SPAIN - Audi launches the new A4 Avant with an alternative Bi-Fuel Engine system, making this car more efficient.

• Alternative propulsion system for the new Audi A4 Avant
• Bi-fuel engine 2.0 TFSI equipped with an innovative combustion process
• The Audi e-gas provides free mobility of CO2 emissions

Sporty, versatile and with low emissions of CO ₂ . With marketing scheduled for late 2016, the Audi A4 Avant g-tron Audi is another proposal for the sustainable mobility of the future.Following the trail initiated by the Audi A3 Sportback g-tron, it is the second model of the brand that can use natural gas and Audi e-gas production sustainable.

The A4 Avant g-tron is simultaneously sporty, efficient and extremely economical. The engine is based on the new 2.0 TFSI developed by Audi, which offers an advanced and highly efficient combustion process.Turbocharged power unit produces 170 hp (125 kW). 

Its maximum torque of 270 Nm is available at around 1650 rpm. The pistons and valves have been specially modified to run on gas and allow optimum compression ratio. An electronic controller reduces the high pressure of 200 bar gas from the reservoir until a pressure of 5 to 10 bars in the motor. 

This control system pressure is done dynamically and precisely in response to the requirements that the driver requires the engine. The correct pressure is thus always present in the gas pipes and valves injection: low pressure for efficient driving at low speed ranges, and higher for more power and torque pressures.

According to the NEDC measurements, the Audi A4 Avant g-tron consumes less than four kilograms of CNG (compressed natural gas) per 100 kilometers, which results in fuel costs for the client less than four euros (prices in October 2015 ). Emissions of CO ₂  are less than 100 grams per kilometer. 

The fuel tank capacity is 19 kilograms of gas, enough to have a range greater than 500 kilometers. When the content of gas in the reservoir falls below 0.6 kilos -number analogous to a residual pressure of 10 bar-control unit switches to gasoline mode operation. 

The A4 Avant g-tron can then cover an additional distance of 450 kilometers in this mode. The total potential range is comparable to that of a car equipped with an engine TDI.

Mouths filling gas tanks and gas are located next to each other in the same location under the same cover.

After refueling and whenever the temperature is not too cold, the engine begins its start in petrol mode, then changing as fast as possible, to run on natural gas. Two indicators in the scorecard keep the driver abreast of fill levels of both deposits. The driver information system shows fuel consumption in active mode.

Audi four cylindrical tanks installed CNG as a single compact module in the rear of the A4. Each has been specifically sized and adapted to the available space. 

They are protected by a coating of steel sheet and a tensioning straps hold the cylinders and protect them against damage. The full CNG tank module, which includes the fuel tank 25 liters, the body is set during production of A4. 

The usual spare wheel has been removed, the battery and its location varies from the luggage compartment to the engine compartment. The trunk floor even has its edge in the cargo area, which can offer a fully functional space for luggage.

CNG tanks, with an operating pressure of 200 bar at 15 ° C, follow the principle of lightweight construction of Audi. 

Thanks to its innovative design, its weight is 56 percent lower than comparable steel deposits. Its inner layer is a polyamide matrix gastight. The second layer, a compound consisting of polymers reinforced with carbon fiber (CFRP) and polymers reinforced with fiberglass (GFPR), provides maximum strength. 

The third layer is made of GFPR and serves mainly aid for initial visual inspection if necessary, to turn a milky white in case of damage. Before being installed in the car, every tank is tested at 300 bar during the production phase, so that the maximum pressure that support is even higher and far exceeds legal requirements.

Audi e-gas produced in Germany, the A4 Avant g-tron is a vehicle that runs free of CO ₂ . 

The e-synthetic methane gas is obtained from water and CO ₂  with the help of sustainable electricity in plants "power-to-gas". Audi launched the world's first plant of this type for the production of Audi e-gas on an industrial scale in Werlte, but now e-gas produced at other facilities. 

With the "power-to-gas" technology, the brand with the four rings makes it possible to store excess renewable energy, a valuable contribution to the energy transition.

The company and its partners are strongly promoting the development of various known synthetic fuels such as Audi e-fuels, including through new biological production processes.

In Germany, the driver can refueling card using the Audi e-gas refueling as in the case of the Audi A3 Sportback g-tron, which serves as a means of payment and at the same time as a tool to balance emissions.

From the information transferred during payment, Audi supplies the German natural gas network with the amount equivalent to the gas load refueled by the customer. Thus, Audi achieved a completely neutral emission mobility CO ₂

Translated by Google - Apologies for any errors that may have been caused.

First production Audi A3 models capable of running on compressed natural gas are now ready, but only for German highways.

• Audi A3 Sportback g-tron now available to order in Germany, priced from €25,900
• CO2-neutral mobility with the Audi e-gas fuel card
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg: “Audi e-gas is an important pillar of our sustainability strategy”

An Audi A3 equipped to provide the most environmentally friendly form of long-distance mobility will soon be taking to the roads. The A3 Sportback g-tron can be powered by ultra-clean Audi e-gas produced using green electricity, or by compressed natural gas, both of which are available to drivers in Germany, where advance sales of the car have just begun.

The Audi A3 g-tron forms part of a new, integrated and sustainable mobility concept from the Vorsprung durch Technik brand. Its 1.4-litre TFSI engine develops 110 PS and can be operated using either natural gas, e-gas generated by Audi or petrol. In pure e-gas mode the g-tron is entirely CO2-neutral, meaning that customers who use the Audi e-gas fuel card can opt to power their A3 g-tron without impacting on the environment if they wish.

The A3 Sportback g-tron will be priced from 25,900 euros in Germany. Due to the lack of infrastructure required to fully implement natural gas filling stations, there are no plans for Audi to introduce this model in the UK.

Audi e-gas is a synthetic methane that is produced at the Audi e-gas facility located in Werlte in Lower Saxony, Germany – the world’s first industrial power-to-gas plant. Green electricity is used in the production of Audi e-gas, and the process of generating it actually binds as much CO2 as is released when the Audi A3 g-tron is driven in gas mode, giving it exceptional ecological credentials. On average the Audi A3 g-tron consumes between 3.2 and 3.3 kilograms of gas per 100 kilometers. Fuel costs at present start at around 3.50 euros per 100 kilometres.

The buying principle for Audi e-gas is straightforward and corresponds to how green electricity is distributed: Audi records the quantities of gas that the customer pays for using their Audi e-gas fuel card and ensures that exactly this amount of Audi e-gas is fed into the German natural gas network.

Customers who choose this option can obtain an Audi e-gas fuel card for a flat price of 14.95 euros per month. In addition, the costs for the quantities of gas refueled by each customer are deducted via the Audi e-gas fuel card. The card can be used to purchase Audi e-gas at over 650 fuel stations in Germany.

Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG, emphasises: “In addition to our e-mobility developments, the Audi e-gas project is an important pillar of our sustainability strategy – as is the development of other synthetic fuels.” Audi is already operating a research facility for the production of Audi e-ethanol and e-diesel with its partner Joule in Hobbs, New Mexico. Moreover, the company is conducting research into the synthetic manufacture of Audi e-gas in cooperation with Global Bioenergies.