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Good reasons for the WLTP

The actual fuel consumption of a vehicle may differ from that claimed by the manufacturer. The validity of the results measured on the basis of the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) have long been criticised because real consumption depends heavily on individual driving behaviour and vehicle equipment. For example, consumption varies depending on whether a vehicle is used mostly in city traffic, on rural highways, or on motorways. To account for these differences, the WLTP shifts the theoretical conditions of the NEDC to a more dynamic driving profile based on statistical surveys and an evaluation of average user profiles. This means higher acceleration rates, higher average speeds, and higher maximum speeds. And instead of simulating urban and rural traffic in a combined analysis, the vehicle is now being tested in four phases of different speed ranges.

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The specified fuel consumption and emission data have been determind according to the measurement procedures prescribed by law. Since 1st September 2017, certain new vehicles are already being type-approved according to the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a more realistic test procedure for measuring fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Starting on September 1st 2018, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) will be replaced by the WLTP in stages. Owing to the more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions measured according to the WLTP will, in many cases, be higher than those measured according to the NEDC. Therefore, the usage of CO2 emission values measured according to WLTP for vehicle taxation from 1st September 2018 on can cause changes in this regard as well. For further information on the differences between the WLTP and NEDC, please visit www.audi.de/wltp
We are currently still required by law to state the NEDC figures. In the case of new vehicles which have been type-approved according to the WLTP, the NEDC figures are derived from the WLTP data. It is possible to specify the WLTP figures voluntarily in addition until such times as this is required by law. In cases where the NEDC figures are specified as value ranges, these do not refer to a particular individual vehicle and do not constitute part of the sales offering. They are intended exclusively as a means of comparison between different vehicle types. Additional equipment and accessories (e.g. add-on parts, different tyre formats, etc.) may change the relevant vehicle parameters, such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics, and, in conjunction with weather and traffic conditions and individual driving style, may affect fuel consumption, electrical power consumption, CO2 emissions and the performance figures for the vehicle. Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the guide “Information on the fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and electricity consumption of new cars”, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Strasse 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, Germany (www.dat.de).

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