cable in this way. The free myAudi app allows the customer to control the charging, the timer and the pre-entry climate control remotely from their smartphone. Audi customers can choose to supply their house and garage with electricity from Volkswagen Naturstrom, which is generated completely from renewable sources. The compact plug-in hybrids require a mode 3 cable for charging at public AC charging terminals. The e-tron Charging Service, which covers the majority of countries in Europe, offers great convenience here: With a single card, the customer gains access to more than 155,000 charging points.

Sporty and versatile: design and interior

Both the new Q3 models impress with a powerful and sporty stance on the road. The interior is generous and variable. The front seats offer excellent comfort and a sporty seating position. The rear seats can be moved lengthwise as standard; their backrests are divided into three sections and recline at seven different angles. The luggage compartment has a basic volume of 380 l (13.4 cu ft), which increases to 1,375 l (48.6 cu ft) in the Q3 45 TFSI e and 1,250 l (44.1 cu ft) in the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e when the seats are folded down. As an option, Audi will deliver an electric tailgate that can also be opened with a foot motion. 

Two displays form the basis of the operating and display concept. The MMI touch with a 10.1 inch screen takes up a central position in the instrument panel and displays the energy flows of the hybrid drive and more. The driver can look either at a digital instrument cluster or at the Audi virtual cockpit, which is available in two sizes. A powermeter displays the system’s output, the status of the drive, the recuperation, the battery’s state of charge, and the range. Many functions can be operated through a natural-language voice control as a further input level, which also offers the option of accessing the knowledge of the cloud.

Highly networked: Audi connect

Together with the top-of-the-line MMI Navigation plus infotainment system as an option, the online services of Audi connect can also be accessed on board. They include the Car-to-X services, which make use of the principle of swarm intelligence: Information on roadside parking spaces, hazards, speed limits and traffic light phases is exchanged through the networking of the Audi fleet. The myAudi app tightly connects the car with the customer’s smartphone. Hardware modules such as the Audi phone box and the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with virtual 3D sound complete the infotainment program.

The driver assist systems come from the premium class. They include the adaptive cruise assist (optional), which assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control – substantially enhancing comfort on long journeys in particular. In order to maintain lateral guidance, the driver needs to apply just a gentle touch to the capacitive steering wheel, which is part of the system, to prove that they are paying attention. The Audi pre sense basic, Audi pre sense front, Audi side assist, and lane departure warning come as standard. 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com