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2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

Matt Davis — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Europe, Audi, First Drives, Luxury

Diesel Versus Electrons Debate Continues

When it comes to the hybrid market, we assume - as most of you probably do as well - that the United States is at the top of the list to get whatever hybrid models an automaker builds. That vision is apparently altering for the Germans, though, as Audi is not bringing this A8 Hybrid to the States, instead favoring Western Europe and particularly Asia.

The start of deliveries in Europe already commenced in May, and Asian deliveries will start by 2013 as Audi mulls bringing the long-wheelbase version there, as well as a right-hand-drive model. The choice to not invite North American consumers to the party might not be a forever sort of thing, but at least for the next few years, the plan appears to be set in stone.

To be honest, Audi's full parallel hybrid strategy, along with that of parent Volkswagen Group's larger cars and SUVs in general, isn't terribly amazing - there's no thinking going on outside of the box here. Across the entire VW corporate family, the better choice for these bigger cruisers is always the range of outstanding diesels that generally weigh less and can cost less than their hybrid brethren. Nonetheless, Audi's high-tech image demands that the brand show it can play in every alternative propulsion sector. With China being Audi's best market by far, this A8 Hybrid has that nation writ all over its business plan.

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2012 Audi A8 Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi spills the beans on production 37 mpg A8 Hybrid

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Audi

Diesel-lovin' Audi is slowly, slowly coming to grips with this whole hybrid thing. Earlier this year, the "We're not against hybrids" automaker finally gave out some real information about its hybrid Q5 (after years of teases and killing the program once,) and we saw the A6 hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Today, Audi is making good on the promise it made at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 when it showed off a thinly disguised hybrid A8 concept.

Due out in 2012 (coincidentally, the 15th anniversary of the Toyota Prius), the A8 hybrid should appeal to customers who crave the German automaker's style and dislike stopping for petrol every third day. The A8 hybrid uses a 2.0 TFSI engine and an electric motor to crank out a peak output of 180 kW (245 horsepower) and 480 Nm (345.03 lb-ft) of torque. Audi says all that power and style will come with 37 mpg (U.S.), which doesn't put the A8 at the top of the hybrid efficiency pack - remember, the A8 is huge - but it beats the pants off of the gas-only A8, which the EPA rates at 18/28/21 (city/highway/combined) mpg.

Even better for late night stealth missions to the golf course, the A8 hybrid can go three kilometers (1.86 miles) and up to 60 km/h (37.28 mph) using nothing but energy stored in its 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery. Once the luxury sedan is up to speed, it can move down the highway at speeds of up to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) on battery power, too. These are all good numbers (if only estimations from Audi, for now), and we eagerly await the chance to see how the A8 Hybrid operates in the real world. Until that time, check out the gallery below and read more details in the press release available after the jump.

Continue reading Audi spills the beans on production 37 mpg A8 Hybrid

Audi spills the beans on production 37 mpg A8 Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2012 Audi A6 grows up, borrows a page from A8

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Audi, Diesel, Luxury

2012 Audi A6 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Set to make its debut early next year, the 2012 Audi A6 is a totally revamped version of the automaker's mid-size luxury sedan. Styled to match the 2011 Audi A8, the new A6 (which, as we pointed out when it leaked a day early, looks a lot like the old A6) hides plenty of lightweight aluminum and high-tech steel components under its revised exterior. Inside, the A6 benefits from a wrap-around cockpit that envelops both the driver and front passenger with leather and wood, while luxury amenities - ranging from heated and ventilated seats to optional massage functionality - are all available for the taking.

The available powertrains - a choice between two gasoline engines and three diesel mills worldwide - have improved fuel economy by 19 percent, and a hybrid version will be introduced down the road. The most economical unit, a 2.0-liter TDI, is expected to achieve about 48 miles per gallon, while the hybrid will come in closer to 38 mpg. You don't have to be totally frugal on the fuel to have some fun though, thanks to a carryover 300-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter TFSI powerplant that achieves 27 miles per gallon and runs to a limited top speed of 155 miles per hour.

The other gasoline engine is a 2.8-liter naturally aspirated unit that produces 204 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque which may or may not be available in the States (don't hold you breath). For oil burner fans, two 3.0-liter diesel choices exist: a 204 hp/295 lb-ft example and a top-of-the-line 245 hp/368 lb-ft mill. The more powerful unit is rated at nearly 40 mpg yet runs from 0-60 in just 6.1 seconds.

The 2012 A6 Hybrid, the second hybrid behind the launch of the Q5, will make its debut sometime after the new A6 hits the market. Power will come from a 2.0 TFSI engine paired with an electric motor that sits between the engine and the eight-speed transmission. The A6 Hybrid will be able to run on electric power alone at speeds of up to 62 mph.

Transmission options on the 2012 A6 are as varied as the available motors they pair with. A six-speed manual will join a CVT and seven-speed S-tronic automatic before the aforementioned eight-speeder arrives in the hybrid.

A mega press release chock full of A6 information is waiting for you just after the jump, and a massive photo gallery lies down below. Keep in mind these figures represent the German version of the A6, but give us a good idea of what to expect when it makes its way to the U.S.

Gallery: 2012 Audi A6

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Officially Official: 2012 Audi A6 grows up, borrows a page from A8

Officially Official: 2012 Audi A6 grows up, borrows a page from A8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi

Michael Harley — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Technology, Crossover, Audi, Electric

Audi A8 Hybrid concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Thanks to the Volkswagen Group's strategy to be the leading player in the alternative-powertrain market within the next decade, Audi has announced a rapid expansion of hybrid and electric vehicles over the next few years. The German automaker wants to improve efficiency of its internal combustion engines (both gasoline and diesel) by 30 percent - and it wants five percent of the brand's model line to be electric. "In the future, our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies," said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler.

Joining the A8 Hybrid sedan, shown in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show, will be the A6 Hybrid arriving on its next-generation platform within the next two years. That will be accompanied by the soon-to-be-launched Q5 Hybrid crossover. Audi intends to brand its "e-tron" name to represent the company's electronic mobility lineup (just like it did with "quattro" - now synonymous with all-wheel drive). Unlike its competitor BMW, which is working on smaller commuter-type urban-based EVs, Audi is engineering its vehicles for a more expensive niche. The new models are expected to debut in 2012.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid Concept

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: More hybrids, EVs coming from Audi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid a concept in name only

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:42:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Audi

Audi A8 Hybrid Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the Them's Big Words department, Audi is calling its A8 Hybrid "the efficiency standard." And it's not exactly untrue since the top-of-the-peak, 211-horsepower 2.0-liter sedan boosted by a 45-hp electric motor has more power than an A3 TDI and a faster 0-to-60 sprint, yet the gas mileage comparison isn't unfavorable: the A3 gets 34 miles per gallon combined, the A8 Hybrid does 38 mpg. And you get all that A8 size and panache. And 21-inch rims. Responsibly.

All that is certain to cost you come negotiating time: It remains a concept so Audi hasn't released a price, but when you're talking about getting the moon, it's safe to figure it'll cost you a few stars. You can have a look at another glimpse of that expensive future in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid Concept

Gallery: Audi A8 hybrid

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid a concept in name only

Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid a concept in name only originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi A8 Hybrid 'design study' being shown in Geneva

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Audi, Luxury

Audi A8 Hybrid design study - Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the interesting electrified A1 e-tron concept, Audi is also showing off a hybridized version of its range-topping A8 sedan at this year's Geneva Motor Show, which it claims offers V6-levels of power with four-cylinder fuel efficiency and emissions. Backing up that claim are reported power figures of 245 horsepower (45 of which can be supplied from the electric motor) and 354 pound-feet of torque. The run to 62 miles per hour is said to take about 7.5 seconds and fuel mileage comes in at 38 miles per gallon on the EU cycle. That's about a 20-percent improvement over the standard car.

As a full hybrid, the A8 design study can run on electricity only for up to 1.2 miles at speeds of 40 miles per hour or less. Above that, the 2.0-liter TFSI engine takes over. A lithium ion battery pack of unknown capacity resides in the trunk, but Audi makes sure to point out that there's still over 14 cubic-feet of space back there for storage. The German automaker also makes pains to assure that the A8 Hybrid is still "an extremely dynamic car" - one that just so happens to return good fuel efficiency.

Check out our gallery of high-res images below, and be sure to note the Prism Silver paint with Spectra Flair (yes, really) rainbow effect and 21-inch two-color wheels. Also, check out the prominent hybrid badging on each front fender along with the door sills (illuminated, naturally) and inside on the new Powermeter in the instrument cluster. Still want more? Click past the break for the complete press release.

Gallery: Audi A8 hybrid

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A8 Hybrid 'design study' being shown in Geneva

Audi A8 Hybrid 'design study' being shown in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid coming to Geneva, no mild hybrids... ever

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Audi, Electric, Diesel

2011 Audi A8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

As stated earlier - and despite quotes to the contrary - Audi is increasingly serious about alternative propulsion. After pioneering direct injection and pushing the envelope of diesel technology, Audi is looking to electricity for its next round of innovations. And the fruits of its labors are coming this year.

In addition to the forthcoming hybrid Q5 (due to arrive this fall), Audi announced plans today to unveil the 2011 Audi A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show this March. All told, Audi will release eight new models in 2010 and hopes that its continued work in the diesel realm, coupled with its burgeoning image in the U.S., will thrust it over one million sales next year.

However, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen said in no uncertain terms that, "We must say no" to technologies that don't move the game forward. As such, Audi will not create any "mild" hybrids and instead focus its efforts on full gasoline-electric technology as they "share more relevencies to EVs and consumer expectations." With products like the Q5 and A8 hybrid, the new interest in diesel technology in the States and the forthcoming e-tron, Audi has placed its bets and by the end of the decade, it needs them to pay off.

Gallery: 2011 Audi A8

Detroit 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid coming to Geneva, no mild hybrids... ever originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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