Audi Sport, the automaker’s in-house racing division, will be using an all new diesel fuel to be used by its R10 TDI LMP1 cars at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The race-only fuel not only produces ample power, but also dramatically reduces CO2 emissions.

All three of Audi’s highly successful 650-horsepower R10 TDI machines will be powered by an innovative V-Power diesel race fuel created by Shell.  Previously, the 5.5-liter V-12 racecars have used a synthetic diesel fuel derived from natural gas through a process called Gas to Liquid (GTL).

Shell’s newest diesel fuel incorporates a process called BTL, or Biomass to Liquid, which transforms biowaste (waste food or wood) into suitable synthetic elements designed to be used in conjunction with GTL.  When the older GTL race diesel is combined with the BTL mixture, the resulting synthetic race fuel is said to reduce C02 emissions by almost 90 percent, according to Audi. 

Extensive testing of the fuel on Audi Sport’s dyno was performed in order to ensure the fuel’s efficiency and low carbon footprint. Audi is also keen to point out the two types of diesels are sulfur free and odorless when emitted — meaning no more plumes of black smoke trailing from the exhaust pipes.   

Michael Dick, board member of Audi AG, stated in a press release that the 8.5 mile course at Le Mans will continue to be a key setting for which the automaker will develop its latest technologies (and fuels) for use in future road vehicles.

At this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi’s fleet of R10s will be piloted by nine drivers, including experienced ex-F1 driver Alan McNish who is looking to win Le Mans once again.  The race is the weekend of June 14-15.

The first public track test of the R10s powered by Shell’s BTL fuel will take place this Sunday, June 1, in Le Mans during the official pre-race testing session. 

The new 140mph Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro - has 50mpg-plus fuel economy, a 23 per cent reduction in CO2 output and EU5 compliance to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show (March 6th to 16th).  The latest Audi TT is ready for production, and will be available for UK orders in Coupe and Roadster body styles on Thursday March 6th priced from £26,350 OTR. First deliveries are expected in summer 2008.

The ideal Audi TT TDI engine, which not only had to complement the much-loved character of the Audi TT but also had to fit transversely into its compact engine bay, arrived recently in the space-efficient shape of the latest 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TDI with performance and refinement-boosting common rail fuel injection incorporating advanced piezo injection technology. Launched to critical acclaim in the new Audi A4 Saloon in 143PS form, the economical new powerhouse transfers to the TT with an upgrade to 170PS, and an impressive 350Nm maximum torque output – more than even the Audi TT 3.2-litre V6 petrol model has.

The Audi TT TDI engine has a new turbo charger with adjustable vanes that allows rapid torque build-up, and  a common rail injection system, whose advanced piezo injector nozzles can perform up to five distinct injection sequences per cycle, the new engine offers more than enough performance to dispel any lingering doubts about sports car compatibility.
Spinning freely to its 5,000rpm limit, and doing so without fuss thanks not only to its high-tech injection technology but also to refinement-boosting balancer shafts, the Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro Coupe with six-speed manual transmission takes just 7.5 seconds to reach 62mph. A top speed of 140mph is possible where conditions allow, this Audi TT has a combined consumption figure of 53.3mpg.

UK specification for the new Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro is similar the familiar Audi TT 2.0 TFSI petrol version, offering features such as 17-inch Trapez alloy wheels, leather and Alcantara-upholstered sports seats, electronic climate control and an MP3-compatible 140-watt Audi Concert audio system with single CD drive. The Roadster adds a fully automatic electrically operated soft-top and integrated wind deflector.

New ‘green’ version of Audi hatchback with 119g/km CO2 output will be exempt from proposed congestion charge.

• A3 1.9 TDI with engine, transmission and aerodynamics optimized to reduce CO2 output to 119g/km and increase fuel economy to 62.7mpg (combined).
• A3 1.9 TDI with five-speed manual transmission – 105PS @ 4,000rpm, 250Nm @ 1,900rpm, 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds, 120mph, 62.7mpg, CO2 119g/km.

A specially developed A3 1.9 TDI joins the Audi range, with extensive revisions that ensure it will fall under the proposed 120g/km CO2 limit permitting exemption from the congestion charge. Available in three-door and five-door Sportback body styles.

Following closely behind the swift yet sparing A3 1.4 TFSI, the even more acutely economy and efficiency-focused TDI model has been developed on the foundations of the existing A3 1.9 TDI. It benefits from a specially modified version of the already frugal 105PS diesel with new friction minimizing components and redeveloped ancillary units, combined with a manual gearbox with remapped, economy-biased ratios and an in-dash indicator informing the driver of the most effective gear change points for optimum economy.

Helped externally by tyres with reduced rolling resistance, and by additional modifications to further increase aerodynamic efficiency, the A3 1.9 TDI combines 62mpg-plus fuel economy with CO2 output of just 119g/km. Acceleration from rest to 62mph in the three-door model with five-speed manual transmission takes 11.4 seconds, and a top speed of 120mph is possible where conditions allow.

The measures taken to increase economy and minimise emissions in the A3 will also be employed in the creation of more efficient versions of other models in the Audi range in the near future.

Some renderings of what the ‘Audi A1 Metroproject Quattro’ concept will look like have been leaked.

It features a new take on Audi’s established Quattro technology. The Audi qautro four-wheel drive system is usually a traditional one engine driving four wheels affair. But the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine under the A1 Metroproject’s bonnet only powers the front wheels. It gives a respectable 148bhp but is not going to help out with back-end traction. The secret is instead under the boot floor, where lurks a compact 40bhp electric motor, driving the rear wheels.

The A1 Metroproject is a hybrid, too. an extra 40bhp might not sound very much, the real bonus of an electric motor is the instant - and we do mean instant - torque. In the Audi A1 Metroproject’s case, the motor delivers an extra 148lb ft of torque. More than enough to propel what is supposedly an environmentally friendly city-car concept to 65mph in 7.8 seconds. The electric motor can also power the Audi A1 Metroproject entirely on its own at urban speeds, with a range of up to 65 miles thanks to lithium-ion batteries. As with all hybrids the only real downside is the weight penalty; the set-up reputedly adds 70kg to the Metroproject’s overall weight.

The Audi A1 Metroproject is also a ‘plug-in’ hybrid. So it can be recharged at any standard power outlet as well as via the petrol engine. It uses various regenerative techniques to recover energy while driving too, just like the Toyota Prius, and new BMW and MINI EfficientDynamics models. As a result it produces just 112g/km of CO2 and is capable of 57.6mpg. if you do not think that too impressive, remember: we are talking about 148bhp turbocharged petrol engine here, not some kind of diesel. The 1.4 turbo should appear in a refreshed A3 next year, the new A4, and the production A1.

Audi showed a couple of new green energy power plants at the Frankfurt Auto Show - small and econ friendly cars where the major theme this year at the show.

Audi A4 E-concept Car

The The A4 e-concept features a 2.0 TDI engine returning a useful 58mpg and 129g/km CO2 via the usual Frankfurt 2007 fuel-saving measures: clean diesel engine, stop-start system, low-friction tyres and tweaked aerodynamics.

The e-concept also has detailed driver info: turn on the air-con or heated seats and it tells you how much extra fuel you’re using. For example Increase the cruise control by a few mph and it tells you how many minutes you’ll save for your journey, and how much diesel it’ll need. Maybe a bit too geeky , but it could make playing the mpg game an obsession - it could also be a safety risk if people pay to much attention to the gauges on the  dash board rather than road conditions around them.

Audi/Porsche Petrol Electric Drive Train

Audi also showed a full 4WD hybrid drive train, being co- developed with Porsche, involving a petrol engine, an electric motor powerful enough to drive the car alone and batteries in the boot. In an A6, with a 2.0-litre turbo, it would have the performance of a 3.0 petrol but use 30 per cent less fuel. The system will fit the A4, A5, the next A6 and A8 plus next year’s Q5 SUV.

One interesting historical snipit is that Porsche of course have a lot of experience with hybrid drive trains having developed a petrol electric drive for the Tiger tank back in the 40’s.