Charging without barriers at Audi: challenge accepted
Suitability for everyday use confirmed: a Paralympian and a wheelchair user test the Audi charging hub The Audi Q4 e-tron model family offers driving aids from the factory Ample room between charging stations and adjustable and lightweight equipment are decisive factors for easy use
When creating infrastructure for electric vehicles, it is important to remember people with mobility requirements. Audi brand ambassador Gerd Schönfelder, the most successful Winter Paralympian of all time, and Audi driver Uwe Herrmann have clear ideas on what charging without barriers and disability-friendly vehicle modifications should look like. Schönfelder lost his right arm and shoulder in an accident at the age of 19, while Hermann has been using a wheelchair since adolescence. While Schönfelder has been driving an Audi Q4 e-tron for the past 18 months, Herrmann (still) drives an Audi with a gasoline engine and is curious to hear about Schönfelder’s experiences. At the opening of the sixth Audi charging hub in Frankfurt am Main, the two men met up for a chat.
Gerd Schönfelder: Public charging stations must be accessible for all electric car drivers, including people with mobility needs. With its barrier-free features like the swivel arm and the height-adjustable display, the Audi charging hub is a great place for people like us with disabilities to charge their cars in a comfortable environment quickly. In my opinion, however, everybody benefits from the barrier-free concept at this charging facility. Uwe Herrmann: I’m still driving a car with a gasoline engine, but everything I’ve heard about e-mobility to date sounds positive. And the Audi charging hub looks promising, too. Sometimes, I have to ask for help filling up my current Audi SQ5 when the car is in an awkward position. But that could soon change with an electrically powered Audi at a charging point like this.
Audi charging hub in Frankfurt: easy, fast, and without barriers
Smooth-action swivel arm, height-adjustable displays, and ample room between charging points make charging easy for all Attractive food and service offers at partnering Klassikstadt Frankfurt New service: support advisors provide virtual guidance from Audi charging hub in Nuremberg
Audi opens its sixth charging hub in Frankfurt am Main. At Orber Straße, the drivers of electric cars of all makes can charge their vehicles with up to 320 kW of power using four high-power-charging (HPC) stations. While their car charges, users can have an enjoyable experience at the adjacent Klassikstadt Frankfurt. Audi has partnered up with this enterprise located in a listed historical former factory that boasts an internationally renowned collection of vintage and modern classic cars and offers a range of services. Guests can choose from a wide selection of snacks, beverages, and hot meals and enjoy them in an attractive, comfortable setting. Moreover, all Audi charging hubs are designed to be barrier-free: a swivel arm, for which a patent has been registered, height-adjustable displays, and ample room for maneuvering – in a wheelchair, for example – make charging easy for all, including people with disabilities.
The swivel arm reduces the weight of the charging cable by around 60 percent. As a result, customers in wheelchairs can hold the CCS connector in one hand and move their wheelchair with their other hand. A CCS connector holder further optimizes operation for wheelchair users, while a canopy prevents the connector from getting wet. Furthermore, the swivel arm ensures trouble-free access to any charging sockets, whether they are located at the front, back, left, or right of the vehicle. This saves the driver from having to maneuver their vehicle into position. Automatic cable retraction prevents the charging cable from becoming a trip hazard or from blocking the way of wheelchair users. Moreover, it keeps the cable dry at all times.
Year by year: The most important successes of Audi in motorsport
Championship (Audi R8 LMS) 2010 Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R15 TDI) Winner German GT Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Belcar Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner teams’ classification Belcar-Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Portuguese GT3 Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Spanish GT3 Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner teams’ classification ADAC GT Masters (Audi R8 LMS) 2011 Winner drivers’ classification DTM (Audi A4 DTM) Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18 TDI) Winner Spa 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Bathurst 12 Hour (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Italian GT3 Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Spanish GT3 Championship (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner teams’ classification Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Super Taikyu Series Japan (Audi R8 LMS) Winner GT Cup Macau (Audi R8 LMS) 2012 Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner drivers’ and manufacturers’ classification FIA World Endurance Championship (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner Sebring 12 Hours (Audi R18 TDI) Winner Bathurst 12 Hour (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Nürburgring 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Spa 24 Hours (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner teams’ classification Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Gentlemen Trophy Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner teams’ classification Gentlemen Trophy Blancpain Endurance Series (Audi R8 LMS) Winner Portuguese GT Championship (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Taça Portugal (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Iberian Supercars Trophy (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner Spanish GT3 Championship (Audi R8 LMS ultra) Winner GT Cup Macau (Audi R8 LMS ultra) 2013 Winner drivers’ and teams’ classification DTM (Audi RS 5 DTM) Winner Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner drivers’ and manufacturers’ classification FIA World Endurance Championship (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner Sebring 12 Hours (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) Winner Daytona 24 Hours, GT Class (Audi R8 GRAND-AM) Winner
From quattro to e-tron
The success story of AUDI AG in motorsport Victories and titles since 1981
Audi positions itself as the sportiest manufacturer in the premium segment and has a perfect basis to do so: motorsport. Sportiness, advanced technology and emotive design are the basis for the success of the Audi brand. The genes for this have their origin in racing, since 1980.
The success story began with the Audi quattro Excluding the era before the Second World War that included the legendary Auto Union Grand Prix race cars in the 1930s, the motorsport history of AUDI AG began with the Audi quattro. The dominant victories and two manufacturers’ and two drivers’ titles achieved with the “original quattro” in the World Rally Championship between 1982 and 1984 were an important factor in the market success of the quattro drivetrain. quattro victorious in circuit racing as well After Audi had turned rallying upside down and stormed up Pikes Peak (USA) with the Sport quattro in record time on three successive occasions, Audi also made the quattro drivetrain fit for circuit racing: initially with the Audi 200 quattro and the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO in the United States, in 1990 and 1991 with two championship titles for the Audi V8 quattro in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), and ultimately also with the A4 in the production-based super touring cars. In 1996, the Audi A4 quattro won the championship titles in seven countries. Between 2012 and 2016, the all-wheel drive system returned to the race track as the e-tron quattro. Audi R8 most successful Le Mans sports car in present-day racing After the dominant quattro drivetrain was banned from touring car racing, Audi switched to sports prototypes and also underpinned its slogan “Vorsprung durch Technik” in this motorsport category for 18 years. Audi, on making its debut at Le Mans in 1999, the toughest endurance race in the world, immediately managed the leap onto the podium, finishing third overall.
Update for the Audi Q4 e-tron: more range, more efficiency, more emotions
Faster: Quicker charging, more power, characteristic sound Sportier: The new suspension with Audi’s DNA Safer: Comprehensive assist packages
Audi is systematically continuing its course for growth in fully electric models. More than other e-models, the Audi Q4 e-tron family has contributed to the strong growth in deliveries in the first half of 2023 (+51.2 percent). It is being comprehensively updated in the 2024 model year with a newly tuned suspension, increased efficiency, characteristic sound, and enhanced standard equipment. In addition to an optimized drive concept and higher charging power, Audi is expanding the models’ range of functions in the driver assistance systems. With the optional adaptive cruise assist, both models now also aid lane changes. The updated models will be available to order from September 26, starting at 52,950 euros.
All Q4 e-tron models feature a large battery that provides 77 kWh of net energy (82 kWh gross). Optimized cell chemistry has improved the DC charging power so that they charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 28 minutes under ideal conditions. The quattro models now achieve a maximum DC charging power of 175 kW, and the rear-wheel drive models a maximum of 135 kW. The battery protection function automatically limits the charge level to 80 percent to extend battery life. To ensure intelligent trip and charge planning, the e-tron route planner prioritizes high-performance HPC stations (High-Power Charging facilitates ultrafast charging). If the driver takes the suggested route, the system activates battery preconditioning for the period before the new Audi Q4 e-tron models reach the selected, stored charging station. If the driver selects an HPC station as the destination, the system activates thermal conditioning to ensure the battery charges as quickly as possible at the station. For the first time, the Audi Q4 e-tron model family also features post-conditioning.
Audi redefines quick charging: first Audi charging hub in Austria opened in Salzburg
Four reservable quick-charging points with up to 320 kW of output Vorsprung durch Technik enables sustainable charging without any drop in performance Accessibility, strong charging performance, existing infrastructure, and much more turn charging into an experience Ad-hoc charging also possible via credit card, Apple Pay, and Google Pay 24/7 availability and numerous services also make the charging hub attractive to people just passing through
Audi is opening its first charging hub in Austria: Following locations in Nuremberg, Berlin, and Zurich, the brand with the four rings opened a premium quick-charging station in Salzburg today, its fourth worldwide. Just next door, MOONCITY is Salzburg’s competence and experience center for new and electric mobility. It provides the perfect infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the hub, so charging is a customer-friendly and pleasant experience.
“The rapid expansion of the charging infrastructure in Europe and worldwide is crucial for the success of e-mobility. We see this as a joint task for politics and industry. The Audi charging hubs are our way of supplementing the public charging infrastructure,” says Audi CEO Markus Duesmann. High charging output without any drop in performance through “Vorsprung durch Technik” The Audi charging hub differs from many other quick-charging stations in that it does not require a medium-voltage connection. This sets it apart from many other quick-charging stations, which often necessitate additional infrastructure. The concept is based on “charging cubes” – modular containers that contain refurbished lithium-ion batteries (second-life batteries) made from disassembled Audi development vehicles. The design reduces the strain on local grid capacity and means the charging hub requires no elaborate, expensive infrastructure.
Le Mans trilogy with Audi Tradition
May 21 Ingolstadt: International Museum Day at the Audi museum mobile with Le Mans prototypes and talk with “Dindo” Capello June in Le Mans: Audi Tradition brings winning cars to special exhibition of the “Musée des 24 Heures du Mans” and to the Legends’ Parade July in Goodwood: Driving legends and winning cars at the “Festival of Speed”
A series of victories: No brand has won at Le Mans as often as Audi in such a short period of time. The four rings were at the top of the podium a total of 13 times between 1999 and 2016. In 2023, the “24 Hours of Le Mans” will celebrate its 100th anniversary and Audi Tradition will join in the festivities: in Ingolstadt, Le Mans and Goodwood. “Audi in Le Mans” was recently launched for all motorsport fans; the latest book of the Edition Audi Tradition presents the success story of the four rings at the endurance classic on the Sarthe in great detail for the first time.
The Audi museum mobile is presenting a whole range of Le Mans racing cars for International Museum Day on Sunday, May 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Among them are several winning cars such as the Audi R10 TDI from 2006, the first diesel-powered racing car to claim a victory at Le Mans. At 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the Customer Center of the Audi Forum Ingolstadt, talk sessions will be held with exciting guests from the world of motorsport, including Rinaldo “Dindo” Capello. Following the talks, the three-time Le Mans winner will be available to sign autographs. In addition, there will be a highlight tour in the museum on the motorsport history of the four rings. And there’s also something for the younger guests: In addition to a handicrafts corner, they can look forward to a special driving course with a pit stop where they can demonstrate their tire-changing skills.
Modern race cars in historic dress: 24h Nürburgring with design icons from Audi
Flair of rallying, touring cars and sports prototypes in the Eifel region Four Audi R8 LMS in the design of historic Audi racing models A total of six Audi R8 LMS at the 24-hour race
Audi Sport customer racing will contest the 51st edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours from May 18 to 21 with four Audi R8 LMS cars in epoch-making designs. Audi’s expressive liveries reflect its motorsport history. They remind the public of unforgettable times for the brand in racing and rallying. In sporting terms, Audi, as the most successful brand of the past decade, is already aiming for its seventh overall victory after 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
“This year the audience at the Nürburgring can look forward to a special appearance,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Rolf Michl. “The four Audi R8 LMS offer the many fans of this race and the Audi brand, as well as photographers and cameramen, an exciting reinterpretation of unforgettable liveries.” The audience is instantly reminded of legendary times of the four rings in motorsport. “After six victories in the past eleven years, we now want to race for our seventh success in the world’s biggest endurance race,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “The Audi design department team has taken historical motifs as a model to develop four new designs for the R8 LMS. They are completely unique, but immediately call to mind images of earlier Audi race cars.” Each of the four GT3 sports cars cites features from individual eras. While these four race cars will be competing on behalf of Audi Sport customer racing, the private team Scherer Sport PHX will bring two more R8 LMS to the Eifel.
American flair at the Nürburgring: Number 1 Audi Sport Team Scherer PHX pulls up as last year’s winner with the number 1. The team from the Eifel region has already won the race four times with Audi. For many fans of the brand, the design of the car with the coveted starting number is associated with legendary successes.