At the same time as the premiere of the e-tron Sportback, Audi rolled out a technology update with improved range for its first electric model series at the end of 2019. As a result, the current model year Audi e-tron 55 quattro can travel up to 441 kilometers on a single battery charge (WLTP cycle). In addition to modified hardware, optimized software was the main factor contributing to the range increase. 

Effective immediately, the software features behind this efficiency enhancement are also available for existing vehicles. Among other improvements, the update expands the usable capacity of the high-voltage battery. As a result, the 95 kWh battery in the Audi e-tron 55 quattro delivers more net usable power – 86 kWh capacity therefore translates into increased range. The software update for all Audi e-tron 55 quattro production vehicles built between mid-September 2018 (model year 2019) and the end of November 2019 (model year 2020) can now be installed free of charge at Audi service partners.

Efficient motor control, improved thermal management

In addition to the battery capacity, the new software also optimizes the control of the front electric motor. In normal driving mode, the motor attached to the rear axle is responsible for propulsion. For improved efficiency, the front electric motor is now almost completely disconnected and powered off – and only when more power is needed do both motors come into play. This makes it possible to even more effectively exploit the major advantage of the asynchronous motor concept, i.e., currentless operation without electrical drag losses.

Furthermore, the update also improves cooling. The highly flexible thermal management system, which consists of four separate circuits, regulates the temperature of the high-voltage components even more efficiently. Modifying the control system made it possible to reduce the volume flow rates in the coolant circuit, thus reducing energy consumption. The cooling system is the basis for fast DC charging, long battery life, and consistent driving performance, even under high loads.

Starting in 2026, Audi will only launch new models with electric drive systems on the global market. The company will gradually phase out production of its internal combustion engines between now and 2033. In doing so, the premium manufacturer is clearly looking to electromobility and accelerating its own transformation. The main goal: to combine individual mobility and sustainability for its customers – and to increase its profitability as a company at the same time.

Synergies accelerate transition to electromobility

The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron play a central role in the electrification strategy. In terms of price, they offer Audi customers an attractive point of entry into electric premium mobility. The Volkswagen Group’s platform strategy makes this possible: The Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron are being produced in the multi-brand factory in Zwickau, where the Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 and, more recently, the Cupra Born are also manufactured. All these models are based on the MEB, but they score points with their brand-specific strengths.

“In the future, we will rely even more intensively on synergies within the Volkwagen Group,” says Peter Kössler, Audi AG Board Member for Production and Logistics. “This close collaboration makes the transition to emissions-free premium mobility affordable for our customers and economically presentable for us. At the same time, we make sure that all our vehicles unmistakably carry the Audi DNA within them and leave the assembly line in almost proverbially premium quality.”

The next important electric model from the company with four rings, the Audi Q6 e-tron, is also based on a new group platform: the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) developed jointly by Audi and Porsche.

The Zwickau VW factory: a pioneer in the emergence into the electric age

At Volkswagen Saxony in Zwickau, approximately 8,500 employees are producing the group’s five current models – all carbon-neutrally. Dr. Stefan Loth, Chairman of the Board, says, “For us, it is a special joy as well as a challenge that we have transformed from an exclusively Volkwagen factory to a multi-brand location that will soon produce six electric car models. That makes significant demands of our employees, who are responding with tremendous engagement and skill.” Many novel and innovative technologies are being used in the assembly process. For instance, the head-up display is installed directly in the assembly line. Intelligent software assesses the test image projected on the windshield and autonomously makes fine adjustments.

The Q4 e-tron: unmistakably a real Audi

Using shared platforms and technical modules has been a proven strategy in the Volkswagen Group for decades. “Teamwork across brands starts when a new platform is conceived,” says Fermin Soneira Santos, Head of Product Line for Electric Models from the A to C Segment. “It’s important to establish the right balance between distinctive brand character and maximum synergy.” For example, the Q4 e-tron is unmistakably a real Audi. This is not only apparent in the progressive design, but also in the standard Audi display and operation concept with a combination of virtual cockpit and extra large MMI, the augmented reality head-up display, which brings the interface between the virtual and real worlds together for the first time in the compact class, and in Audi’s almost proverbial claim to quality and materials in the interior.Both models successfully started in all European markets in 2021; for US customers, the compact SUVs have been available since the end of September.

Audi employees support and learn from Zwickau colleagues

The benefits of cross-brand collaboration are evident not only in the technical platforms, but also among the employees: at the moment, approximately 350 Audi employees are engaged in manufacturing in Zwickau – primarily junior staff members who have just completed their vocational training. After their one-year assignment in Zwickau, they will bring their experience in the emerging field of electromobility back to their original locations – for instance with the start of the Q6 e-tron in the Ingolstadt factory, which will be on the market starting in 2023.

Zwickau and Audi are united in a long tradition

The roots of the company with the four rings are in Saxony: when he needed to expand his operation, company founder August Horch went to Zwickau, where he registered the company “A. Horch Motorenwagenwerke AG” in 1904.

That laid the foundation for car manufacturing in Saxony. After disagreements with the board of directors, Horch left his company and founded the “August Horch Automobilwerke GmbH” in 1909, which was renamed the “Audi-Automobilwerke m.b.H.” in 1910.

Then, in 1932, the company reached another milestone in its history: the four companies Audi, DKW, Horch, and Wanderer consolidated to form the Auto Union AG; the trademark became the four rings. Stefan Trauf, Managing Director of Auto Union GmbH, the company that is responsible for Audi tradition today: “Zwickau was, is, and will remain a very special city for Audi. Automotive history was written here – and, then as now, it was striking just how important and productive close collaboration between brands is.” Audi history and the history of the auto industry in Saxony live on in the August Horch Museum in Zwickau (www.horch-museum.de/en/).

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

The Audi R8 V10 performance RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) is the sporty new cutting edge of serial rear-wheel drive sports cars from Audi. “The Audi R8 V10 RWD really struck a chord with customers right from the start with its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8 LMS racecar and its unfiltered dynamics. Now it has 30 PS and 10 newton meters more, taking the driving experience to a whole new level,” says Sebastian Grams, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. The base versions of both models, the R8 V10 quattro and the R8 V10 RWD as a Coupé and Spyder, will be replaced by the new performance models. This puts the R8 model range more firmly in the top position.

Top speed of 329 km/h

This mid-mounted engine sports car leaves others in the dust, accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds (3.8 seconds for the Spyder) with a top speed of 329 km/h (327 km/h for the Spyder). The crown jewel of the new R8 is the renowned naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 FSI motor with unparalleled sound, lightning-fast reaction and incredible liveliness. In the R8 V10 performance RWD, the aggregate has an output of 419 kW (570 PS) and brings up to 550 newton meters of torque, which it distributes to its rear wheels with its seven-gear S tronic. That’s 10 newton meters more torque than the Audi R8 V10 RWD. A mechanical limited slip differential distributes the torque ideally based on the driving situation, ensuring prime traction even when the roads are wet. As with all R8s, the body is built of aluminum using the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design, with large parts made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The Coupé version of the R8 V10 performance RWD thus weighs a mere 1590 kilograms, with the Spyder version weighing in at 1695 kilograms.

Controlled drifts are possible

The suspension and driving dynamics are specifically balanced for the rear-wheel drive. When Sport Mode is activated in the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), the suspension setup and control systems will allow controlled drifts. The electromechanical power steering provides close contact with the road. Dynamic steering, available for the first time for the rear-wheel drive R8, provides even more precise reaction and feedback. This makes driving more dynamic through more direct steering, for example on curvy country roads or when turning. It also increases comfort by making steering easier, such as when parking or maneuvering. The RWD sport suspension is adapted specifically for rear-wheel drive, has double wishbones and a passive differential lock. The axle distribution is 40:60. Extra-light 19 and 20-inch aluminum cast wheels ensure precise handling and lane control in quick turns. Cup wheels in 245/30 R20 up front and 305/30 R20 at the back, are available optionally and provide extra grip and dynamics. An 18-inch high-performance steel braking system with a wave design and an optional 19-inch high-performance ceramic braking system provide the necessary deceleration.

Recognizable design features of the Audi R8 V10 performance quattro

The overly sporty design is inspired by its GT4 siblings. Elements of this include the broad, flat Singleframe radiator grill in matte black with an R8 emblem flanked by large air intakes, the front splitter and rear air outlet grid as well as the oval tailpipes. The slit under the front hood is reminiscent of the legendary Audi Sport quattro. The new R8 is available in ten color options. One of them is Ascari Blue Metallic, a color that was previously only available for the R8 V10 performance quattro. The “R8 performance” design package boasts an interior with black Alcantara leather, contrast stitching in Mercato Blue and decorative carbon inlays.

Racecar feelings inside

The tight lines of the design set the tone inside the car as well. Its most eye-catching element is the “Monoposto” – the large, heavily contoured arch that spans the area in front of the driver’s seat and is strongly reminiscent of a racecar cockpit. The “Monoposto” encloses the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch screen, which is integrated into a freestanding casing. The R8 leather steering wheel with Multifunction plus offers two or, in the performance version, four control satellites, each for using Audi drive select, to start the engine, to activate Performance Mode and the engine sound as well as to control the Audi virtual cockpit. Drivers and passengers can enjoy the ride in their newly available R8 bucket or sports seats, upholstered in leather and Alcantara. A badge with the RWD emblem shimmers in front of the passenger seat.

Production largely by hand

The R8 V10 performance RWD is built – largely by hand – in the “Böllinger Höfe” plant at the Audi location in Neckarsulm, Germany. This is also the production site of the LMS GT4 racecar, which is derived from the series model and uses roughly 60 percent carryover parts. Approximately 40,000 square meters of production space are used, with up to 1,000 highly qualified employees working in sports car assembly. The rear-wheel drive Audi R8 V10 performance RWD can be ordered from October 21.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

“With our customer teams WRT and Saintéloc Racing, we have a strong package for this year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour. They are ready to give it everything in order to clinch a good result,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “The teams will be competing with a special livery on the cars that features a ‘stars and stripes’ design as a tribute to the USA.”

At the season opener of the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Spa 24 Hours, Audi Sport Team WRT finished runner-up with Kelvin van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts. Since then, Audi has been leading the manufacturers standings with a 15-point advantage. In America, the teams and drivers have the chance to further extend their brand’s lead at the second of three rounds in the only worldwide GT3 racing series. Vanthoor and Weerts, who recently became the overall champions of the GT World Challenge Europe, will again be competing with Audi Sport Team WRT in Indianapolis. They will share the cockpit with Christopher Mies. The sister car will be driven by Mattia Drudi, Robin Frijns and Nico Müller. Team WRT is no stranger to the race in Indianapolis. The team finished fourth in last year’s round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge at the venue.