AUDI Car History

The four rings:

          It's one of the most multi-faceted stories ever told in the history of the automobile. The Audi emblem with its four rings identifies one of Germany’s oldest-established automobile manufacturers. It symbolizes the amalgamation in 1932 of four previously independent motor-vehicle manufacturers: Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer. These companies form the roots of what is today AUDI AG.

History:

          The story of Audi began in 1899 August Horch founded Horch & Cie. in Cologne. It was there that he helped build his first car. After differences of opinion with the board, August Horch left the company and formed a second car company. Because his surname was already in use and was protected by trademark, he chose its Latin translation for the new company. So "Horch!" – or "hark" – became "Audi!". It was a brilliant idea that came from the son of one of August Horch's business partners.

          AUDI AG is a German company which produces cars under the Audi brand. It is part of the Volkswagen Group. The name Audi is based on a Latin translation of the surname of the founder August Horch, itself the German word for “listen!" Audi is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Current News:

          Audi Tradition keeps you informed on recent classic-car acquisitions, entries for rally and racing events, anniversaries, new publications, research into company history, current exhibitions in the Audi museum mobile and many other topics.

Some Series in Audi Cars:

          A3/S3: A new A3 sedan built on a platform shared with the seventh-gen VW Golf makes its debut this spring as a 2015 model. Europeans get a variety of A3s, but we only get a handsome, roughly $30,000 sedan that is likely to be powered by a 140-hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel and a 210-hp 2.0-liter gas engine. Front- and four-wheel-drive models will be offered.

          A4: Horsepower rises from 211 to 220 on Audi's 2.0-liter turbo engine. Other than that, nothing but trim and package changes.

          A5: Coupes and cabriolets get the same up rated 220-hp version of Audi's 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo.

          A6: The A6 2.0T is upgraded to 220 horses, too, but the big news is the diesel-powered A6 3.0 TDI. Its 3.0-liter V-6 makes 240 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque while delivering 24 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

          A7/RS7/S7: The last word in low-roof Audi hatches is the 560-hp RS7. On sale this fall, the S8-spec 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 will send the RS7 to 60 mph in a claimed 3.7 seconds. Like its non-pea cocking brother, the A6, the A7 gets the same 3.0-liter V-6 diesel option for 2014. All A7s have five seats instead of four; the S7 still has four.

          A8: The A8 also gets the diesel treatment, courtesy of the aforementioned V-6. Available exclusively as a long-wheelbase model, the A8L TDI's fuel economy rings in at 24 mpg city and 36 highway.

          Q5/SQ5 (shown above): At the bottom of the Q5 line up, the 2.0T model gets the corporate bump to 220 horsepower. The mid-level Q5 3.0T benefits from a few minor trim changes. A new SQ5 model tops the line up with 354 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque from its supercharged 3.0-liter V-6. Audi claims a zero-to-60 time of 5.1 seconds.

          RS5 cabriolet: A convertible version of the 450-hp RS5 made its debut in 2013 and continues on next year.

          R8: As predicted in this space last year, the 2014 R8 gets a mid-cycle revision with subtle exterior changes. Keeping the R8 fresh, however, is an optional S tronic dual-clutch automatic that replaces the clunky single-clutch R tronic transmission. The six-speed manual is still available. A new V-10 Plus model brings 550 horsepower (25 more than the standard V-10) and a track-firm suspension, helping the R8 encroach on Italian supercar territory.

        The Audi R8 is an all-wheel-drive, mid-engine super car that shares a platform and numerous other mechanical components with the Lamborghini Gallardo. Despite its high performance capabilities, the R8's user-friendly nature and comfortable cabin actually make it suitable as a daily driver.

First introduced in 2008, the R8 now features Spyder (convertible) and V10 variants.

Die Casting

          Die casting utilities two blocks of heat resistant metal machined to meet along the plane of the parting line and having cavities machined accurately and smoothly into each to form opposite halves of the shape to be cast around the edges of the mould.  Fine vents are cut to allow air to escape as the metal enters.  If air is not allowed to escape it would be trapped and produce blow holes in the casting.

          In die casting, molten or semi-molten  metal is either poured under gravity or is forced under high pressure into a die and pressure is maintained t8ill solidification stage.  As a result, a very smooth and accurate part is obtained.  Die casting is used for mass production and is most suitable for non-ferrous metals and alloys of low fusion temperature.  By this method castings of nearly all sizes can be produced economically. The process is rapid and the surface is smooth, consequently little or no finishing operation is required.  Size can be controlled, so that no machining is required.  The material is dense and homogeneous and has no possibility of sand inclusions or other impurities.  Thin wall can be produced and uniform thickness can be maintained.

          In gravity die casting, no external force is applied other than the head of the liquid.  A feeder is incorporated so that when the level of the metal in the feeder is above that at the highest point of the casting, head of liquid in feeder forces the metal into all parts of the mould cavity.  The feeder is cut off after solidification.  It is usually used for shouter production runs.

          As metal flows under high pressure in pressure in pressure die casting, within a fraction of second the fluid  alloy fills the entire die including all minute cavities, therefore, the intricate casting can be production is possible.  Further close dimensional tolerances with good surface finish can be obtained.  Due to high initial cost of die casting machine, this process will be advantageous in cases where 10000 or more pieces are to be produced, where complex shapes are desired and where tolerances matter and sections are thin.  Surface quality is excellent and features such as screw threads locating flanges etc. Can be readily incorporated, as well inserts of other metals.

          The high initial cost of the casting process is easily made up by the reduction or total elimination of machining and finishing costs for a component required in large numbers.  The principal base metals most commonly employed in die casting re zinc, aluminium, copper, magnesium, lead and tin.  Depending upon the melting temperature of alloys and their suitability for die casting, they are classified as high melting point and low melting point alloys.   

Advantages of DIE-CASTING:       

·        Requires less floor space than is required by other casting processes.

·        Die casting provides for precision manufacture with a subsequent reduction in machining cost.

·        Thin sections of complex shape are possible by die casting. Under favourable conditions, minimum thickness that can be cast is 0.5mm for zinc and 0.9mm for aluminium.

·        Die casting provides for greatly improved surface finish when compared to other casting methods. Finishing operations are thus minimum.

·        True shape as that of original shape of die cavity can be obtained. Details can be reproduced successfully with a high degree of precision.

·        Castings produced by die casting are usually less defective, owing to increased casting soundness. These are strong with dense metal structure.

·        The increased soundness and reduction of defects provides increased yield.

·        The labour cost involved in die casting is less with the minimum of job training.

·        The rate of production of castings is very high, which can be as mush as 800 castings per hour.

Limitations of DIE CASTING:

• ·        The cost of die and equipment used is high. The life of die decreases rapidly if metal temperature is high. 
• ·        There is a limited scope of non-ferrous alloys that can be used for die casting.
• ·        There are many complex features which limit the application of die casting.
• ·        The size of castings produced for maintenance and supervision of die.
• ·        The minimum economic quantity for die casting is around 20,000.
• ·         Die casting usually  contain some porosity due to the entrapping of air.
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