The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro projects its power with supremeconfidence – both acoustically courtesy of its sonorous exhaust andvisually with a series of exclusive parts mounted on the body and in theinterior. Exterior components such as the large DTM-look rear spoiler andthe bolt-on wheel arch extensions give the automobile a dynamic air, while theracing bucket seats and open gear lever gate in aluminum form thehighlights of the interior.
The show automobile is a true high-tech sports car. The drive power is directedto the 20-inch wheels via a six-speed transmission and the quattroall-wheel-drive system. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided bysix-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs. The Audi drive select drivingdynamics system allows the driver to vary at will the throttle responsecharacteristic, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for thesteering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as wellas the operating mode of the dampers. The dampers deploy Audi magnetic ridetechnology, enabling them to react to changes in the driving situation withlightning speed.
Audi is the trailblazer of engine manufacture. Since their debut back in1989, the TDI engines have long since established themselves helped bytheir powerful, refined and efficient character. The triumphant advancethat the diesel-powered Audi R10 TDI racing automobile has been enjoying for twoyears now in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the American Le Mans Series isclear testimony to this technology"s tremendous potential.
The engine in the R8 TDI Le Mans study is closely related to the dieselrace engine technically speaking – the high-performance sports automobile isequipped with a six-liter V12 power unit whose output of 368 kW (500 hp)and torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) are good for a top speed comfortablyin excess of 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The R8 TDI can also be seen at the LakeWörther Tour, as the major annual gathering of horsepower-happy Audi and VWenthusiasts is known. Audi has already transferred the superior power ofthe TDI engines into its road-going cars: the TT and TT Roadster bothfeature a mighty two-liter unit generating 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm(258.15 lb-ft) of peak torque, coupled to the quattro all-wheel-drivesystem. As is plain to see, Audi continues to build on its lead in thetechnology stakes.
Racing bucketseats and extra aluminum components in interiorThe concept
A TDI from Audi is more than just another diesel – it is, in fact,a dynamic power unit and a rich source of driving pleasure. At the 27thannual Lake Wörther Tour being held in the Austria province of Carinthiafrom May 21-25, Audi is demonstrating the potential of TDI technology witha very special concept study: the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro is poweredby an engine delivering a whole 165 kW (224 hp) from its displacement oftwo liters. And with a torque of 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), it endows thepremium compact model with the pulling power of a sports car.
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro qualifies as an uncompromising sportsmachine in all other technical respects too. A six-speed transmissionchannels the engine"s power to the quattro all-wheel drive. 20-inch wheelskeep the drive force glued to the road; behind the wheels at the front canbe found brake disks made from carbon-fiber-reinforced ceramic. Using theAudi drive select driving dynamics system the driver is able to adjust thethrottle response and exhaust sound characteristics, the steering"s powerassistance, the ESP control and the damper characteristics as desired.
The dynamic image presented by the scintillating A3 study is rounded offby spectacular body styling and a high-class, sporty interior. Parts suchas bolt-on wheel arch extensions and a large rear spoiler lend lastingimpact to the exterior"s looks; the interior is dominated by the racingbucket seats in the front and the open aluminum gear lever gate.
The design
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has a distinctly confident air aboutit. Sensational styling instantly sets the three-door show automobile apart fromthe standard production Audi A3. It measures 4,254 millimeters (167.48inches) millimeters/2.36 inches), but just 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches)high, – a reduction in height of 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) inspite of the large wheels. The track width measures 1,568 millimeters(61.73 inches) at the front (+ 34 millimeters/1.34 inches) and 1,553millimeters (61.14 inches) at the rear (+ 46 millimeters/1.81 inches).
The design team has kitted out the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro with awhole array of new exterior parts to give it an extremely sharp and dynamiclook – almost like a racing car. The paint finish is also a pictureof vibrancy: the engine hood, tailgate and roof are Ibis White and theflanks Brilliant Red, while a large white figure "8" is emblazoned acrosseach door in reference to the year 2008. The color scheme is an allusion tothe colors of the Austrian national flag.
The single-frame grille has grown slightly in width, which also entailedmodifications to the engine hood. The grille"s bars – includingpronounced vertical sections – have a high-gloss black finish. Thebi-xenon headlamp assemblies are embellished by LED daytime running lightsand wings. The front bumper incorporates large, square-edged air intakes,together with a blade section that juts a long way forwards and is slightlyraised in the centre.
The modified front fenders feature bolt-on wheel arch extensions. Thedoors and the rear side sections – again with muscular wheel archpaneling – have been given a new, boldly contoured flare at thebottom. This blends together harmoniously with the door sills, which havethemselves been restyled. The exterior mirror housings, with their armsthat look to have been crafted by the wind, are likewise new. The tintedglass used for the rear windows gives the model yet greater visualpresence.
The tail of the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro sports a dark greydiffuser. It is a variant on the design of the front blade, andincorporates the two large circular tailpipes of the separate exhaustbranches. Modifications have also been carried out to the tail lightassemblies. The most striking impression, however, is made by the spoileratop the rear window that bears a close resemblance to the part featured onthe new A4 race automobile from the German Touring Car Masters (DTM).
Inside the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro, the eye is immediately caughtby the illuminated door sill trims with their "TDI Power" badging. Awaitingthe driver and front passenger are anatomically shaped bucket seats, justlike those found in motor racing cars. The rear seats sport the sameupholstery design, with special foam padding used to sculpture them intoroomy and comfortable individual seats.
The driver takes hold of an elegantly styled steering wheel with aflat-bottomed rim that is reminiscent of the Audi R8 high-performancesports car. The scales of the dials are colored white, the monitor fornavigation and entertainment together with its control panel stems from theR8. The jet-style air outlets have multi-way adjustable louvers, and theusual buttons in the center console have given way to classic, sportytoggle switches. The bars underneath the console are covered in leather,the door handles have been milled hollow to save weight. The door liningsand floor mats have been newly designed.
The drive train
The high-performance TDI under the bonnet of the Audi A3 TDI clubsportquattro is like nothing that has gone before it. From its displacement ofjust 1,968 cc, it summons up an output of 165 kW (224 hp). Torque –the true measure of effortless motoring ability – peaks at anexhilarating 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft), which is on tap from just 1,750 rpm; inother words, the very bottom of the rev range. As for in-gear flexibility,the diesel model leaves its gasoline-powered rivals standing.
The mighty TDI bestows the Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro – whichtips the scales at just 1,475 kilograms (3251.82 lb) – with pullingpower befitting of a sports car. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph)is over in a fleeting 6.6 seconds and the speedometer needle keeps risingall the way to 240 km/h (149.13 mph).
The four-valve sports engine is smart too; it responds spontaneously tothe throttle and pampers the occupants with the low-vibration running ofits mechanics. On an acoustic level, however, it proudly proclaims itsabilities for all to hear: the exhaust system is a new development, withcontrollable resonance chambers on both tailpipes to amplify the rich,sonorous sound.
The engineers took as a basis the undersquare engine (bore x stroke =81.0 x 95.5 millimeters) with an output of either 103 kW (140 hp) or 125 kW(170 hp), depending on the configuration, and added to it an optimizedturbocharger. The advanced design of its blades allows it to supply moreair; as in the series-production version, the variable geometry of theturbine"s blades ensures spontaneous response.
The 2.0 TDI, which is managed by one of the most sophisticated controlunits currently available on the market, is brimming with high tech. Fuelinjection is handled by a common-rail system with piezoelectric injectorsand eight-hole nozzles. The high-precision metering of as many as fiveinjections of fuel per power stroke has the effect of audibly reducing thenoise level. The system operates at a pressure of 1,800 bar – thisresults in extremely fine atomization of the fuel which, together with therevised piston geometry, makes the combustion process a highly efficientone.
The engine"s intake manifold houses swirl flaps that generate a tumblingaction in the inflowing air; electric motors regulate the flaps" positionso that this tumbling motion is always perfectly suited to the current loadand engine speed. Two balancer shafts in the engine reduce the degree ofvibration in the crank drive. The drive unit for the belt that propels thetwo camshafts has also been reworked with a view to improving the engine"sacoustics.
The engine: low on emissions, high on efficiency
In its high-performance 165 kW (224 hp) version, the 2.0 TDI unit isstill able to make use of a high proportion of recirculated and sharplycooled exhaust gas to achieve cooler combustion with lower oxygen levels– this brings about a substantial reduction in untreated nitrogenoxide emissions. The four-cylinder power unit already complies with thelimits of the Euro 5 emissions standard, which is not due to come intoforce until September 2010 and whose foremost aim is to cut NOxemissions.
The ultra-efficient two-liter engine attains a power-to-displacementratio of 83.8 kW (113.8 hp) per liter, and torque-to-displacement ratio of228.7 Nm (168.68 lb-ft) per liter – figures which comparable gasolineengines are simply unable to match.
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro has been designed strictly inaccordance with the principle of maximum efficiency. Power is transferredby a compact, transverse-mounted six-speed transmission whose casing ismade from lightweight magnesium. The short-throw gear lever can be movedswiftly and precisely through a classic open gate made of aluminum. Thetransmission ratios have been adjusted and the components reinforced tomake allowance for the TDI engine"s extremely high performance.
The engine"s power is transferred to the road with virtually zero lossesthanks to the quattro all-wheel drive. The system"s key component is amulti-plate clutch which is positioned at the rear, thereby furtheroptimizing the weight distribution. Under normal driving conditions, theelectronically controlled and hydraulically operated clutch directs theengine"s drive power to the front wheels; whenever necessary, however, aninfinitely adjustable proportion of the propulsive force can be divertedrearwards.
When altering the power split, the plates inside the clutch aresubjected to high oil pressure, pushing them together – a procedurewhich is completed in a matter of milliseconds thanks to a newly designedpressure reservoir for the pump. The quattro drive constitutes the perfectpower transmission system for the mighty two-door model, significantlyenhancing traction, handling characteristics, stability and straight-linerunning, whatever the weather.
The chassis
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro comes equipped with a sportssuspension that is more than capable of handling the formidable power. Thefront suspension – a classic McPherson layout – is pivoted on alight, high-strength aluminum subframe. A rack-and-pinion steering systemwith a direct ratio produces a sensation of close contact with the road.Power assistance is generated by an electromechanical drive unit for highefficiency, and its level decreases as the speed increases.
The rear suspension comprises four links per wheel which fulfill allmanner of tasks. The trailing links absorb the propulsive and brakingforces. As an aid to ride comfort, their configuration is relatively soft.The connections to the three transverse links, on the other hand, are rigidin order to direct transverse forces into the body with absolute precision.In this instance, the coil springs and shock absorbers are also keptseparate from one another. The set-up is decidedly firm, while the body hasbeen lowered by 36 millimeters (1.42 inches) compared to the standardproduction version. The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro rides on impressiveten-spoke wheels measuring 9 J x 20, which are in turn shod with size265/30 ZR 20 tires.
Whereas the brakes at the rear wheels were borrowed from theseries-production A3, their counterparts on the front would not be out ofplace on a supercar: six-piston calipers exert a vice-like grip on brakediscs measuring 356 millimeters (14.02 inches) in diameter. The discsthemselves are made of a material which has been of tremendous value to theaerospace industry, consisting of high-strength carbon fibers embedded inhard silicon carbide. They have a lightweight construction, can withstandextreme levels of strain, are corrosion-free and have a service life in theregion of 300,000 km (approx. 186,400 miles).
Motoring à la carte with Audi drive select
The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro boasts yet another highlight in theform of the Audi drive select driving dynamics system. This system hascontrol over a number of technical components that mould the motoringexperience. By simply pushing a button, the driver can determine at willwhether these components should work in the comfort mode, the dynamic modeor even the "Individual" mode that allows partial manual programming of theway in which they interact.
In the show car, Audi drive select influences the engine"s throttleresponse, the sound from the exhaust system, the power assistance for thesteering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as wellas the damper characteristics. This is where the adaptive damping systemAudi magnetic ride comes in: a magneto-rheological fluid circulating in theshock absorber pistons alters its viscosity – and, by consequence,the damping characteristics – in an instant when a voltage isapplied.
The interplay between all these cutting-edge technologies makes the AudiA3 TDI clubsport quattro a thrilling road machine that is tremendously funto drive. It darts into bends with exceptional spontaneity, and cornerswith stolid stability and at high speed, guided with unfailing precision bythe sensitive steering. Its handling limits are extremely high, with just aminimal amount of understeer kicking in as the limits are approached. Asense of effortless, assured controllability is a key virtue of the A3study – just as it is on all Audi models.
TDI engines – the superior drive force
Power, refinement and efficiency – ever since they first madetheir debut in 1989, the TDI engines from Audi have been synonymous with asophisticated and smart form of sportiness, blazing a trail for the rest ofthe motor industry to follow. The triumphant advance that thediesel-engined Audi R10 TDI racing automobile has been enjoying for two years nowon race tracks around the world has delivered a powerful demonstration ofits potential.
The R10 TDI has been causing a sensation since spring 2006, with itstwelve-cylinder diesel powerplant ushering in a new era in the world ofmotor racing. The 5.5-litre TDI develops in excess of 1,100 Nm (881.32lb-ft) – a torque figure that positively eclipses itsgasoline-powered competitors. Its output of 650 hp translates into a topspeed of around 330 km/h (205.05 mph).
One of the fortes of the R10 TDI is its low fuel consumption. And fewerfuel stops means a higher average speed – the car"s high efficiencywas one of the key factors in its two successive victories at the Le Mans24 Hours. Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner(Germany) won in 2006 and 2007 in emphatic style. It is a similar story inthe American Le Mans Series, where the diesel race automobile bearing the fourAudi rings has racked up a string of successes, easily securing theconstructors" title in the large LMP 1 category in both years.
For the first time ever, superior TDI power from the race track can nowbe experienced in a series-production sports automobile – both the Audi TTCoupé 2.0 TDI quattro and the Audi TT Roadster 2.0 TDI quattro feature adiesel engine. The two-liter four-cylinder unit delivers dynamic thrust,with a power output of 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque.Despite this, the TDI engine in the Coupé burns just 5.3 liters of fuel per100 km (44.38 mpg) on average – a benchmark value in the sports carsegment.
Also on show at the Lake Wörther Tour is the Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, whosedrive train technology is closely related to that of the R 10 TDI. Thehigh-performance sports automobile is driven by a six-liter V12, whose 368 kW (500hp) of output and 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) of torque propel the world"s mostpowerful series-production TDI model to a top speed far in excess of 300km/h (186.41 mph).
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