• Brand new A1 1.6 TDI arrives in Australia in October
  
• First TDI engine for the new Audi A1 model
  
• Audi takes part in World Solar Challenge event to showcase A1 1.6 TDI efficiency

Audi's first TDI-engined A1 model will arrive in Australia later this month and will demonstrate its frugal driving capabilities with a 3,000km + drive from Darwin to Adelaide.

Taking part in the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge event, the new Audi A1 with a 1.6 TDI engine, mated to a 5-speed manual transmission is expected to return an average fuel consumption of around 3.4 litres per 100km, and less than 99 grams of CO2/km.

Audi's philosophy of producing engaging cars with low consumption for everyday driving situations will be put to the test on the 3,028 km journey from Darwin from 16 October 2011, driven by well-known motoring scribe, Bob Jennings.

An independent adjudicator from the RACV has been appointed to ensure that Audi's fuel figures can be officially released throughout the duration of the event.

Employing key technological solutions from Audi's 'efficiency toolbox' or modular efficiency platform, the new A1 1.6 TDI nonetheless offers a lively 66 kilowatts and torque of 230 Nm.

In addition to lightweight construction principles, low drag coefficient and tyres with a low rolling resistance, the A1 also employs an energy recuperation system that uses intelligent voltage control for the generator to recover energy during the braking and coasting phase. The energy is stored temporarily in the battery and flows back into the on-board electrical system, relieving the load on the generator and thus the engine the next time the car accelerates.

The start-stop system, another technology from the modular efficiency platform turns the engine off when the car is at rest, if the gear selector lever is in neutral and the driver's foot has left the clutch pedal. Start-stop then turns the engine back on as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed – all the while functioning quietly, conveniently, and quickly.

The 1.6 TDI engine itself, which displaces 1,598 cc, is characterised by the systematic minimisation of internal friction. The most important measures involve the regulated oil pump, the piston rings, the honing of the cylinder barrels, the toothed belt and the bolts of the cast-aluminum pistons.

Their DLC coating is a novel technology with its roots in racing engine construction. DLC stands for diamond-like carbon – a fine, diamond-like carbon coating.

The piezo injectors of the common rail system can perform six separate injection operations per work cycle, which benefits the quality of combustion, exhaust formation and cultivation. A tangential channel in the intake manifold imparts a targeted swirl to the inflowing air, and the spiral channel fills the combustion chambers. A turbocharger with adjustable turbine geometry and an unthrottled intake and charge air system round out the overall concept.

There are two gearboxes available for the A1 1.6 TDI in Australia. A 5-speed manual version with a combined fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100km and CO2 output of 99 grams/km, and a 7 speed S tronic which offers 4.2 litres/100km and 110 grams of CO2/km.

Background information

At the conclusion of the 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge in Adelaide, the company will not only celebrate the arrival of the A1 1.6 TDI, but Audi will also provide the opportunity for the SA public to directly experience the brand's low consumption and low emission technology with three cars being presented in the GreenZone Drive public test drive event taking place in Adelaide's Victoria Square as part of the WSC finish line activities.

With three low emission and highly efficient cars on offer, being an A1 1.4TFSI, an A6 3.0TDI and a Q5 2.0 TDI, Audi has the largest representation at the GreenZone Drive event.

Audi has some 38 variants with fuel consumption of less than 7-litres per 100km.