3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Highway

Discussion in 'Articles' started by xcel, Sep 6, 2013.

Page 4 of 6
  1. MaxxMPG

    MaxxMPG Hasta Lavista AAA-Vee Von't Be Bach

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    And don't forget - when we were about half way across NJ, we committed the heresy of switching over to AM radio for traffic reports on WCBS 880 for "traffic and weather on the eights" and WINS 1010 for "traffic on the ones" including reports coming from views of the "jam cam" network of traffic cameras. It sounded pretty good for AM, to be honest, without any stray clicks or pops or whining from interference, and only some background hiss when farthest from the transmitters.

    Heading toward the NJ turnpike, both stations were reporting a wait at the Geo Washington Bridge - "about 45 minutes on the express and half an hour on the local" due to an accident on the Alexander Hamilton Bridge (I-95's bridge between Manhattan and the Bronx) that is "being cleared as we speak", so we slowed a bit (55-65mph DWL in 65PSL) and stopped at a rest stop to let the A6 and A7 catch up to us. The wait was worth in - we drove through the toll plaza without stopping. Yes, we could have made it in a hair under 46 hours, but I didn't want to take the chance of having to stop and wait, which could have affected the mpg results.
     
    MaxxMPG, Sep 12, 2013
    #61
  2. 08EscapeHybrid

    08EscapeHybrid Moderator

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    That was a nice stop at the Vince Lombardi Travel Plaza. Grabbed a chicken sandwich and fries from Burger King, and a Venti Caramel Frappuchino from Starbucks. It was nice to have a hot meal, and time to eat it. Afterwards I grabbed my electric toothbrush, a bottle of water, and my itty bitty tube of toothpaste, and brushed my teeth at the edge of the parking lot. Man that was nice... :)
     
    08EscapeHybrid, Sep 12, 2013
    #62
  3. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    Actually made it through my door about 2 hours ago and will update the thread with pics as the day progresses.

    All-in, what a drive and thanks to the entire CleanMPG team for making it happen.

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #63
  4. 08EscapeHybrid

    08EscapeHybrid Moderator

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Wayne... a friend of mine suggested looking into getting Old Spice to sponsor the next trip after hearing my comment that the Q5 was somewhat "musky" towards the end.
     
    08EscapeHybrid, Sep 12, 2013
    #64
  5. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    The morning of the launch at Audi of Pacific and taken with the Motorola RAZR MAXX HD if you can believe that!

    [​IMG]​

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #65
  6. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    Bob wrote some of his own impressions of the car he previewed last week and drove for the US Crossing. I think you would like to hear that B&O system for yourself if you have not already ;)
    You bet it sounded great!!!

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #66
  7. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    Audi TDIs star in the “Truth in 48” – The Lead Up

    [​IMG]
    Dawn and time for preflight testing in preps for Audi's "Truth in 48" Cross Continent Challenge.

    [​IMG]
    My Audi Fuel Economy testing polo shirt ;)

    [​IMG]
    Late night Audi TDI elevation testing in the mountains of Southern California two days prior to launch.

    [​IMG]
    The supplies load out not including the electronics! Where the spares are going to fit is yet to be determined!

    [​IMG]
    The Audi Tank Seals.

    [​IMG]
    The I-Pass toll transponders.​


    The Gold LEED Certified Audi Pacific Dealership. The Audi dealership for others to follow.

    [​IMG]
    Audi of Pacific - Gold LEED Certified Auto dealership with its Solar output on display.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    The evening before the launch at Audi Pacific...

    [​IMG]
    The mouse and the paperweight.


    [​IMG]
    Dawn in the City of Angels. The machines sit silent as their pilots ready themselves for the challenge of the century... The #TruthIn48 is about to begin...​

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #67
  8. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    The “Truth in 48” Audi TDI Team(s)

    [​IMG]
    Q5 TDI from L to R: Chris (MaxxMPG), Damon (CGAutomotive), Jay (08EscapeHybrid), and John (Prozac)

    [​IMG]
    A6 TDI from Front to Back: Wayne (CleanMPG), Jill (Chicago Now), Christian (R&T), and Edwin (Edwin the Magnificent)

    [​IMG]
    A7 TDI from L to R: Sebastian (Autobloggreen), Bob (Rhwinger), Mike (Seftonm), and Richard (CmaxVsPrius and wishing he was A7VsA6 :D)

    [​IMG]
    The Q5 TDI, A6 TDI, and A7 TDI in formation as they throttle up to leave the Audi of Pacific dealership.

    The “Truth in 48” Audi TDI Initial Top Offs with Shell Diesel


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    At the Shell in Torrance for the initial Clean Diesel top off!​

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #68
  9. RedylC94

    RedylC94 Well-Known Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Thanks, Wayne, for posting the photos of the crews. Now we can finally stop wondering what the people behind those mysterious names look like.

    Interesting trip reports from everybody (in other threads, as well as this one)!
     
    RedylC94, Sep 12, 2013
    #69
  10. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi RedylC94:

    Thanks! I have a lot more to go unfortunately :( Processed the basics up through Missouri so far.

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #70
  11. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    The launch vid…

    [flash]http://www.youtube.com/v/hs-dSsinyxI?version=3[/flash]

    Chris was the cameraman with only the Motorola RAZR Maxx HD in his hands! If I look and sound stupid, I am blaming it on him ;)

    For the HD version, select 720 or 1080p from the following: The “Truth in 48” with the Audi TDIs.

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #71
  12. BillLin

    BillLin PV solar, geothermal HVAC, hybrids and electrics

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Next time, dash cams the Russian way, start to end! :)

    Bill
     
    BillLin, Sep 12, 2013
    #72
  13. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi Bill:

    We've got the dash cam crossing vid and once I can put an intro onto Richard's vid, it is going up!

    Audi TDIs Star in the “Truth In 48”

    [​IMG]
    Audi A6 TDI quattro heading towards downtown LA and the infamous traffic quagmire called the I-10/I-110 junction!

    [​IMG]
    Edwin kicking @$$ and taking names in downtown LA!

    [​IMG]
    The Audi A6 TDI quattro halfway between LA and the 4,200' ASL Cajon Pass!


    [​IMG]
    Audi A6 and A7 TDI quattros at the first rest area in central California.


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    Audi Q5 TDI quattro at the first rest stop in central California.


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    Breakneck speed as we cross into Arizona.


    [​IMG]
    Jill and Christian having a little fun between tweets!


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    Audi A6 TDI quattro at 42.8 mpg after climbing from almost 0' ASL to over 7,200' between Flagstaff and Gallup, NM!


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    Audi Q5 TDI quattro at speed as seen from the A6 TDI quattro.


    [​IMG]
    Audi A7 TDI quattro at speed as seen from the A6 TDI quattro.


    [​IMG]
    At altitude and flying in the rain!​

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #73
  14. RichXKU

    RichXKU Well-Known Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    What is the green battery icon next to what looks like the iFCD ?
     
    RichXKU, Sep 12, 2013
    #74
  15. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi Rich:

    When you are in fuel cut and coasting down, the Alternator charges the battery as hard as it can for use at the next Auto Stop or just for 12V ancillaries. This is one very smart Start/Stop system.

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 12, 2013
    #75
  16. RichXKU

    RichXKU Well-Known Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Impressive!
     
    RichXKU, Sep 12, 2013
    #76
  17. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    Audi TDIs Star in the “Truth In 48”

    [​IMG]
    Audi A6 TDI quattro at 45.9 mpg and hauling as we near Tucumcari, NM.


    [​IMG]
    Early morning rest stop in New Mexico IIRC?

    [​IMG]
    Flying through the Texas Panhandle at almost 80 mph and still holding 46 mpg in the A6 TDI quattro!

    [​IMG]
    The Audi Q5 and A7 TDI quattros in lead formation at dawn with Amarillo, TX nothing more than a memory in our wake.

    [​IMG]
    Audi A7 TDI quattro at speed during the early dawn.​

    [fflash=left]http://www.youtube.com/v/NFnKoZE-57g?version=3[/fflash]What a quick Shell refueling looks like...

    The 2014 Audi TDIs roll into El Reno, OK for their second Shell refueling in record time as the trio (the Q5 TDI quattro, A6 TDI quattro, and A7 TDI quattro) attempt to cross the Continent in < 48 hours at > their respective EPA highway ratings...

    What you see in the video is what a refueling looked like as the “Band of Brothers” and one “Sister” jump out, handle their respective tasks and switch round robin style with just 3-minutes between each assignment. It was fast paced, drama filled, and full of hustle…

    And the team(s) performed spectacularly!!! Even with the halt for the 1.5 minute video, we were filmed driving in and out in just 14.5 minutes.

    As you can tell by my cadence, I was on edge while my mind was running at Mach2 with what little hair I have left on fire. All the while everyone else was calm, cool, and collected as we kicked @$$ and took names!!!

    Possibly the most stressful situations for me were the stops as my time table was at risk with each and every one. Everyone pulled through and the results were more than satisfactory imho.

    Did we do it? While most already know the outcome, I think Jill said it best in her article for the Chicago Tribune yesterday "Truth in 48: Following Audi A6 team."

    Jill Ciminillo said, “Hell Yes!” :D

    For the High Def version, look no further than Audi TDIs Truth in 48 - Shell Fuel Stop El Reno, OK

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 13, 2013
    #77
  18. thunderstruck

    thunderstruck Super Moderator

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    It looks like in one of the shots of the A6 you're only turing 1200 RPM at 60 MPH? No wonder the car gets such incredible mileage.
     
    thunderstruck, Sep 13, 2013
    #78
  19. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi Nathan:

    Regarding the RPMs at 60 mph, check out the 2014 Audi A6 TDI Pricing, Options and Specifications and 2014 Audi A7 TDI Pricing, Options and Specifications for more details on that ;)

    Audi TDIs Star in the “Truth In 48” – The Final Stretch!

    [​IMG]
    The Audi teams reach Missouri and a few hundred miles beyond the half way point.


    [​IMG]
    Christian Moe (R&T) having fun with those we pass while in the back of the A6 TDI.


    [​IMG]
    The Central Missouri rest stop with a Rt. 66 mimic from the West Coast to IL. The Missouri section is shown of course.

    [​IMG]
    Break and driver swap in central MO. Everyone is settling in for the next 20-hours on the road.


    [​IMG]
    A7 TDI and the St. Louis Arch. Sometimes someone's hand, lighting, poor shutter speed or
    generally a poor photographer (that would be me) wreaks havoc on the best laid plans.

    [​IMG]
    The A6, A7, and Q5 TDIs reach the St. Louis Arch, “Gateway to the We...” I
    mean East. The final Midwest to East Coast stretch begins in earnest.


    [​IMG]
    Reached the third Shell for refueling in Effingham, IL. Thankful for clean facilities and diesel fuel availability across the entire country!
    What was not good was the box truck. I will let someone else tell that story :rolleyes:


    [​IMG]
    Shell sign in Clayton, OH glowing brightly in the deep dark night... A welcome respite from the long and lonely road behind and ahead.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Edwin taking it easy at the Clayton, OH Shell…


    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    The Q5, A6, and A7 TDI quattros in central PA for a driver swap with just 250 short
    miles to go and over 6 hours left on the clock. We should make it ;)


    [​IMG]
    If Elvis came back as a female, he might look like this :D

    [​IMG]
    2 days with the Audi A6 TDI and Edwin says:

    [​IMG]
    Tank #4 in the A6 TDI quattro at 46.3 mpg after almost 600 miles just minutes from the finish.


    [​IMG]
    Autobloggreen editor Sebastian Blanco just minutes before the world
    record setting 46 hours and 9 minutes at > EPA highway Audi North
    American Continent Crossing Challenge drive was completed.​

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 13, 2013
    #79
  20. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Re: 3 Audis TDIs Set to Cross the North American Continent in < 48 Hours at > EPA Hig

    Hi All:

    The group arrived together at 12:17 pm EST with the Q5 TDI (31 mpg highway), the A6 TDI (38 mpg highway), and A7 TDI (38 mpg highway) arriving in NY City at the Shell on Amsterdam Avenue in the shadow of New York City's famous George Washington Bridge.

    Audi TDIs Star in the “Truth In 48” Arrives in NY City!

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Q5 up front with the A7 TDI in back. The NY City Shell station is to the left.

    [​IMG]
    The A7 TDI quattro, Q5 TDI quattro, and A6 TDI quattro.​

    The final results:

    2014 Audi Q5 TDI quattro -- 38.623 mpg 24.60% over EPA highway, average speed of 61.9 mph
    2014 Audi A7 TDI quattro -- 42.653 mpg 12.25% over EPA highway, average speed of 62.175 mph
    2014 Audi A6 TDI quattro -- 43.561 mpg 14.63% over EPA highway, average speed of 62.44 mph

    A little YouTube vid to complete the drive… If only I had the original soundtrack???

    [flash]http://www.youtube.com/v/rN4j16z5gaM?version=3[/flash]

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Sep 13, 2013
    #80
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