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.

Following on from Volkswagen’s own e-mobility plans, Audi too has spoken about strengthening its hybrid and electric drive portfolios.

Among the initial plans, Audi will debut a Q5 Hybrid in late 2010/early 2011 that will be the first production Audi hybrid. It will be followed with the debut of the A8 hybrid concept car, which is scheduled to be revealed in Geneva later today, and boasts CO2 emissions of 144g/km. Another Geneva debutant will be the Audi A1 E-tron (see article), which is an extended range electric vehicle. It is widely anticipated that Audi will launch the E-tron electric car by the end of 2012.

The Audi A8 Hybrid has two power units – the 2.0 TFSI engine and the electric motor, which have a combined output of 180kW and 480Nm of torque. Average fuel consumption is 38mpg and CO2 emissions are 144g/km. The vehicle uses a parallel hybrid configuration with an electric motor integrated between the four-cylinder petrol engine and the eight-speed transmission.

The Audi A1 E-tron by contrast, is electrically propelled with a range of more than 31 miles in city traffic. It uses a compact range extender that consists of a single-rotor Wankel engine and electrical generator. The mean fuel consumption is 1,248mpg and CO2 emissions are equivalent to just 45g/km.

Speaking about the plans, Rupert Stadler, the chairman of the board of management for Audi AG, stated that in future customers will be able to choose from a broad range of driveline technologies and that the current TDI and FSI engines will be accompanied by electric power. He said that the hybrid driveline will be followed by all-electric vehicles and the “E-tron” name will play a similar role for the Audi brand as the “Quattro” synonym.

Meanwhile, Michael Dick, a member of the board of management for technical development at Audi AG, outlined that full hybrids will be used primarily to reduce fuel consumption and that plug-in hybrids will demonstrate their strong points when drivers expect to cover longer distances in electric mode. Meanwhile, electric cars will come into their own in urban mobility areas.

The Green Piece Column. Tuesday 23 February 2010

Steeped in tradition, having been established in 1905 and now set for its 80^th edition, the Geneva International Motor Show has always been one of the highlights of the automotive calendar.

Regarded as a level playing field for the world’s car manufacturers as Switzerland lacks an automotive industry of its own, exotic supercars usually steal the spotlight at the event but this year, after turbulent times for the industry, the focus is on green cars and the future of the business. With that in mind here we look at the top 10 most exciting green cars expected to be unveiled at the show.

1. BMW Concept ActiveE

Making its European debut in Geneva, the BMW Concept ActiveE is a fully electric drive vehicle based on the BMW 1 Series (see article). It features a specially developed motor that delivers 125kW/170hp with a maximum torque of 250Nm.

It is capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds and has a range of 100 miles on a single charge.

2. New 2011 Ford Focus

Already unveiled to North American audiences in Detroit in January, the 2011 Ford Focus will make its European debut in Geneva with fuel consumption savings of 10-20 per cent compared to outgoing models (see article).

The new Focus is expected to include the next generation Focus ECOnetic technologies including automatic stop-start, smart regenerative charging and low tension front end accessory drive to bring emissions down to a targeted 99g/km with fuel economy at 74.2mpg.

3. Citroen DS High Rider

A brand new hybrid concept, the Citroen DS High Rider hopes to capitalise on the higher efficiency of a diesel combined with an electric motor and is capable of operating by diesel or electric power separately dependent on the conditions (see article).

Details of fuel economy and emissions of this exciting prototype are remaining under wraps until the Geneva Motor Show opens its doors.

4. Peugeot SR1

A new concept car by Peugeot, the SR1 uses the Hybrid 4 technology that is expected to be launched in the Peugeot 3008 in 2011. A 1.6litre THP petrol engine is combined with a rear electric motor that develops 70kW and with the two powertrains operating simultaneously the SR1 can deliver power as high as 230kW.

Its combined fuel cycle performance is 58mpg, with CO2 emissions at 119g/km.

5. New 2011 Audi A1

A new super-mini from the German carmaker, the Audi A1 boasts CO2 emission figures as low as 102g/km according to preliminary figures (see article).

 

Though Audi is shrinking in size to meet green car market demand, the A1 retains its signature sleek, streamlined look and can develop 160Nm of peak torque that enables it to race from 0-62mph in 12.1 seconds with a top speed of 111mph and fuel efficiency in the region of 55.4mpg.

6. New 2011 Bentley Continental SuperSports Convertible

As part of Bentley’s ongoing commitment to biofuels, the manufacturer will debut its flex-fuel capable Continental SuperSports Convertible at the event (see article).

With flex-fuel in full use, CO2 emissions fall by as much as 70 per cent and yet the vehicle still produces remarkable sports car figures, racing from 0-60mph in 3.9seconds and with a top speed of 202mph.

7. New 2010 Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion

Simply one of the greenest cars to date, the new Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion will be the second cleanest conventionally fuelled diesel on the market (behind the Smart ForTwo) with emissions at just 91g/km and fuel efficiency as high as 80.7mpg (see article).

This remarkable small car has certainly stood the test of time but with a new advanced 1.2litre TDI engine, automatic stop-start technology and regenerative braking, it takes the carmaker to an all-time high in fuel efficiency.

8. Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme

The Vauxhall/Opel Flextreme is a diesel plug-in hybrid car that can travel 34miles on its lithium-ion batteries before a small diesel engine starts to charge the batteries (see article). This range-extended concept is a rebadged version of the Saturn Flextreme first introduced in 2008 and is expected to emit 40g/km of CO2 or less based on European test procedures for range extended vehicles.

Its total range is expected to be more than 300miles with average fuel consumption at 174mpg.

9. “5 by Peugeot”

Another Peugeot debutant at the event will be the “5 by Peugeot”, a new concept car that expresses the carmaker’s desire to establish itself in the luxury sector (see article).

With Hybrid 4 technology it has an overall maximum power of 200bhp with super low fuel consumption at 74.3mpg. Its CO2 emissions, although not yet confirmed, are expected to be a meagre 99g/km placing this car right at the top of its sector.

10. New 2011 Lotus Elise

With all the hallmarks of a super car, the new Lotus Elise certainly isn’t the average green car, but thanks to a number of technological advances it manages to combine performance with efficiency (see article).

Thanks to a new 1.6litre engine that is 200cc smaller than the previous Elise model but still produces similar power at 160Nm at 4,400rpm, it has the lowest CO2 output of a petrol sports car in the world with emissions at less than 155g/km of CO2 and fuel economy at 38mpg. Nevertheless it still manages to race from 0-60mph in 6.0seconds with a top speed of 124mph.

The Geneva Motor Show opens to the Press on March 2 and to the public on March 4. We’ll bring you all the latest information from the event in our news section.

Faye Sunderland

Another exciting debut is to head to Switzerland, Audi’s new mini car- the A1.

The production-ready model will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show this March ahead of the Spring opening of its order books. The new supermini Audi will be available to order in the UK from May with deliveries starting in late 2010.

The German carmaker known for its executive saloons says it ‘has shrink-wrapped everything it stands for’ in creating the new A1. Preliminary figures say that the CO2 emissions for the new model could start from as low as 102g/km, bringing Audi into the current tax band B for the first time.

In the new model, the carmaker hopes to capture some of the growing market for smaller cars without compromising on its reputation for making luxury vehicles.

Closely following the look of 2007’s critically acclaimed Audi A1 project quattro design study, the production-ready A1 continues with the look of an Audi- a sleek, streamlined body with an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.32 has a road ‘footprint’ of less than four metres, without sacrificing space for four adults and their luggage.

Inside, as out, the look and feel of the materials is in keeping with Audi’s Vorsprung durch Technik, as is the on-board technology. This includes the latest, ultra-efficient TDI and TFSI engines backed up by start-stop and recuperation systems, state-of-the-art ESP with a new electronic differential lock and archetypal convenience features such as the optional Multi Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system.

In the UK the A1 will initially be available with three impressively frugal units, all optimised by engine start-stop and energy recuperation systems.

The new 1.2 TFSI petrol engine linked exclusively to a five-speed manual transmission kicks off the range, its 86PS and 160Nm peak power and torque outputs enabling a 0-62mph time of 12.1 seconds and a 111mph top speed, will deliver a 55.4mpg capability and an as yet unconfirmed CO₂ of 119g/km.

The more familiar 1.4 TFSI power unit is next up, and delivers its 122PS and 200Nm via the standard six-speed manual gearbox or the optional seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission. Equipped with S tronic it takes the A1 to 62mph in 9.1 seconds, and on to 124mph where conditions allow, and in this form can match its smaller counterpart on economy and emissions, delivering up to 55.4mpg with CO₂ output of  an expected 119g/km.

Already renowned for creating the premium sector’s most fuel-efficient car – the A3 1.6-litre TDI – the 105PS 1.6-litre diesel is the third engine option, and via a five-speed manual gearbox uses its impressive 250Nm torque output to power the A1 to 62mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a 116mph top speed, while retaining the potential to achieve an amazing 72.4mpg economy with emissions expected to be 102g/km.

Prices for the A1 in the UK have yet to be finalised, but are expected to start at around £13,000. Full details will be available nearer to its world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show (March 4 to 14), when the full content of the various trim levels will also be confirmed.

An advert shown during Sunday’s Super Bowl game in the US has caused a storm of controversy for carmaker, Audi.

The advert for the Audi’s new A3 TDi depicts a force of ‘green police’ performing a check for fuel inefficient vehicles in a road block. With an anteater on their side to sniff out fuel-hungry vehicles, the advert attracted criticism for depicting environmentalists in a particularly unflattering light.

David Roberts, writing for the Huffington Post says that Super Bowl commercials this year like Audi’s have been ‘unusually ugly, misogynistic, and, worst of all, unfunny’ and are an example of playing to ‘Teabag America’. Its flippant attitude to environmental issues displayed a stereotype that environmentalists are ‘meddling do-gooders’ he added.

The commercial shows the A3 making it past the road block thanks to its 42 mpg highway fuel credentials and its claim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent. It reinforces the message that the A3 is green police proof because it was the winner of the Green Car Journal’s “Green Car of the Year” award.

Adam Siegel writing in his blog ‘Get Energy Smart Now’ takes its one step further. He suggests that the ‘Green Police’ commercial has Nazi undertones as German regular police were known as ‘Green Police’ during Nazi Germany thanks to their green uniforms.

The advert shows the police checking people in the street for a host of environmental crimes such as looking for incandescent bulbs and plastic shopping bags as well as checking for gas-guzzling vehicles.

Some of the most expensive advertising in the world, just 30 seconds of advertising can cost around $3 million. Whatever your opinion of the ad, which can be viewed on YouTube, it turned into a bad game for the Indianapolis Colts, who lost to the New Orleans Saints.

How times have changed. If anything was learned from this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit it was that the motoring industry is not what it used to be.

Attendees in previous years may have fond memories of the deafening music, smoke and dancing girls that accompanied a new model. However, at this year’s event there was less of the razzamatazz and more of a focus, as it became clear that manufacturers are in a race to market electric cars.

Though the most noteworthy electric vehicle currently available, the Tesla Roadster, doesn’t come cheap at $109,000, by the end of 2010 it will be joined by a host of affordable new options. Indeed whether they are established giants such as GM, Renault-Nissan and Ford, or relative upstarts like Fisker, the market has clearly moved towards marketing electric cars.

Who are the contenders?

The manufacturers that are intent on bringing electric vehicles to fruition reads like a who’s who of the automotive world:

• BMW: The German car maker could steal a march in the luxury sector with its Concept ActiveE, a plug-in version of the BMW 1 Series coupe. It has also electrified the MINI for a test programme.
• Coda Automotive: A relative unknown at the moment, Coda may soon establish itself as a household name with its battery powered saloon car with batteries from its joint venture in China. It will launch with an internet marketing strategy in California only, but is expected to have the capacity to produce 20,000 cars a year.
• Fisker Automotive: Seen as Tesla’s closest competitor, Fisker will debut its high performance plug-in hybrid known as the Karma later this year and is working on a lower cost option known as Project NINA having been boosted by a loan from the Department of Energy (see article).
• Ford: It plans to introduce a plug-in version of the Focus from 2011 and a next generation hybrid based on its global compact car platform from 2012. As announced at the Detroit Motor Show, Michigan will be the focal point of its electrification strategy with the company planning to invest $450million in the state (see article).
• General Motors: You can’t talk about GM these days without mentioning the Chevrolet Volt, to be known in Europe as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera, which uses a petrol engine to generate electricity for its electric motor. The car will go on sale before the end of the year for $40,000; and a Cadillac range-extended model is also planned (see article).
• Mitsubishi: Having enjoyed success with its’ i-MiEV electric vehicle on home turf, Mitsubishi has established a partnership with PSA Peugeot Citroen to bring the car to Europe in the form of the Peugeot i0n and Citroen C-ZERO. Last week it also announced plans to help build 1,000 charging stations across Japan (see article).
• Renault-Nissan Alliance: Perhaps no other automaker has been as focused on electric vehicles as Renault-Nissan. Not only will the company deploy the 100mile all-electric range LEAF this year (see article), but it is working in partnership with Better Place to deploy a Renault electric vehicle as part of a plan to boost infrastructure around the world; and it is partnering with AeroVironment to build a home charger.
• Tesla Motors: Super-car performance from an electric car – if you didn’t think it was possible, then the Tesla Roadster is active proof that it can be done. Now the company is on a roll having secured DOE funding for its Model S saloon car (see article).
• Think Global: In many respects Think is the greatest reminder of how far electric cars have come. Having been sold by Ford in 2003 and undergoing bankruptcy proceedings in late 2008 it has since bounced back with partial ownership of US battery company Ener1 and plans to introduce the two-seat Think City, which will sell for less than $20,000 (with a Federal tax credit), in the US later this year.

Add to this list the likes of Toyota with its plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles (see article); Chrysler which has ambitious electric car rollout plans now its merger with Fiat is complete; Honda with the exciting CR-Z Concept (see article); and even Audi with electric e-tron vehicles (see article); and it’s clear that the electrification of the automobile is under way.

So is the revolution here?

Del Boy Trotter was famous for saying “this time next year Rodney, we’ll be millionaires.” Indeed enthusiasts of electric cars could be accused of similar misplaced optimism after so many false starts.

However, now serious government investment through loans, grants and tax credits, coupled with a host of green energy programmes, is paying off, and while the implementation of infrastructure to charge these vehicles remains a major stumbling block (albeit one that is being addressed, slowly) it seems that… this time next year… there will be plenty of electric cars to choose from.

Faye Sunderland

Just days ago, our latest Green Piece Column looked at some of the exciting green sports cars headed our way – and now there is a new name on the list in the form of an Audi electric sports car concept.

The vehicle was introduced at the North American International Auto Show, and is known as Audi e-tron. It is a two-seater that is 3.93metres long, 1.78metres wide and 1.22metres tall with a gross weight of around 2,976lbs. Two electric motors are included with a combined output of 150kW and 2,650Nm and the car can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.9seconds with the top speed limited at 124mph.

The Audi e-tron’s lithium-ion battery pack is located for an optimal centre of gravity behind the passenger compartment and ahead of the rear axle, while the two motors themselves are mounted on the rear axle, each with their own cooling system. The vehicle has a potential operating range of up to 155miles.

Among the significant features of the Audi e-tron are the air intakes in the single frame grille and behind the side windows on the C-post. They are closed under normal circumstances and open by retracting slats when additional cooling is needed. The body structure is based on Audi Space Frame technology with all add-on parts, such as doors, lids, the roof and sidewalls, made of fibre-reinforced plastic.

The Audi e-tron also features a heat pump that uses mechanical work to provide heat with a minimum input of energy. A high efficiency climate control system is also used in the interior to further reduce fuel consumption.

While Japanese manufacturers have focused on hybrid cars in the US, German car makers have placed the early emphasis on diesel models – and with some notable success.

During December, Audi, Volkswagen and BMW all reported strong sales of their diesel models. By the end of the year, TDI models accounted for 43 per cent of Audi Q7 sales and 53 per cent of A3 sales – that far surpasses Audi’s original expectations that TDI models would make up 18-20 per cent of the sales mix for the Q7 and A3 lines.

Meanwhile, one third of customers opted for a diesel BMW X5 model during December – the X5 sold 3,513 models in total, up 22.3 per cent compared to the previous year.

Finally, Volkswagen’s clean diesel TDI models accounted for more than 20 per cent of the company’s total December sales in the US at 4,378 units – this includes the Jetta, Jetta SportWagon, Golf and Touareg TDI models which collectively sold 41,278 units over the course of the year.

Not to be outdone in the green car race, Audi has revealed plans to invest €7.3billion in fixed assets for 2009 through 2012 with approximately €5.9billion to be devoted to new product development.

The bulk of this cash will go towards optimising conventional drivelines and developing electric and hybrid models. By 2015, the company hopes to have an enlarged portfolio that will boost its existing 34 models to 42.

You won’t have to wait long for the expansion of Audi either – from next year the company will launch a new series of cars in the form of the A1, A7, A8 and R8 Spyder. By the end of the year it will also unveil the Audi Q5 Hybrid, which will reach the market by the start of 2011 and will be the company’s first hybrid model.

Around €2.5billion will be invested at Ingolstadt, while about €1.3billion will be pumped into Neckarsulm. Ingolstadt will benefit from a new transmission and emissions centre with other investment priorities including stamping tools for the new Audi A1 and manufacturing structures for the A3 and A4 models. Meanwhile, the investment focus at Neckarsulm will be on the A6, A7, and A8 models as well as new engine function test rigs.

A new Audi A3 1.6 TDI is available to order from this week. The compact hatchback’s CO₂ output is now only 99g/km with combined economy moving up to 74.3mpg. This frugality is available in one specific A3 configuration – the three-door body style equipped to Standard specification – priced at £18,005 OTR. All other variations of the 1.6 TDI offer a combination of 68.9mpg potential and 109g/km CO₂ output.

The key elements responsible for the efficiency gains include a modified final drive ratio for the standard five-speed manual transmission, a reduced ride height, under-body revisions to reduce aerodynamic drag and the use of slightly smaller 15-inch alloy wheels shod with low rolling resistance tyres.

These small but significant alterations combine with existing A3 1.6 TDI features including engine start-stop and energy recuperation systems. The start-stop system conserves fuel by cutting engine power at idle when the clutch pedal is released and the gear lever is in its neutral position, and then restarting when the clutch is depressed, while the recuperation function recycles a proportion of the wasted kinetic energy generated under normal braking and normally dissipated as heat, and stores this temporarily in the battery to reduce engine load when the car subsequently accelerates again.

The A3 1.6 TDI with 99g output will be available exclusively in Standard specification, which in this specific case includes 15-inch 7-arm design alloy wheels (normally 16-inch 7-arm design), manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and a Chorus radio with single CD player. Versions equipped to SE, Sport and S line specification, and all Sportback models, continue to offer the class-leading 109g/km output and the potential to cover up to 68.9mpg (except the A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S tronic with 112g/km output and 65.7mpg).