Audi a4 Owner's Manual download pdf (Page 6)

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1 Features and technologies listed are not available on all models. 2 See www.fueleconomy.gov for EPA estimates and emissions data. Your mileage and emissions will vary

and depend on several factors, including your driving habits and vehicle condition.

ELEPHANT SKULL_

How nature solved the apparent conundrum of an elephant’s skull didn’t escape the notice

of Heinrich Timm, the longtime lead engineer for Audi. The weight of the tusks and the

general size of an elephant’s head would seem to make it impossible for the animal to

actually be able to carry it. But the design genius behind the elephant’s skull is to make

it lightweight yet sturdy. Its predominantly hollow design is buered by thin, connective

bone walls, which act as strong, weight-bearing cells. Audi designers used that idea when

building our aluminum and steel structures. Reducing weight, yet enabling strength.

THE ELEGANT STRUCTURE OF NATURE BECOMES A BLUEPRINT OF EFFICIENCY.

It seems strange to say that, while

we build strong, complex and

high-performing machines, we’re

naturalists at heart. Then again, it

might not be that unusual, seeing

how nature itself builds strong,

complex and high-

performing

machines as well. When we devel-

oped the thinking behind our ultra®

lightweight technology initiative,

we knew that nature would serve as an inspi ration to greater structural eciency. Take

the structure of the elephant skull pictured here. It has to be lightweight, yet capable

of carrying a heavy load. It’s porous, but its structure is such that it enhances its stabil-

ity and strength. We do the same, for example, with aluminum. Positioned one way,

aluminum materials can be ﬂexible. Positioned another, they are strong and rigid, and

help give

better support. We also looked to bamboo, which is

strong at the conjoined

areas (nodes), and ﬂexible along its stem. Our designs allow for both rigidity and ﬂex-

ibility where each is most needed, and for eciency overall. As we continue to develop

strategies to improve the performance aspects and eciency of our vehicles, we don’t

shy away from the world around us.

We boldly engage it even closer still.

How studying elephant skulls

makes for superior handling.

ALUMINUM_

Our large aluminum castings are a telling example of

ultra lightweight technology. Primarily used in high-

stress areas, these castings achieve exceptional rigidity

while also allowing for freedom of design, all while

remaining extremely lightweight.

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