A2OC
Moderator
THE two millionth diesel-powered Audi has just rolled off the production line at the company's Neckarsulm plant, 23 years after the very first example turned a wheel.
Fittingly, car number two million is a state-of-the-art A2 1.2 TDI, the world's first five-door passenger car capable of covering 100 kilometres using just three litres of diesel (equating to approximately 94.5 mpg).
The success of Audi diesel innovations is reflected in its production figures. Last year, more than 260,000 vehicles were equipped with a diesel engine, approximately 40 per cent of overall production at Audi.
This figure increased to approximately 44 per cent in the first three months of this year. Every second Audi registered in Western Europe and Germany in 2000 was equipped with a TDI engine.
With a bodyshell constructed from lightweight aluminium using revolutionary production processes, the new Audi A2 1.2 TDI combines exceptional quality, comfort and refinement with a level of fuel efficiency which is unmatched by any five-door hatchback in this, or indeed any other, class.
Thanks to its frugal three-cylinder pump injection TDI engine, automatic control manual gearbox, unparalleled 0.25 drag coefficient and pared-down 825kg kerb weight, the A2 1.2 TDI is genuinely capable of combining a 14.8 second 0-62mph time and a 104mph maximum speed with 94.5mpg fuel consumption (three litres per 100 kilometres).
"With this car, Audi has set yet another milestone in the history of diesel direct injection technology", commented Dr Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board for Production, during a ceremony to commemorate the milestone event. "This Audi A2 has a lower fuel consumption over 100 kilometres than a conventional motor scooter, but goes twice as fast and can transport twice as many people".
The 1.4 TDI model is similarly sparing with fuel, its three-cylinder pump injection engine enabling it to cover just under 66 miles on a single gallon of diesel, yet still offering the A2 driver 0-62mph acceleration in just 12.3 seconds and a 107mph top speed (where permitted).
Audi installed its first diesel engine in the 80 saloon back in 1978, but the TDI revolution really began around twelve years ago at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the company presented an Audi 100 with the world's first diesel engine with direct injection and electronic engine management.
This paved the way for an upsurge in the market for diesel passenger cars, and helped to convince the world that diesel engines were no longer slow, noisy and uncultivated, but could instead be lively, smooth and extremely economical.
At the moment there are no plans to bring the A2 1.2 TDI to Britain, but the A2 1.4 TDI is now available in standard and SE form for on the road prices of £14,105 and £16,055 respectively.
© Ulsternet [http://www.ulsternet-ni.co.uk/motoring/moto20/motopage.htm]
Fittingly, car number two million is a state-of-the-art A2 1.2 TDI, the world's first five-door passenger car capable of covering 100 kilometres using just three litres of diesel (equating to approximately 94.5 mpg).
The success of Audi diesel innovations is reflected in its production figures. Last year, more than 260,000 vehicles were equipped with a diesel engine, approximately 40 per cent of overall production at Audi.
This figure increased to approximately 44 per cent in the first three months of this year. Every second Audi registered in Western Europe and Germany in 2000 was equipped with a TDI engine.
With a bodyshell constructed from lightweight aluminium using revolutionary production processes, the new Audi A2 1.2 TDI combines exceptional quality, comfort and refinement with a level of fuel efficiency which is unmatched by any five-door hatchback in this, or indeed any other, class.
Thanks to its frugal three-cylinder pump injection TDI engine, automatic control manual gearbox, unparalleled 0.25 drag coefficient and pared-down 825kg kerb weight, the A2 1.2 TDI is genuinely capable of combining a 14.8 second 0-62mph time and a 104mph maximum speed with 94.5mpg fuel consumption (three litres per 100 kilometres).
"With this car, Audi has set yet another milestone in the history of diesel direct injection technology", commented Dr Jochem Heizmann, Member of the Board for Production, during a ceremony to commemorate the milestone event. "This Audi A2 has a lower fuel consumption over 100 kilometres than a conventional motor scooter, but goes twice as fast and can transport twice as many people".
The 1.4 TDI model is similarly sparing with fuel, its three-cylinder pump injection engine enabling it to cover just under 66 miles on a single gallon of diesel, yet still offering the A2 driver 0-62mph acceleration in just 12.3 seconds and a 107mph top speed (where permitted).
Audi installed its first diesel engine in the 80 saloon back in 1978, but the TDI revolution really began around twelve years ago at the 1989 Frankfurt Motor Show, where the company presented an Audi 100 with the world's first diesel engine with direct injection and electronic engine management.
This paved the way for an upsurge in the market for diesel passenger cars, and helped to convince the world that diesel engines were no longer slow, noisy and uncultivated, but could instead be lively, smooth and extremely economical.
At the moment there are no plans to bring the A2 1.2 TDI to Britain, but the A2 1.4 TDI is now available in standard and SE form for on the road prices of £14,105 and £16,055 respectively.
© Ulsternet [http://www.ulsternet-ni.co.uk/motoring/moto20/motopage.htm]