The Car Aficionado

Good, Clean Fun

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Explosions echoed off the walls of Bée, Italy, a quaint little villa overlooking Lago Maggiore, about an hour northwest of Milan. Curious locals peeked out of their homes, and some even ventured into the cobblestone streets. These brave souls were rewarded as fireworks lit up the night sky, reflecting a multicolored majesty in the lake's dark waters. 

So much for low carbon emissions. But you have to hand it to Audi: They certainly know how to celebrate. 

Nine days prior to this pyrotechnic grand finale, Audi launched its efficiency challenge, a rally through Europe designed to showcase the fuel economy and eco-friendly carbon footprints of several vehicles — from the small A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI to the large Audi Q7 V12 TDI and the sporty TT RS. With three stages, 50 journalists and 20 cars crossing seven borders, the 2,599-mile journey began at A — a Norwegian town located on the most remote part of the Lofoten Islands accessible with a road-going vehicle — and ended in the mountaintop villa of Bée. 

Point A to point B, get it? Cheesy, perhaps, but a worthy challenge nonetheless, considering the task at hand. ...