This week, on the evening of May 12th, LYOR COHEN hosted a dinner in honor of the new AUDI Q7 TDI, the  world’s cleanest diesel, which will be marketed at $50,900,  set to hit dealerships this month. Guests included JAY-Z, KEVIN LILES, T.I., SANTOGOLD, TREY SONGZ, SEAN PAUL, LL COOL J, CHRIS LIGHTY, ANDRE HARRELL, ESTELLE, & TROUBLE and FriendZ.

AUDI TDI technology marks its 20th anniversary this year with the distinction of offering U.S. consumers the world’s cleanest diesel system. It is a technology certified as meeting emissions regulations in all 50 U.S. states.

Audi accomplished this without sacrificing the outstanding performance that TDI has brought to European motoring and in racing competitions worldwide.

In the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI, efficiency and performance will combine with styling and luxurious appointments to open up the discussion over America’s alternative fuels options.

“The moment has arrived for clean diesel to be seen as an immediate answer to America’s energy challenges,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “With the Q7 TDI, Audi is clearly demonstrating that luxury car buyers do not need to sacrifice progressive styling, comfort or performance to see fuel economy gains.”

***HOW DOES IT STAY SO FRESH AND SO GREEN?***
The clean diesel technology found in the 2009 Q7 TDI provides 30% better fuel economy than gasoline engines of similar size. That means the Q7 TDI offers the efficiency of 25 mpg in highway driving and a range of more than 600 miles on a full tank. The Q7 TDI also gets an EPA-rated 17 mpg in city driving and combined fuel economy of 20 mpg.

The advanced TDI clean diesel engine in the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI is significantly less intrusive on the environment than past diesel engines. The 3.0-liter V6 engine in the Audi Q7 TDI produces about 25% less carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, than traditional gasoline engines. The advanced exhaust emission control system found in the Q7 TDI reduces smog-causing nitrogen oxides by up to 90% when compared with past generations of diesel technologies sold in the U.S.

With the filters used in the 2009 Audi Q7 TDI, the exhaust that comes out of the tailpipe can contain less particulate matter – or soot – than the ambient air that went into the engine. And the ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel available at U.S. filling stations contains 97 percent less sulfur than diesel fuel sold in 1993.  Over 42% of the nation’s filling stations now carry ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

What’s more, the diesel engine in the Q7 TDI is expected to last longer than a comparable gasoline engine. That’s leading to better resale value projections, which affect leasing rates and longer-term ownership value.

Check out Flicks from the event below