Audi Picks up 10 Awards at Challenge Bibendum
29 October 2004
Audi brought three models to the Challenge Bibendum and won 10 awards for driving dynamics, driving safety, emission behaviour and fuel consumption. The winning models were:
An A2 1.2 TDI, the only five-door car that delivers 100 kilometers (combined drive cycle) on less than three litres of fuel—that’s 78 mpg.
A hydrogen fuel cell A2H2, shown for the first time earlier this year at the Hannover Fair.
An A8 3.0 TDI, which also has an aluminium space frame body and is driven by the world’s first diesel engine with piezo injectors.
The 5-year-old A2 1.2 TDI uses a 3-cylinder in-line engine that produces 45 kW (60 hp) and 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) of torque. An oxidizing catalytic converter and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) help it meet Euro4 emissions standards. Its all-aluminium body with Audi Space Frame (ASF) is 43 percent lighter than an otherwise identical structure made from steel. Audi pushed down the cars drag coefficient to a sensationally low cD = 0.25. All of which goes to prove the obvious—that small, light cars reduce fuel consumption.
Its fuel cell sibling, the A2H2, actually delivers better performance in certain situations. The A2H2 combines a 66 kW Ballard PEM fuel cell with a 38 kW NiMH battery, producing a combined short term output of nearly 100 kW (134 hp). A three-section tank located beneath the trunk stores the gaseous hydrogen at 350 bar (5,000 psi), holding 1.8 kilograms of hydrogen.
The electric motor delivers up to 425 Nm (313 lb-ft) of torque, providing better acceleration than the A2 1.2 TDI. The battery provides the energy to start up the fuel cell. During normal operation, the fuel cell supplies the electric motor with power and recharges the battery based on available capacity. During acceleration, the battery provides a boost to the motor. The A2H2 uses regenerative braking to further recharge the battery.
Audi A2 Vehicles | |||
---|---|---|---|
  | A2 1.2 TDI | A2H2 | |
Engine/Motor | 1.2-L in-line 3-cylinder diesel | PEM fuel cell with electric motor | |
Power output | 45 kW 60 hp | Fuel cell: 66 kW Battery: 38 kW Motor: 40 kW (54 hp) | |
Torque | 140 Nm 103 lb-ft | 425 Nm 313 lb-ft | |
0-100 km | 14.8 sec | 10 sec | |
Top speed | 168 km/h 104 mph | 175 km/h 109 mph | |
Range | 669 km 416 miles | 220 km 137 miles |
I just regret, that the AUDI A2h2 it's only a prototype. AUDI should put all the efforts on developing projects that use exclusevly alternative energies - specially hydrogen. Hope that in a short term we could buy this specific model A2 working just with hydrogen. This car already has a superior design, now just needs a cleaner energie.
Virgilio (PORTUGAL)
Posted by: Virgilio Vilela | 13 August 2005 at 12:19 PM
I just wonder when either one will be offered for sale in the U.S. Anybody got a clue?
Posted by: Charles Wilson | 22 June 2007 at 11:22 AM