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•Eight drivers complete ‘Truth in 48’ coast-to-coast challenge in 46 hours, 9 minutes, demonstrating clean diesel capabilities

•Audi A6 TDI achieves 43.561 mpg, or 50% better than EPA combined fuel economy rating; Audi A7 TDI achieves 42.653 mpg, or 47% more than EPA combined rating

•Journey covers more than 2,850 miles on just four fueling stops

Three new Audi TDI clean diesel models far exceeded their federally published fuel economy ratings in completing the “Truth in 48” cross-country efficiency drive that covered more than 2,850 miles between Southern California and New York.

The challenge taken on by eight drivers over the weekend involved a non-stop drive from Audi Pacific in Torrance, Calif. to Audi Manhattan in New York City. From beginning to end, the drivers could stop no more than four times to fill up with clean diesel fuel provided by Shell Oil Co. They had to reach their destination within 48 hours, traveling at normal highway speeds in the newest Audi TDI models – the 2014 Audi A6 TDI, 2014 Audi A7 TDI and 2014 Audi Q5 TDI.

The challenge and the results

“Crossing the United States in fewer than 48 hours is a hurdle few have ever contemplated let alone completed,” said Wayne Gerdes, one of the nation’s leading high-mileage driving experts and owner of CleanMPG.com. “To complete that journey while also beating an automobile’s EPA highway fuel economy rating seemed even more impossible.”

The driving teams made up of other hypermilers and journalists split into a team driving the Audi A6 TDI and a team for the Audi A7 TDI. The Audi Q5 TDI served as a support vehicle carrying spare tires, supplies and luggage.

•A6 TDI: 43.561 mpg at an average speed of 62.44 mph. That’s 15% better than the EPA highway mileage and 50% better than the EPA combined rating. The EPA rates the A6 TDI at 24 mpg city / 38 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined driving).
•A7 TDI: 42.653 mpg at an average speed of 62.17 mph. That’s 12% better than the EPA highway mileage and a whopping 47% better than the EPA combined rating. (The EPA rates the A7 TDI at 24 mpg city / 38 mpg highway / 29 mpg combined driving).
•Q5 TDI: 38.623 mpg at an average speed of 61.90 mph. That’s 24.5% better than the EPA highway mileage and 43% better than the EPA combined (The EPA rated the Q5 TDI at 24 mpg city / 31 mpg highway / 27 mpg combined driving).

Overall the leading A6 TDI consumed just 66.08 gallons of clean diesel fuel driving from coast to coast.


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Audi TDI® Models Smash Fuel Economy Ratings During Cross-Country Efficiency Drive

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