Audi’s new 4.0 TFSI engine

Audi has once again lowered the fuel consumption of its engines. The 4.0 TFSI, which will make its appearance at the beginning of 2012 in the Audi S6, S6 Avant, S7 Sportback and S8, features the new “cylinder on demand” technology. Bentley was also involved in the development process of this new engine and will install the engine in the Continental GT in the near future.

When this twin-turbo V8 is operating at part-load, four of its cylinders are deactivated. This lowers fuel consumption according to the NEDC test cycle by about five percent and reduces emissions by approximately 10 to 12 g/km (16 to 19 g/mile) of CO2. Add to this the effect of the engine start-stop system – fitted in the Audi S models – that shuts down the engine when the car is standing still, and the reduction in emissions on Audi models can be as high as 24 g/km (38.62 g/mile) of CO2.

The occupants of cars equipped with this new technology enjoy the same high standard of journey comfort as ever. When the 4.0 TFSI is running on four cylinders, no unpleasant noise or vibration is evident inside the car. This is achieved with two accompanying high-end Audi technologies: Active noise control (ANC) and active engine mounts.

Cylinder deactivation on the new 4.0 TFSI is activated at low loads, low to moderate engine speeds and in third gear or higher. If these operating characteristics are present, the system closes the inlet and exhaust valves of cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 8. Efficiency is then higher in the active cylinders because the operating points are displaced toward higher loads.

An enhanced version of the Audi valvelift system closes the valves by means of sliding sleeves on the camshafts. Just before this happens, the combustion chambers are filled with fresh air. Fuel injection and ignition are shut down. The reduced internal cylinder pressure in relation to the injection of exhaust gas is an important efficiency factor.

The instrument-cluster display indicates when the four-cylinder operating mode is active. If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal firmly, the deactivated cylinders cut in again. All these changeovers take place quickly and smoothly.

The “cylinder on demand” system is permanently ready for use, even with the automatic transmission in the “S” mode and the dynamic setting of Audi drive select. In the NEDC test it reduces fuel consumption by around five percent. Add to this the effect of the start-stop system that stops the engine when the car is at a standstill, and the system can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 12 percent. The engine’s efficiency potential becomes especially evident at the speeds at which the car is most frequently driven. At 80 km/h (49.71 mph), for instance, the gain in efficiency is 12 percent for all S models, and can still be as high as seven percent even at a road speed of 130 km/h (80.78 mph).

When the 4.0 TFSI is operating in the four-cylinder mode, two high-end technologies counteract unwanted noise and vibration inside the car: Active noise control (ANC) and active engine mounts.

ANC records the overall interior noise pattern in a precisely differentiated manner at four microphones, and analyzes it to identify potentially disturbing constituents. If necessary, the system then emits an opposing sound via its loudspeakers, which cancels out the original noise so effectively that the car’s occupants cannot hear it. The active engine mounts use a similar principle. If the sensors detect vibration from the engine, counter-vibration is stimulated until the vibration falls to an imperceptible level.

The total effect of these high-end methods – Active noise control, active engine mounts and fresh-air injection into the cylinders – is to make Audi “cylinder on demand” technology both refined and highly efficient. This solution is clearly superior to previous ones offered by competitors. It provides customers with genuine fuel economy benefits and yet no drawbacks – a crucial test that all Audi innovations have to pass.

In the spring of 2012, when the new 4.0 TFSI becomes available in the large Audi S models, its consumption in the S8 will be no more than about 10 l/100 km (23.52 US mpg). The S6 and S7 Sportback will consume distinctly less than 10 l/100 km. Two versions of the V8 engine will be launched: with an output of 309 kW (420 hp) and a maximum torque of 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) for the S6, S6 Avant and S7 Sportback, the equivalent figures for the S8 being 382 kW (520 hp) and 650 Nm (479.42 lb-ft) torque.

The 4.0 TFSI incorporates a whole cluster of high-end technologies. In addition to the “cylinder on demand” system they include twin-scroll “biturbo” turbocharging, a comprehensive thermal management system, minimized internal friction and innovative cylinder head construction with the exhaust valves on the inside and fresh air intake on the outside. This layout keeps the engine compact, with a length of only 497 mm (19.57 in) and short gas flow paths with minimum frictional losses.

Live from Geneva: THE ABT RS6 “1 OF 12“

If you want to belong to a very exclusive club in a very sporty fashion, you should opt for one of the only twelve ABT RS6 “1 of 12“ quickly. This limited edition is to celebrate the company’s 120th anniversary. After all, the upscale lifestyle estate is not only rarer than many a racer from Maranello, it is equally sporty, if not more so. You can see, but, sadly, not yet otherwise experience, this special model at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Once you will be able to drive it, it will show 735 hp (541 kW), up by an enormous 175 hp (129 kW). The ABT RS6 “1 of 12“ has a torque of 920 Nm, so it is on top of any situation, up to a top speed of 320 kph. This is made possible by ABT POWER S, using the specially developed ABT Engine Control unit with its also specially developed software.

The ABT RS6 “1 of 12“ is a super-versatile super sports car. It is faster than many of these and can take a lot of luggage, too. Its understatement and elegance are part of the overall concept. After all, performance is always the most striking hallmark. This powerful estate doesn’t even have to get going to show its assertiveness and dynamic elegance – in its limited edition version in particular. The aerodynamic package comprises the right components, many of which – above all the air inlet panels, front flics, mirror caps, the rear skirt set or its attachment – are made of exposed carbon. And a beautiful rear can also endear. Just look at the ABT RS6 “1 of 12“ carbon rear spoiler with its “1/12“ logo or the four tailpipes painted in a perfectly matching colour.

All this is rounded off by the ABT FR wheel with its five double spokes. This sporty and light wheel comes in 10x22’’ and is perfectly in line with the limited edition’s design. The right grip is provided by Dunlop high-performance tyres in 295/25 R22 for top speeds – if you so wish. And inside, the RS6 “1 of 12“ also shows it is a special car. The glove compartment features the “1/12“ signet, the floor mats the “120 years” lettering. The sport-type seats are bi-colour-leathered, matching the exterior. The headliner, all pillars and the tailgate are Alcantara-clad. Alcantara is combined with leather on the dashboard as well and colourful decorative seams can also be found. Even the door panels, window frames and, not least, the steering wheel are leather- and alcantara-covered. This exclusive ABT RS6 “1 of 12“ will soon be sold out. So why not build 120 to commemorate ABT’s 120thanniversary? Hans-Jürgen Abt, CEO of the global market leader when it comes to tuning Audis, says: “That would make it much less exclusive and its owner less illustrious.“

Audi of America: 2017 Audi A4 Order Guide

 We finally have the details for the new Audi A4. This week Audi of America released the 2017 Audi A4 Order Guide. The orders have not started yet but they will shortly and deliveries will be starting in April. The fifth generation of the Audi A4 is more powerful, more efficient, more intelligent: the new Audi A4 features numerous premium technologies which set higher benchmarks for their class. Elegant design blends with an innovative control concept, and lightweight construction meets new, efficient drivetrain solutions. The A4 is also ahead of their peers in terms of infotainment and assistance systems. As a result, Audi drivers can look forward to a truly high-tech experience ― an innovative synthesis of technology and esthetics.

2018 Audi Q5 spotted testing in New York City

Audi fan Lloyd Sher was luckily enough to capture and shared with us these photos of an all new 2018 Audi Q5 testing in New York City. This particular Q5 is wearing the typical swirled camo pattern that we are familiar with. The camo is designed to hide the lines and proportions of the vehicle. However, the wheels and the new grill are a dead giveaway as to what is lurking underneath the camo. We’ve seen other photos of the Q5 testing out in the open. But this is the first time in a busy city. Our guess is that they are putting their new Traffic jam assist to the test, and there’s no better place in the world to test this out than New York City. The new 2018 Audi Q5 will gain the same technology that the rest of the new models are receiving such as the virtual cockpit, next generation MMI Touch, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and many other high-end features. We expect the 252-horsepower 2.0 TFSI engine from the A4 to power the new Q5. Hopefully, we will see the final product at the Paris Auto Show if not sooner.

Eleven Audi R8 LMS cars in iconic race at Spa

 

The 24 Hours of Spa is the major iconic event on the international GT3 racing calendar. This year, the race will be held from 30 to 31 July. Audi is now going to meet with fierce competition again and is represented by more customer racing teams than ever before. The brand with the four rings has won three of the past five editions and clinched the ‘Coupe du Roi’ manufacturers’ cup in 2014 and 2015.

The origins of the race date back to 1924, since 1964, it has been held regularly and today it is the endurance race with the largest number of GT3 race cars in the world. “65 race cars from eleven marques on a track which is an absolute dream. This is a first-class challenge,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “For the many Audi fans in Belgium, the worldwide GT community as well as our customer teams and the drivers, the 24 Hours of Spa is again the season’s pinnacle event this year.” Four teams will be fielding a total of eleven Audi GT3 race cars and 36 drivers will be taking turns in the cockpits.

As well as the Spa winners René Rast (D), Frank Stippler (D), Markus Winkelhock (D) and Laurens Vanthoor (B) the DTM drivers Nico Müller (CH) and Edoardo Mortara (I) are among them. Other drivers with professional experience include the long-standing Audi campaigners Filipe Albuquerque (P) and Marco Bonanomi (I), the former champions from the Blancpain Endurance Series Christopher Mies (D) and Christopher Haase (D), Blancpain GT title defender Robin Frijns (NL) and former DTM driver Pierre Kaffer (D). The driver line-up is complemented by an international mix of customer drivers. This underscores the race’s character: the Audi R8 LMS is equally popular with pros and amateurs.

The four race teams have been using Audi race cars for years. Belgian Audi Club Team WRT will be contesting its home round with five race cars in total, Audi Sport Team Phoenix will be competing with one Audi R8 LMS. Both squads have previously won the race at Spa. Team I.S.R. Racing from the Czech Republic is fielding two Audi R8 LMS cars and Saintéloc Racing from France is traveling to the Ardennes with three race cars.

While the actual race result after 24 hours is the most prestigious one, there are two important additional classifications. Firstly, for many years the 24 Hours of Spa has been part of the European Blancpain GT Series. At Spa, points are awarded after six, twelve and 24 hours of racing – this results in nearly twice as many points as in the case of the usual race duration. Secondly, for the first time regular entrants can score points for the Intercontinental GT Challenge as well. Currently, Laurens Vanthoor and Markus Winkelhock are ranked in third place of this classification of three major international GT races – the Bathurst 12 Hour (Australia), the 24 Hours of Spa and the Sepang 12 Hours (Malaysia).

On the fringe of the Spa 24 hours, Audi Sport customer racing will be handing over the 200th R8 LMS to a customer as well. Since 2009, GT3 racing has been a mainstay of Audi’s motorsport program. By now, teams in Europe, Asia, Australia, South and North America are using the two generations of the production-based GT sports car with the four rings.