Audi 2.0 TFSI wins “International Engine of the Year” Award for 2008
* Fourth award in a row for Audi 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine
* More than a million ordered by customers to date
* 2.0 TFSI now available with 200kW (272 hp) in Audi TTS
A specialist jury made up of 65 respected automotive journalists from 32 countries has voted the 2.0 TFSI winner of the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category at the International Engine of the Year Awards for the fourth year in a row.
International Engine of the Year jury members felt that the Audi-developed 2.0 TFSI engine is „the benchmark for efficiency and performance in its category” and “a great example of an engine that’s so flexible it can deliver the right solutions for a variety of different vehicles”.
Audi was the first manufacturer in the world to combine petrol direct injection with turbocharging in volume production. The 2.0 TFSI embarked on its success story in 2004, when it was first fitted to the Audi A3 Sportback. Since then, more than a million 2.0 TFSI engines have been ordered by customers in a variety of models.
The latest and most powerful version of this award-winning engine is fitted to the new Audi TTS Coupe and Roadster. Developing an awesome 200 kW (272 hp), this engine can catapult a TTS Coupe fitted with the optional S tronic dual-clutch transmission from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 5.2 seconds. Yet it can also deliver an average fuel consumption of 7.9 l/100 km (29.77 mpg US).
The 2.0 TFSI engine is also available in the Audi TT Coupe and Roadster, S3, A4 Cabriolet, and A6 sedan and Avant models in three output versions: 125 kW (170 hp), 147 kW (200 hp) and 195 kW (265 hp).
Audi S tronic, Seven-Speed Drivers can use the new seven-speed S tronic in various modes. The fully automatic mode, in which the computer selects the gear, keeps the D (Drive) and S (Sport) programs available.
Chevrolet's all-new Midget racing engine was unveiled at Indianapolis Motor Speedway by GM representatives and United States Auto Club (USAC) team owner Tony Stewart. Designed by GM Racing specifically for the USAC National Midget Car Series, the new purpose-built, four-cylinder Chevrolet racing engine will initially power Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) drivers Tracy Hines and Levi Jones in upcoming events. The new Chevy Midget engine will be available to all USAC competitors through independent engine builders.
Researchers at Ford’s advanced driving simulator, Virtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX), are devoting much of 2008 to study how active safety technologies in vehicles should alert drivers of potentially dangerous driving incidents.
Ford also conducted customer driving clinics to test warning systems for its new backup system, the Cross Traffic Alert with Blind Spot Monitoring warning system, which alerts drivers backing out of a parking space when traffic is approaching from the sides. The system will debut early next year and has three warnings – a flashing red light on the side mirror, an audible alert and a written warning on the instrument panel’s message center. The system makes its debut in early 2009
Piezo technology makes diesel engines efficient, clean and quiet. At the 29th Vienna International Engine Symposium, the Powertrain Division of Continental will be presenting a new piezo injector with direct drive and closed-loop needle control, opening the way for engine developers to further reduce consumption and emissions.
When it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s power was estimated at 100 horsepower for each of its 6.2 liters of displacement. GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1’s supercharged LS9 V-8 and the results exceed the estimate: 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm).