Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl had set his squad a clear target: “Our technology, the entire team and our drivers and co-drivers have the potential to drive at the very front. Our stage results proved that. So it was all the more annoying that tire failures and other problems set us back in January. Now we have to find solutions. Our systematically planned test was the next important step on this path after the theoretical analysis.” Team Audi Sport and the three drivers Mattias Ekström, Carlos Sainz and Stéphane Peterhansel spent several days in Saudi Arabia in the third week of May working for this purpose.

Using two different types of tires from BF Goodrich, the official tire supplier of the Dakar Rally, the team compared the performance and attempted to recreate the conditions of January’s damage in order to develop countermeasures. Various tracks were available for this purpose: On a sprint track of just under 13 kilometers with gravel and sand, the engineers examined performance aspects. Over a distance of around 110 kilometers on a stony course, the focus was on durability and damage patterns. Also on the agenda was work with the shock absorbers, as the chassis has to behave reliably but also consistently and efficiently on the rough surfaces. Measurement sensors in the chassis for loads and accelerations supported this analysis.

Sven Quandt, Team Director of Q Motorsport, summed up: “The test organization was definitely demanding. Audi Sport supported this testing perfectly. We were able to reproduce tire failures during the runs, which is pleasing in that it allows us to analyze very well the conditions and circumstances that caused us headaches in January. Closely related to this are the suspension settings, which we have varied. We haven’t worked out a one hundred percent solution yet, but the test was valuable and we’re on the right track.” Carlos Sainz was fully fit again after his accident in January and competed with regular co-driver Lucas Cruz. Stéphane Peterhansel also took part in the test, but also with co-driver Lucas Cruz. “It was the right decision not to use Stéphane’s regular co-driver Edouard Boulanger again yet after his injuries in January, as the test tracks were physically very demanding. After all, every additional day without extreme stress supports the further healing process,” says Rolf Michl. Mattias Ekström was involved as standard with co-driver Emil Bergkvist.

In Saudi Arabia, Team Audi Sport experienced temperatures of up to 42 degrees Celsius and repeatedly strong winds. For the workforce, the conditions were correspondingly demanding. The Audi RS Q e-tron with electric drive and its low-emission energy converter powered by reFuel completed the test without complaint. This reliable run over a distance of 2,568 kilometers not only confirmed the maturity of the innovative concept. It also allowed the busy program to be systematically completed. In addition to technical insights, engineers and drivers also benefit from the productive testing in Saudi Arabia in terms of decision-making and driving style. After the return, a comprehensive analysis of all recorded data is scheduled. In this way, Audi and Q Motorsport are continuing to prepare the next steps in development and organization for the 2024 Dakar Rally.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

“Spread across these categories, our customers won a total of ten titles in the SRO series last year,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “What we’re particularly pleased about is that with Comtoyou Racing and CSA Racing we’re welcoming two teams to GT3 racing for the first time who are now expanding their previous programs with Audi Sport in TCR and GT4. At the same time, several teams are once again strengthening their previous year’s efforts.” Audi will meet seven other manufacturers in the GT3 category this year.

In 2023, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS will again comprise five rounds each of the Endurance Cup and five of the Sprint Cup as well as an overall classification from both classifications. Only GT3 race cars may take part in these competitions. In the Sprint Cup with two one-hour races per weekend, the Belgian squad Boutsen VDS will compete for the first time with two Audi R8 LMS cars. Comtoyou Racing from Belgium, an up-and-comer from the TCR class, and Saintéloc Racing from France will contest the competitions with three Audi cars each. Team Tresor Orange1 is fielding one Audi, Tresor Attempto Racing two R8 LMS. The latter three race cars are being prepared by Arkin Aka’s team in Hanover. Likewise, the Italian-German partnership is also tackling the endurance season with three race cars in this team formation. Boutsen VDS and Saintéloc Racing, each with two GT sports cars, and Comtoyou Racing with three Audi cars have also signed up for the endurance distance. A car from the French team CSA Racing, previously an Audi customer in GT4 racing, completes the line-up of eleven Audi R8 LMS cars. Audi Sport customer racing supports the teams with the ten Audi Sport drivers Mattia Drudi, Ricardo Feller, Christopher Haase, Simon Gachet, Max Hofer, Gilles Magnus, Dennis Marschall, Christopher Mies, Patric Niederhauser and Frédéric Vervisch. Regularly, the endurance races last three hours. In addition, there is a 1,000-kilometer race at Le Castellet as well as the Spa 24 Hours as the season highlight. There, the Uno Racing Team from China brings a twelfth R8 LMS to the grid.

On two of these race weekends, the Fanatec GT2 European Series will also thrill the public, following a different calendar for its remaining four rounds. With six so-called “Sunshine Circuits” in Western and Southern Europe, SRO is offering the teams a special attraction this year. This season, two customer teams will enter the 470 kW (640 hp) Audi R8 LMS GT2 and face the opposition in two 50-minute races per weekend. Audi’s customers won all classifications last year. PK Carsport from Belgium will enter an Audi as Pro-Am champion to defend its title. LP Racing from Italy was last year’s Am champion and now enters the race with three Audi cars. In addition to privateer drivers, Audi Sport driver Pierre Kaffer will also be fielded there. For the first time, the age limit of 40 years has been abolished in the GT2 European Series, so that not only the “gentlemen” who are usual in this market segment can participate. Seven manufacturers have now homologated high-performance race cars for the GT2 category.

In the GT4 European Series, the signs are pointing to growth. Instead of seven so far, eight Audi R8 LMS GT4 cars from four French customer racing teams are now registered. The total number of all entrants also continues to grow from 37 in 2021 to 50 last year and now 52. Saintéloc Racing as the defending champion in the Silver category for drivers and teams is preparing three Audi cars. The experienced squad from France has won titles at French or European level in every year since the Audi R8 LMS GT4 was released for the 2018 season. Teams Fullmotorsport and Speedcar have each entered two of the production-based coupes from Germany. Fullmotorsport has claimed a total of six titles with the Audi R8 LMS in the past two years. CSA Racing is preparing another Audi for this racing series. At six events – always together with the GT World Challenge – the GT4 European Series holds two one-hour races each weekend with driver changes. Teams from ten nations compete there with the production-based sports cars from nine brands.

The teams and drivers in Monza 

Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup

#9 Boutsen VDS, Adam Eteki/Alberto di Folco/Aurélien Panis
#10 Boutsen VDS, Andrea Cola/César Gazeau/Roee Meyuhas
#11 Comtoyou Racing, Christopher Haase/Gilles Magnus/Frédéric Vervisch
#12 Comtoyou Racing, Sam Dejonghe/Loris Hezemans/Finlay Hutchison
#21 Comtoyou Racing, Nicolas Baert/Max Hofer/Maxime Soulet
#25 Saintéloc Junior Team, Simon Gachet/Christopher Mies/Patric Niederhauser
#26 Saintéloc Junior Team, Erwan Bastard/Grégoire Demoustier/Paul Evrard
#40 Tresor Orange1, Mattia Drudi/Ricardo Feller/Dennis Marschall
#66 Tresor Attempto Racing, Kikko Galbiati/Andrey Mukovoz/Dylan Pereira
#99 Tresor Attempto Racing, Alex Aka/Pietro Delli Guanti/Lorenzo Patrese
#888 CSA Racing, Erwin Creed/Arthur Rougier/NN

Fanatec GT2 European Series

#1 PK Carsport, Peter Guelinckx/Stienes Longin
#18 LP Racing, Michael Doppelmayr/Pierre Kaffer
#67 LP Racing, Anthony Beltoise/Henry Hassid 
#88 LP Racing, Mattia di Giusto/Stéphane Ratel

GT4 European Series

#3 Team Speedcar, Robert Consani/Benjamin Lariche
#14 Saintéloc Junior Team, Anthony Beltoise/Cyril Saleilles
#42 Saintéloc Junior Team, Grégory Guilvert/Christophe Hamon
#45 Fullmotorsport, Sacha Bottemanne/Lonni Martins
#46 Fullmotorsport, Noam Abramczyk/Romain Vozniak
#67 Saintéloc Junior Team, Marc López/Paul Petit 
#83 Team Speedcar, Fabien Boeri/Hugo Roch 
#111 CSA Racing, Gaël Castelli/Alexandre Cougnaud

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

The offering structure is being reorganized as part of the model face-lift for the Audi A6 Sedan and Avant and the A7 Sportback. The new structure offers customers greater clarity and more room for individuality, as the interior can now be designed independently of the exterior package customers select.

Enhanced: the Audi A6 and Audi A7 with RS-style Singleframe

Customers can now choose between basic, advanced, and S line packages for the exterior of the A6 Sedan and Avant and between the basic and S line for the A7 Sportback. Each equipment line is characterized by unique front and rear design elements. A Singleframe with a honeycomb structure is the new defining element in the front of the vehicle. In the basic version of both models, the front is finished in Matte Black with a chrome frame. On the the advanced line, reserved specifically for the A6, the radiator grille is finished in Dark Chrome; the front stands out with side air intakes, and the rear with a diffuser in the new dynamic design with a plastic blade painted in Selenite Silver. The advanced line also includes sporty 18-inch wheels. The S-line variant is available for both models. Here, the Singleframe features chrome inserts. On the A6, the rear diffusor was redesigned. Here, the diffusor blade is painted Platinum Gray, while on the A7 it is finished in Chrome. Additionally, the S line exterior on the Audi A6 also has redesigned side front air intakes with elements in Matte Black with Platinum Gray inserts, widened side sills, 19-inch wheels, and sport suspension. 

In addition to the differentiation options for the exterior, there is the S line interior package, which is based on the interior of the previous S line sports package. Here, the interior, dashboard, and roof lining are all in black. The multifunction sport leather steering wheel with shift paddles in black features contrasting stitching, including steering wheel grips in perforated leather. The footrest and pedals are stainless steel. The S line interior package boasts seats upholstered in Fabric "Sequenz"/leather combination for the Audi A6, and in Dinamica microfiber "Frequenz"/leather combination with S embossing on the front seat backrests for the Audi A7. The front and rear door sill trims with aluminum inlays are illuminated and feature S lettering in the front.

The models Audi S6 and Audi S7 receive a Singleframe with aluminum-style inlays and accentuated side air intakes in the front. On the Audi S6 these come in Matte Black, while the Audi S7 has them in Matte Dark Chrome. The front spoiler is painted in Selenite Silver on both models.

New interior and exterior colors and materials

A total of twelve exterior colors is now available for the Audi A6 and A7 models and their respective S derivatives. For the first time, the portfolio includes Arcona White and Madeira Brown Metallic. Grenadine Red Metallic and Ascari Blue Metallic are now available for the S models and the S line packages. Decorative inlays in the interior now come in eight different variants. New additions are wood inlays in Olive Tree Natural and Ash Volcanic Gray Natural and inlays covered with Dinamica microfiber.

Finer points of standard equipment upgraded

The Audi virtual cockpit is now a standard feature. It offers a fully digital instrument panel with a 12.3-inch screen and a full HD resolution of 1,920 x 720 pixels. Drivers operate the Audi virtual cockpit via the multifunction steering wheel and have the option of the classic view or infotainment mode. The lighting technology equipped as standard has also been upgraded. The basic headlights on the Audi A6 and S6 now come as full LED lights with a contoured daytime running light signature. The park assist plus is now also standard.

Darker sports rims for a classy look

Reflecting strong customer demand for dark rims, the Audi A6 and Audi A7 wheel range has been fundamentally revised; more than half of the variants now have dark rims. The Audi A6 Sedan and Avant come standard with 17-inch forged aluminum wheels in a 10-spoke design and 225/60 tires. The 18-inch wheels in a multi-spoke design are now coated in Graphite Gray for a sportier appearance. There are also 19-inch wheels in a 5-arm dynamic design. The high-gloss 20-inch wheels in a 10-spoke star design in Platinum Gray are now available in Black Metallic, while 21-inch wheels in Graphite Gray with a high-gloss finish and a stylish 5 double-spoke-V design make for dark accents. Completely new to the A6 model range are the 5-arm 21-inch wheels – inspired by motorsport, the airy geometry of the design aids brake cooling.

The progressive architecture and premium ambience of Audi’s booth at OMR 2023 will invite visitors to come and stay for a while on May 9 and 10. At the same time, the booth’s interactive digital elements provide a playful opportunity to get to know the brand and its technology and discover the driving experience of the future – visitors are sure to be thrilled. 

In addition, two keynote speakers will represent the brand with the four rings: Giorgio Delucchi, Head of Digital Experience and Business at AUDI AG, and Stephan Fahr-Becker, Exterior Design, AUDI AG, will be speaking at the Conference Stage under the heading “Design & Digital: How Audi is driving transformation”. At the Red Stage, under the title “Insight into Audi Design: Aesthetic Intelligence”, Stephan Fahr-Becker will also provide insight into the work of Audi designers. Both keynote speeches can be streamed live and will also be available afterwards in the Audi MediaCenter.

The Audi brand will offer a firsthand experience through four panel discussions focused on its strategic brand fields, including digital, performance, design, and sustainability. In addition to Audi speakers Patrick Lins (Concept Development UI/UX), Tim Miksche (Head of Audi Denkwerkstatt), Stephan Fahr-Becker (Exterior Design), and Dr. Michael Müller (Head of Global Brand Strategy, Customer Insights), panelists Aya Jaff (founder and author, Forbes 30 under 30 keynote speaker), Dr. Cornelius Ringe (WESOUND), Michala Rudorfer (investor and founder), Annika von Mutius (Empion), Jennifer Baum-Minkus (gitti Conscious Beauty), Dirk Pape (LinkedIn Marketing Solutions), Kerstin Weng (Vogue Germany), and Ayke Bogen (Condé Nast) will provide exciting insights.

“Our goal is to continue to surprise our customers with new experiences. That’s why we decided to design our experience at the trade fair stand without a show car for the first time and to focus on people, their feelings and their experience – completely independent of drive forms or models,” says Linda Kurz, Head of Marketing Germany, AUDI AG.

The Sphere concept cars such as the current Audi activesphere concept were the inspiration for the exhibit. Always ready for an adventure in nature or in the urban jungle, the car is a master of metamorphosis, both inside and out. Its innovative operating concept blends the physical and virtual worlds (“mixed reality”) by projecting information, content, and interactive elements onto the surfaces and into the spaces inside the car. By taking a people-centered approach, Audi is breaking with previous conventions of car design in the development of its concept cars.

Audi puts people at the center

In the past, cars were initially thought of from a technological perspective. This orientation set the car’s direction and helped determine the look, features, interior, and even the seating position of the passengers. Audi is now turning this on its head. In the Audi of the future, the focus is on people as individuals. True to Audi’s booth motto at the OMR Festival, “Step into your sphere”, the brand with the four rings is developing the car around these individuals as a “Personal Sphere” – an interactive space that is systematically designed from the inside out. Audi is bringing the future interior experience the Personal Sphere promises to life at its trade fair booth.

The Audi of the future combines an appealing design, high-quality materials, and digital elements to create a seamless and customizable user experience. Cars developed from the user’s perspective outward offer a smart, intuitive, and personal experience. With its interactive space at the OMR Festival, Audi wants to focus on the crucial role played by the individual’s senses and emotions, not to mention data security, when interacting with digital technology.Audi prioritizes design from the inside out, turning the car interior into a crucial interface between people and the brand by placing co-creation at the forefront and making technology available as needed, as demonstrated in the development of the Audi urbansphere concept vehicle where the company actively collaborated with Chinese customers to incorporate their wishes and ideas.

Holistic ecosystem extends the personal sphere beyond the car

Digitalization and connectivity are opening up entirely new opportunities for interaction in and around the car. The number of customer touchpoints is increasing exponentially. With its holistic ecosystem, Audi is leveraging these touchpoints to offer its customers an integrated user experience anytime, anywhere. The key to Audi’s digitally connected world is the myAudi app.

Users can already experience many aspects of this ecosystem today. Functions on demand, for example, Audi lets customers adapt the configuration of vehicle functions to suit their needs, even after the car has been purchased. There is also the digitalized sales process with virtual services such as Audi Live Consultations and a system for reserving new and used cars online. Audi will add even more elements to its digital ecosystem in the future.

Trust as a prerequisite for unique experiences and new services

Nowadays, generating and intelligently analyzing data allows for the provision of customized services and settings, but trust is a crucial prerequisite for creating unique digital experiences like those found in the trade show booth and today's and tomorrow's cars, as users who are willing to share their data can gain the most from the added value of personalized services. This makes users’ trust in the security of their personal data a decisive enabler. For this reason, Audi relies on a privacy concept that offers the best possible transparency as well as the greatest level of security. It’s an approach that lets Audi take a range of personal preferences into account when handling people’s data. Visitors will also be able to experience this commitment to trust at the Audi booth at the OMR Festival.

Giorgio Delucchi says: “Audi cares about security – both in our cars and in our digital world. Because customer trust is our top priority. We never collect or use data without our users’ explicit consent and only do so in compliance with strict privacy laws.”

OMR x Audi: A long-standing partnership

The first OMR Festival took place in 2011, and since then the event has grown year after year, with more than 70,000 visitors in 2022. Today, OMR offers a platform for keynote speeches, master classes, and side events with more than 800 speakers on six stages, an exhibition area with more than 1,000 exhibitors, and a unique atmosphere. Visitors can also look forward to performances by renowned musicians and bands as well as parties.

Audi has been a partner since the very beginning and is now the main sponsor of the event for the third time in a row. Linda Kurz says: “The OMR Festival combines the latest developments in technology and digital marketing with an innovative and lively community. For Audi, it’s the perfect place to showcase our progressive and people-centric mindset.” For the first time, the four rings will be present on-site at a large exhibition stand without a display vehicle, deliver a MasterClass with four panel talks, and will be represented on two stages with keynotes.