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Audi’s backing for youth-oriented winter sports continues. The premium brand is the title sponsor of an all-new competition format taking place from 9 to 14 April 2018 in the Tyrolean ski resort of Sölden. In the Audi Nines presented by Falken, the world’s best practitioners of Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross and Slopestyle will go head to head on a specially designed SlopeX course.

The innovative SlopeX course on the Tiefenbach Glacier will combine elements of Ski Cross and Snowboard Cross with Slopestyle. In keeping with the slogan “by riders for riders”, it was developed by the athletes themselves with both speed and style in mind, and includes plenty of scope for experimenting with jumps and tricks. The event will also provide an opportunity for promising up-and-coming talent to rub shoulders with Olympic and World champions.

The competitors will have five days to get to grips with the innovative SlopeX course before they face off against each other in the competition on 14 April. On the Public Contest day, the athletes will compete in seven categories – from SlopeX, Big Air and Quarter-Pipe to team events.

Audi has been supporting youth-oriented and trend-setting sports for a number of years now, including the AUDI FIS Ski Cross World Cup and the Freeride World Tour. With the Audi Nines presented by Falken, the premium brand is expanding its sponsorship portfolio. “We are very keen to work with our partners to keep on developing the platforms and maintaining close contact with the athletes. We developed the Audi Nines especially for them in what was very much a collaborative effort,” comments Thomas Glas, Head of Sport Marketing at AUDI AG. “The resulting creativity and sense of momentum is unique in winter sports.”

Audi has been the main sponsor of the German Ski Association (DSV), including all national teams, for over 30 years. The premium brand is also involved with several other national Alpine skiing teams and it is a partner in selected winter sports events. Some of the teams undergo regular training sessions at the Audi wind tunnel centre in Ingolstadt and take part in an Audi driving experience in the snow or at the Audi driving experience centre in Neuburg an der Donau.

For more information, see www.audinines.com.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

All awards at a glance:

“What Car”: Audi TT voted “Best Coupé” for 16th time; Audi A4 winner in the
“Executive Cars” category; Audi Q7 “Best Luxury SUV”
“auto motor und sport China”: Audi wins award for best advertisements and
best marketing
Hong Kong: 25 awards for Audi in 2017
“U.S. News & World Report”: Audi A3 receives accolade for best value for money
“Good Housekeeping”: Audi Q7 best new car in its class
“CAR Magazine” South Africa: Audi Q5 singled out as “Best Midsize SUV 2017”;
Audi RS 6 Avant as “Best Family Sports Car” and Audi TT RS Coupé as
“Best Everyday Sports Car”
“JEC World 2018”: Innovation award for the Audi A8
“JoongAng Ilbo”: Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus “Best Performance Car 2018” in Korea

“What Car”: Audi TT takes “Best Coupé” for 16th time – one of three category victories
UK car magazine “What Car” chose the Audi TT as Best Coupé 2018. As such, the compact sports car clinched its 16th category victory since 1999 and the fourth in succession from “What Car.” The jury praised, among other things, the agile 1.8 TFSI engine (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.1 – 5.7 (38.6 – 41.3 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 142 - 129 (228.5 - 207.6 g/mi)*) and the Audi virtual cockpit. The Audi A4 won in the “Executive Cars” category – the third time in a row the midsize model received the award. The jury highlighted the particular strengths, namely the powerful, refined 2.0 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.2 - 3.8 (45.2 - 61.9 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 136 - 99 (218.9 - 159.3 g/mi)*) as well as the interior’s feel-good factor. For the second time in succession, the Audi Q7 was chosen “Best Luxury SUV.” Criteria that swayed the jury included its sedan-like driving characteristics and its strong performance. Besides the three category victories, other Audi models received the “Best Buy” recommendation: the A3 Sportback, the A5 Coupé and Cabriolet, the Q2, the A5, the Q7 e-tron and the A8.
(January 2018)

“auto motor und sport China”: Audi wins award for best advertisements and best marketing
“auto motor und sport China” magazine awarded Audi two prizes. With the prize for the best advertising campaign, readers voted for Audi’s concept of bringing content to the fore – in contrast with the Chinese auto industry’s traditional approach. A jury from the magazine bestowed the “Best Marketing in 2017” award. A prime example is the recent campaign for the Q models in China. At the heart of the campaign was a driving event that allowed over 70 journalists, other influencers and celebrities to drive the Audi models to remote destinations in China. The tour took them via Gansu and Qinghai to the Kekexili mountains. A camera team filmed the adventure and reported live from the event.
(January 2018)

Hong Kong: 25 awards for Audi in 2017
Audi scooped a total of 25 prizes from Hong Kong media in 2017. The Audi Q5 took six awards in one go – one from “Sing Tao Daily” (Best SUV of the Year), two from “Automobile”(including: SUV of the Year), one from “Car Plus” (Best European SUV), one from Car1.hk (Best SUV of the Year) and one from “Oriental Daily” (Best SUV of the Year). The Audi A5 Sportback and Cabriolet models took four prizes – from “Automobile,” “Car Plus,” “Oriental Daily” and from “HK Automobile Association.” The Audi Q2 came away with three awards, as did the TT RS Coupé and Roadster models (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.5 - 8.2 (27.7 - 28.7 US mpg)*; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 194 - 187 (312.2 - 300.9 g/mi)*) as well as the RS 3 Sportback and Sedan models (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.4 - 8.3* (28.0 - 28.3 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 192 - 188 (309.0 - 302.6 g/mi)*). The Audi RS 5 Coupé (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.7 (27.0 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 197 (317.0 g/mi)) took two prizes, the Audi A4 Avant one award. Accolades for the Audi Hong Kong brand from three publications at the same time round off the final tally.
(January 2018)

“U.S. News & World Report”: Audi A3 receives accolade for best value for money
The Audi A3 is the car that offers the best value for money in its segment. The renowned online portal “U.S. News & World Report” named it the “Best Car for the Money” at the Chicago Auto Show. The A3 received the coveted award in the auto show category “Luxury Small Car.” The jury of experts and car magazine editors was full of praise for the model. The A3 performed well in the areas of purchase price and running costs, safety and reliability. It is a great car because it is sporty, efficient and brimming with technology and premium equipment. Innovative assistance systems, the Audi virtual cockpit and smartphone integration, leather seats, 2-zone automatic air conditioning and panoramic glass sunroof attest to its extensive specification. More than 30 million users visit “U.S. News & World Report” every month. Its automobile channel “U.S. News Best Cars” helps around 125,000 potential buyers every day decide which car to buy, according to the channel’s own figures.
(February 2018)

“Good Housekeeping”: Audi Q7 best new car in its class
The U.S. “Good Housekeeping Institute” gave the Audi Q7 the Best New Car Award 2018 in its “Mid-Size SUV” category. “The Q7 is a luxury SUV that drives like a smaller car,” was the jury’s verdict. As part of its competition, the “Good Housekeeping Institute,” which has been testing products for 118 years, works together with “Car and Driver” magazine, with the focus squarely on safety, value for money, handling, design, comfort and technology. The competition lineup included more than 100 automobiles in twelve categories, 25 of which were put through painstaking expert tests. The success of the Audi Q7 was already the brand’s third category victory in a row – the award went to the Audi A3 in 2016 and to the Audi A4 in 2017.
(February 2018)

“CAR Magazine” South Africa: Audi Q5 Best Midsize SUV 2017
The Audi Q5 is last year’s best midsize SUV in South Africa. The annual “CAR Magazine” competition saw it take the coveted “Best Buy 2017” award. The nine-strong editorial jury praised the character, handling characteristics and price of the SUV, which has been on sale in South Africa since July 2017. In vying to take the “Midsize SUV” category, it beat off strong rivals such as the BMW X3, Mercedes GLC, Jaguar F-Pace and Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Audi RS 6 Avant (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 9.6 (24.5 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 223 (358.9 g/mi)) was chosen as “Best Family Sports Car” and the Audi TT RS Coupé (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8.4 - 8.2 (28.0 - 28.7 US mpg)*); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 192 – 187 (309.0 – 300.9 g/mi)*) as “Best Everyday Sports Car.” Audi took other podium places with the following models: Second places respectively for the Audi A3 in the “Midsize Hatchback” category and the Audi A4 in the “Premium Midsize Car.” The Audi Q7 took third spot in the “Large SUV/Crossover” category.
(February 2018)

“JEC World 2018”: Innovation award for the Audi A8
At the “JEC World” trade show in Paris, which is devoted to fiber composites, the Audi A8 took the “JEC World 2018 Innovation Award” for its rear panel made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The ten-strong jury singled out above all the technical excellence, the market potential, the originality and the exemplary cooperation with partner companies. The CFRP rear panel, which strengthens the passenger cell of the new Audi flagship, was developed by experts in the Lightweight Design Center in Neckarsulm together with partner companies and transferred to volume production.
(March 2018)

“JoongAng Ilbo”: Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus “Best Performance Car 2018” in Korea
A naturally aspirated V10 mid-engine with 449 kW (610 hp) of power, zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.2 seconds – the power of the Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 13.4 (17.6 US mpg); combined CO2emissions in g/km: 306 (492.5 g/mi)) also convinced the Korean daily newspaper “JoongAng Ilbo.” In its “Car of the Year 2018” (J-COTY) contest, the test jury with its 15 experts awarded the high-performance sports car with the Four Rings the “Performance of the Year.” The J-COTY has been running since 2010; this year 41 new car models lined up on the start in ten categories.
(March 2018)

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

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Second-generation Audi S1 EKS RX quattro presented at Silverstone

Audi factory driver Mattias Ekström relies on new technology and new teammate
Season kicks off at Barcelona on April 14 and 15

On the official test and media day of the racing series at Silverstone (Great Britain) this Monday, EKS Audi Sport presents the second-generation Audi S1 EKS RX quattro in which Ekström and his new teammate, Andreas Bakkerud, will contest the 2018 season.

The calendar features a total of twelve rounds on three continents (Europe, North America, Africa). For 2020, the series is planning to switch to fully electric powertrains. “This prospect is one of the reasons why Audi continues intensifying its commitment in the World Rallycross Championship this year,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass.

Ekström had formed his rallycross team at the beginning of 2014 and went on to lead it to the top of the world’s ranking within the space of just three years. In 2016, Ekström and EKS won the drivers’ and teams’ world championships. In the 2017 season, Ekström, after having scored four victories, celebrated the runner-up’s spot in the championship and EKS placed third in the teams’ classification. Looking at the new season, Ekström and Team EKS Audi Sport are brimming with energy: “With intensified support from Audi we intend to battle for victories as well as for the World RX titles in the drivers’ and teams’ championship again,” says the Swede. To achieve this goal, EKS Audi Sport will be on the grid with two new Audi S1 EKS RX quattro cars. “We were driving more or less the same cars for four years. Now we’ve prepared two all-new ones, practically the second generation of our winning car.”

Audi Sport is involved in this more than ever. While the focus in 2017 when Audi Sport came on board was primarily placed on development work and support for tests and races, the development of the now 580-hp Audi S1 EKS RX quattro was intensified for the 2018 season. Among other things, the S1 received a new aerodynamics package that enhances performance. At all twelve WRX rounds, Audi employees will be at the race tracks to assist EKS Audi Sport in taking care of the engine.

“Anyone can see the modifications that have been made to aerodynamics at first glance,” says Ekström. “But underneath the body shell, a lot has happened as well. We’ve made a clear step, the first tests were promising. Last year, we started the season as the hunted, now we’re the hunters.”

It is not just the technical update that inspires the 2016 World Champion with optimism. “This is the first year in which I’m able to fully concentrate on the rallycross project,” says Ekström who concurrently competed in the DTM and the World RX from 2014 to 2017. “For me, personally, that’s very positive because the dual load was definitely enormous. I’m also proud of the fact that many of our longstanding partners – above all Red Bull – continue to be on board and that we’ve additionally been able to gain new sponsors for EKS Audi Sport. Plus, there are a few new faces in our team that will hopefully make us even more powerful.”

In Andreas Bakkerud Mattias Ekström also has a new teammate who has already done some initial test races for the team. “For me, the past few weeks were primarily about familiarzing myself as quickly as possible with the Audi S1 EKS RX quattro, which is a little shorter than the cars I’ve been driving so far,” says the Norwegian. “My first impression is positive. I’m also impressed by the way the team works that pays attention to even the smallest details which in the end make the difference. It’s clear that Mattias is not just a brilliant driver but also an excellent technician. I look forward to working with him and am trying to learn as much as possible from him. In the first step, I’d like to immediately help EKS Audi Sport win the teams’ world championship. Step two will be the drivers’ title which in the long run is my big personal aim.”

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Audi Sport launches an innovative high-performance model onto the market: The Audi RS 5 Sportback is currently making its world debut at the New York International Auto Show, (March 28 – April 9, 2018), as a version for the US and Canadian market. It combines stirring design and a high level of everyday usability with superior performance.

“The Audi RS 5 Sportback is more than just an international trade fair novelty – it offers something new to our customers. Our innovative interpretation of a five-door high-performance coupé has neither predecessor models, nor a direct competitor,” explains Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “The new Audi RS 5 Sportback will carry the RS genes out onto the road.”

The exterior design of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback combines stirring curves and taut, athletic surfaces. The longer wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound engine hood with power dome all emphasize the dynamism of the model. The characteristic wavy shape of the powerful shoulder line is a visual highlight of the high-performance coupé. When viewed at an angle from behind, the modeled sides look particularly impressive. Here, quattro blisters emphasize the strong bulges over the wheel housings, which have been extended by 15 millimeters (0.6 in).

At the front, the Audi RS 5 Sportback features a wide, flat single-frame grille, solid air intakes with a honeycomb structure typical of an RS, and a front spoiler with matte aluminum quattro lettering. Aside from the headlamps, the vehicle features additional design elements in gloss black, making the RS 5 Sportback appear even wider. An RS-specific diffuser insert, RS exhaust system with oval tailpipes and fixed spoiler lip give the rear end its sportiness. The RS 5 Sportback comes with 19-inch wheels as standard; 20-inch wheels are available as an optional extra. The new Audi RS 5 Sportback can be customized with the Gloss Black, Carbon, and Matte Aluminum optic packages.

The 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo engine offers both power and efficiency, and can achieve 331 kW. Its maximum torque of 600 Nm is deployed throughout a wide speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The Audi RS 5 Sportback accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, with the possibility of reaching a top speed of 174 mph. The two turbochargers of the 2.9 TFSI V6 twin turbo generate up to 1.5 bar of charge pressure. As with all new Audi V6 and V8 engines, the turbochargers are mounted at a 90-degree angle to the cylinder banks, which means that the exhaust side of the cylinder heads is inside, and the intake side is outside. This layout enables a compact design and short fuel paths with minimal flow loss – the 2.9 TFSI engine reacts extremely spontaneously to the movements of the right pedal. The B-cycle combustion process with central direct injection contributes to the overall efficiency.

The power of the 2.9 TFSI is transferred to the quattro permanent all wheel drive with center differential via an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with optimized shift times that is specially tuned to sporty driving. It distributes power asymmetrically 40:60 between the axles – this guarantees dynamic handling with optimal traction alongside the greatest possible safety. When slippage occurs on an axle, most of the power immediately flows to the other axle – up to 70% to the front, and up to 85% to the rear. This locking effect enables a clearly-defined torque distribution and precise cooperation with the control systems. The optional sport differential selectively shifts the torque between the rear wheels.

The five-link design on the front and rear axles allows for substantially enhanced comfort, even in the sportiest of driving modes. With the standard RS sports suspension, the RS 5 Sportback is seven millimeters (0.3 in) lower than the Audi S5 Sportback. Alternatively, Audi Sport offers RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC), ceramic brakes and RS-specific dynamic steering. Drivers can create their own personal driving experience – to make it more customized, more dynamic or more comfortable – using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which is fitted as standard.

The high-quality, sporty interior of the new Audi RS 5 Sportback is finished in black, and provides space for five people. Its square-shaped profile and loading width measuring exactly one meter (3.3 ft) enables optimum use of the 480 liter (17 cu ft) trunk capacity. Folding down the rear seats increases the capacity to 1,300 liters (46 cu ft). The rear seat backrest is divided in a 40:20:40 ratio as standard. The RS 5 Sportback weighs 1,840 kilograms (4,056.5 lbs).

The sporty nature of the five-door high-performance coupé is emphasized by details such as the RS sport seats with optional honeycomb pattern in fine Nappa leather, and the flat-bottomed RS multifunction sports leather steering wheel. RS emblems can be found on the seats, the steering wheel, the sill panel strips and on the selector lever. Special RS information displays in the Audi virtual cockpit provide information on tire pressure, torque and G forces. In manual mode, the shift light display prompts the driver to shift up once the engine speed threshold is reached. Particular highlights of the RS design package include the contrasting red stitching on the steering wheel and selector lever, the Alcantara knee pads, and the red-trimmed seat belts and floor mats featuring the RS logo. For the Audi RS 5, Audi Sport offers Sonoma Green Metallic as an exclusive paint option.

The Audi RS 5 Sportback will initially be available in dealerships in the USA and Canada from the second half of 2018.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

As part of the "From 0 to 100" special exhibition, Audi museum mobile is presenting one of the most exciting moments in the history of AUDI AG: the company entering the upper executive class with the Audi 100. From March 28 to June 24, 2018, visitors can expect to see 15 variants of this historically important model which the company premiered 50 years ago.

The Audi 100 won the "Golden Steering Wheel" award five times, was crowned "Car of the Year" twice and was also voted "World Car of the Year" by a panel of motoring journalists. In all, 3.2 million units were sold which demonstrates the success which this model experienced. The premiere of the Audi 100 in 1968 was preceded by a turbulent history because its development was actually started in secret.

In the mid-1960s, Volkswagen AG acquired Auto Union GmbH and prevented the company from developing any new models. This stipulation to only look after the existing models was ignored by Ludwig Kraus, then Technical Director at Auto Union GmbH. In 1965, Kraus wanted to expand the range of vehicles which the resuscitated Audi brand offered. He saw adding a model in the executive segment as the only way to keep an independent Auto Union GmbH afloat in a time when the Ingolstadt plant was being used for production of the VW Beetle. Without informing Volkswagen, Kraus developed and subsequently presented the concept before it was eventually given the go-ahead from the team in Wolfsburg. Very quickly, the capacity of the Ingolstadt plant was pushed to its limits and thus Auto Union shifted the entire production of the Audi 100 to the Neckarsulm works in 1970. From the first series alone, the company sold 800,000 units.

A car from this model generation is also on show at the "From 0 to 100" exhibition, as are a further 14 variants from the different model series. Among the vehicles exhibited are the Audi 100 Cabrio from 1969, the Audi 100 C1 electric passenger car from 1976 and the Audi research car from 1981. These shed some light on previously little-known facets of the model and demonstrate both a ground-breaking design and a number of technical innovations. Highlights of the Audi 100 include its world-best aerodynamics value, the first fully galvanized body on an executive sedan and the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Equally on show is the Audi Duo, which not only features a 136-hp five-cylinder engine, but also an electric motor, thus making it the first hybrid vehicle of the Audi brand. The brand with the four rings presented this concept study on the basis of an Audi 100 at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 1990. Since 1995, the Audi A6 has continued the success story of the Audi 100. An Audi A6 2.8 quattro from the first model series rounds out the new "From 0 to 100" special exhibition.

The Audi museum mobile at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is open daily from Monday to Friday from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

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