Audi Leads Effort to 'Optimized' CO2 Routes - www.vwvortex.com

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Audi Engineers at the company's California Electronic Research Labs believe that the next step in reducing carbon dioxide emissions will come through "connected" vehicles.Ralph Weyler, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing, Audi AG, announced today at the Los Angeles Auto Show that Audi is working with three California universities on six multi-year research projects. The efforts are aimed at reducing CO2 emissions through more intelligent interactions between driver and car, cars on the road, and in the collection and distribution of real-time traffic patterns. The name of the project is "Clean Air, a Viable Planet." Audi researchers are working with the University of California at Berkeley, the University of California at Riverside, and Stanford University.Daniel Rosario, Audi manager of Connected Vehicles, in explaining the research said that the shortest route to a destination is not necessarily the optimized CO2 route."The path between two points can be measured in distance, but it can also be measured in the amount of carbon dioxide that our vehicles emit," he said. "Through this research we believe that information provided by connected vehicles will allow a driver to decide the best route to achieve the lowest CO2 emissions."The technology exists today to connect vehicles, now researches and engineers need to integrate these technologies into what Rosario calls an "Intelligent Vehicle Network"."The goal is sustainable transportation," said Rosario. "Driving behavior can improve fuel efficiency by 20 percent. This initiative could improve that by another 20 percent."About Audi of America, Inc.Audi's declared objective is to offer each and every customer driving pleasure and sustainable mobility. Our achievements speak for themselves - sportiness, emotional design, quality and environmental awareness all find a common form of expression in the brand with the four rings. We see CO2 reduction as a social responsibility. Consequently, Audi pursues an all- embracing climate strategy that takes account of all the corporate divisions. It is the expression of the company's enduring commitment to society and environmental protection and is, for this reason, an integral part of the corporate social responsibility. Our products are produced on the basis of a modular efficiency system. This holistic approach takes account of all CO2- related factors, including engine and drive concepts, aerodynamics, body technology and electronic assistance systems. From mid-2008, Audi will offer the cleanest diesel in the world with the all new Audi A4 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system. Compared to the average fleet consumption of petrol engines typically fitted in the USA, the TDI offers a fuel saving of as much as 35 percent. We are also pursuing new developments in alternative biofuels and hybrid power systems as well as techniques to influence driver behavior. Information regarding the Audi brand and products can be found at http://www.audiusa.com/.About the Electronics Research LaboratoryThe Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Palo Alto, California, is a high-tech think-tank that has been developing new technologies for Audi cars and other brands within the Volkswagen Group since 1998. With a current team of 40 engineers and research specialists, the ERL focuses on accelerating automotive innovation for future production vehicles. Positioned in the heart of Silicon Valley, the ERL works closely with many of the world's leading high-tech companies, start-ups, and universities. Information regarding the ERL can be found at http://www.vwerl.com/.