By Alina Sedano

AUDI ON THE GREEN SCENE

Audi is making headlines like a Hollywood A-list celebrity, jet-setting this month from Miami to L.A.

First spotted, as the exclusive automotive sponsor both of Design Miami and of Art Basel – one of the most prestigious art shows in the world. Audi unveiled it’s flagship this week at the Audi Art Pavilion in Miami Beach.  The all new A8 TDI is the talk of the town amongst artists, fashionistas, art collectors, celebrities & VIP’s.

Then spotted over in Los Angeles, the Audi A3 TDI made it to the Green Car of the Year VIP list this year and raced towards the finish line – smoking the competition.  The A3 TDI was awarded the 2010 Green Car of the Year Award at the Los Angeles Auto Show on December 4, 2009.

ART + AUDI = GREEN

Audi returned as the official sponsor of Design Miami & Art Basel, with it’s worldwide unveiling of the all new A8 at the Audi Art Pavilion – The Art of Progression.   The Art Pavilion is a temporary structure erected at the 46th street parking lot, just north of the Fountainebleau.  The Art of Progression exhibit features exceptional pieces of art from the Rubell Family Collection, Tom Dixon, and of course… Audi.

Once the festivities are over and the massive pavilion is removed, Audi is donating a playground to the City of Miami Beach.  Last year, Audi partnered with the City of Miami, green architect Chad Oppenheim, and renowned landscape artist Enzo Enea – giving back to the community with the “re:design Simpson park project”.

In an effort to reduce it’s overall carbon footprint of the event, Audi is providing VIP shuttle service to guests in the Eco “fabulously” friendly stylish Q7 TDI clean diesel.  They can be spotted throughout the city whisking away VIP’s to galleries & art soirees around town.

AND THE 2010 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD GOES TO…..

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI.  The A3 had stiff competition this year at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.  Trailing behind were the following nominees:  Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, Mercury Milan Hybrid, and the Golf TDI Clean Diesel.

Clearly it was an obvious choice and the judges could not resist presenting the Green Car of the Year Award to Audi’s A3 TDI!   The A3 offers european styling, luxury, sportiness, and clean diesel technology all rolled into one.  It also has plenty of cargo room for your friends, family, groceries, luggage, sports equipment, shopping extravaganzas, and even your art collection.  And at 42 mpg how could anyone one resist taking it on a road trip to LA? MSRP: $29,950.

The recent Frankfurt Auto Show brought much buzz about green cars, with seemingly every manufacturer bringing out the latest in tiny, eco-friendly vehicles. In fact, Inhabitat rated the Top 5 Alternative Motorcars from the show, and Volkswagen’s concepts placed first and second.

VW, whose 2009 Jetta TDI won Green Car of the Year, showed off the E-up! and L1 concept cars in Frankfurt.

The E-up! is a teeny electric car that is set to launch in 2013. It’s being dubbed the Beetle of the 21st Century by Volkswagen…meaning that they intend this little 10.5 foot long car to be huge!

It’s got a range of 80 miles and can recharge 80% of the battery in just an hour! Sign me up!

For all the technical details, head on over to AutoBlog.

The L1 is VW’s 1-Litre car. Claimed to be the “most fuel-efficient car in the world”, this puppy is coming in at 170 mpg. This is a hybrid diesel vehicle that could also be seen on the streets around 2013.

As you can see, this one definitely has a concept car / Jetsons feel to it. Very slick!

For more details, check out AutoBlog.