Better weather, better scenery and even better fuel eoncomy... What's not to love 
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Sept. 25, 2009
Day 3 – An absolutely beautiful drive through the Norwegian countryside.
According to Audi, Salmon, hydroelectric power, aluminium and efficient driving have a whole lot in common and the lesson was learned by the participants in the Audi Efficiency Challenge on day three of the 9-day tour. Most importantly, the sun finally made an appearance and bathed the Norwegian landscape in a warm glow.
Just like hypermilers everywhere enjoy a warm and sunny day to maximize thier efforts, the Audi Efficiency Challenge participants results from the third day proved to be spectacular! Despite an increase in overall average speed, the fuel economy figures are rising as the rain and gray overcast gloom fade further with each passing day. To top it all off, the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI sets a new record at 78.4 mpg!
The E6, Norway’s central north/south artery remains a fixed feature of the Efficiency Challenge as the group headed to Trondheim, Norway. With elegant sweepers, the route traces the contours of a fascinating landscape – vast quantities of water in tumbling streams and crystal clear lakes dominate the scenery; the trees and shrubs glow in the warm red and yellow hues of autumn – the “Indian Summer” in Pennsylvania or Ontario couldn’t possibly be more beautiful – although the roads are surely wider
Norway makes optimum use of this abundance of water – and not just for catching salmon, one of Norway’s national sports. This country is also well ahead of the field when it comes to renewable energy – almost all of its electricity is generated from hydro-power, making it not only clean but very inexpensive. During the 70s and 80s, this created the perfect conditions for attracting energy-intensive sectors such as aluminium production. This is also good for the aluminium itself – the use of renewable energy means that its future production will be impacted little by current or future CO2 emisisons. Further down the line, the lightweight metal helps to save even more energy – Audi’s with aluminium space frame technology are particularly efficient. In Mosjøen, the Efficiency Challenge passes by Europe’s largest aluminum plant, operated by ALCOA. The group was also Audi’s leading expert partner in the development of Aluminium Space Frame Technology. Thus, the benefit to Audi drivers is doubled – the metal produced with little CO2 saves even more CO2 thanks to to its light weight. The Audi TT in particular uses it in an intelligent hybrid aluminum construction.
Results from Day 3
- Audi A3 1.6L TDI - 78.6 mpgUS!
- Audi TT 2.0 TDI - 46 mpgUS
- Audi TT RS - 32 mpgUS
- Audi Q7 3.0L TDI - 30 mpgUS
- Audi Q7 V12 TDI - 27 mpgUS
Audi FE Challenge A to B – Day #3
This is #5 of the series...
#1:
Audi has another fuel economy challenge in the works...
#2:
The Audi Efficiency Challenge has begun!
#3:
Audi FE_Challenge Day 1 – A3 TDI’s average 67_mpg in cold, wet and windy conditions.
#4:
Audi_FE Challenge Day 2 – The A3 TDI’s Fuel Economy improves.
For the first group of participants, today marked the end of their Efficiency Challenge. It’s a sad moment for the journalists and customers, who have worked hard on their driving style and their own personal efficiency over these past three days. In Trondheim, the second group of participants is already waiting – more journalists and brand customers. And they can look forward to Friday and their first leg, which will take them to the Norwegian capital of Oslo.
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