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Audi starts new e-gas partnership with Global Bioenergies

Audi continues to try to build its green-car cred with one more partnership to produce synthetic fuels made from renewable resources. The German automaker is hooking up with France-based Global Bioenergies to make a synthetic biofuel called e-gasoline. Audi says making this e-gas "does not create competition with food production and farmland," nipping that argument in the bud. Last summer, Audi opened a power-to-gas facility in Werlte, Germany. That factory produces hydrogen and synthetic methane, which are made from renewable energy sources such as water and excess carbon dioxide. The E-gas plant uses electrolysis to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen; those elements will later be set aside to power fuel-cell vehicles but in the near term, the plant will make synthetic natural gas. Audi started delivering e-gas in Germany in the fall of 2013 and estimated that it would make enough of the stuff each year to power 1,500 Audi A3 Sportback G-tron vehicles for more than 9,000 miles. Audi also operates a research facility in Hobbs, New Mexico, with renewable fuel company Joule. That plant produces e-ethanol and e-diesel. Check out Audi's press release about its new Global Bioenergies partnership below. Audi launches strategic partnership with Global Bioenergies Premium carmaker and biotechnology company developing the drop-in biofuel Audi e-gasoline Reiner Mangold, Head of Sustainable Product Development: "Another step closer to carbon-neutral mobility with Global Bioenergies" e-gasoline part of the big Audi e-fuels strategy Audi is launching a strategic partnership with Global Bioenergies. The carmaker will work with the French biotechnology company to promote the development of non-fossil fuels. In addition to the Audi e-gas and e-diesel projects, the research into e-gasoline is part of Audi's persistent efforts to find alternative fuels. Reiner Mangold, Head of Sustainable Product Development at AUDI AG: "We're taking another step closer to carbon-neutral mobility with our partners at Global Bioenergies. We are supporting an innovative technology here which can be used to produce renewable fuel. This process does not create competition with food production and farmland." e-gasoline is part of the overall Audi e-fuels strategy. Audi is already operating a research facility for the production of e-ethanol and e-diesel with its partner Joule in Hobbs, New Mexico. The Audi e-gas plant in Werlte began feeding into the grid a few months ago.

Audi bringing Q3 Stateside after all?

One of the major changes that made to the Audi SQ5 to get it ready for the US market was a ride height that was lifted by 1.2 inches compared to its European counterparts. The small increase allowed the SQ5 to retain its "light truck" classification of the Q5 for emissions regulations. In a similar move, Car and Driver is reporting that the Audi Q3 crossover will also be joining the Audi lineup in the US once it receives a facelift and taller ride height.
Expect this facelift to fit in with other recent product updates including the Q5, which mainly focused on a cleaner, more upscale front end and the company's signature LED running lights. The report says that Audi could bring the Q3 Stateside "within a year or two," and it also says that a souped-up RS Q3 will follow close behind. This performance version of the compact crossover gets its power from a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five-cylinder engine shared with the Audi TT RS.

Audi outlasts rivals to win 13th Le Mans title

As is so often the case, the 2014 Le Mans was a war of attrition, and Audi managed to prevail once again after all 24 hours had been recorded in the history books, with its Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro claiming first and second places, followed by Toyota in third. Drivers Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer inherited the lead in their No. 2 Audi after the No. 7 Toyota, driven by pole-sitter Kazuki Nakajima, was forced to retire with electrical problems in the 15th hour.
The No. 2 Audi led the race until it was forced to the pits to replace a turbocharger in the 17th hour, allowing the No. 1 Audi, driven by Lucas di Grassi, Marc Gene (who was a last-minute replacement for Loic Duval, who crashed hard during practice) and defending champion Tom Kristensen, led the race until the 21st hour, when it too had to pit with turbocharger issues. This gave the No. 20 Porsche of Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, and Mark Webber the lead until it was forced off the track with gearbox problems, eventually finishing in 38th position.
In LMP2, the Jota Sport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan driven by Simon Dolan, Harry Tincknell and Oliver Turvey claimed victory, the first five LMP2 finishers all powered by Nissan. Down a level in GTE-Pro, No. 51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 driven by Gianmaria Bruni, Toni Vilander and Giancarlo Fisichella finished one lap ahead of the leading Corvette Racing C7.R. And finally, the No. 95 Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE driven by Kristian Poulsen, David HeinemeierHansson and Nicki Thiim won the GTE-Am race two laps ahead of a Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.