All Audi models go through a comprehensive program of crash tests, both computer-simulated and in real life, before they are launched onto the market. 

For homologation purposes, all models go through front impact, side impact and rear impact crash tests, as well as tests for pedestrian protection and interior safety in the presence of the regulatory authorities. 

Furthermore, all Audi models go through a range of crash tests that far exceed the regulatory requirements. Thanks to this comprehensive program of crash tests Audi models exceed the legislative safety standards in all markets.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Fifty years after its first domestic delivery Audi UK has registered an A3 Sportback plug-in hybrid as its two-millionth car sale

· First Audi model codenamed F103 reached the UK in 1965, when the brand sold just 32 cars

· Two millionth car sold by the UK importer is an A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid

· Sales success achieved through more than two decades of strong and virtually unbroken growth - 2014 was no exception with a record 158,987 sales

When just 32 cars bearing the four rings found homes in the UK in 1965, it would have seemed improbable that an incredible two million more would follow, but this major milestone has today been reached by Audi UK almost fifty years later.

The first four-ringed car sold to a UK customer was a ‘compact executive’ in a model range of just one, internally codenamed the F103 and publicly known simply as ‘The Audi’. It was to be the springboard for a range that in 2015 numbers some 51 model types ranging from subcompact city cars to ten-cylinder supercars, and which has recently welcomed the A3 Sportback e-tron, the brand’s first ever plug-in hybrid and the two millionth car to be handed over to a UK customer.

As parent company Audi AG edges ever closer to selling two million cars globally in a single year – around 1,741,000 cars were delivered to customers worldwide in 2014 – its UK importer has just cumulatively broken through the two million barrier buoyed by more than two decades of recession-resistant sales strength, during which time its trajectory has been upward in all but three years. From a base of just 14,344 cars in 1991, the brand exceeded 100,000 annual sales for the first time in 2007, and in 2014 posted a total of 158,987 deliveries.

Director of Audi UK André Konsbruck marked the momentous occasion by saying: “It’s hugely gratifying for the team in the UK to reach this significant milestone in the brand’s history in the UK, but it’s the contributory figures lying behind the headline number which really speak volumes about our recent past and our future aspirations. Domestically the brand has risen from humble beginnings in the Sixties to become the leader in the premium segment, and the last two decades have delivered virtually constant, and in all but three years record-breaking, growth. These are really robust foundations on which we plan to build consistently and substantially with the help of an ever expanding portfolio of models.”

Ingolstadt born and bred

‘The Audi’ which projected the green shoots of this abundant growth was built by Auto Union AG, the conglomerate whose emblem contained a ring representing each of its four constituent companies Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. It was assembled at the company’s Ingolstadt plant in Bavaria, Germany, which remains the headquarters of the modern day Audi brand to this day, and it was the first car to leave the production line with a four-stroke engine rather than the more commonplace two-stroke design. In terms of horsepower, the 1700cc engine produced 72PS, a fraction of the 570PS available in the most powerful production Audi to head the current range – the limited edition R8 LMX. Priced at £160,000 OTR, its 5.2-litre V10 powerplant is capable of propelling the supercar to 62mph in just 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 198mph.

Available as a two-door ‘coupé’, four-door saloon or estate, ‘The Audi’ was essentially the precursor to the Audi 80 and 90, which went on to form the conceptual basis of the A4, the compact executive saloon which sparked a revolution for the Audi brand in 1995 and began to decisively cement its position as a fully fledged member of the premium sector establishment.

Two million cars further down the line, the model that has posted the milestone for Audi UK combines a conventional 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver the potential for up to 176mpg with CO2 emissions of just 37g/km.

The latest electric plug-in hybrid variant of the Audi A3, which was crowned World Car of the Year in 2014, can run exclusively on electric power for up to 31 miles at speeds of up to 80mph, or can be powered by petrol combustion alone. When the two power sources are combined, an overall operating range of up to 584 miles is possible. The battery powering the electric motor can be charged by plugging the A3 Sportback e-tron into a home wallbox for as little as two hours and fifteen minutes.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

New three-cylinder petrol engine joins updated A1 range polished by styling revisions, equipment upgrades and efficiency gains

• New three-cylinder addition to acclaimed A1 and A1 Sportback ranges takes entry price of Audi ownership to £14,315 OTR
• Available to order now in conjunction with SE or Sport specification – first UK deliveries in summer 2015
• A1 1.0 TFSI five-speed manual – 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, top speed 116mph, combined MPG 67.3, CO2 97g/km
• A1 and A1 Sportback ranges recently enhanced by styling revisions inside and out, new or improved engines, more equipment and improved option packs

Weighing up the pros and cons of petrol and diesel power becomes a little harder for Audi A1 customers from today as a new super-frugal, 97g/km TFSI version of the three or five-door subcompact becomes available in the UK. Equipped with a characterful new three-cylinder engine – the first petrol unit with this configuration ever to be installed in an Audi model – the latest A1 variant promises to bring 67mpg-plus economy, peppy performance and the premium hallmarks that distinguish every Audi within even easier reach with an OTR price starting from £14,315.

The 95PS turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine effectively replaces the 89PS 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine available in the A1 since launch. It can call on a healthy 160Nm of torque to propel the A1 1.0 TFSI with standard five-speed manual gearbox to 62mph from rest in 10.9 seconds, regardless of whether it is powering the three-door or five-door Sportback body style. A seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission is also available, and with this installed the acceleration time is also unchanged in both versions. Top speed is 116mph in every case.

Equally importantly, the new engine can return up to 67.3mpg in the A1 when linked to the standard manual gearbox, or 64.2mpg in conjunction with the S tronic transmission, equating to CO2 figures of 97g/km and 102g/km respectively. Again, these figures apply regardless of the body style chosen.

For comparison, the 1.6-litre TDI which retains its position as the most frugal option in the updated range now benefits from an economy boost from 74.3mpg to 80.7mpg according to the combined cycle test, and a CO2 reduction from 99g/km to 92g/km in both body styles.

SE or Sport specification options

The new three-cylinder petrol engine is available in conjunction with either SE or Sport specification, both options including alloy wheels, remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front windows and mirrors and a six-speaker single CD audio system with auxiliary iPod connection linked to a 6.5-inch retractable display. A secondary collision brake assist system, which can initiate automatic braking to reduce the risks of skidding and additional collisions during an accident, also now forms part of the standard equipment list.

Key upgrades which are new to the latest 2015 Sport specification include the Audi Music Interface and preparation for SD card-based navigation. They join existing features such as larger 16-inch wheels, sports suspension, sports seats, Bluetooth mobile phone preparation and a Driver’s Information System.

The firmer sports suspension configuration which is a standard feature of Sport models has been revised to increase its absorbency, but customers can now choose to replace it at no extra cost with the more supple set-up of the SE versions.

As always with the A1 and A1 Sportback, prospective owners of the new 1.0 TFSI version will be able to choose from a wealth of options to personalise their car and enhance it with features more commonly associated with models from the classes above.

The roof line in three-door models and the entire roof section in Sportback versions can be painted in a range of contrasting colours, creating an imposing and individual look that can be accentuated further by features such as privacy glass and a high gloss black styling package taking in the grille and side air inlets.

Distinctive accents can also be added in the high quality cabin, where elements such as the rear view mirror surround, air vent sleeves, door pulls and the edges of the centre console can be finished in vibrant colours including Misano red, Macao yellow and Glacier white.

Owners looking to maximise the A1’s big car condensed appeal also have a wide selection of cost effective bundled option packages to choose from which add everything from an open sky panoramic sunroof, acoustic parking control and LED interior lighting to satellite navigation, Audi Phone Box mobile connectivity and in-car internet services via Audi connect.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The start-stop system automatically switches off the engine when the car is stopped, for example at traffic lights, and starts it automatically when the journey continues. 

This is how it works: brake the car down to a standstill, shift into neutral and release the clutch. The system now switches off the engine and signals this via an indicator lamp. Depress the clutch before continuing the journey – the engine now starts automatically and the indicator lamp goes out again.

The start-stop function only works when …

• the driver’s door and the bonnet are closed
• the driver is wearing a seat belt
• the vehicle has been driven at faster than 4 km/h before stopping
• the vehicle is not pulling a trailer

In some cases the engine will not be switched off, for instance when …

• the engine temperature is still too low
• the difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system is still too great
• the outside temperature is very high or very low
• the windscreen is being de-iced
• the optional parking aid or the optional park assist is activated
• the battery charge is too low
• the steering wheel is at a sharp angle or is being turned
• reverse gear is engaged
• the road is steep

The engine is started automatically by the system when …

• the vehicle rolls forward
• the windscreen is being de-iced
• there is a large difference between the interior temperature and the temperature selected via the air conditioning system
• the brake pedal has been depressed several times in succession
• the battery charge is too low
• power consumption is too high

Article source: www.audi.co.uk