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Audi Completes 4800 Mile Rally and the Winner is...Clean Diesel

  • Audi's TDI fleet completes coast-to-coast Mileage Marathon
  • Audi's Q7 3.0 TDI averages 28 mpg across country and 30 mpg on final leg
  • Audi A3 2.0 TDI averages 45 mpg over entire Marathon

Santa Monica, Cal. (October 21, 2008) /PRNewswire/ — With the streets and highways of America as its driving course, Audi proved clean diesel passes the real-world test. Completing the cross country Mileage Marathon, Audi's TDI fleet not only redefined diesel as a ultra-low emission alternative to gas-powered vehicles, but also posted noteworthy fuel efficiency numbers. Covering over 4800 miles from New York to Santa Monica, the Audi A3 TDI has averaged 45 mpg, the Audi A4 vehicles averaged 36 mpg over the drive, and the Audi Q5 TDI vehicles averaged 32 mpg. The Audi Q7 TDI vehicles, clean diesel SUVs which will be the first TDI vehicles available in the Unites States early next year, averaged an excellent 28 mpg over the entire drive.


TALE OF THE TAPE: LEG FOUR


THE LEADERS


Along the route, teams of drivers and journalists competed for the best efficiency totals based on miles-per-gallon and average speed. During the final leg, the lead over all vehicles in fuel economy with 40 mpg was the Audi A3 2.0 TDI.


THE ROUTE


Day One: Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes

Day Two: Mammoth Lakes to Monterey

Day Three: American Le Mans Series

Day Four: Monterey to Santa Monica


EFFICIENCY STATS

Below are the fuel efficiency stats for the leading miles-per-gallon teams of each Audi TDI vehicle over the final wave of the Mileage Marathon.

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI: 30 mpg (combined)
954 miles
50 mph avg. speed
Audi Q5 3.0 TDI: 33 mpg (combined)
946 miles
47 mph avg. speed
Audi A4 3.0 TDI: 38 mpg (combined)
960 miles
47 mph avg. speed
Audi A3 2.0 TDI: 40 mpg (combined)
954 miles
47 mph avg. speed

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA


Audi of America Inc. and its 270 dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi line up is one of the freshest in the industry with 23 models, including 12 models launched during model years 2008 and 2009. Audi is among the most successful brands globally. Last year AUDI AG recorded its 12th consecutive record year for sales and profit growth. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION


IMSA officials will be the sanctioning body for the Audi Mileage Marathon. They will be present at the refueling of all press vehicles each night, as well as the signing and sealing of the fuel filler doors during that time. Furthermore, they will award the winners of each of the four stages for the driving team that achieved the most efficient mix of fuel economy, distance, and speed. These calculations will be derived from vehicle data obtained every 24 hours.

Exclusively in the auto racing business, IMSA organizes and officiates professional road racing competitions. IMSA is one of the eight member clubs of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), which is the FIA sporting association for the United States. As such, IMSA is one of just a few organizations in the U.S. authorized to stage competitions based in the International Sporting Code. Visit www.imsaracing.net for more information on IMSA.