Large 3.0L TDI’s still holding onto excellent efficiency.
Wayne Gerdes –
CleanMPG – Oct. 14, 2008
A lone Q7 on a desolate stretch between Amarillo and Denver.
The Audi Mileage Marathon’s second stage continues as the caravan heads toward Denver, CO. With more than half of the 4,971 mile route complete, 90 drivers from twelve countries have already driven the 23-vehicle fleet consisting of the A3 with the 2.0L TDI and the A4, Q5 and Q7 with the 3.0L TDI.
The various drivers have to contend with typical mix of US road and traffic conditions while maintaining speeds that are
within the speed limits, but close to the upper threshold of those normally encountered. The roads vary widely according to the landscape through which the Marathon passes. In Illinois and Texas, there were stages in flat country, but now the Rocky Mountains have been reached and the gradients are more severe. The route passes through both urban areas and along country roads making the drive somewhat unrealistic. In other words, more than 98% uncongested highway where the mighty diesel really shines
Fuel Economy Accomplishments to date
Apart from TDI engine technology, the highly efficient 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission help the vehicles achieve excellent results. The best fuel economy achieved in the 3.0L TDI equipped A4 is 39.2 mpgUS. The 2.0L TDI equipped A3 has achieved greater than 47 mpgUS multiple times. The best fuel economy figures for the 3.0L TDI equipped Q5 is almost 38 mpgUS. The US version of the 3.0L equipped Q7 has seen better than 29.4 mpgUS.
The next stage of the Mileage Marathon begins today taking the vehicles to Sedona, AZ and reaching LA on Wednesday.
The Q7 will probably be a failure given the segment has fallen off a cliff thank goodness.
Linear Mode
