Audi leads the way when the subject is driving efficiency thanks to its highly efficient engines and the compromise of increasing efficiency without sacrificing performance. Models like the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI with a – lowest in its sector – CO2 emission of only 99g/km, combined fuel efficiency of 74.3mpg with an outstanding 105PS power output and 250Nm torque peak are hard evidence of Audi’s commitment to driving efficiency.

Highly efficient driving is not only down to highly efficient vehicles the driver is a significant efficiency factor too. Simple measures contribute to energy-saving driving. Each one can contribute in economising and conserving the environment responsibly through with greater awareness.

Efficient driving not only helps the environment, but also relieves the wallet. With additional information and assistance systems, we want to help you in improving your driving style with regards to fuel consumption.

With that mind, we’ve compiled a list of tips for efficient driving that will not only help your wallet but hopefully have a positive impact in the environment in years to come.

Use Engine Power Efficiently

• Avoid leaving the engine running idle
• Start the engine without throttle control
• Ensure an economical engine speed, this is mostly between 1,500 and 3,599 revs/min for petrol engines
• Keep your distance to avoid unnecessary braking and accelerating
• Keep as constant speed as possible

Switch gears intelligently

• Change up a gear early as possible
• Change down a gear then if the required acceleration is not achieved itself at full throttle in the gear already in place
• Only change back a gear to overtake when the overtaking action has actually been initiated

Monitor tyre pressure

• Reduce the rolling resistance by checking the tyre inflation pressure
• Adjust the tyre pressure to possible loading according to the manufacturer’s recommendations

Load less weight

• Forgo unnecessary carrying weight: only take along snow chains, jerry cans, sports equipments if need be

Generate less aerodynamic drag

• Improve aerodynamics: forgo unnecessary attached parts such as roof racks when not in use
• Close the sunroof and the window at high speeds

Use assistance systems

• An onboard computer is helpful to stay informed on the economic efficiency of your vehicle
• Use your navigation system route optimisation and for a dynamic route guidance system with innovative information and assistance systems,  Audi supports the driver in improving his driving style with regard to fuel consumption

With that we conclude our list of eco-friendly driving tips. We want to hear it from you now. Have you got any environmentally friendly driving tips not listed here? If so please leave them in our comments section below.

Warren Richards draws on experience gained in key roles within the Volkswagen Group for new Audi Fleet Sales challenge

Warren Richards takes up the key role of National Audi Contract Hire and Leasing Manager for Audi Fleet Sales this month, moving up from the position of Product Marketing Manager for Volkswagen Group’s sister brand Skoda.

Warren will replace Andy Wady, and is well qualified to do so. Having spent six years within the Group, he has experience great success within Skoda’s marketing department and as a senior planning for Group Services (the administrative division supporting all Volkswagen Group brands). Warren can also draw on management experience gained with Continental Tyres.

Reporting directly to Head of Fleet Sales Iain Carmichael, Warren will be charged with the task of continuing to develop the key Audi Contract Hire and Audi Leasing elements within the brand in challenging trading conditions. He also assumes responsibility for the Audi Direct Sales channel, Motability and Rental.

R. L. Polk & Co has recently handed Audi its newly introduced “Most Improved Loyalty to Make” award.

This award can be validated by the stats, with Audi recording a 4.9% increase in consumer loyalty during 2009, which the elated recipients announced during the 14th Annual Automotive Loyalty Awards in Detroit.

This is a huge boost for Audi’s marketing efforts, as they have invested heavily throughout 2009, establishing a consumer relationship that transpires beyond a single model or series.

The award honours automotive brands is based on which manufacturer has the greatest percentage point increase. The growth of Audi’s brand surprised all at the ceremony. However, with an astounding growth of 4.9%, either Audi’s expanding reach is being overlooked or happening very much under-the-radar.

Stephen Polk, chairman, president and CEO of R. L. Polk asserted Audi’s latest achievement by saying “This is not an easy task to accomplish, which speaks volumes about the momentum that Audi has acquired in recent years.” And who would argue? Over the last few years Audi have gone beyond attracting interest and using incentives to retain customers, and worked on building a unique bond with its current consumer base and cultivated an equally unique brand image to attract new customers.

Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi America was humbled by Polk’s recognition, stating after the ceremony: “The recognition by R. L. Polk validates the work of the Audi employees and dealers in creating this lasting bond.”

Audi have surpassed all other brands in the market with regards to increased loyalty and will be confident of achieved the same feat for 2010.

One of the most prestigious auto shows of the year is now on and Audi will of course be showcasing its models. The North American International Auto Show (NAISAS) better known as the Detroit Auto Show is showcasing one of Audi’s most innovative concept cars to-date: the Audi e-tron Detroit Concept.

Audi had confirmed prior to the Auto Show that it would be showcasing a new concept car but held its ground and allowed no further photos or information to slip out until the day of its debut. When the cloth came of the crowd was wowed by its enigmatic design that, despite the name, polarizing wheel design and electric propulsion bears little resemblance with previous e-tron concept cars.

Built in a totally different platform, the e-tron Detroit Concept car is less powerful, smaller, lighter and is not a four wheel drive like previous concepts. This time however, Audi opted for an electric rear-wheel drive.

Two asynchronous electric motors with a running range of 155 miles deliver 0-62mph acceleration in 5.9 seconds and a 124mph top speed from an output equivalent to 204PS and peak torque of 2,650Nmm, giving the Detroit showcar Audi e-tron the performance of a genuine sports car.

These two electric motors have their own cooling system and, as mentioned above, are mounted on the rear axle with a special package (featuring a 40:60 weight distribution ensuring perfect balance that contributes to the vehicle’s driving dynamics).

Overall, the e-tron Detroit concept car’s driving dynamics was developed to enhance driving safety with intelligently controlled air intakes that boost traction with torque vectoring targeting the acceleration of individual wheels making it even more dynamic.

To help keep weight down and therefore maximize range of the battery pack, the body’s structure is made with Audi’s Space Frame (ASF) technology, which combines aluminium and carbon fibre reinforced composites. The high-tech materials allow the lightweight structure to maintain the rigidity necessary without the bulk of steel. Total curb weight of the new e-tron is 2,976 pounds.

Another similarity with the Audi e-tron concept car shown in Frankfurt is the heat pump which helps boost efficiency and range. The heat pump is a highly efficient machine that uses mechanical work to provide heat with minimum input of energy.

In order to achieve optimal performance and range, the high-voltage batteries, power electronics and electric motors must maintain their ideal operating temperature that is when a highly efficient thermal management system comes into play that is associated with the climate control used to cool the vehicle’s interior.

Visual and functional references to the new drive concept characterize the purist interior design. They establish a connection between proven Audi genes and new formal hallmarks. Typical for the Audi design idiom is the reduction of the architecture, controls and information output to the essentials in favour of visible lightweight construction.

The instruments combine the analogue and the digital worlds into a single unit. Speed information is provided by an analogue speedometer while dial instruments show how much power is being drawn and a central display shows range and other key navigation systems.

The equally racing-inspired lightweight bucket seats combine excellent lateral support with comfort. Two contrasting colours delineate the various zones of the interior. The colours and the high-quality materials combine elegance and sportiness.

Audi elevated vehicle and driver interaction to the next level with a new MMI system controlled via a touch sensitive scroll pad inspired by modern smarphones. Speaking of smartphones, drivers will be able to integrate their phones into the front section of the centre console to interface between the vehicle, the driver and external information sources. The smartphone and vehicle communicate via the mobile communications network, even over considerable distances.

The system also provides a security function for the owner; within the range of the WLAN it can constantly monitor the current status of the vehicle, for instance whether all windows and doors are closed. If the Audi e-tron showcar on display in Detroit is parked charging, it also sends details of the current charge status to the driver’s smartphone.

Without a doubt the Audi e-tron Detroit concept car is another true state-of-the-art concept car but like other Audi concept cars many questions will remain answered till the German car manufacturer decides to answer them to the auto industry.

Question like: Where in the Audi range will this concept fit in? Will the e-tron be an R-badged car? Many auto industry experts are sure this is the prototype for an aforementioned Audi R4.

Audi hasn’t confirmed which version of the e-tron will go into production but the four rings company has already confirmed that the e-tron will hit the roads in 2012.

Vorsprung durch Technik is usually translated as “progress through technology” but to describe Audi’s progressive evolution and advancements in the premium car manufacturing field, a more suitable translation would be “advancement through technology”.

With 33 models worldwide whose average CO2 emissions are below the 140g/km, Audi have earned the leading position among the premium car manufacturers and – thanks to the Vorsprung durch Technik philosophy – the company has plans to reduce fleet CO2 emissions by another 20% by 2012.

Proof of that, is the newly launched Audi A3 1.6 TDI which was already the “greenest” car in the premium sector. An accolade Audi have managed to crack by reaching the 100g/km mark a long with CO2 emissions of only 99g/km associated with an impressive fuel consumption of 74.3mpg.

But Audi’s environmental concern goes beyond its vehicles and optimised assembly lines. Audi has taken a literal approach to the proverbial “green shoots of recovery” and is funding the reforestation of the Kösching Forest, destroyed in 2007 by dark beetles and heavy storms.

The Korsching Forest is located near Audi Headquarters in Ingolstadt where Audi is funding the planting of 36,000 oak trees that will cover a total six hectares which will be the basis of the “Oak Forest CO2 Reservoir”. The initiative is a partnership between Audi, the Bavarian State Forestry and the Chair of Forest Yield Science at the Technical University of Munich.

Reforesting the Korsching Forest is just the tip of the iceberg of Audi’s environmental commitment as plans are underway for additional sites at international locations such as Audi’s production site in Gyor, Hungary, where 13,000 Pedunculate Oaks will be planted covering an area of 4 hectares.

The newly sown forest is a particularly tangible indicator of the Audi’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection, but it is just one example of the numerous measures the prestige car manufacturer is implementing to conserve resources in both the cars themselves and in their production.

Audi has teamed up with Google to integrate the world’s most used search engine into its navigation system, resulting in the first production vehicle to have Google Earth available and the ability to search for online content.

While not the only new piece of boundary-pushing technology making its debut in the flagship model, we must say the prospect of being able to utilise Google’s information services via a GPRS/EDGE modem that’s integrated in the latest MMI navigation, is very exciting indeed.

Especially considering that the proposed online service will allow users – or should I say, passengers – to instantly use the Google interface to search for points of interest which results in Googlemap visualising, for instance, where all the nearest pubs are located – which is obviously extremely useful.

By the same token, Audi A8 drivers will also be able to sync Googlemap with their personal or work computer, meaning it will be possible to plan a journey on Googlemap (or Audi’s web portal) and seamlessly retrieve the navigational route for use in the car.

Sounds technical, ey? Well actually, to use this service will be astoundingly easy. Because the service is automatically channelled via mobile, all that’s required is pairing one’s mobile phone with the new Audi A8 MMI system (using bluetooth connection). Alternatively, they can be paired by inserting the owners SIM card in the MMI Navigation port.

In recent years Audi MMI interface system has gone from strength to strength and this collaboration of heavyweights is set to continue that run of form. And so it should, they’ve been working on this piece of kit since 2005!

This week sees a newer, more efficient version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI become available to order. The new A3 significantly undercuts the original on emissions and boosts emissions due to it aerodynamic modifications, start-stop recuperation technology along with advance common rail fuel injection – a remarkable feat considering the A3 1.6 TDI is already the most economical car, in terms of CO2 output, within the premium car sector.

According to Audi, the A3 1.6 TDI’s CO2 output has been cut down to 99g/km, boosting its combined economy to 74.3mpg, which is significant step up from current variations of the 1.6 TDI which offer a class-leading combination of 69.9mpg and 109g/km CO2 output.

From what we can gather, the key reason for the new A3’s increased efficiency can be attributed to its refined standard five-speed manual transmission, a reduced ride height, a revised under body that reduces aerodynamic drag and lighter 15-inch alloy wheels.

Although minor by themselves, these alterations are synergised perfectly with Audi’s innovative Start-Stop technology and energy recuperation system to deliver its remarkable combined economy figure.

The best part is that these improvements are at no expense to the established A3 versions. The Audi A3 1.6 TDI carries the same 105PS power output and 250Nm torque peak as other versions. Meaning the new version can match performance, clearing 62mph from rest in 11.4 seconds and offering the option to continue to 121mph.

Overall, the A3 is another worthy ambassador of Audi’s Vorsprung durch Technik ideology; championing the cause with boundary pushing efficiency.