A7 Audi A7 02 03 08 05 If it was this easy, 09 it wouldn’t be 14 an Audi. 01 15 16 → 04 Obsession 10 11 07 17 12 13 IMAGINE DEVOTING YOUR LIFE TO BUILDING YOUR MODEL. 18 When you were a kid, you prob- commitment to premium fit and finish and passion for un- ably felt quite proud when you paralleled engineering go into every model. It’s the kind completed a model kit. We under- of discipline that the word “painstaking” was invented to 06 stand. At Audi, it takes countless describe. Not to say it’s a chore—no, assembling an Audi hours for a single Audi to go from is a labor of love, and it shows every time you sit in one, 19 idea to design to roadworthy, and engage the ignition and nudge the accelerator. Creating that’s time we are very proud to an Audi isn’t easy, but the results help define what Audi devote. Our obsession for detail, means to the people who drive one. INNOVATIVE DESIGN_ → By using fully pressed aluminum doors in the Audi A6, the door structures were reduced by an astonishing 44 lb compared to the previous model. Quality The door of perception. ACOUSTIC ENHANCEMENTS_ OUR REPUTATION HINGES ON THE QUALITY OF THINGS YOU DON’T SEE. We use soft mounts on our window regulator and a sound-absorbing It’s said that, when one door closes, closing, but on the proper weight that will make it more pleasing to close. backing within the door cavity itself to make the cabin even quieter. →another one opens. It sounds as if How the locks should click when they are engaged. The optimal acoustic whoever said it spent some time at placement for the speaker port. There are the hinges too, of course. And an Audi research and development the door itself, which we designed to take the brunt of side-impact colli- facility. After all, while you’ll open sions, and several dozen other safety considerations (to say nothing of the and close the door on your Audi countless other components, processors, sensors, window features and thousands of times without think- the inner workings most people will never see). Our doors are more than ing about it, we’ve obsessed about a symbol of welcoming you into your vehicle, they are products of Audi it for you, in detail. Not just about engineering, and the very perception of Audi hinges on them as much as the reliability of it opening and our hinges help support the door. SPEAKER PLACEMENT_ Optimal speaker placement helps deliver the most extraor- dinary sound you can find in the automotive space. SURFACES When we think of WET DRY SLIPPERY a good idea, it sticks. UNEVEN_ Torque vectoring_ Sport differential_ By independently braking the inside corner- To help ensure high cornering agility, the ing wheels, torque is then transferred to available sport differential uses torque the outside cornering wheels. This intelli- vectoring, and then adds to that by me- gent application of power, known as torque chanically applying additional torque to the vectoring, is available on select quattro® outside rear cornering wheel. Through an models and helps promote neutral handling electrohydraulic multiplate clutch pack and by calculating the driver’s steering input gear-set, the outside rear cornering wheel and desired level of acceleration. speed is increased by as much as 10%. quattro® → CORNERS Torque is distributed to TRACTION all four wheels in vary- ing amounts_ CURVES MOUNTAINS OBSTACLES HANDLING UNEXPECTED_ ACCELERATION TOWING SNOW CRUISING quattro® HAS MAINTAINED ITS GRIP ON OUR THINKING AND THE ROADS WE TRAVEL. GRAVEL_ For more than 30 years, Audi has been many ways, this has been a three-decade drive, from the Alps to the autobahn— focused on quattro® all-wheel drive. and points beyond. You’ve seen quattro® capabilities in the way we dominated During that time, it has evolved into the World Rally Championship for years, in the grip you have in inclement weath- an overarching idea of performance, a er, and in the variable power distribution you enjoy in good conditions.1 For more technological system of ratios, power than 30 years, and with over five million quattro® systems on the road, we have quattro® directs the amount delivery and driving dynamics work- continued to refine the technology, developing an available rear sport differen- of torque required to suit the Impressive stability, more assured job at hand_ ing seamlessly together, orchestrated tial to help maximize performance and available torque vectoring to assist with road-holding, enhanced agility and through the drivetrain, providing power cornering traction while helping to improve handling. We’ve boldly stuck to what improved steering precision_ where and when it is needed most. In worked while the world was trying to catch up, and we built on it. 1 When driving during cold, rainy, snowy or icy weather conditions, ensure that your vehicle is equipped with appropriate all-season or winter tires. Even with appropriate tires, you must always drive in a manner appropriate for the weather, visibility and road conditions. FSI® The FSI direct injection fuel system directly injects fuel into the combustion chambers at The obsessive precisely managed times and depths. What that means for drivers is that a fully homog- enized intake charge helps increase power while also reducing fuel consumption and engineering emissions, making efficiency more powerful.2 TFSI® Performance At Audi, TFSI represents a combination of two of maximum of the brand’s core areas of expertise—direct → injection and forced induction. By adding tur- bocharging or supercharging to FSI direct injec- tion, the pressurized intake charge is cooled by directly injected fuel, thus achieving efficiency fitness. and performance combined with higher com- pression ratios—previously only attainable by naturally aspirated engines.2 ENGINEERING POWER IS MORE THAN JUST ADDING MUSCLE. TDI® A turbocharged, fuel-sipping variant, our TDI® There is an art to fitness. Yes, there induction engines. For the drive to feel lean and precise, we’ve shaved off clean diesel engines deliver uncompromising Audi performance with bold efficiency.1 Yes, are some who go for the massive, unwanted pounds. Sure, large numbers might distract some, but a cham- it gets better mileage per gallon than compa- sculptured muscle look. But there pion impresses with its grace, power and athletic balance—captured in rable gasoline engines,2 but it also produces is something more compelling out the right suspension setting, or a torque-vectored corner. Audi engineers more low-end torque, which is best expressed there for those with more refined shape power that celebrates a true dedication to craft. It means strength in the elasticity you have when passing in the tastes. The kind of sculpted efficien- that pulses at the moment of acceleration, provides a true, quick response 30- to 60-mph range. cy found in Audi engines elevates as you change lanes, and turns the most routine cloverleaf into a joyful the driving experience through application of performance handling.1 This is the art of maximum fitness, 1 Always obey all speed and traffic laws. smaller, finely tuned forced- to the point where others just feel a little flabby. 2 See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates and emissions data. Your mileage and emissions will vary and depend on sev- eral factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition. ELEPHANT SKULL_ How nature solved the apparent conundrum of an elephant’s skull didn’t escape the notice of Heinrich Timm, the longtime lead engineer for Audi. The weight of the tusks and the general size of an elephant’s head would seem to make it impossible for the animal to actually be able to carry it. But the design genius behind the elephant’s skull is to make it lightweight yet sturdy. Its predominantly hollow design is buffered by thin, connective bone walls, which act as strong, weight-bearing cells. Audi designers used that idea when building our aluminum and steel structures. Reducing weight, yet enabling strength. → ultra 13 How studying elephant skulls 26.982 makes for superior handling. Al THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE OF NATURE BECOMES A BLUEPRINT OF EFFICIENCY. It seems strange to say that, while we knew that nature would serve as an inspir ation to greater structural efficiency. Take we build strong, complex and the structure of the elephant skull pictured here. It has to be lightweight, yet capable high-performing machines, we’re of carrying a heavy load. It’s porous, but its structure is such that it enhances its stabil- naturalists at heart. Then again, it ity and strength. We do the same, for example, with aluminum. Positioned one way, might not be that unusual, seeing aluminum materials can be flexible. Positioned another, they are strong and rigid, and how nature itself builds strong, help give better support. We also looked to bamboo, which is strong at the conjoined ALUMINUM_ complex and high-performing areas (nodes), and flexible along its stem. Our designs allow for both rigidity and flex- Our large aluminum castings are a telling example of machines as well. When we devel- ibility where each is most needed, and for efficiency overall. As we continue to develop ultra lightweight technology. Primarily used in high- oped the thinking behind our ultra® strategies to improve the performance aspects and efficiency of our vehicles, we don’t stress areas, these castings achieve exceptional rigidity 2 while also allowing for freedom of design, all while lightweight technology initiative, shy away from the world around us. We boldly engage it even closer still. remaining extremely lightweight.1 1 Features and technologies listed are not available on all models.