Audi TT Goes Diesel: A Sports Car that Gets 44.4 mpg
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 02.27.08
We're not exactly the biggest fans of cars, but as long people drive them, they might as well pick the most efficient model that fits their needs. In the small sports car category, Audi is introducing a diesel version of its TT Coupe Quattro and Roadster Quattro.
The 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine (algae-based biodiesel will be available soon, we hope) generates 170 hp of power and 258.15 lb-ft of torque. It meets the Euro 5 standard for emissions, and fuel economy is 44.4 mpg (5.3 liters per 100 km ) on the TT Coupe and slightly lower on the heavier Roadster.
These things are pretty fast too:
The TT Coupe quattro with the 2.0 TDI accelerates from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 7.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 226 kph (140 mph).
Audi has made efforts to reduce weight: "Front components are made of aluminum and utilize Space Frame technology; rear components are made of steel. This solution guarantees that the frame is as rigid as possible and optimizes load distribution between the axles." The TT Coupe weighs 1,370 kilograms (3,020 lbs) when empty, which is about the same a Prius. Somehow it seems like it could be lighter, but maybe the Quattro AWD system is the problem. How about making a non Quattro version, Audi?
So while this is not exactly a green car, it is interesting to see a sports car that gets better fuel economy than many much less powerful models. This shows some of the benefits of diesel (when emissions are dealt with and low sulfur fuel is available) and of aerodynamic vehicles.
As long as people buy sports cars, we'd rather see them buy one that gets 44 miles per gallon than one that gets 15. At least until something better, such as electric sports cars, is on the market.
::Audi Puts A Diesel in the TT; First Diesel-Equipped Series-Production Sports Cars
See also: ::Volkswagen to Introduce 70 mpg Diesel-Electric Hybrid Golf, ::How To Make Awesome Cars A Reality (330 mpg diesel-hybrid), ::Citroën’s C-Métisse Diesel Hybrid Sports Car, ::Sporty Loremo Diesel will Have Electric Version Too
If you'd call a Prius green, which is EPA rated at 46mpg, it would be hard to leave out the TT, even if it is a diesel. A new "economy-car" 5 speed manual Civic is only rated at 29mpg combined.
The gas version of this car gets 20mpg, with quattro. I wonder if this would be a 50mpg front wheel drive car?
m,
The Prius is AT-PZEV, which is excellent on the emission side. It's probably getting better mpg than the TT in the city, too.
But it doesn't have to be one or the other. Both cars would be an improvement over what most people currently drive.
Anti sports car? Isn't the Tesla Roadster a sports car? Being anti sports car is just sociological, philosophical bigotry. It has nothing to do with being green. If a car is more green than most, who cares what kind of car it is? If someone makes an SUV from recycled materials that can be fully recycled again, and has 0 emissions and is 50% more efficient than most other vehicles, are we supposed to be angry that it's an SUV and not some high-speed golf cart? I'm sorry, I don't understand that at all.
Bravo to Audi for making an efficient car, now put in a non-food-competing biodiesel and we've got a winner.
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ed: There's some confusion. We're no anti sports cars. We're anti inefficient cars.
Yeah, bio-diesel hurts the food supply. Keep burning petroleum.
While all biofuels burn cleaner than petroleum fuels, not all biofuels are the same. Biofuels that compete with food (such as biodiesel from soy or corn and sugarcane ethanol) cause people to clear more forests to grow food. The best biofuels are created from sources that don't impact existing forests or food economics. Biofuels are still finding their optimum environmental sources and uses. Be careful to not fall for the marketing that we're being sold that all biofuels are good fuels.
A good article was written in the New York Times called Studies Call Biofuels a Greenhouse Threat (you can find it by searching their site).
I don't want biofuels to be dismissed entirely, but I also don't want to see us adopting bad biofuels as a standard.
Last time I was in Germany I drove the new Turbo Diesel Audi A6. I drove pretty much a full day and with lengthy stretches at the excessive autobahn speeds (200km/hr plus). And yes, I know that's wasteful, but I was shocked when I finally got to Berlin and had almost a half a tank of gas left. I calculated about 48mpg. It's a damn shame we don't have the new clean diesel technology yet in the US. I don't understand how the technology is clean enough for tough EU standards, but somehow fails California emissions standards.
No mention of particulate emissions. Isn't that much more of a problem with Diesels?
"No mention of particulate emissions. Isn't that much more of a problem with Diesels?"
The Euro 5 standard is mentioned, as well as emissions in the post. Not sure what you mean.
Congratulations to audi!! Shame the rest of the big marques for not jumping on the bandwagon 10 years ago when VW really began pushing tdi technology in the US, with the introduction of the new beetle.
And I think American makers are thinking right now..
Diesel technology is truly one of the greenest technology out there. If you take into consideration the new emission technology, bio-diesel technology, the fuel efficiency technology, and the longevity technology of diesels they are far superior to all the other vehicles.
Some diesels can drive over a millon miles and still get around 50 mpg. I know of at least two prototypes that get over 100 mpg and one from VW that gets over 200 mpg - you also have the Smart Car ForTwo CDi.
If the Toyota prius can't even achieve the actual stated mpg but diesels such as the TDi exceed what they claim, and they last well over 300,000 miles it should be a no-brainier what type of vehicle is greener. The Toyota prius would be pushing it if it lives past 150,000 miles with out needing to replace just the battery pack alone (batteries are not green - they are down right dirty to the environment even when recycled) the hybrid technology is designed to make cars disposable - what we need is for cars to last longer and get higher MPG - Diesel's provide both.
Diesel technology is truly one of the greenest technology out there. If you take into consideration the new emission technology, bio-diesel technology, the fuel efficiency technology, and the longevity technology of diesels they are far superior to all the other vehicles.
Some diesels can drive over a millon miles and still get around 50 mpg. I know of at least two prototypes that get over 100 mpg and one from VW that gets over 200 mpg - you also have the Smart Car ForTwo CDi.
If the Toyota prius can't even achieve the actual stated mpg but diesels such as the TDi exceed what they claim, and they last well over 300,000 miles it should be a no-brainier what type of vehicle is greener. The Toyota prius would be pushing it if it lives past 150,000 miles with out needing to replace just the battery pack alone (batteries are not green - they are down right dirty to the environment even when recycled) the hybrid technology is designed to make cars disposable - what we need is for cars to last longer and get higher MPG - Diesel's provide both.
Stop beating up brands trying to make our world a better place to live; not a very constructive philosophy.
Besides making the world a better place to live, Toyota uses their hybrids for a halo effect that has everyone looking the other way while they sell hundreds of thousands of gas guzzling Tundras & Sequoias. Where are all the batteries going to go when they have aged out? Which cars make them the most profit?
Bash away. I'm waiting for the diesels.
I love what Audi and VW have been doing with their TDI's.
Unfortunately, the TT TDI's availability in North American markets is unknown.
But, don't fret!
VW and Audi a bringing over some of their TDI's to NA markets later on this year for the 2009 model year.
The Jetta TDI is estimated a combined 50+ mpg!
So, be on the lookout for more TDI's hitting the American shores!
And someone mentioned something about diesels particulate emissions, with the ultra-low sulfur diesel, which is standard in the US except Alaska, the particulate matter is greatly reduced (along with the smell)! And the new TDI engines have incredibly low particulate and NOX emissions thanks to their catalyst system.
Yes the audi is a bit heavy but don't blame that on one of the best all wheel drive systems in the world. Instead you should be paying attention to the U. S. regulations which call for many heavy safety devises which add ridiculous amouts of weight. Just throw in a roll cage and some racing harnesses and you'll be okay.
Audi, who is owned by VW, has made great strives in diesel technologies. One of the biggest would be their R10 le mans series race car, which uses a TDI diesel engine. In its first year of competion the R10 dominated the field. Audi showed the racing world the future. Three fellow auto makers followed in the diesel revolution one of them being Peugeot. Peugeot has created the 308 HDi, a diesel car capable of 90mpg. On a nine thousand mile journey the car broke the world record for highest mpg on a journey. The article can be found at http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/-two-new-world-records-for-peugeot-308-hdi-110-ar57863.html
VW also has a "New" car, the Scirroco, with and available diesel engine. It is too expensive to bring to the States. And, competes with the Golf TDi. Also may have a three cylinder hybrid TDi here to boost MPG to over 60 MPG. Expensive too. They could bring over a Polo or Lupo both smaller and lighter,thus, more efficient but not hybridized as of yet.