The Michelin Challenge Bibendum is an annual event run by the French tire company, aimed at promoting the development of sustainable mobility. At this year’s event in Shanghai Audi’s A5 3.0L TDI managed to take top honors, finishing first in the prototype vehicles category.

Audi in fact entered three different vehicles, which together brought home nine awards for the carmaker. To win in a category, judges assessed the fuel consumption, emissions, driving safety and handling characteristics of each car.

Though the Audi A5 was entered in the prototypes category, the diesel powertrain is virtually ready to go into production: the A4 and Q7 will be the first vehicle lines to feature the 3.0 TDI with ultra low emission system, due to go on sale in 2008 in Europe and the U.S.

The new TDI engines already comply with the emission limits set to be introduced in Europe from 2014, and they also satisfy strict emission limits already in place in all 50 U.S. states.


Source: Motor Authority Audi A5 TDI wins 2007 Michelin Challenge Bibendum