Oman- Audi Quality Assurance conducts 100th INKA test on A4

Date

8/14/2016 1:13:41 AM

(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Muscat-

Audi Quality Assurance has conducted its 100th INKA test on Audi A4. The Ingolstadt corrosion and aging test is one of the toughest assessments a car has to go through at Audi.

It simulates the challenges of 12 years of a car's lifetime in a span of just 19 weeks. Quality Assurance uses this method to verify an Audi's effective corrosion protection and durability.

In the course of performing 100 INKA tests, Audi Quality Assurance has completed a totalof 322,500 testing hours, covered more than one million kilometres and driven through 2,800 mud tests and 1,900 salt tests.

Sylvia Droll, head of materials engineering, said, 'Audi stands for superior build quality, high-quality material appearance and high reliability, even many years after a car is first registered. The INKA test is an essential tool for assessingthe quality of our models and for further optimising our production methods.'

The endurance test covers five phases. First, the car is misted with salt in a climatic chamber at 35 degrees Celsius. Next, it is exposed to a tropical climate of up to 50 degrees Celsius and maximum air humidity of 100 per cent. In phase three, 80 halogen metal vapour lamps, each with an output of 1,200W, heat the body to a maximum of 90 degrees Celsius. In the process, the colours in the interior must not fade and the materials must not become brittle.

The fourth phase simulates winter-like conditions at the polar circle. At minus 35 degrees Celsius, a four-post hydropulse machine rocks the car to simulate the body torsion and strain on parts of the vehicle and engine mounts that cars endure on rough roads. In phase five, test drivers repeatedly drive through specially prepared routes on open testing grounds.

A total of 12,000km are travelled with each model, including driving through saltwater and mud. At the end of the test, the quality inspectors dissect the entire car into around 600 individual parts and check these for weak points.

Audi Quality Assurance conducted the first INKA tests in 2002. Technical Development has been assessing pre-series cars using the same test method for 40 years now.

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in 12 countries.

AUDI AG's commitment to the region was confirmed by the foundation of its fully owned subsidiary in 2005. The current Middle East model range comprises the Audi A3 and S3 Sedan/Sportback, RS3 Sportback and the A4 and RS 4 Avant.

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.