Rethinking for efficiency.
Audi’s electromechanical steering combines comfort and precision with impressively power-saving, modern technology. The steering is relaxingly easy to turn when parking and manoeuvring, while at high speeds it is sportily firm and extremely precise in its behaviour.
Unlike hydraulic power steering systems, the electronic-control electric motor only consumes energy when steering actions are actually being performed. Sensors detect the steering torque and the speed with which the driver is turning the steering, and transfer this information to the steering control unit in the form of an electric signal. This control unit uses the data to calculate how much steering assistance is required and precisely actuates the servo motor as required. This achieves a fuel saving of around 0.1 - 0.2 l/100 km compared with conventional hydraulic power steering systems.
