Audi 2009 Annual Report Download - page 35

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worked together very closely. As a case in point, a test
engineer was assigned to me whose responsibility was
entirely dedicated to product improvements. It also
helped that our communication paths were very short. I
was living in Regensburg, barely an hour’s drive from the
plant in Ingolstadt. An ideal setup. That’s when the foun-
dation was laid for what makes Audi stand out today. It’s
a great achievement by the company to have accom-
plished such a radical change in its corporate image and
to continually set new quality standards. At Audi,
“Vorsprung durch Technik” is much more than just an
advertising slogan – it’s a philosophy.
Auto racing has triggered many engineering develop-
ments that were subsequently used in production cars,
thus making a lasting contribution to increasing effi-
ciency. From the carburetor to the injection system. From
aerodynamics to efficiency technology. Fuel-efficient
driving has become almost an obsession for me. After
all, there is also a challenge in driving as far as possible
on just a tankful. In a high-powered sports car I start out
by stepping on the gas pedal pretty hard just to feel the
thrust. But then I increasingly strive to drive as intelli-
gently as possible. When I approach a traffic light, I try
to guess as early as possible whether I can make it
through on green. If that looks unlikely, I let up on the
gas and just let the car coast toward the intersection
without stepping on the brake.
The motivation to be thrifty and conservative in the use of
resources persists through all aspects of my life. For ex-
ample, I can’t stand it that my wife lets the water run all
the time while she’s brushing her teeth. Friends who
know me well also know that I’m very attached to nature.
Whenever possible I ride my bicycle or I just walk. If you
want to save CO2, you might as well do it right.
I fully realize how very lucky I’ve been to have had the op-
portunity of turning my greatest passion into my career.
Even though I have driven cars for nearly nine million
kilometers – mostly in competition – I still enjoy pushing
a sports car to its limits.
Reported by Oliver Wurm. In preparing for this interview, the sports
journalist once again watched Röhrl’s legendary record drive in the Pikes
Peak 1987 – after that, he didn’t really have any further questions.
In a triumphant mood: Walter Röhrl owed his fourth victory in the
legendary Monte Carlo Rally – in 1984 in an Audi – to his iron will to
always be the best.

Like in the old days: For Audi’s 100th anniversary, Walter Röhrl got
back behind the wheel for the Four Rings and drove “his” Audi Sport
quattro S1 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2009.
“
Whenever possible I ride my bicycle
or I just walk. If you want to save CO2,
you might as well do it right.”
Walter Röhrl, rally legend
Photos: Stefan Warter (4), AUDI AG