Month: June 2019

Dieter Braun was born in Bruchsal (Baden-Württemberg) in 1964.

After studying industrial engineering at the University of Karlsruhe (KIT), he began his career at AUDI AG at the Neckarsulm site in 1991.

Initially, he worked in Vehicle Steering and then took on various tasks both within and outside of logistics, particularly in the area of cost optimization and reorganization.

From 1998 to 2002, Braun was responsible for logistics planning at the Neckarsulm site. He then moved to Puebla to work for Volkswagen de México, where he simultaneously headed Logistics Planning and Operative Logistics.

In 2005, he returned to Neckarsulm as Head of Plant Logistics. In 2010, he additionally took on responsibility for the implementation of the Audi Production System as well as Industrial Engineering at the site.

In 2016, he moved to model series organization, where he was responsible for all Audi vehicles with transverse motorization as a representative of the Production business unit.

Since May 2019, Dieter Braun has headed AUDI AG Brand Logistics.

In this role, he manages cross-plant logistics processes, such as program planning, international logistics, pre-series logistics, and transport logistics, as well as logistics supply management and logistics information processes. In addition, he is responsible for logistics planning at the sites outside Germany.

The evolution of the Audi R8 LMS that has been available to customers since the 2019 season has achieved its second overall victory in a 24-hour race in only six months. Team Car Collection Motorsport was victorious when the new model debuted in the 24-hour race in Dubai in January. Both times at the wheel in that as well as in this 24-hour event, albeit with different teammates, was Frédéric Vervisch. 

Audi Sport driver Frédéric Vervisch delivered a double dose of powerful performance at the Nürburgring: The Belgian not only competed in the 24-hour race in an Audi R8 LMS. Prior to that, he had contested three sprint races of the WTCR FIA World Touring Car Cup on the Nordschleife on the same weekend in an Audi RS 3 LMS. With two second places in those events, he was the best Audi Sport driver and thus improved from eleventh to fifth place in the standings halfway through the season. 

32-year-old Frédéric Vervisch celebrated his first victory in the 24-hour race in the Eifel, just like his Belgian compatriot Dries Vanthoor, who is eleven years younger. Pierre Kaffer from Burgbrohl in the Eifel achieved the first success in his home round at age 42. Frank Stippler, a native of Cologne, proves that experience pays off – even at the age of 44, he remains one of the best on the Nordschleife. In 2012, he won the race with Audi for the first time. The average age of the winning quartet is 34.75 years. 

For race engineer Sébastien Breuil, this was the first victory in a 24-hour race. The Frenchman in the employ of Phoenix Racing was responsible for successfully taking the driver quartet through the race. In addition to the skills of the drivers and the team, he also attributes the success to the choice of the right tire at the respective times of the race. Partner Michelin had made three slick rubber compounds available. With 20 pit stops, the number 4 Audi R8 LMS drove to victory on 20 sets of tires. 

The first-placed Audi R8 LMS with chassis number AS4SAFGT201700089 also has previous experience on the Nordschleife because it was on the grid of the 24-hour race last year. Since then, the race car has run in other endurance races including the 24-hour race at Spa and the California 8 Hours. The employees of Audi Sport have nicknamed this Audi R8 LMS Lucie – after a member of the team that fielded this race car in 2017.

For Dries Vanthoor, its fielding, in a manner of speaking, resulted in recompense for previously suffered misfortune. Last year, he had been on the Nürburgring grid in precisely this race car chassis with Audi Sport Team WRT. However, from a promising position the Belgian retired after an accident while lapping another car. Following the repair, the Audi R8 LMS, now with Audi Sport Team Phoenix and again in Dries Vanthoor’s hands, proved its qualities as an excellent previous-generation car. 

157 times the number 4 Audi R8 LMS lapped the 25.378-kilometer race track, which equates to a distance of 3,984.346 kilometers. The absolute distance record of 159 laps in this race was set in 2014. Audi Sport Team Phoenix had achieved it with the Audi R8 LMS ultra and drivers Christopher Haase, Christian Mamerow, René Rast and Markus Winkelhock at that time.

If one compared this distance with a travel distance on public roads, it would correspond to about 8.3 times the distance between Audi’s Ingolstadt location and the Nürburgring. If it were covered at the same pace set by the race drivers in the Eifel, it would amount to more than four return trips within just one day and one night. 

The race duration of exactly 24h08m14.647s results in an average speed of 165.069 km/h for the victorious Audi R8 LMS at the Nürburgring including all pit stops. 

The 47th running of the 24-hour race saw the lead change only six times, with only four different cars taking turns in the top spot. The number 4 Audi R8 LMS was leading the field on the last 16 laps. 

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Robust look: the exterior design
The Audi Q7 demonstrates the hallmark SUV elements in the current design language. It bears the large octagon-shaped Singleframe, with six upright slats providing the structure. As such, the SUV looks even more powerful. The two-part side air inlets have a much more expressive line, just like the sill area that underscores the large SUV’s ground clearance and, in turn, its offroad capabilities. The headlights, optionally in HD Matrix LED technology with Audi laser light, emphasize with their contour and light signature the width of the full-size model. On the restyled rear, a striking chrome strip creates the visual connection between the flat rear lights with their technical-looking graphics and carries forward the horizontal body line. The designers achieved the clear view with taut, flat surfaces, which span the entire width particularly in the license plate region. The Audi Q7 is particularly striking with the optional S line exterior: A blade in the front bumper, sportily accentuated underbody protection at the rear along with full paint finish and 19-inch wheels come standard.

Sporty on-road, powerful off: the suspension
Audi has substantially enhanced the dynamic attributes of the Q7. The electromechanical active roll stabilization is available as an option for the large SUV. Adjustable stabilizers reduce the body movements on uneven roads when driving in a straight line. With a sporty driving style, the focus is on optimum roll compensation – the tendency of the car to lean into the bend is reduced substantially.

All-wheel steering is also optionally available: The rear wheels turn by up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction at low speed, which increases agility. On the highway these wheels steer slightly in the same direction to promote stability.

Thanks to the combination of these high-tech systems, the Audi Q7 is extremely maneuverable, precise and agile in urban traffic and on hairpin bends. In contrast, the Q7 behaves as a highly comfortable, poised touring SUV with excellent ride comfort on freeways – particularly in conjunction with the adaptive air suspension. It also provides variable ground clearance and prepares the Audi Q7 with its standard quattro drive for terrain off the beaten track. The appropriate offroad mode can be selected via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system with its seven profiles. Air suspension comes standard on all seven-seater Q7 models. The S line exterior includes the slightly firmer adaptive air suspension sport, which lowers the ride height by 15 millimeters (0.6 in) compared with the regular air suspension system.

Mild hybrid technology standard: the drivetrain
All of the engines in the Audi Q7 are coupled to an eight-speed tiptronic and permanent all‑wheel drive. A choice of two diesel engines will be available at market launch. Shortly after the market introduction in September, a gasoline unit, followed also by a plug-in hybrid model, will join the lineup. The standard mild hybrid technology plays a major part in the efficiency of the engines. In customer operation, this technology can reduce consumption by up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers. Its central component, the belt alternator starter (BAS), powers a 48-volt main electrical system in which a compact lithium-ion battery stores the energy. During braking, the BAS can recover up to 8 kW of power and feed it back into the battery. If the driver takes their foot off the accelerator at speeds between 55 and 160 km/h (34.2 and 99.4 mph), the Audi Q7 recuperates energy, rolls in idle or coasts for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off. The BAS restarts the engine the next time the accelerator is depressed, and does so faster and more gently than a conventional starter. The start‑stop range begins at 22 km/h (13.7 mph).

Luxury-class lounge: the interior
Whether with five or seven seats – the Audi Q7 combines immense prestige with practical everyday qualities. Through its new design, the large SUV has now grown eleven millimeters (0.4 in) to 5,063 millimeters (16.6 ft) long. It measures 1,970 millimeters (6.5 ft) wide and 1,741 millimeters (5.7 ft) (including roof aerial) high. The Audi Q7 outdoes its direct competitors with interior length as well as headroom and elbow room in the front and rear. A host of storage compartments, a new compartment in the instrument panel as well as the generous load capacity provide highly functional utility value. Depending on the position of the rear seat backs the luggage compartment on the five-seater version offers between 865 and 2,050 liters (30.5-72.4 cu ft) of capacity – the latter with a flat load area. An electric tailgate is standard; foot-activated gesture control is available as an option. Audi optionally supplies the rear seat bench plus; all three seats can be moved individually fore/aft and the backrest angle adjusted, as well as a third seat row with two electrically lowerable seats.

The cockpit architecture harmonizes perfectly with the new, digital operating concept, which incorporates two large touchscreens. They provide haptic and acoustic feedback when clicking on the touch controls. When off, the top display slots almost invisibly into the large black decorative surface. All elements refer logically to one another, from the flat air vent strip to the wide console on the center tunnel.

The optional contour ambient lighting package illuminates the interior in the dark. Comfort equipment options include four-zone automatic air conditioning, a power-assist function to close the doors quietly, the Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System and the air quality package with fragrancing and ionizer. Highlights in the seat lineup include the customized contour seats with their numerous adjustment functions and the S sport seats plus, both available with climate control and massage function.

High-end connectivity: Audi connect and assist systems
The MMI navigation plus delivers top-of-the-line connectivity. It features LTE Advanced, a Wi-Fi hotspot, natural voice control and the extensive Audi connect portfolio. The latter ranges from traffic information online, navigation with Google Earth, to the hybrid radio. The cloud-based Amazon voice service Alexa, which is integrated into the MMI operating system, is also new. The same applies to the Car-to-X service traffic light information, which is being rolled out in stages in selected European cities. Interconnection with the city’s infrastructure allows the vehicle to receive information from the central traffic light computer via a server, enabling the driver to select a speed to match the next green-light phase. The all-digital Audi virtual cockpit – and the optional head-up display – provide an individual speed recommendation as well as the remaining time until the next green-light phase if the driver is already waiting at a red light. The system thus contributes to a predictive and efficient driving style and facilitates a steady flow of traffic.

The adaptive cruise assist, which combines the functions of adaptive speed assist, traffic jam assist and active lane assist, reduces the driver’s workload – particularly on long journeys. In combination with efficiency assist it brakes and accelerates the Audi Q7 in anticipation of the conditions ahead. The emergency assist is also new: If the driver is inactive, the system brings the car to a stop and initiates protective and rescue measures. This function is active in assisted and manual modes.

Under the title Ouverture Fantastique, the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra ) and Jean-Yves Thibaudet will play the second opening concert of the Audi Summer Concerts in the auditorium of the Stadttheater Ingolstadt next Sunday, 30 June. For Mariss Jansons, who has to cancel all engagements for the next three months for a medically recommended recuperation break, the substitute is Daniel Harding. Harding, who last conducted at the Audi Summer Concerts in 2009, is regarded as one of the most exciting artists of the present day. Currently the head of the Orchestre de Paris and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, he makes frequent guest appearances with the Berlin and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras, the Filarmonica della Scala, the Staatskapelle Dresden, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Under his direction, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra will play, in addition to Béla Bartók’s concert suite The Miraculous Mandarin, op. 19 Sz 73, Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, with Jean-Yves Thibaudet as the soloist. In the second half of this event, four orchestral pieces from the dramatic symphony Roméo & Juliette, op. 17, by Hector Berlioz will be performed.

The concert evening with Alfred Brendel and the Quatuor Hermès on 10 July has been moved from the auditorium of the Stadttheater Ingolstadt to the Audi museum mobile in the Audi Forum. This is planned as a concert with talks: Alfred Brendel will read his own poems, followed by an introduction to Schubert’s String Quartet no. 15 in G major, D 887, in collaboration with the Quatuor Hermès. In the second half of the concert, the entire work will be performed by this young ensemble. Tickets sold for the auditorium of the Stadttheater remain valid for the Audi museum mobile.

For the conclusion of the festival, on the open-air stage on 13 July, Christoph Altstaedt will for the first time conduct the Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt (Ingolstadt Georgian Chamber Orchestra). Christoph Altstaedt is equally at home in the symphonic repertoire and in the world of opera. Appearances as guest conductor have taken him to the opera house in Zurich, the Theater Basel and the Komische Oper in Berlin. In the last concert season he conducted, among other ensembles, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Ensemble Resonanz. With excerpts from Edward Grieg’s Peer Gynt Suites, Christoph Altstaedt and the Ingolstadt Georgian Chamber Orchestra will begin the evening. They will then accompany the globally celebrated soprano Nino Machaidze, who will sing arias from famous operas. For the second half of the concert, the program consists of music from fantasy movies with the Audi Bläserphilharmonie (Audi Wind Orchestra) and their chief conductor, Pietro Sarno.

The Audi Summer Concerts are being held from 29 June until 14 July 2019.

For tickets and the latest information, please go to www.sommerkonzerte.de

You can find media material and a program to download at:

www.audi-mediacenter.com/de/sommerkonzerte-293

Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup

Two victories for Hoogenboom: Round three of the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup season that was held as part of the supporting program of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring was dominated by Leonard Hoogenboom. The Dutchman won both races on the weekend from pole position and additionally set the fastest race lap twice. In the first heat, leader of the standings Robin Rogalski and Rudolf Rhyn completed the podium lockout and in the second race, Mike Hesse finished runner-up while Rogalski came third. 

Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)

Within striking distance: With a second and a sixth position, Aleksey Dudukalo in an Audi RS 3 LMS defended second place in the TCR Russia standings at the Smolenskring. The driver from Moscow competing for the Lukoil Racing team is just three championship points off the overall leader. Two fellow Audi drivers finished in the top three too: Klim Gavrilov came third in race one. In the second heat, third position went to Pavel Kalmanovich.

Podium in Japan: Takuro Shinohara in an Audi RS 3 LMS secured a podium in round three of the TCR Japan. The Japanese started the first race from pole position but dropped to the fourth spot at the start before fighting back to second. 

Top three result in Italy: Enrico Bettera, as the runner-up in the second heat of TCR Italy’s round three at Imola, claimed a podium finish in an Audi RS 3 LMS from Pit Lane Competizioni. 

Coming up next week

27–30/06 Watkins Glen (USA), round 6, IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship

27–30/06 Watkins Glen (USA), round 4, IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge

28–30/06 Misano (I), rounds 3 and 4, Blancpain GT World Challenge Europe

28–30/06 Shanghai (CN), rounds 5 and 6, China GT Championship

29–30/06 Misano (I), rounds 5 and 6, GT4 European Series

29–30/06 Buriram (THA), round 4, Super GT

29–30/06 Shannonville (CDN), rounds 5 and 6, Canadian Touring Car Championship

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