Audi at the Greentech Festival
The Greentech Festival paid a visit to London on October 13-14, as the conference continues its world tour, discussing sustainability topics and environmental change. Audi is a founding partner of the Greentech Festival, displaying several exhibitions that demonstrate the brands focus on sustainability.
“With the benefit of our renowned flair for innovation, Audi is undergoing a root-and-branch transformation with a view to becoming the world’s leading provider of sustainable premium mobility,” commented Andrew Doyle, Director Audi UK. “Greentech Festival presents a perfect platform for us to highlight the steps we are taking as a business to reach carbon neutrality as well as learn about other sustainability initiatives as we all strive towards a common goal.”
At Greentech London, Audi showcased the importance of sustainability in the supply chain and production as well as measures the four rings is taking to become a net zero CO2 company by 2050. The Audi RS e-tron GT and the Audi skysphere concept were on display at Audis exhibition space, with the exciting skysphere making its UK debut.
Audi skysphere concept
Unveiled in August 2021 at the Monterey Car Week, the progressive Audi skysphere was the first in a family of new concept cars that demonstrate Audis design and technology plans for a new generation. The skysphere, a fascinating roadster is a fully electric two-door grand tourer fitted with automated driving. It offers maximum freedom, with two driving experiences: Sporty driving of an agile roadster with short wheelbase and first-class comfort of a grand tourer with an extended wheelbase.
The interior of the skysphere in grand touring mode provides 25cm more space for the relaxation of passengers and the Art Deco inspired design boasts an elegant luxury feeling. The seats are upholstered in sustainably produced microfiber fabric, which offer a level of comfort and freedom usually reserved for first-class aviation. Environmentally certified eucalyptus wood and synthetically produced imitation leather are other sustainably manufactured materials that trim the elegant cabin.
Audi Urban purifier
In a pilot project, Audi and its supplier MANN+HUMMEL is developing a fine dust filter for electric vehicles. The filter, which is integrated into the vehicle's existing airflow in the front of the radiator is designed to help improve air quality in cities. It does this by collecting particulate matter from the environment caused by brake, tire, or road abrasion. While driving, it passively filters the air using the movement of the vehicle; air flows through the filter system, which captures the smallest particles.
To date, the filter has been used in Audi e-tron test vehicles. The filter is also able to capture particulate matter during stationary charging. When the car is stationary, a fan directs cooling air through the e-tron's radiator where the integrated system actively filters the incoming air. It only needs to be replaced when the vehicles regular service interval has been reached, making it easy to maintain. A lifecycle analysis of the entire filter system has shown that it will account for 14.9kg of CO2 equivalents. The filter itself consists of 15% recycled material and the entire system is 60% recycled.
Audi RS e-tron GT
The reinterpretation of a classic gran turismo, the fully-electric Audi RS e-tron GT is one of the most technically advanced cars in Audi’s history. It’s built at the carbon-neutral Böllinger Höfe factory at the Neckarsulm site in Germany, which uses 100% eco-electricity. Emissions that cannot yet be avoided are compensated with carbon credits from certified climate protection projects. The floor carpet and floor mats in the e-tron GT are generally made of Econyl, a material that consists of 100% recycled nylon fibres. These fibres are gained from production waste, fabric and carpet remnants, or old fishing nets.
