Powered by an V6 3.0-liter diesel biturbo boosted by an electrically driven
turbocharger, the RS 5 TDI Concept is labeled as "groundbreaking" by Audi. The
German manufacturer claims this new development makes the diesel engine sportier
and more efficient.
"25 years ago, Audi launched the first TDI on the market, writing the first
chapter of an enduring success story," says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Board
Member for Technical Development. "Our latest innovation is the electric
turbocharger, which further improves not just sprint times and pulling power,
but also efficiency. This technology illustrates the possibilities harbored by
48-volt electrical systems, which we are currently developing for use in
production vehicles."
The V6 biturbo in the Audi RS 5 TDI concept produces 385 hp (283 kW); from 1,250
to 2,000 rpm it transfers 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque to the crankshaft. The
red-line is at 5,500 rpm. The supplemental electric turbocharger provides for
staggering power when starting off. An electric motor replaces the turbine wheel
and accelerates the compressor wheel to over 70,000 rpm in a few hundredths of a
second. The exhaust turbochargers also provide as much as 2.4 bar of relative
boost pressure.
This combination enables the Audi RS 5 TDI concept to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in
under four seconds. The 124 mph (200 km/h) mark is reached in less than 16
seconds, and top speed is 174 mph (280 km/h). The average fuel consumption of
less than 5.3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers (44.4 US mpg) documents
the outstanding efficiency.
Recuperation is the primary source of the drive energy for the electric
turbocharger. To transmit this energy, the RS 5 TDI concept uses a separate
48-volt electrical system that is connected to the conventional 12-volt
electrical system via a DC/DC converter. The energy is stored in a compact
lithium-ion battery. The advantage of 48-volt electrical systems is that they
enable the transmission of larger amounts of energy. This makes them an
important milestone in the Audi electrification strategy.
Audi hasn't released any information yet about the production availability of
this technology.
