Steve Q

With every other vehicle seemingly being a crossover, it's refreshing to see a new wagon in the works. Audi has been caught testing the next-generation A4 Avant a few times already, and this speculative rendering attempts to digitally peel off the camouflage. Contrary to design trends and coming as a pleasant surprise, the BMW 3 Series Touring rival will get a smaller front grille, flanked by what appear to be slightly slimmer headlights. In typical Ingolstadt fashion, the Four Rings won't be rocking the boat in terms of design, which is something we can't say about its archrival BMW. The test vehicles our spies have spotted didn't have the final taillights, but a protrusion in the tailgate led us to believe the prototypes had a wide light bar in keeping with recent Audis. The design exercise doesn't show the interior, but we know for a fact the MMI infotainment will be neatly integrated into the center console. The German luxury brand has already announced the new A4 will usher in the firm's last generation of gasoline and diesel engines. It will ride on an evolution of the MLB platform and rely on a 48V mild-hybrid system to cut fuel consumption to keep regulators happy. A plug-in hybrid with a big battery is in the offing, and there also might be an equivalent electric model underpinned by the bespoke PPE architecture. It's going to be the last long-roof A4 with gasoline/diesel engines and we believe it'll also be the company's penultimate wagon ever to get ICE power. We're expecting the next A6 Avant to serve as the epilogue of a combustion-engined wagon when it arrives in the coming years. Both the A4 and A6 will stick around with traditional engines until the end of the decade. As previously reported, Audi will launch its last new car with combustion engines in 2025. Everything from 2026 will be a pure EV, with the production of ICE-powered vehicles coming to an end in 2032. There is one exception as China might still offer "old-school" drivetrains beyond that date should there still be enough demand. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.motor1.com/news/589319/2023-audi-a4-avant-rendering/amp/

Components for the production of batteries at Audi’s Brussels plant will no longer be delivered by truck from Hungary, but by rail with DB Cargo. The move will significantly reduce Audi’s carbon emissions and also save money. The switch in means of delivery between Hungary and Brussels, which was started in May and is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2023, is a preview of the car manufacturer’s future. In the future, preferably all production sites will implement this solution. Battery modules and cells needed in Belgium for the Audi e-tron and Audi e-tron Sportback were up to now transported by truck over the approximately 1,300-kilometer-long route from the supplier in Hungary. To meet the Belgian site’s demand, twelve to 15 fully loaded vehicles set off across Europe every day. This caravan of trucks is now being replaced by rail transport. The switch will reduce carbon emissions by around 2,600 tons every year. Wherever possible, Audi uses DB Cargo’s DBeco plus service—for example, currently for the legs of the route in Austria and Germany, the service sources power exclusively from renewable sources such as wind, water, or solar energy, making transport carbon-free. In Hungary and Belgium, Audi uses DBeco neutral. With this product, the power used for transportation is offset by means of climate certificates, reducing carbon emissions elsewhere. The supplier of the battery modules in Hungary does not have its own rail siding. Therefore, Audi AG’s long-standing project partner DB Cargo recently put a logistics center (LC) into operation at the Győr site. At the weather-protected LC, battery modules are reloaded from trucks to rail cars for delivery. The modules are first picked up from the manufacturer by truck and transported from the Győr LC by rail to Brussels. Initially, a lightweight hall was built in the immediate vicinity of the Audi plant in Győr; an additional expansion is already being planned. In order to meet the high quality and safety requirements for battery modules and cells, the Audi Supply Chain team uses a digital information platform and special sensor technology to monitor the temperature and any shocks in the rail cars. The shift pioneered by Brussels is planned to be extended to the entire company in the foreseeable future. High-turnover components, such as battery modules and cells, will increasingly switch to delivery by rail; by 2025, Audi aims to transport these components exclusively by train. At Audi’s headquarters in Ingolstadt, for example, everything is ready to go for the production of batteries using modules and cells shipped by rail; the batteries will then be used to manufacture Audi models on site. New equipment and processes have been installed specifically for this purpose. Other plants are already waiting in the wings to switch to rail delivery of battery components. Similarly, a large share of the finished products are also shipped by rail: Today, around 68% of Audi vehicles in Europe already leave the plants by rail, a figure that is set to increase in the future. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2022/06/20220604-audi.html

As we inch closer to a world full of autonomous vehicles there are still a great many questions to answer about the technology. Legislation, infrastructure, and automotive design will all have to shift as the transition takes place and that’s left some of the public uneasy. Now Audi is trying to put out those concerns with the help of results from a new study. Last December, Audi announced a new initiative called &Audi which set out to examine the overall societal dimension of autonomous driving. To do so they began a study with the help of experts in the field and called it “SocAIty”. Now, the results are in and Audi has addressed some of its findings. One of the largest concerns about autonomous vehicles is how they’ll handle issues like “the trolley problem”. Put another way, how they’ll handle hazardous situations with seemingly no way of avoiding injury to the occupants, other individuals outside of the car, or both. Years ago, Mercedes boldly proclaimed that its vehicles would make protecting occupants its main priority and in doing so they foreshadowed Audi’s findings as well. The automaker says the vehicle can only do what it’s programmed to do since it’s not a thinking, reasoning entity no matter how advanced it is. “It can and will only assume the ethical decisions and values of the people who design it – and apply them without its own interpretation,” says the study. One of the aforementioned experts, Christoph Lutge, clarified that sentiment even further by making clear what the priority would be for most manufacturers: “We have to move on from the more theoretical dilemma situation to address the actual problems that affect companies, such as issues of liability and risk assessment.” Of course, Audi covers quite a number of other topics involved with the future of autonomous vehicles, such as legislation, making driving less fun or the issue of requiring fewer parking spaces. Another important concern that many have is how vulnerable self-driving vehicles will be to hacking. Audi points out that in fact, autonomous vehicles won’t be any more vulnerable than other vehicles. At the same time, it acknowledges that should vulnerabilities be found and exploited, the danger is more serious. The study also covers how infrastructure will need to change to better incorporate these vehicles and how automotive design itself will shift towards more focus on the cabin. It also makes clear that the first autonomous vehicles won’t likely be capable of driving just anywhere as infrastructure will play a role in that aspect. All in all, it seems as though big companies like Audi are doing their best to get a handle on the situation as quickly as they possibly can. What are your thoughts on autonomous driving? Would you rather see fewer humans piloting their vehicles and letting the computers take over or are you more concerned about the limits of the technology? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.carscoops.com/2022/06/audi-addresses-autonomous-driving-concerns-like-the-trolley-problem-in-a-new-study/amp/

Search http://johndagys-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/ss365-1.png Sportscar365 GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE Audi Keen to Maintain WRT After LMDh Break Audi Sport Customer Racing hopes to keep WRT on board in GT3 as team seeks other LMDh avenues… by Daniel Lloyd June 1, 2022 Photo: Jules Benichou/SRO Audi Sport is keen to maintain its customer racing relationship with Team WRT as the Belgian squad re-evaluates its sports car racing options in the wake of Audi’s LMDh program pause. WRT team principal Vincent Vosse told Sportscar365 in late April that his organization is working to keep its prototype ambitions alive by engaging in discussions with other brands. He said that the experienced Audi squad, which has won several high-profile races with the manufacturer in GT racing, would consider switching GT3 marques if it was required to do so. Audi Sport’s head of customer racing Chris Reinke, meanwhile, is hopeful that WRT will continue to run R8 LMS GT3 cars in the future. When asked if Audi Sport is working to secure WRT’s custom in the coming years, Reinke told Sportscar365: “Absolutely, I can confirm that we are. “WRT has been one of our main partners for many years. We are very happy with the success that we have had together. From a customer racing point of view, we would be very happy if we could continue the route of success with the R8 LMS GT3, and we are happy if WRT would like to extend beyond that. “Other than that, the strategic possibilities from their point of view is something that only WRT can comment on.” The adjournment of Audi’s LMDh program appears to have caused some friction between WRT and the manufacturer. However, Vosse stressed that this is unrelated to the long-standing working relationships that have been cultivated between members of his organization and Audi Sport’s customer racing department in GT3. The two parties have won several major endurance races together including the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa, the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour and the Nürburgring 24. WRT was set to be the main development partner and factory race team for the Audi LMDh prototype, which was confirmed to be based on a Multimatic chassis. “I think, in general, it is quite obvious that WRT wants to graduate as a team,” Reinke said. “Therefore they have the LMP2 program at the moment, which is run in good partnership as you can tell by the driver lineups. “Beyond that, obviously we had different plans on the LMDh as it has been communicated on the project side, and that might not help the future perspective of WRT. It is quite possible, but from the Audi Sport customer racing side, we have a very strong, healthy partnership with WRT and hopefully we will do so in the future.” BMW Coy About WRT Advances Sportscar365 understands that Team WRT has been in preliminary contact with BMW M Motorsport as the two parties attempt to map out their future program options. BMW is known to be considering a future entry with its V8-powered LMDh car in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, but has not announced any programs beyond its two-car IMSA GTP commitment with Team RLL for next year. Head of BMW M Motorsport Andreas Roos attended the WEC round at Spa-Francorchamps last month and visited the WRT garage as part of his trip. “We officially said that we are thinking about a WEC program,” Roos told Sportscar365. “There are several teams on the market which could be interesting. When you see how much WRT won, they could also be one of the important partners you could work with. “But as long as we don’t have our Le Mans or WEC program approved, there is nothing we can discuss at the moment.” Roos would not be drawn to say whether a potential BMW Hypercar entry would require the partner team to be exclusive to the brand in its other racing endeavors, such as GT3. “We haven’t really thought about it,” he said. “We have quite strong teams in our GT program. First, we have to tick the box and get approval if we do WEC or not in the future. And then we have to think if there could be a combination [of LMDh and GT3]. This is still a bit too far away at the moment.” https://sportscar365.com/sro/gtwc/world-challenge-europe/audi-keen-to-maintain-wrt-custom-amid-lmdh-break/

There could be a number of reasons for a sudden onset of knocking after an oil change. One could be that the wrong viscosity or spec. oil was used. Another reason could be that the oil filter collapsed, or if a cartridge type filter, it was put in backwards. This could reduce your oil pressure to the point it causes knocking. The most nefarious reason is that during the last oil change someone added something to mask a knocking condition. When the oil was changed, the additive was drained and the knocking started again. This is sometimes seen when someone is trying to unload a defective vehicle on an unsuspecting buyer. Best to have a competent mechanic diagnose the reason for the knocking.

Think I'll be changing to the bilstein b12 set up on my A6 as I've heard good thing about them. Genuine Audi suspension is no longer made for my a6.

Wowzers. Glad my A6 is on the cheaper system lol.

just so anyone coming knows, for Bromley our club is at stand X2 - not not W6 as thats AOC UK. You should have had an information confirming this but just in case please see attached the site plan pdf. Also, unfortunately I'm not able to attend as I'll be heading off on holiday on the 11th June. Sorry to let you all down but my wife and I are in desperate need of a break from our jobs (long hours - I do 6 and a half days a week normally). And going away from 11th for a few days was the only time in the summer we could get time together. I apologise again, I love the shows and hate letting members down. 2022-Final-Site-Plan.pdf

It could be an issue with a door module. Most likely drivers door module as that's the one controls the rest of the doors. I'd also recommend a diagnostic check to see if any fault codes flag up.

I'd recommend a diagnostic check. It could be a lambda sensor, glow plug issue, injector issue, MAF issue.

Sorry to hear this Steve. Are you planning on changing all the glow plugs? I wonder why this one's different.

If it's not the module as it's been changed then it's worth checking the wiring and sensors.

So last Sunday 29th May, fellow member Jack P & I completed the London to Brighton run covering 450 or so miles from my home and back again. We started at Brooklands museum and ended on Madeira Drive Brighton. Jack and I went down on the Saturday to have a look around the Brooklands museum and Mercedes Benz world. Big thank you to Jack Phillips for his fantastic navigating skills. Has such a great day visiting museums along the way and meeting Mike Brewer. We'll do it again next year but next time Jack will be driving his TT and I'll be navigating!

I agree with Gareth. Gone off fuel won't help it's running. An oil change is advisable too. Best way to determine its power is by Dyno it on a rolling road.

Could be the cat: https://www.700r4transmissionhq.com/audi-q5-rotten-egg-smell/

Welcome to the forum you'll find the members on here are a friendly and helpful bunch 🙂 lovely S4 you have there 👍

That's good then. Hopefully they sort it and you have trouble free motoring 🙂

Yep I remember that. The problem is you can't reason with China. This is what'll lead to trouble in the end.

Glad you're pleased with it despite the known mmi issue. 🙂

Nice one 🙂 my works going well too

18" wheels are possible as even 17" alloys were fitted to certain models: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304508888900?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=ilpS14oASGe&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=IE07kO4STZy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133883388923?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=mkq438n3qi6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=IE07kO4STZy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325153828924?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=4IRGjOU0TEK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=IE07kO4STZy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195092215221?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=8Se7mkv-QkO&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=IE07kO4STZy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Lol. I find it hypocritical when China has copied various car designs over the last 15 years.

I think you have to remove the boot interior trim pieces around the flap to gain access. Similar issues are known on the a7.

No probs. Its not applicable to me as my A6 is far too old. Just thought it give other members an idea of cost. I'll hazard a guess it's not cheap.

I don't personally. But you'll need VCDS or similar to do it.