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Technology transferFrom motorsport to the production line
In 1971 the slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” was created and since then has become the main agenda for Audi! The brand’s rise to premium manufacturer in the automobile sector was accompanied by numerous technical innovations: quattro drive, fully galvanized bodies, the most streamlined high-volume production limousines of their day, broad introduction of gasoline engines with exhaust-gas turbo charging, development of economical direct injection diesel power units, aluminum body, the first hybrid vehicles, gasoline direct injection and LED technology are just a few milestones in Audi’s history, which began exactly 100 years ago with the company foundation by August Horch.
Audi also demonstrates “Vorsprung durch Technik” in motorsport. The approximate 200 employees, who work under the supervision of Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, belong to the AUDI AG Technical Development (TE). And this for good reason: Audi is involved in motorsport to test new technologies and to accelerate the development. The Audi Sport engineers work closely together with their colleagues from production and pre-production development. There is a permanent exchange in both directions. Michael Dick, Member of the Board of Management with responsibility for Technical Development, is also the direct superior of Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.
Close cooperation between motorsport and production
The new Audi R15 TDITDISynonymous with muscular torque delivery and outstanding efficiency: TDI. Today, TDI engines are sporty, smooth and economical.TDI is an excellent example of the close cooperation between motorsport and production. The low beam light comprised solely of light emitting diodes, and fitted to the new Le Mans sports car, will be launched on the market shortly. Use at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the final tough test for this new technology. New technologies are also used in the fuel injection and turbo charging fields which will later be introduced on the production line.
Audi frequently puts new technologies to the test initially in a motorsport environment before being introduced into road car production. Particularly impressive examples are quattro drive, with which Audi revolutionized rallying in the 1980s and later also touring car racing, and the combination of turbo charging and gasoline direct injection (TFSITFSIAudi was the first manufacturer in the world to combine petrol direct injection with turbocharging in large-scale car productionTFSI ) which was unbeatable between 2001 and 2005 at Le Mans and is found today in numerous Audi production models.
TFSI allows a reduction in the cubic capacity (“down sizing”) of spark ignition engines, which in turn reduces the consumption and CO2 emissions. In this way Audi extracts an impressive 160 hp from a mere 1.8 liter four-cylinder engine with help of TFSI Technology.
Accelerator motorsport
TDI Technology, invented by Audi, is promoted further through the motorsport program. New detail solutions are hidden in the V10 TDI which will flow into future generations of TDI engines.
Latest proof of the direct technology transfer from motorsport to production is the Audi Q7 V12 TDI whose powerful 500 hp diesel engine is a close relative of the power plant that triumphed three times at Le Mans.
“Audi would not be the most sporting and fastest growing brand in the premium segment today without the success in motorsport,” stresses Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “Everybody at Audi knows just how important motorsport is for the brand.”
