Andrea Dovizioso: “I’m just going to enjoy it”

Andrea, what does it mean to you to experience your DTM debut on the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli?
For us Italian racing drivers in particular, the circuit is hugely important because of its tradition, of course. I grew up not far from the race track. Last year I won the MotoGP race at this circuit. So for me personally, there is something very special about this track. It made me very happy and a little proud as well to be asked whether I’d like to take part in the DTM as a guest driver at Misano.

How much fun did you have while driving the Audi RS 5 DTM?
It was huge fun! I just love new challenges. And driving a powerful racing car like the RS 5 DTM at the limit on a full-scale race track was definitely a new experience for me. It was truly enjoyable. 

What was the biggest difference between your Ducati Desmosedici GP and the RS 5 DTM?
The greatest challenge for me was the racing line. It’s of course completely different with the RS 5 DTM compared to the Ducati Desmosedici.

Were you surprised by anything?
Yes, I was amazed at how easy it is to control the racing car when the rear gets twitchy. Even at low revs, the engine has enough power to control minor slides. 

What did you find challenging?
The biggest challenge for me was to reach the limit in the fast corners, especially in the first six or seven laps. I simply lacked a feel for it. Actually, the DTM race cars generate so much downforce that theoretically you can do so much more. It’s very different than the MotoGP bike. I knew that the DTM drivers tackle certain corners flat-out. When I drove those passages myself with the RS 5 DTM, I thought it was impossible. But then Mattias helped me a lot.

Fifth victory for Audi R8 LMS in DMV GTC

Audi R8 LMS GT4

Sights set on Macau Grand Prix: The Audi R8 LMS GT4 prevailed against its rivals in the first race of the Greater Bay Area GT Cup on the Guangdong circuit. The Grid Motorsport team had come up with the best setup in difficult conditions on a wet track so that race driver Alex Au from Hong Kong scored a clear victory with a 4.2-second advantage. The race weekend in the south eastern Chinese coastal province Guangdong was the first of two events of qualifying for the finale that will be held at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in November.

Three victories in Austria: Jean-Luc Weidt in an Audi R8 LMS GT4 achieved the maximum result on the third race weekend of the DMV GTC at the Red Bull Ring. The up-and-coming driver from Memmingen (Germany) won Class 5 in both sprint races as well as in the Dunlop 60 endurance race.

Second place in Spain: In round two of the Spanish Campeonato de España Resistencia racing series, the Willi Motorsport customer team claimed second place. On the Motorland Aragon circuit in the northeast of Spain, David Serban in an Audi R8 LMS GT4 finished the C3 class runner-up. With that, the Romanian continued his string of podium finishes after having scored a second place and a victory at the season opener. 

Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)

Two trophies for BF Motorsport: Italy continues to be a positive place for the Audi RS 3 LMS. Audi’s touring car is a winner again this year not only in the genuine TCR series for sprint and endurance events but also in club racing. On the third weekend of the Coppa Italia Turismo at Imola, Jacopo Guidetti won the first race in an Audi RS 3 LMS. His teammate, Edoardo Barbolini, finished the second sprint runner-up with only a 0.581-second deficit. 

Coming up next week

31/05–01/06 Detroit (USA), round 5, IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship

31/05–01/06 Le Castellet (F), round 3, Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup

31/05–02/06 Fuji (J), round 3, Super Taikyu Series

01–02/06 Le Castellet (F), rounds 5 and 6, GT4 European Series

01–02/06 Anderstorp (S), rounds 3 and 4, TCR Scandinavia

01–02/06 Anderstorp (S), rounds 3 and 4, GT4 Scandinavia

01–02/06 Shanghai (CN), rounds 5 and 6, Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup

01–02/06 Shanghai (CN), rounds 5 and 6, TCR Asia

01–02/06 Shanghai (CN), rounds 3 and 4, TCR China

01–02/06 Calabogie (CDN), rounds 3 and 4, Canadian Touring Car Championship

– End –

Audi participates in German Diversity Day 2019: Together for Diversity

As a member to the Diversity Charter e. V., Audi is once again sending out a signal for the nationwide Diversity Day on May 28: Under the motto Flag for Diversity, the company is offering the employees at its two German locations a range of hands-on activities, networking events and workshops. Employees will design the modules themselves and act as ambassadors for a working environment that is free of prejudice. How openly do we deal with issues such as gender orientation and identity in the workplace? How can we network better and use our various perspectives more efficiently? What is important for people with disabilities when they meet in a working environment? These questions will be discussed in lectures and meetings at the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants. The Audi Arthouse Cinema is participating with the family film Auf Augenhöhe (At Eye Level), which focuses on a story about a small protagonist. Audi’s gastronomy service will enhance the day with international cuisine for employees from about 100 nations. All Audi employees will also have the opportunity to speak out against stereotypes and express their thoughts during the Red Card campaign. “Open attitudes across differences are what make a company successful,” says Denise Mathieu, Head of Diversity Management at AUDI AG. “We want to have a corporate culture in which differences are enriching and everyone can make the best possible use of their full potential.” 

Audi is taking part in the nationwide Diversity Day for the third time. To underscore its commitment to diversity, the automobile manufacturer became an official member of the Diversity Charter e.V., after being a signatory. In this role, the company will also present itself on film in a members’ campaign. A total of 600 organizations with more than 2,000 activities will participate in German Diversity Day 2019. Impressions of the activities can be found at (www.charta-der-vielfalt.de/diversity-tag/).

Four rings launch online sales of new cars with Audi TT Quantum Gray Edition

After the successful launch of Audi’s proprietary platform for used car sales in fall 2017, the four rings brand is now starting digital sales of new cars. At www.audi.de, customers can for the first time ever directly purchase a model available exclusively online. “We are garnering experience and learning a lot about user and buyer structures through this pilot project,” said Martin Sander, Vice President Global Marketing and Sales.

The Audi TT Quantum Gray Edition is limited to 99 units and priced at 62,305.03 euros. The sales offer is valid throughout the European Economic Area. The model includes special equipment, such as the express red interior design package and partial matting of the “TT” clearcoat on the exterior. Both features are exclusive to this special edition. Buyers can have the car delivered at the time and place of their choosing within Germany. They can also have the vehicle registered beforehand with their desired license plate and inquire online about leasing or financing with no obligation. Audi Live Consultation is also being piloted with the special edition model. With a simple click, the customer is connected with a customer consultant, who uses augmented reality goggles to transmit live images to the customer from inside the vehicle. 

Retail dealerships are involved in the online sale of the TT Quantum Gray Edition. E-commerce for all models is an integral component of the new contracts that will enter into force in April 2020. And retail dealerships continue to play a key role for Audi. The emphasis here is on customer consultation and communication as well as service. “This much is clear: Online sales is just one pillar of future sales. Bricks-and-mortar retailing continues to be a strong and reliable partner for us even in times of digitalization,” said Sander. Together with the Audi dealerships, the company plans to market an increasing number of selected models online via an e-commerce shop beginning in early 2020.

TT Quantumgrau Edition
45 TFSI quattro S tronic
Output: 180(245) kW(hp)
Combined fuel consumption
: 7.0 l/100 km (33.6 US mpg) 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 161 (259.1 g/m)

**For domestic delivery, the sale price includes legally applicable German value added tax of 19%.
For tax-free delivery within the European Community and the tax-free export, the sale price includes a deposit of 19%. For deliveries to foreign destinations, a deposit of 19% will be withheld until there is documented proof of receipt of the vehicle across the border. Payment of tax on the vehicle purchase, based on the underlying net price, is to be taken care of by the buyer independently in the foreign country of destination.

The Audi S TDI models

Dear Sir or Madam.

The following link leads you to the official press kit, where you can find all information about the Audi S TDI models.

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/audi-s-tdi-11471

Fuel consumption of the Audi S TDI models
(Fuel consumption, CO2 emission figures. and efficiency classes given in ranges depend on the tire/wheel sets used)

Audi S4 sedan TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.2;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 163–161

Audi S4 Avant TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.3 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 165–164

Audi S5 Coupé TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.2
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 163–161

Audi S5 Sportback TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.2 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 163–161

Audi S6 sedan TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.3–6.2 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 165–164

Audi S6 Avant TDI:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.5 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 171

Audi S7 Sportback TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.5 
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 170

Audi SQ5 TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.8–6.6
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 177–172

Audi SQ7 TDI
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 7.6 – 7.2
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 199 – 189