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Audi A4 2.0 TDI Efficiency Marathon Shows Fuel Consumption of 3.44-3.65 L/100 km (64-68 mpg US)
27 June 2008
Twenty randomly selected readers of a motoring magazine and a team of two from Audi tested the efficiency potential of eleven new Audi A4 2.0 TDIs (88 kW /120 hp), driving from Basel to Vienna and back (1,650 km / 1,025 miles) on a single tank of fuel. All eleven teams made it to the end and still had between five and nine liters (1.32 and 2.38 US gallons) of diesel left over.
Total driving time was 22 hours on average with an average speed of between 74 and 81 kph (45.98 and 50.33 mph).
The new two-liter TDI engine carries a fuel consumption rating (combined) of 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers (46.12 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of 134 g/km (215.65 g/mile). Participants in the Audi efficiency competition bettered these figures.
The winning team needed just 3.44 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers (68.38 US mpg). This equates to CO2 emissions of only 91 g/km (146.45 g/mile), at an average speed of 81.4 kph (50.58 mph). Four teams achieved under 3.45 liters (over 68.18 US mpg). The Audi in eleventh place recorded average fuel consumption of 3.65 liters (64.44 US mpg).
In addition to driving at a moderate average speed, the teams had the air conditioning switched off nearly all the time.
June 27, 2008 in Brief | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Posted by: clett | June 27, 2008 at 09:28 AM
Under those conditions my old (1999) sub-compact 1.8L gasoline vehicle hits around 42-44mpg. Considering that these vehicles are 1000lbs heavier I am impressed.
Posted by: | June 27, 2008 at 11:21 AM
anyone know if there was any drafting setup? Historically, folks have done very well in these sorts of competitions by driving a lead vehicle with a large aero cross-section, so it gets horrible mileage, but a car in its draft gets a big benefit.
Posted by: Andrew | June 27, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I doubt they did 'drafting' give credit when due. Good engine, begs the question why they detuned the 2.0tdi so much, but i guess the 1.4tdi is only good for 90bhp. Shows what mileage is possible when we don't drive around like such 'tools' (me included).
Posted by: rikster | June 27, 2008 at 12:33 PM
yes diesel is the highway bliss heaven cruiser, e nice to have the best of both worlds, electric drive at 80 km/h and then diesel kicks in after that, but the cold starts of diesels is pretty nasty I heard compared to conventional gasoline engines.
Posted by: philmcneal | June 27, 2008 at 01:24 PM
"Still not as good as an Astra ECO4 from 8 years ago, which managed 75 mpg (US) at faster speeds on UK roads.
In Germany, a slower run in an ECO4 managed 120 mpg (US) over 240 miles of real-life roads. Great car."
I've never heard of this car, or seen it on UK roads. was it for sale to the public? what fuel did it run on?
Posted by: eric | June 27, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Hmm... obviously this was done on public roads; Trucks need to obey a speed limit of 80-100 kph in europe; the average speed looks suspicously close to the truck speed limit; There are highways almost all the way, with posted speed limits between 120 and 130 kph.
I think all the participants were told that the group with the lowest consumption wins; drafting is the most easy way to boost your fuel economy by at least a factor of 2.
When I'm in no hurry, and doing drafting behind big rigs, I easily get 2,5-2,8 l/100km (gasoline not diesel) with my 8 year old Prius...
Posted by: realarms | June 30, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Hi Eric,
The Astra ECO4 was Vauxhall's attempt at an economy special, much in the same philosophy as VW's 3L or bluemotion today. It was for sale from 2000 - 2004 and sported aerodynamic undertrays, spoiler and fairings etc, very long gearing and low rolling resistance tyres etc.
I now have one, and have been averaging about 71 mpg in mixed driving (59 mpg US). It runs on diesel, but is smooth and very quiet (especially as it's turning over at only 2,200 rpm at 70 mph on the motorway).
@ Realarms,
How close do you have to be to the truck in front to benefit from drafting? Can you see a change in your mileage immediately on the instantaneous monitor when you get behind a truck?
Posted by: clett | July 01, 2008 at 01:37 AM
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Still not as good as an Astra ECO4 from 8 years ago, which managed 75 mpg (US) at faster speeds on UK roads.
In Germany, a slower run in an ECO4 managed 120 mpg (US) over 240 miles of real-life roads. Great car.