Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

The Cleanest Diesel Is Also Ultra-Efficient

INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system is the cleanest diesel in the world, and an extremely economical form of propulsion into the bargain.

by Staff
October 20, 2008
The Cleanest Diesel Is Also Ultra-Efficient

Audi Q7 3.0L TDI

3 min to read


INGOLSTADT, GERMANY –  The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system is the cleanest diesel in the world, and an extremely economical form of propulsion into the bargain, the manufacturer said. This was demonstrated on the recent first leg of the Audi Mileage Marathon, from New York to Washington. The best participants in this test criss-crossing the American continent achieved an average fuel consumption of 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers (31.79 US mpg). 

The starting flag went up on the Audi Mileage Marathon at nine o’clock on a Monday morning in New York’s Central Park. The endurance test for this fleet of 23 vehicles from the Audi Q7, Audi Q5, Audi A4, and Audi A3 car lines started with a battle through the heavy traffic of Manhattan. By Oct. 20, the fleet will have covered almost 8,000 kilometers (around 5,000 miles) on its way to Los Angeles, passing through major U.S. cities. 184 drivers from all over the world will be testing both the sportiness and efficiency of the TDI models on this tour.

Ad Loading...

The Audi Q7 3.0 TDI’s exhaust emission control system reduces nitrogen oxides by as much as 90 percent, complying with the world’s toughest emission standard, California’s ULEV II BIN 5. And, it already undercuts the limit values of the Euro 6 standard that will not come into force until 2014.

The very first leg of the tour, which was a particularly challenging combination of urban traffic and stop-and-go conditions on the highway, showed that fuel efficiency has not been sacrificed in the process. The most successful representatives of this model achieved fuel consumption of 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers (31.79 US mpg), while other teams managed figures ranging between 7.6 and 7.9 liters (29.77 to 30.95 US mpg) — an outstanding achievement for an SUV with up to seven seats, quattro drive, and excellent road performance thanks to an engine output of 165 kW (225 hp) plus peak torque of 550 Nm (405 lb-ft). Volume production of the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system will start later on this year, and its market launch in both the United States and Europe is scheduled for 2009.

The other Audi models also made an impressive showing. First, the Audi A3 2.0 TDI developing 103 kW (140 hp), with S tronic transmission. Its best fuel consumption figure was less than five liters per 100 kilometers (in excess of 47.04 US mpg). The best team in an Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro achieved just under six liters per 100 kilometers (in excess of 39.2 US mpg), while the new performance SUV Audi Q5 3.0 TDI quattro delivered sensational proof of its efficiency, at 6.2 liters per 100 km (37.94 US mpg).

More Operations

A blue Automotive Fleet graphic representing the weekly AF News Recap series.
Operationsby Faith HowellMay 4, 2026

From Waffle House to AI: Fleet Trends You Need to Know

In this AF news recap, host Faith Howell covers how Waffle House stepped up during disaster response and new AI tech on the market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Fleet Operations in the Age of AI: Navigating Ethical and Legal Challenges

AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Factory Installed vs. Aftermarket: Choosing the Right Telematics Path & Managing the Data

As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
OperationsApril 30, 2026

What Real-Time Data Reveals About EV Cost, Performance, and Scalability

Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Planning Through Policy Shifts: What Fleets Must Track in 2026

A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.

Read More →
OperationsApril 30, 2026

Managing Market Turbulence with Strategic Fleet Insights

This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Clipboards with flooded cars in background.
Disaster Responseby Chris BrownApril 30, 2026

Adapting Fleet Policy When Disasters Strike

In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?

Read More →
OperationsApril 24, 2026

EV Reality Check: How Fleets Are Managing Policy Shifts, Safety, and Scaling Challenges

In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.

Read More →
2019 Automotive Fleet Hall of Fame inductees Joe LaRosa Bob Miesen Bud Morrison Theresa Ragozine portraits
Operationsby StaffApril 21, 2026

Fleet Hall of Fame Honorees Through the Years

A running list of the fleet industry’s most influential leaders, recognized for their lasting impact on commercial fleet management.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Operationsby Chris BrownApril 20, 2026

2026 Salary Survey: Six-Figure Fleet Manager Salaries Become the Norm

After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.

Read More →