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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.

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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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Report: Audi bringing four-cylinder A8 in 2012

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

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

Automakers are always looking to add a tinge of green to their fleets, and Audi is reportedly ready to drop a few cylinders on its flagship sedan. The 2012 Audi A8 will be offered as a hybrid, with a four-cylinder gasoline engine being paired with an electric motor. The A8 Hybrid will likely be offered after Audi has launched a front-wheel drive six-cylinder diesel version, both of which should provide quite a different driving experience compared to the 372 horsepower 4.2-liter V8 currently available.

The move to a smaller cylinder count comes as automakers begin to prepare for tougher CAFE standards. Audi, not wanted to be left behind, sees that Mercedes-Benz and BMW are already moving to more efficient powertrains. Mercedes, who already launched its S400 Hybrid, is also adding a four-cylinder version of its flagship model - a 2.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel in the S250 CDI model. BMW has a different take on how it will produce more efficient luxury sedans. Rather than reducing the number of cylinders, BMW will add electric motors to its six and eight cylinder engines, so for the time being there are no plan to put a four-cylinder in the engine bay of a 7 Series.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Audi A8

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Report: Audi bringing four-cylinder A8 in 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:32:00 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]

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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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