Audi researching production of electrical energy storage devices

Posted on 13 December 2011 by

  • New state-funded project with industry and research partners
  • Production Board Member Frank Dreves: “Expertise for the efficient, safe and sustainable volume production of electric cars”
  • Important stimulus for Germany as an industrial location

Audi is continuing to step up its activities in the field of electric mobility. Today the car manufacturer is launching the eProduction research project together with selected partners. Its goal is to generate expertise in the assembly of traction batteries and develop a production concept for the energy storage devices of electric cars. The three-year project is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).

“With eProduction we are taking the next important step on the road to electric mobility,” says Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production at AUDI AG. This research project will give Audi the expertise to produce the battery systems and some of their peripheral components itself. “This will put us in a position to produce electrically powered cars in larger numbers – in a way that is efficient, safe, robust and sustainable,” explains Dreves.

A traction battery is a highly complex system. As far as its performance and lifetime are concerned, the arrangement of the cells plays a similarly important role as the cooling system, which can use either air or coolant. Components such as the high-voltage and service connections, the electronic management system, the electromechanical components, the housing and various sensors and actuators round out the battery system.

Through the eProduction research project, Audi is looking to build up the necessary process and automation infrastructure – with the goal of developing a marketable production concept for high-voltage energy storage devices in battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The future process chain starts with the materials used, considers matters of lightweight construction and the depth of value added, includes new contacting and joining techniques and ends with test methods suitable for volume production.

Audi has acquired two companies as its project partners – the software experts from Dassault Systèmes and the engineering specialists from Fees Verzahnungs­technik. Seven universities and institutes are also involved: Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), Chemnitz University of Technology (TU Chemnitz), Munich University of Technology (TU München), the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen, the Rheinische Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) in Cologne, the RWTH Aachen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials in Bremen.

One focus of the research project is the safety of employees during the production of high-voltage components. This includes numerous aspects – from the training of staff and the automation of certain work steps to the virtual validation process, which involves simulating and analyzing the later production steps on the computer, also taking account of ergonomic factors. Another research focus concerns the question as to how existing norms and standards, on protective clothing for example, have to be evolved for the production of electrical components.

The expertise that the partners in the eProduction research project jointly provide could mean an innovation leap for industry in Germany as a whole. This should help the German government to reach its goal of putting one million electric vehicles on the road by 2020. It also has the potential to secure employment in Germany in the medium and long term.

Ministry Director Prof. Dr. Wolf-Dieter Lukas emphasizes the project’s contribution toward safeguarding Germany’s competitiveness: “The increasing level of electrification of the automobile has significant consequences for the production process. This applies particularly to battery production, which represents a large proportion of the value chain.” Lukas is pleased that a high-powered consortium has been formed under the leadership of AUDI AG as part of the “eProduction” project that intends to go new ways not just in terms of production but also with regard to providing the necessary training for the required specialist employees. “We at the BMBF are delighted to be supporting this project through our sponsorship.”

In its publication “Schlüsseltechnologien für die Elektromobilität (STROM)” (Key Technologies for Electric Mobility), the BMBF states its intention to sponsor the project as part of the high-tech strategy IKT 2020 with a total budget of 11.3 million euros.

Corstiaan Westerhuis Promoted to General Manager of Boardwalk Audi

Posted on 13 December 2011 by

Boardwalk Audi former General Sales Manager, Corstiaan Westerhuis was promoted to General Manager effective September 1, 2011. “Corstiaan has been a key part of the success of our sales department and we are thrilled to promote him to this important position to oversee the entire operation,” said Ken Ambrose, Senior Vice President of Boardwalk Auto Group.

Prior to this position, Corstiaan Westerhuis worked in numerous management positions within Boardwalk Audi including Audi Brand Specialist, Internet Manager, New Car Manager, CPO Manager, and General Sales Manager. Prior to his entry to the automotive business, Corstiaan worked as a medic for ten years, after earning his degree from Saddleback College in Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine. Corstiaan is married to Rosemary and they reside in Grapevine, Texas, with their two dogs.

“Corstiaan was instrumental in Boardwalk Audi becoming the #1 DealerRater Certified Audi Dealer in the State of Texas in 2011, along with leading us to be recognized as an Audi Magna Award Recipient,” said Ken Ambrose.

About Boardwalk Audi
With its distinctive 42,000 square foot dealership–the largest in the Audi USA dealer portfolio–Boardwalk Audi is committed to interlacing Audi’s unparalleled engineering prowess with exceptional service performance. As a member of Boardwalk Auto Group, Boardwalk Audi cultivates a focus on top-flight performance.

About Boardwalk Auto Group
Boardwalk Auto Group is one of the premier auto groups in the nation representing Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, and Volkswagen. Learn more about Boardwalk Auto Group at http://www.BoardwalkAutoGroup.com.

Successful test of the Audi R8 GRAND-AM

Posted on 12 December 2011 by

  • New model for U.S. racing tested at Daytona
  • Development driver Frank Stippler completes 1000 test kilometers
  • Preparation of two vehicles for the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours

The Audi R8 GRAND-AM successfully passed its baptism by fire. The new model was fine-tuned at the Daytona race track (U.S. state of Florida) during its final test on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ready for the North American market: The development of the next customer sport race car from Audi Sport customer racing has been completed. The car will be delivered to the first customers by January. The new Audi R8 GRAND-AM is based on the extremely successful Audi R8 LMS that has scored more than 110 victories and 13 titles. From this GT3 race car quattro GmbH developed a vehicle for the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in the USA and subjected it to final testing at Daytona.

After track tests in Europe the R8 GRAND-AM that features significant modifications compared to the GT3 race car underwent its final test in the heart of the region where it will be fielded in the future. On the two test days, Frank Stippler completed about 1000 kilometers (600 miles) in the visually conspicuous test car from quattro GmbH that sports a stars-and-stripes design. The famous Daytona International Speedway in the U.S. state of Florida with its banked turns served to prepare for the Daytona 24 Hours at which private racing customers will compete with the R8 GRAND AM on January 28th and 29th.

The Audi R8 GRAND-AM clearly differs from the GT3 “sister model” and required a fundamentally new set-up. Downforce, for instance, is drastically lower. About 70 to 80 percent of aerodynamic grip is lost because the GRAND-AM regulations prescribe modified body components. The new front splitter may only protrude from the front contours by 38 millimeters, for example. The front underbody must have a flat design. The rear diffusor corresponds to the production car component, while the standardized rear wing is only 152 centimeters wide and thus 260 millimeters slimmer than the rear wing of the R8 LMS. “The lower aerodynamic forces also require modified damper characteristics and softer spring rates,” explains Armin Plietsch, Head of Engineering Customer Sport at quattro GmbH. In addition, the regulations prescribe a ride height of 65 millimeters – which is about 10 millimeters more than the minimum in the FIA series.

At Daytona, Audi also familiarized itself with the tires from the series’ exclusive tire supplier, Continental. The GTR (for road courses) and GTO (for oval tracks) tire models influence suspension set-ups as well. ABS and traction control, which are standard equipment on the Audi R8 LMS, had to be deactivated for the R8 GRAND-AM. The optimized radiator package that Audi developed for the R8 LMS ultra is also used in the R8 GRAND-AM.

“We successfully tested all the modifications at Daytona,” says Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH. “With Frank Stippler we developed a sound and solid set-up for our customers and also gathered valuable findings in the endurance tests. The durability of wearing parts and runs at high outside temperatures meet challenging demands. We can now provide our racing customers with concrete advice and reference values for fielding the car.”

The rating of the Audi R8 GRAND AM is still an open issue. By January, a balance of performance is to be achieved between the various vehicles in the GT class. Audi has made one of the 5.2-liter V10 FSI engines used in the Audi R8 GRAND-AM available to the series’ engineers for a precise performance analysis. The engine’s power output and homologation weight will only be defined once this rating is available.

One of the customer teams for the 2012 season has already been determined. APR Motorsport from Opelika in the U.S. state of Alabama will be the first team to field the Audi R8 GRAND-AM. The squad is planning to contest the Daytona 24 Hours and the remainder of the races with its own driver combinations. Negotiations with three other teams are currently in the closing stage. A maximum of four Audi R8 GRAND-AM cars will be delivered for the 2012 season to ensure individual support and coordinated logistics. Audi of America is responsible for sales and support to customers in North America.

Audi A6 and A7 Selected by Car and Driver as ’2012 10Best’ Winners

Posted on 07 December 2011 by

  • In its 30th year, the ‘10Best’ award highlights top picks under $80,000
  • 2012 A6 and 2012 A7 chosen for superior technology and design
  • 2012 Audi A8L and 2012 R8 recognized as ‘Favorites Over $80K’

Audi announced that the 2012 Audi A6 and 2012 Audi A7 vehicles have been named by Car and Driver, the world’s largest automotive enthusiast publication, to the 30th annual “10Best” list. In its 30th year, “10Best” by Car and Driver recognizes the best all-new cars on the market under $80,000.

“As in years past, the cars on this year’s list represent the best overall vehicles on the market today,” said Eddie Alterman, editor-in-chief, Car and Driver. “Out of 68 contenders, these are the ones that consistently perform the best, are a good value and are engaging, fun-to-drive vehicles.”

The all-new 2012 Audi A6 boasts an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 L TFSI® supercharged V6 engine with 310 horsepower. One of Audi’s most innovative and technologically-advanced models to date, the A6 makes up to 2,000 decisions per second to assist the driver. Safety in the all-new Audi A6 is enhanced by a thermal imaging camera with Night Vision Assistant as well as the Audi Pre-Sense Plus safety system. Other intelligent features include head-up display and a MMI® Touch pad that recognizes handwriting in multiple languages. Audi is the first company worldwide to feature factory-installed wireless internet, enabling features such as Audi connect™ for real-time weather, traffic news and live fuel prices, and MMI Navigation with 3-D Google Earth™ images.

The Audi A7 is the epitome of high style and artistry, with a five-door coupe design that is both sporty and elegant. The Audi A7 can also boast being the first car in the world to feature factory-installed Wi-Fi with Audi connect™ and navigation with 3-D Google Earth. From the groundbreaking MMI® touchpad and its gracefully integrated display screen, to the state-of-the-art head up display, the Audi A7 is the perfect marriage of progressive design and sophisticated engineering. The A7 also sets a high standard for performance, handling and efficiency with an all-aluminum Audi 3.0 liter TFSI® V6 engine, 310hp and 325 lb-ft. of torque.

Nominees for the 30th annual “10Best” list consist of all new cars, 2011 10Best winners, cars that were not available for the 2011 competition, and those with significant updates. All cars must fall under the base-price cap of $80,000 and be on sale in January 2012. Full coverage of the 2012 Car and Driver 10Best awards can be found in the January issue, on newsstands December 6, and online at http://www.caranddriver.com/201210best

In a companion piece in the January issue, Car and Driver also named the 2012 Audi A8L and 2012 Audi R8 as ‘Favorites Over $80K.’ The A8L, Audi’s flagship sedan, was chosen for its imposing, luxurious design as well as its powerful 372 horsepower, V8 engine. The sporty R8 was selected for its supercar styling and “sci-fi bodywork.”

ABOUT AUDI OF AMERICA
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2010 Audi was the top performing luxury brand in Europe, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Over the next few years, AUDI AG will invest nearly $16 billion on new products and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.

ABOUT CAR AND DRIVER
Car and Driver (http://www.caranddriver.com) is known for its expert editorial team that is highly regarded by car enthusiasts and automotive manufacturers for their integrity, engineering backgrounds, and high standards. The magazine is published monthly by Hearst Magazines (www.hearst.com), boasting the largest audience of any monthly automotive magazine. The Car and Driver brand is a leading source of information for automotive enthusiasts and in-market car buyers. The brand also extends to many platforms, including websites, mobile sites, radio, iPhone/iPad apps, events, custom marketing programs, and integrated marketing databases.

Full coverage of the 2012 Car and Driver 10Best awards can be found in the January issue, on newsstands December 6, and online at www.caranddriver.com.

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