Month: September 2020

With the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e , Audi is continuing its electrification offensive. The plug-in hybrid models from the A6, A7, A8, Q5, and Q7 product lines have already been introduced on the markets. Now, the compact models are following suit. The Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e, which took up the concept of its successful predecessor, the A3 Sportback e-tron, and further optimized it, will kick things off. A more powerful variant that emphasizes the sporty accents will follow shortly after.

TFSI engine plus electric motor: drive, power transmission, and battery

A 1.4 TFSI serves as the combustion engine for the compact plug-in hybrid model. The four-cylinder gasoline engine outputs 110 kW (150 PS) and delivers more than 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque in the range between 1,550 and 3,500 rpm. The electric drive is powered by a permanently excited synchronous machine with an increased power density as compared to its predecessor. It produces 80 kW and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) of torque. As with the predecessor, it is integrated in the housing of the six-speed S tronic. However, it is even lighter and more compact.

Together, the 1.4 TFSI and the electric motor deliver a system output of 150 kW (204 PS). When working together with maximum boost, the system torque reaches 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft). The compact plug-in hybrid model sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 227 km/h (141.1 mph). In the NEDC cycle, it consumes between 1.5 and 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (156.8–168.0 US mpg), which corresponds to 34 to 30 grams of CO₂ per kilometer (54.7–48.3 g/mi). A six-speed S tronic transfers the torques of the motor and engine to the front axle. The dual-clutch transmission is equipped with an electric oil pump that ensures gear changes and oil supply even when the TFSI is deactivated temporarily.

The lithium-ion battery is located below the vehicle underbody in the area of the rear sears of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e. Its 96 prismatic cells store 13.0 kWh of energy, almost 48 percent more than the predecessor model. No changes were made to the high-voltage battery in the package; the progress results from the improved cell chemistry. A separate cooling circuit controls the temperature of the battery. It can also be coupled with the air conditioning system, if necessary. This allows customers to drive on electric power even at higher outside temperatures.

Efficiency takes priority: drive management

The drive management of the compact plug-in hybrid is designed for efficient driving. It always starts electrically, up to a temperature of -28 °C. Drivers can prioritize electric drive with the EV button. It can cover up to 78 kilometers (48.5 mi) (according to the NEDC standard, 67 kilometers (41.6 mi) in the WLTP), that is the majority of everyday journeys, with zero local emissions. That is almost 20 kilometers (12.4 mi) more than the predecessor model. The fully electric top speed is 140 km/h (87.0 mph). At low speeds, the statutory e-sound of what is known as the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System is output.

When the A3 PHEV is in hybrid mode, the two drives divide the work intelligently. Two special modes can be selected via the MMI operating system: “Battery hold” and “Battery charge.” In “hold” mode, the available battery charge is held at the current level. In “charge” mode, as much electricity as possible is supplied to the battery.

The drive management of the Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e uses a large volume of data that the navigation, sensors, and assist systems supply. In the interest of efficiency, it selects freewheeling with deactivated TFSI in most situations when decelerating, allowing the car to coast.

Dynamic profile and S gear: sporty hybrid experience

To influence the character of the drive, as well as other systems such as power steering and S tronic, drivers can also use the standard Audi drive select system. It offers the driving profiles comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual.

In the dynamic profile and when the S tronic is set to S gear, the hybrid drive shows off its sporty potential. When the driver puts the pedal to the metal via kickdown, it releases the full boost torque for up to ten seconds. As soon as they take their foot off the accelerator pedal, the electric motor switches to recuperation. The resulting deceleration creates a true one-pedal feeling.

While braking, the electric motor performs the deceleration alone up to around 0.3 g, thereby covering the vast majority of all brake applications in everyday customer driving. The hydraulic wheel brakes only come into play if the driver presses the pedal more forcefully. The transition is almost unnoticeable, and recuperation remains active. While braking, the electric motor can recover up to 40 kW of energy.

The suspension of the Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e combines pleasant ride comfort and a good level of dynamism; the sophisticated four-link rear axle provides an excellent basis for this. The electric brake booster guarantees powerful and spontaneous braking. Specially designed 16-inch alloy wheels come as standard, and Audi delivers 17-inch or 18-inch wheels upon request.

Charging at home and on the road: a full charge from a conventional socket in just four hours

Audi delivers the compact plug-in hybrid with a 230-volt power charging cable for the garage as standard. The A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e charges with a maximum power of 2.9 kW. It takes slightly more than four hours to fully recharge a completely empty battery. With the free myAudi app, customers can control the charging times and pre-entry climate control remotely. When outside temperatures are low, electric heating elements warm up the interior, while the electrically powered air conditioning cools the interior down when outside temperatures are high. At public charging terminals, the car charges via what is known as a mode 3 cable. The e-tron Charging Service makes charging on the road particularly convenient. It covers most countries in Europe, and a single card offers access to roughly 150,000 charging points.

Typically Audi A3: driving pleasure and great everyday utility

The A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e is 4.34 meters (14.5 ft) long and offers great driving pleasure and everyday utility, as is typical for all models of the product line. Its exterior features a sporty and expressive design. Audi offers Matrix LED headlights upon request. Their digital daytime running lights, a pixel array consisting of 15 LED segments, generate an e-shaped light signature – the symbol of the plug-in hybrid drive.

The progressive design is continued in the interior with a compact shifter, striking door openers, and a large black panel surface in the instrument panel. Seat upholstery made of recycled PET bottles, on which stylish contrasting stitching sets accents, are a new addition to the range.

Depending on the position of the rear seat backs, the luggage compartment has a volume of 280 to 1,100 liters (9.9 to 38.8 cu ft). An electric tailgate that can be opened and closed easily with a foot motion is available upon request.

Hybrid-specific functions and displays have been added to the operating concept of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e. The powermeter in the digital instrument cluster – or in the optional Audi virtual cockpit – displays the system’s output, the status of the drive, the recuperation, the battery’s state of charge, and the range. The central 10.1-inch MMI display shows the energy flows.

Intelligent and versatile: connectivity and equipment

Like all new A3 models, the compact plug-in hybrid is equipped with the third-generation modular infotainment platform. Its computing power is ten times higher than that of its predecessor, it performs all tasks relating to connectivity with LTE Advanced speed, and it also has an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot. The MMI navigation plus offers flexible and intelligent route guidance with satellite images from Google Earth, predictions on the development of the traffic situation, and 3D models of many major European cities.

The Audi connect online services include the Car-to-X services that draw on the swarm intelligence of the Audi fleet. They output warnings regarding hazards and can find parking spots on the roadside in selected cities. The car is connected to the user’s smartphone via the myAudi app, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto. The Audi phone box connects the vehicle’s antenna to the device and charges it inductively. The Audi connect key allows the user to lock and unlock the car and to start the engine via an Android smartphone.

There is an extensive range of standard equipment. Aside from the features mentioned above, it also includes LED headlights, a leather multifunction steering wheel, and a two-zone automatic air conditioning system. A head-up display, sport seats with integrated head restraints, and a panoramic glass sunroof are available upon request. The assist systems Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning, turn assist, and swerve assist are standard equipment. The adaptive cruise assist plays a main role among the optional systems, as it assists the driver in many situations while steering, accelerating, and braking.

The A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e  will go on sale in many European markets in the fall of 2020. Its base price in Germany is EUR 37,470.92, and customers in Germany are entitled to incentives** in the amount of EUR 6,750. As a company car, the plug-in hybrid model is taxed only at a flat rate of 0.5% of the gross list price.

** Incentive subject to the model being entered in the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control’s (BAFA) list.

“We have put together four powerful driver teams for the Spa 24 Hours, which we will distribute among three teams,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “This way, we want to aim for our fifth overall victory in the biggest GT3 race of the year.” Audi Sport drivers Mirko Bortolotti and Kelvin van der Linde share a car with Audi factory driver René Rast in Audi Sport Team WRT. The two-time DTM champion won the Spa 24 Hours in 2012 and 2014. In the sister car of the Belgian team that won its home race in 2011 and 2014, Audi factory driver Robin Frijns and his Audi Sport teammates Christopher Mies and Dries Vanthoor take turns. Audi Sport Team Saintéloc from France, winner of the 2017 edition, will be competing with its 2017 winners Christopher Haase and Markus Winkelhock. The two Audi Sport drivers will be supported by DTM championship leader Nico Müller. For the first time, Audi Sport Team Attempto joins the circle of Audi Sport teams. The team from Hanover had previously competed in the GT World Challenge Europe as a private team at Spa. Now, team director Arkin Aka is fielding an Audi R8 LMS for the three Audi Sport drivers Mattia Drudi, Patric Niederhauser and Frédéric Vervisch. In addition, other Audi Sport customer racing teams will be fighting for points in the GT World Challenge Europe. 

Audi R8 LMS GT4

Class success in the Eifel: The Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing team won its class at the Nürburgring 24 hours despite several setbacks. The Audi R8 LMS GT4 of Kari-Pekka Laaksonen/Kristian Jepsen/Jan Sørensen/Roland Waschkau touched a guardrail in the rain during the initial phase. During the race interruption in the night, the team repaired the suspension damage of the production-based GT sports car. An effort that was worth it: On Sunday, the team won the SP 8 class after the retirement of an opponent and thus improved by one position compared to last year.

Two podium places in Mid-Ohio: The Audi customer team CarBahn with Peregrine Racing contested two races at the sixth race event of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in Mid-Ohio for the first time this season. Last year’s champions Tyler McQuarrie/Jeff Westphal took second place in the Audi R8 LMS GT4 after two hours of racing on Saturday. The next day they were again on the podium in third place.

Trophies in Monza: On the third race weekend of the GT Cup Open Europe series in Monza Baporo Motorsport achieved two podium finishes. Daniel Díaz-Varela/Manel Cerqueda finished second in both 50-minute races in the Audi R8 LMS GT4. They have thus extended their lead in the amateur standings to 15 points and are second overall.

Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup

Two victories for Maximilian Paul: At the third round of the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup Maximilian Paul celebrated his third and fourth consecutive victory at Assen. From fourth place on the grid, the German managed a perfect drive, while the drivers in front made mistakes. Kris Heidorn, who started from pole position, lost the lead to Swiss Lucas Mauron as early as on the first lap before the new leader was turned around by Heidorn shortly afterwards. When Heidorn, who was then again in the lead, made a mistake, Maximilian Paul took the lead and finally won ahead of Lucas Mauron and Kris Heidorn. In the second sprint on the Dutch track, the finish was in exactly the same order. After three of four events, Tim Reiter leads the overall Cup standings with 112 points ahead of Tom Spitzenberger and Maximilian Paul.

Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)

Double success in Mid-Ohio: Two customer teams from Audi ended up in front in the sixth and seventh rounds of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge in the TCR class. For the first time this season, the touring and sports car series held two races in one weekend. In the first two-hour race, James Vance/Max Faulkner and their team FASTMD with Speed Syndicate were 8.5 seconds ahead. Third place went to Gavin Ernstone/Jon Morley from Road Shagger Racing in another Audi RS 3 LMS. The second, also two-hour race was won by Ernstone/Morley. Third place went to Michael Johnson/Stephen Simpson of JDC-Miller MotorSports, who also drove an Audi RS 3 LMS.

Audi Team Hitotsuyama in front in TCR Japan: Takuro Shinohara made perfect use of his opportunities in the third round of TCR Japan in Okayama. Starting second in each race, the young driver in the Audi RS 3 LMS won by three seconds on Saturday and almost six seconds on Sunday. He thus extended his lead in the race series’ Saturday’s classification to 24 points. In the Sunday standings, he is runner-up, only two points behind the top of the standings. In the team classification, Audi Team Hitotsuyama is already 22 points ahead of its best rival after three of six events.

Double championship lead in the FIA WTCR: After the second race weekend of the FIA WTCR, Comtoyou Racing leads two classifications with its private drivers. On the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, Tom Coronel in the Audi RS 3 LMS was the best driver in the Trophy classification as fifth overall in the first race. The Dutchman increased his lead over Alfa driver Jean-Karl Vernay by four points to ten. Gilles Magnus, who drives another Audi RS 3 LMS of the Belgian Audi customer team, won the rookie classification in the first race and now has a 16-point lead in the standings for young drivers.

Podium and lead of the standings: Team Comtoyou Racing is still ahead in two classifications after the third round of TCR Europe. In the first race at Monza, Nicolas Baert in an Audi RS 3 LMS improved from eighth on the grid to third place. The Belgian is thus the new runner-up in the overall standings at the halfway point of the season. He also leads the Yokohama Trophy ahead of his Moroccan teammate Sami Taoufik. Jean-Michel Baert’s team is ten points ahead in the team classification.

Podium in the Eifel: Team Bonk Motorsport returned home from the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with another trophy. In third place in the TCR classification, the team from Münster with its drivers Hermann Bock/Andreas Möntmann/Max Partl/Alexander Prinz took a podium place for the fifth time with the Audi RS 3 LMS.

Third place at Sachsenring: At the fourth event of the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy, an Audi privateer achieved a podium result. Max Frederik Gruhn started at the Sachsenring in an Audi RS 3 LMS. In the second sprint, the young driver achieved third place in his class after eleven laps of the race.

Coming up next week

01–03/10 Indianapolis (USA), rounds 15 and 16, TC America TCR

01–03/10 Indianapolis (USA), rounds 15 and 16, GT4 America

02–03/10 Mantorp Park (S), rounds 5 and 6, TCR Scandinavia

02–03/10 Mantorp Park (S), rounds 3 and 4, GT4 Scandinavia

02–04/10 Indianapolis (USA), round 2, Intercontinental GT Challenge

02–04/10 Sachsenring (D), rounds 7 and 8, ADAC GT Masters

02–04/10 Sachsenring (D), rounds 5 and 6, ADAC GT4 Germany

02–04/10 Le Castellet (F), rounds 5 and 6, GT4 France

02–04/10 Mugello (I), round 2, TCR DSG Italy Endurance

02–04/10 Mugello (I), rounds 3 and 4, Campionato Italiano GT Sprint

03/10 Ruapuna (NZ), round 2, South Island Endurance Championship

03/10 Phakisa (ZA), rounds 3 and 4, G&H Transport Extreme Supercars

03–04/10 Mugello (I), round 2, TCR DSG Europe

03–04/10 Fuji (J), round 5, Super GT

03–04/10 Snetterton (GB), round 5, British GT

Nordschleife rookie Mirko Bortolotti and his seasoned fellow Audi Sport drivers Christopher Haase and Markus Winkelhock delivered an impeccable race. As a team of three, they had started from eleventh on the grid in the number 3 Audi R8 LMS from Audi Sport Team Car Collection and were in contention for victory in the second half of the race. In the hot phase, they fought a thrilling duel with the number 99 BMW. In the end, the three Audi Sport drivers had to admit defeat by just 15 seconds. 

In the battle for victory, Audi had two more irons in the fire. When the race was restarted on Sunday morning after the interruption, the three Audi R8 LMS from Audi Sport Teams Phoenix, Land and Car Collection were racing in formation at the front of the field. However, two of the race cars with the four rings were handed a 32-second penalty on Sunday morning. Car number 1 from Audi Sport Team Phoenix received its penalty for a mistake on exiting the pit lane. From twelfth, Nico Müller/Frank Stippler/Dries Vanthoor/Frédéric Vervisch fought back, temporarily led the race and, following an excursion and subsequent tire change in the final phase, ultimately finished in fifth position. The stop-and-go penalty for disregarding flag signals caused car number 29 from Audi Sport Team Land with Mattia Drudi/Kelvin van der Linde/Christopher Mies/René Rast to drop to twelfth. On crossing the finish line, the team had improved again to sixth place. 

Several Audi privateer teams defied the tough conditions up to the finish as well. Team Car Collection Motorsport with Milan Dontje/Patric Niederhauser/Mike David Ortmann achieved 16th overall and was thus the second-best team in the Pro-Am classification. Team IronForce Racing with Elia Erhart/Pierre Kaffer/Simon Reicher/Jan-Erik Slooten took position 18, which made it the fourth-best Pro-Am team. 

Team Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing won the SP8 category with an Audi R8 LMS GT4. After the squad had scored second place last year, Kari-Pekka Laaksonen, Kristian Jepsen, Jan Sørensen and Roland Waschkau prevailed in their class this time in spite of complex suspension repairs following an excursion on Saturday night. Team Bonk Motorsport achieved a podium finish for the fifth time in this race with the Audi RS 3 LMS. Hermann Bock, Max Partl, Alexander Prinz and Andreas Möntmann in Audi’s entry-level touring car claimed third place in the TCR category for the team based in Münster.

In just one week, the Indianapolis 8 Hour as the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge is coming up for Audi Sport customer racing as the next major endurance event, before the next 24-hour race is scheduled at Spa from October 22 to 25. 

Communication as equals, interaction with guests and substantive inspiration for daily work – this is what the Bits & Pretzels audience requires. Audi wants to add value here and has therefore been a permanent member of the innovative Bits & Pretzels community for years. “Whether in the Group or in a start-up: Innovations are driving the transformation. This mindset is firmly embedded in Audi’s DNA – Vorsprung durch Technik,” says Hildegard Wortmann, Audi Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “With Bits & Pretzels as a partner, we are pursuing this clear objective and are bringing together innovative thought leaders from all over the world. This is about progress and fresh ideas as well as about shaping the future.”

During the first virtual Bits & Pretzels Networking Week, Audi is curating six online sessions on the topic of “Living Progress” on September 30 from 4 to 6 p.m. International speakers will analyze topics such as new leadership, brand strategy and business models for the future of mobility and will share their insider perspectives with the start-up community. In addition, the virtual audience will ask questions in real time using a chat function. The speakers will respond directly during the online session. In the Bits & Pretzels master classes, the corporate innovation unit Audi Denkwerkstatt (September 29, 2:20 p.m.) and the Audi Social Media Team (September 29, 2:40 p.m.) will share practical knowledge about innovation methods and building a successful corporate profile in social media.

Since 2014, the Bits & Pretzels festival has been bringing together founders, investors, start-up enthusiasts and other decision-makers from the start-up sector. At the event, entrepreneurs from all over the world meet up to share their experiences and to network. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will take place this year in virtual form. Named the digital “Bits & Pretzels Networking Week,” a live-streamed event in English will run from September 27 to October 2, 2020. Audi has been a partner of the festival since 2018.

Chronological overview of the Audi vertical in the live stream:
“Let’s Talk about Living Progress” on September 30, 2020 (CEST)

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