The 2010 Geneva Motor Show has played host to many of the green cars of the future – but Audi’s A8 parallel hybrid technology will be on our roads sooner than you may expect.
The technology architecture of the A8 hybrid is actually a preview of the Audi Q5 Hybrid which is expected to enter the market either later this year or in early 2011. That doesn’t mean that the A8 Hybrid will be left on the shelf, however – it is due in late 2011/early 2012.
As for the car itself, the Audi A8 Hybrid takes its power from a four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI engine as well as an electric motor – together they have an output of 180kW and 480Nm of torque. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.6seconds and can reach a top speed of 146mph.
The 2.0 TFSI has received plaudits in the industry having been named “engine of the year” five times in a row since 2005. It uses a direct fuel injection with turbocharging, combined with an AVS Audi valvelift system that regulates the valve lift in two stages. This improves the cylinder charging and ensures powerful torque build-up.
The engine’s impressive credentials do not come at the expense of fuel economy, however.
Average fuel consumption for the Audi A8 Hybrid amounts to 38mpg with emissions at 144g/km of CO2. This means that in city traffic, the hybrid drive uses around 20 per cent less fuel than a conventional model. The hybrid drive has been designed for fully electric powered driving up to 40mph and for a distance in excess of 1.2miles. Above 40mph the combustion engine does the propulsive work while the electric motor recharges the battery.
