Audi Confirms Commitment to Modern Diesel Engines for Australia

BOTANY, AUSTRALIA – July 17, 2009: Audi Australia Pty Ltd has this week introduced three new super-efficient turbo-diesel engines to its Australian model line-up, confirming the company’s commitment to modern diesel technology, known as TDI.

A fourth highly-efficient direct injection petrol (FSI) engine rounds out the list of new low-consumption cars now available for Australian customers. A total of 21 Audi vehicles are now available with average fuel consumption of 7 litres/100km or less.

Three of the four new Audi model variants are priced below $75,000 and are entirely exempt from the Federal Government’s ‘green clause’ exemption to the Luxury Car Tax, with the fourth, also below 7 litres/100km, benefiting significantly.

The first production diesel sportscar in the world, the new Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro, joins two new A6 diesel variants – a 2.0 TDI and 2.7 TDI – all with low consumption of less than 7 litres/100km and correspondingly low CO2 emissions. As with all Audi TDI models, these vehicles have a diesel particulate filter (DPF) fitted as standard.

Also new for the Audi TT model range is a frugal 1.8-litre TFSI engine, combining turbocharging with direct petrol injection for efficient, yet sporty performance.

Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the company is very committed to offering Australian buyers low consumption, high performance TDI technology.

“We now have 21 vehicles which consume 7 litres/100km or less. This is more than any other premium manufacturer in the country,” Mr Hofmann said.

“We believe that our TDI technology is the right technology for Australia, today. Added to this, thanks to the Government’s green clause exemption to the Luxury Car Tax, our customers are now able to benefit from an important tax exemption. It now costs less to drive more efficient cars.

“Audi’s modern turbo-diesel technology is highly efficient, smooth and quiet. It carries none of the negatives of old diesel engines – only the positives.

“As a result, our diesel (TDI) share has increased from 3% in 2004 to 36% at June 2009 YTD – or 2,030 TDI vehicles in just 6 months – this is incredible growth. Compared with our sales growth, which has tripled in the same period (since 2004), our TDI share has jumped by 1,100%.

“There are certainly other strong and efficient technologies available for customers – including hybrid technology – however we believe that we can achieve more fuel-savings with our current line-up of TDI models – it is the best technology available for Australian driving conditions,” Mr Hofmann said.

In the late 1980’s Audi launched the very first hybrid production vehicle – known as the Audi Duo – however the vehicle was ahead of its time.

“We will certainly launch hybrid vehicles in the near future, however for Australia, right now, our TDI engines remain the most-efficient engines available,” Mr Hofmann said.

In addition to the savings achieved by it’s engine technology, Audi has progressively reduced the consumption of its vehicles for over 30 years through innovations like aluminium space frame technology, efficient multitronic transmissions, class-leading drag coefficients, energy recuperation measures and alternative fuel concepts to name a few. These measures form part of a modular efficiency toolbox that the brands uses across its range.

With this so-called modular efficiency approach, Audi seeks to reduce consumption by at least 10% for every new model generation, without sacrificing performance.