In order to release resources for the package of investments amounting to billions of euros, Audi adopted its Action and Transformation Plan towards the end of last year. It has the objectives of tapping into new revenue sources, improving cost structures and accelerating the corporate transformation with regard to new business models. That will considerably increase the scope for investment. By 2025, approximately €40 billion is to flow into strategic areas such as e-mobility, autonomous driving and digitization. This also applies to the digitization of production. 

“Our ambition has always been and will continue to be Vorsprung durch Technik,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Our goal is to revolutionize mobility. Also in electric mobility, we want to become the Number 1 among the premium manufacturers – with full suitability for everyday use, no compromises, top quality and driving pleasure for the customer. With our technological excellence, we are utilizing our Vorsprung and lifting electric mobility to the next level.” 

The production version of the Audi e-tron prototype is the first result of the Roadmap E initiative, with which the premium brand will electrify its complete portfolio by 2025. This also includes investment in the German plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm as well as a clear commitment for job security until the end of 2025. 

The product fireworks include more than 20 electrified models in rapid succession until 2025. In 2019, the Audi e-tron Sportback will be the second fully electric car to be launched, followed by the Audi e-tron GT from Audi Sport in 2020. Audi will also offer an electric model in the premium compact segment in 2020. 

For its Roadmap E, the company is making systematic use of two major Volkswagen Group synergy levers in the area of development. In addition to the Modular Electric Toolkit developed by Volkswagen for the compact segment, Audi and Porsche are working together to implement the premium-architecture electrification for mid-range, full-size and luxury-class electric cars. These cooperation projects reduce development costs substantially. For the customer, it means a quickly available choice from a broad portfolio for emission-free driving. 

With electric mobility, Audi takes a holistic, resource-conserving approach also to production: In Brussels, the Audi e-tronis the first premium car to be produced in certified CO2-neutral high-volume production. Following Brussels' example, Audi will make all its production sites worldwide CO2 neutral by 2030. 

At the market launch of the e-tron, customers in Europe will benefit from a high-performance charging infrastructure. Audi is making a significant contribution to the development of that infrastructure through the Ionity joint venture. The production version of the Audi e-tron will be the first car that can be charged at rapid-charging stations with up to 150 kilowatts. This will make the electric SUV ready for the next long distance in just under 30 minutes. Its lithium-ion battery provides a range of more than 400 kilometers in the WLTP driving cycle. 

For the first time, the production version of the e-tron prototype offers Audi customers the possibility to flexibly book functions such as driver assistance systems or infotainment features also after the vehicle is bought. More digital content and services will gradually be made available to the passengers. Audi aims to generate operating profit of €1 billion with such new business models by 2025. 

“Just in time for the 50th anniversary of Vorsprung durch Technik, we will also present our first autonomous electric car based on our Audi Aicon show car in 2021. An interurban shuttle with lounge character – initially in a pilot fleet and around the middle of the decade as a series-production car for automated driving,” says Peter Mertens, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG. 

“Worldwide, we are accelerating the implementation of new, profitable business models in those areas that will be essential for our industry in the future,” says Alexander Seitz, Member of the Board of Management for Finance at AUDI AG. “Since January, we have implemented the first measures of the Action and Transformation Plan amounting to a low three-digit million figure. Identified measures will have a sustained effect and a long-term impact on revenue and costs. We will therefore gain the greatest benefits as of 2020, when our plan unfolds its full power, yielding a total of €10 billion by 2022. Audi will thus be able to secure its strong profitability despite high levels of investment.”

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi customers in China traditionally prize cars with roomy interiors and high prestige value. Audi currently offers three models with an extended wheelbase: the A4L, the A6L and the A8L. Now the Audi Q5L is being added. It will celebrate its world premiere on April 25 at the Beijing Motor Show, one of the most important automobile shows in the world. The Audi Q5L is the 

first SUV from the brand in a long version. Compared to its original base, its wheelbase and exterior length have each increased by 88 millimeters (3.5 in). This benefits passengers in the rear seat, who gain an additional 110 millimeters (4.3 in) of knee room. Depending on the position of the rear seat system, the volume of the luggage compartment remains unchanged at 550 to 1,550 liters (19.4 – 54.7 cu ft).

Buyers of the Audi Q5L can choose between the Vogue, Lifestyle, Design, Sport and Sport plus equipment lines, depending on the engine. These differ in many exterior and interior details. Even the Vogue base model of the Q5 L comes with convenient three-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning and the Audi smartphone interface on board. Starting with the Lifestyle model line, the high-end operating system MMI navigation plus and the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit are added. The Design, Sport and Sport plus lines also include the Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound.

The Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city safety systems come standard in all lines; in addition, there are assistance packages for the city and for suburban streets. Starting with the Lifestyle line, LED headlights are available as an option with the highly convenient Matrix LED technology. The panoramic glass roof is also standard.

The drive system in the Audi Q5L is a bestseller on the Chinese market: the powerful and efficient four-cylinder Turbo 2.0 TFSI. It is available with 140 kW (190 hp) or with 185 kW (252 hp). It accelerates the SUV from zero to 100 km/h (0 – 62.1 mph) in 8.6 or 6.7 seconds, respectively. According to the Chinese emission standard C5 the consumption with 20 inch wheels is 6.9 or 7.3 liters per 100 km (34.1 or 32.2 US mpg); this corresponds to CO2 emissions of 164 and 174 g/km (263.9 or 280.0 g/mi). A standard seven-speed S tronic transfers the power to the quattro with ultra-technology, which is also standard. In the Audi drive select, the driver can choose between the comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual driving profiles. Wheel formats range from 18 to 20 inches in diameter.

Like the Q5 with a normal wheelbase, Audi also produces the Q5L in a joint venture with FAW-VW in CKD production in the Changchun plant in northern China. A part of the prefabricated components come from Audi's plant in San José Chiapa, Mexico. With the new Q5L, Audi is seeking to further expand its strong position in the Chinese SUV market. Sales will launch in summer 2018. 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

This year’s GTI Meet will be held at Lake Wörthersee for the 37th time. And as every year, most fans will arrive days before the official start of the event. Audi will be joining them. The brand with the four rings will be in Reifnitz with its first all-electric model, the Audi e-tron prototype.

In its specially developed design camouflage that skillfully presents the high-voltage drive system, the electric SUV will demonstrate its suitability for everyday use. As well as a long range of more than 400 kilometers (248.5 mi) in the WLTP driving cycle and the electric quattro that ensures powerful performance on any terrain, the optional trailer hitch offers new options for using the electric car – for sport and leisure activities, for instance.

On the trailer, the prototype will be transporting the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo concept car. Originally developed exclusively for virtual races on the PlayStation 4, Audi is making the electrically driven Formula E race car concept a reality. Since the race in Rome, the Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo has been deployed as a race taxi for the electric racing series.

Further information on the Audi e-tron prototype can be found in the Audi MediaCenter at www.audi-mediacenter.comand at www.e-tron.audi. 

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

With the “All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year” survey, “Auto Bild Allrad” readers gave their verdict on 219 models in ten categories. Readers could cast a vote for their favorite in each vehicle class. In the “Crossover” category the Audi A6 allroad quattro beat 13 rivals, claiming victory with 13.35 percent of the votes. 

The Audi A6 allroad quattro keeps going where the asphalt ends. Its body sits up to 31.5 millimeters (1.2 in) higher than on the A6 Avant. Stainless steel covers protect the underbody at the front and rear. The permanent all-wheel drive, which uses a center differential with large amounts of lock, delivers optimum traction and driving dynamics. Air suspension with adaptive dampers also comes as standard. It features an additional drive mode for an even broader spread between dynamic driving on-road and use on gentle off-road terrain: in allroad mode, the air suspension raises the body by 35 millimeters (1.4 in). At low speeds, the lift mode adds an extra ten millimeters (0.4 in) of ground clearance. A tilt angle display and hill descent control round out the list of standard equipment.

With this year’s victory, the brand with the four rings continues its success in the popular “Auto Bild Allrad” reader survey held annually since 2002. In the past ten years alone, Audi models have graced the top step of the podium 19 times, including the Audi A4 quattro on seven occasions.

* Fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures given in ranges depending on the equipment selected

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com