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The RS models from Audi Sport GmbH are the dynamic spearheads of their respective product lines. They have a strong character that consists of distinct design differentiation, full everyday usability, effortless top performance, and a thrilling driving experience. This results from a relentless focus on minute details by the designers and development and test engineers, and it is perfected over numerous test drives around the world. This is a behind-the-scenes look at development work. 50a86966-db0c-4d2e-aec1-a236804321e8.mp4

Audi 100 Avant quattro Duo paved the way for hybrid technology three decades ago As Audi prepares to launch a range of new plug-in hybrid electric models in the UK, we take a look back at the company’s first hybrid model, the 100 Avant quattro Duo of 1989. At the end of this year, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand will put its third all-electric model, the e-tron GT, into production. In addition, there will shortly be a raft of new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) – the A7 Sportback TFSI e quattro, Q7 TFSI e quattro, A8 TFSI e quattro and, later in the year, the A6 TFSI e quattro – arriving in the UK to join the acclaimed Q5 TFSI e quattro, which was launched in 2019. The TFSI e badge identifies these models: TFSI refers to the turbocharged petrol engine, while the ‘e’ denotes the electric motor that supports the petrol engine and can also power the car in pure electric mode. The electric motor is driven by a lightweight, compact and highly efficient lithium-ion battery hidden under the boot floor, which drivers can recharge by plugging in at home, at work or at a roadside charging point. PHEVs are often regarded as a relatively recent addition to the motoring landscape, but in fact Audi built its first petrol-electric hybrid car more than 30 years ago. The Audi Duo experimental vehicle was created in 1989, and starred at the following year’s Geneva Motor Show. Based on the elegant 100 Avant, the Duo’s 2.3-litre, five-cylinder petrol engine sent 136PS to the front wheels. At the same time, a nickel-cadmium battery mounted underneath the boot floor powered a 9kW (12.6PS) Siemens electric motor that drove the rear axle. Audi also experimented with a solar-panel roof for the vehicle, to help charge the batteries on sunny days. Hybrid technology has been enhanced beyond all recognition since then, thanks to the rapid advancements made in efficiency, power and refinement. Models such as the ultra-efficient Audi A7 Sportback 55 TFSI e quattro clearly illustrate this remarkable progress. In the blink of an eye, the car switches automatically – and seamlessly – between electric and petrol driving modes to ensure optimum performance. Things weren’t quite so simple for the Duo Audi driver, though, who had to put the transmission into neutral and press the ‘E’ button on the dashboard to engage electric mode and access an electric driving range of up to 24 miles. The ample torque produced by the Duo’s electric motor meant that the car could reach 31mph before the petrol engine needed to take over. In slippery conditions, where all-wheel drive was required to pull away, both power sources worked in tandem. And, despite being built some three decades ago, the Duo included a regenerative braking system, with kinetic energy utilised to charge the battery pack when the brakes were applied. Created using a completely standard 100 Avant, the Duo also benefited from the production car’s aerodynamic fastback-style body, resulting in an incredibly low aerodynamic drag coefficient that helped the vehicle cut through the air more effectively. Today, Audi PHEVs such as the A7 Sportback 55 TFSI e quattro, offer three driving modes. Hybrid mode – which is the default when route guidance is active – enables the system to select the most efficient solution automatically, be that fully electric, petrol power on its own, or a combination of both. In EV mode, the car relies purely on electric power unless the accelerator is pressed purposefully, in which case the engine instantly fires back into life. Finally, in Battery Hold mode, the battery charge is preserved at its existing level. When the TFSI engine and the electric motor work in tandem, the system produces 367PS and 500Nm of pulling power, the latter available at the merest touch to the throttle at just 1250rpm. With power transferred to the road through a smooth-changing, double-clutch seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, the hybrid A7 is capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in just 5.6 seconds and reaching 155mph where legally permissible. In electric-only mode, it can travel for more than 24.9 miles and reach speeds of up to 83.9mph. Technology such as predictive efficiency assist (PEA) and predictive operating strategy (PBS) ensure optimum use of the battery’s charge. Back in 1989, only ten examples of the original Duo were built. The cars were trialled in pilot programmes – including use as a taxi in the historic centre of Ingolstadt – but were never put into full production. This immaculate example now enjoys a quiet life in the Audi Museum. However, Audi continued to explore hybrid technology, and a second version of the Duo based on the Audi 100 Avant arrived in 1991. Six years after that, Audi became the first European car manufacturer to introduce a limited-edition production PHEV. Also named Duo, it was based on an A4 Avant. It featured a drivetrain incorporating a 90PS 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine and a 29PS water-cooled electric motor, powered by a lead gelatin battery mounted in the rear of the car. Both the engine and the electric motor were used to power the front wheels. As with the earlier Audi hybrid studies, the production Duo featured plug-in charging, and its electric motor could also recuperate energy during deceleration. In electric mode, the A4 Avant Duo could reach 50mph, and 106mph using TDI power. Ultimately the car proved to be too far ahead of its time, and the market wasn’t ready for it. However, the hybrid technologies that were advanced during the creation of the Duo models has enabled the latest generation of Audi PHEVs to deliver significant efficiency gains, impressive performance and effortless, relaxing driving to customers today. Original article source: https://garagewire.co.uk/news/new-car-news/audis-first-hybrid-came-much-earlier-than-youd-think/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=News&utm_content=News+CID_840baa40871d901d9264829f3ad70cf5&utm_source=Email marketing software&utm_term=Audis first hybrid came much earlier than youd think

Despite the pandemic and halted production, customers and fans can explore the high-tech production of Audi with the online AudiStream tour experience. The plant in Ingolstadt is open to visitors in virtual form. Anyone interested can book an interactive tour online at www.audi.stream and experience Audi at home on their screen Due to the corona pandemic, there will be no factory tours at the Audi site in Ingolstadt until further notice. For the many guests who have traveled from all over the world to see Audi production live, the brand is offering an online alternative with AudiStream. Those who are interested can participate in a virtual tour through the Audi plant in Ingolstadt from home on the display of their computer or mobile device. Experienced guides narrate the online tour live from a studio and explain the production processes. With the use of video sequences, participants learn how an Audi is made, from the first production steps in the press shop to the final manual operations during final assembly. Among other things, the processes in the body shop of the Audi A3 and videos from the Audi A4 assembly line can be seen. In addition, the tour guides present technical highlights from the Audi world and answer questions in dialogue with participants. With their knowledge acquired from numerous tours at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt, the tour guides determine the route for the roughly 20-minute livestream according to the individual interests of the international participants. Users select the desired stream and a suitable time slot in German or English online at www.audi.stream. The offer is free of charge; fees may be charged for Internet access, however, depending on the selected provider. With AudiStream, Audi is the first manufacturer to offer online discovery tours. The stream “Audi live at the Ingolstadt factory” has been available since November 2019. Participants can now book additional live sessions. Online tours on other topics from the Audi brand world will follow. More info: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audistream-online-ticket-to-the-world-of-audi-12742 AudiStream in April 2020 Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, 2020, 3:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.