IN A MOVE THAT has seen a 400kg lighter and 75kW less-powerful four-cylinder prototype Audi S5 lap the Nurburgring eight seconds quicker than the regular 245kW V8 model, Audi has initiated a program that will see it focus on weight reduction for future models.
In a recent interview with British magazine Autocar, Audi’s Director of Technical Development, Michael Dick, confirmed that lightweight construction, along with hybrid and electric powertrains, will form the main focus for the company’s modular longitudinal platform.
Dick said that weight reduction will prove to be vital in future automotive design, with lightweight construction being “the basis for the electrification of the car”, as well as bringing improved handling and better fuel economy and performance.
The prototype S5 that delivered an eight second improvement over the regular S5’s Nurburgring lap time features a spaceframe hybrid steel-aluminium body, with Audi engineers striking a balance between weight-saving and cost effectiveness when it comes to the amount of aluminium used in the body.
Dick told Autocar that reducing the weight of the bodyshell is the most important factor, and that shaving even 150kg will offer greatly improved dynamics.
According to Dick, fuel economy has become paramount at Audi, with engineering developments now assessed on a “cost per gram of CO2 reduction” basis.
We’ve known for some time now that Audi would be switching its S4 and S5 models to four-cylinder turbo-charged engines, and with its enhanced focus on lightweight construction, Audi buyers can look forward to high performance motoring without the weekly assault on their wallets.
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While performance is obviously the aim, and very important, It will be sad to see the awesome Audi V8 engine sound leave the S5!
Get over it……………gone are the days of heavy fuel guzzlers and I think time to stop being nostalgic and think better performance and better fuel economy in this instance!
Don’t get me wrong, I am hardly your regular VB drinking, small wang compensating V8 driver, in fact the biggest displacement I have owned is 1.8, but the feeling of power and the raw sound of a V8 is something that will be missed if / when they are phased out. Actually, reading over my post I don’t think I suggested it’s a bad or wrong thing, just stated It will be missed.
I’m with you Bobs…. it’ll be sad to see them go from an Aural perspective.
I don’t care what you do to an inline 4 and what exhaust it has, it won’t sound as nice as a worked V8. (an no, I don’t own a V8 either).
But life’s all about compromises, and I think some of the gains that ppl like audi are getting out of smaller capacity forced induction are outstanding! Couple that with lighter weight and you’re still on a winner.
if only Holden & Ford could get their cars to lose some weight, 1800 kgs is morbidly obese.
Perhaps they can as an entry to the ‘Biggest Loser’ show!
It’s not just Ford and Holden who have to lose weight. With the exception of the new Ford Fiesta and Mazda2 just about every car is heavier than the previous model.
Falcon 1704-1770kg
C’dore 1690-1825kg
Accord 1615-1650kg
Aurion 1590-1630kg
Audi A6 1593-2035kg
BMW 5 1495-1755kg
E-Class 1580-1840kg
Weights are for the sedans. Large weight reduction costs vast sums of money.Get over yourselves badge snobs.