Together with its Chinese joint-venture partner FAW, Audi opened a new assembly hall today at the existing plant premises of FAW-VW in Changchun. The long-wheelbase Audi A4 and the Audi Q5 will be produced in this hall, which spans some 82,000 square meters (883,000 square feet). The capital expenditure amounts to around 100 million euros.

The countdown for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours is underway. In preparation for the sports car highlight of the year, Audi Sport Team Joest will contest the U.S. endurance classic "Petit Le Mans" at Road Atlanta (U.S. state of Georgia) on September 26 with two Audi R15 TDI cars.

Audi today announced that TDI clean diesel technology will be a featured segment on the Discovery Communications program, "How It's Made" premiering on Science Channel on Friday, September 18, 2009, 9 p.m. ET/PT, with an encore broadcast on the Discovery Channel on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 7:30 and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.

Audi today announced that TDI clean diesel technology will be a featured segment on the Discovery Communications program, "How It's Made" premiering on Science Channel on Friday, September 18, 2009, 9 p.m. ET/PT, with an encore broadcast on the Discovery Channel on Thursday, September 24, 2009, 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.

Audi is working hard on the future of mobility. The company has established a project house for the development of an integrated concept for electric drives in automobiles. As part of this effort, a support project entitled e-performance and funded in part by the German Ministry for Education and Research will be launched on October 1. Institutes and companies from industry and science will be participating in the project.

Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. Producing 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The lithium-ion battery provides a truly useable energy content of 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers, or 154 miles.

The abbreviation “S” stands for sports and also high efficiency – characteristic Audi features. The S5 Sportback is the top model of the new Sportback model series. The five-door coupe is powered by a highly efficient, supercharged V6 engine with an output of 245 kW (333 hp). Power is delivered to the wheels via the seven-speed S tronic and quattro drive; the innovative sport differential is available as an option.

Using the world's cleanest diesel technology, the 3.0 TDI clean diesel already meets the Euro 6 emission standard not scheduled to enter into force until 2014. Having debuted in the Audi Q7, the innovative engine is now coming to the A4. The powerful TDI is not only extremely clean, it is also highly efficient, using only 6.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (35.11 US mpg) in the EU cycle.

Audi has added a new, particularly economical version to its A4 model series: The A4 and A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI flexible fuel can be operated on bioethanol. The fuel, designated E85, lowers operating costs and features a good CO2 balance.

Audi is resolutely continuing its commitment to downsizing as part of its efficiency strategy. The brand has introduced a new turbocharged gasoline engine featuring low displacement in the A3 model line. The 1.2 TFSI delivers maximum performance despite minimum consumption. This engines generates 77 kW (105 hp), yet sips a mere 5.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (42.77 miles per U.S. gallon).