AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A8 / Tesla Model S

The automotive industry is full of rivalries, from Ferrari versus Lamborghini to Ford's recent war on the Toyota Prius. Audi must be feeling the electric heat of Tesla's recent success, because the German automaker has put out a press release with one single message: Hey, let's not love on Tesla too much, mmmkay?

Audi's press release is titled, "Not so fast to put Tesla on that particular pedestal" and it's full of Audi making sure we all know that "some reports are giving Tesla too much credit." What's extra funny is that Audi compares its April US sales (13,157 units) to Tesla's 4,750 Model S sales, mistakenly claiming they, too, were from April. But Tesla doesn't report monthly sales, and the 4,750 number is for the total deliveries for the first quarter of 2013. That fact makes Audi look even better by comparison but even worse for making a stink about the whole thing. You can read the whole thing below.

While Audi's points are accurate, we see this headed into the realm political consultants talk about where if you need to clarify the details, you've already lost. And whatever the mood inside Audi HQ is, the reality is that Tesla has figured out how to sell a good number of luxury electric vehicles, while Audi is still just teasing.

One final bit of rival hilarity that takes on a new light today: Iron Man Tony Stark might sometimes drive an R8, but he is, in fact, based on Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Continue reading Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story

Audi says 'not so fast,' Tesla lovers, attacks Model S success story originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 20 May 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi a8electric vehicleev salesrivalryteslatesla model sMon, 20 May 2013 17:44:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576518/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20576518/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/20/audi-starts-tesla-rivalry-attacks-models-success/20576518/article-detail.xml 20576518 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-audi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/tesla-audi.jpg <![CDATA[Audi forecasts a kinder, gentler, more collaborative urban future]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/audi-forecasts-a-kinder-gentler-more-collaborative-urban-futur/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/audi-forecasts-a-kinder-gentler-more-collaborative-urban-futur/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/audi-forecasts-a-kinder-gentler-more-collaborative-urban-futur/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi's urban future is pretty bright

Turns out, the good folks at Audi aren't nihilists. The German automaker has joined up with Columbia University researchers to make predictions about city life in 2050, when 7 billion people will be urban dwellers. The result is five potential future scenarios, and none of them involve world destruction. Or even replicants.

The project is called the Extreme Cities Project of the Audi Urban Future Initiative, and the scenarios envision cities as places where high population density forces a greater sense of collaboration and innovation, so long as turf wars don't get in the way.

Here's how the five ideas play out. The "Complexity" scenario specifies how density necessitates advancements in things like technology. "Generosity" is a bit of a spin-off of that scenario, forecasting cities where closer-knit communities collaborate on everything from transportation to food harvesting. "Asymmetric Mobility" describes a city where the process of moving between different modes of transportation is smooth as silk. "Migration" surmises that the concept of decades-long residency in one city will be rare, and picking up stakes and moving the family multiple times across multiple continents will become the norm. Lastly, "Transgenerational Capacity" predicts that innovation speeds because lifespans will have lengthened, allowing older city dwellers a more extensive chance to share knowledge with the young ones.

Check out Audi's press release below. Or maybe you could just go rent Blade Runner.

Continue reading Audi forecasts a kinder, gentler, more collaborative urban future

Audi forecasts a kinder, gentler, more collaborative urban future originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 May 2013 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audicitiescolumbia universityfutureresearchurbanWed, 08 May 2013 07:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20558027/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20558027/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/08/audi-forecasts-a-kinder-gentler-more-collaborative-urban-futur/20558027/article-detail.xml 20558027 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/audifuture_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/audifuture.jpg <![CDATA[Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2013 audi a3

The advertised vs. real-world mileage discrepancy that Americans are becoming very familiar with - see Hyundai/Kia and Ford - are not limited to our part of the world. Over in the UK, Audi is involved in what could be, in the words of The Guardian, a "landmark case" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The crux of the matter is whether or not car companies can say what the official government miles per gallon figures are without also saying that they "may not reflect real driving." In the ASA case, Audi admitted that the official numbers for the A3 1.6 TDI (68.9 mpg, on the lenient European cycle), "did not give an accurate representation of the actual fuel consumption which could be expected from any particular vehicle and were provided only to enable comparisons between different vehicles or models" but still wants to use them in ads because consumers are aware of this. The ASA says the not-so-accurate-representation is not, in fact, obvious to buyers, and therefore Audi needs to put up qualifying asterisks - otherwise it runs afoul of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Codes. If the case goes in favor of the ASA, all car ads in the UK would need to have these disclaimers.

Last year, the ASA took an ad for the Chevrolet Volt's sister vehicle, the Vauxhall Ampera, off the air because the driving range claim was found to be misleading.

Audi ad under fire in UK for 'inaccurate representation' of MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20533907/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/08/audi-ad-under-fire-in-uk-for-inaccurate-representation-of-mpg/20533907/article-detail.xml 20533907 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/2013-audi-a3.jpg <![CDATA[Audi A1 e-tron EREV will get further testing in Germany]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/audi-a1-e-tron-erev-will-get-further-testing-in-germany/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/audi-a1-e-tron-erev-will-get-further-testing-in-germany/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/04/audi-a1-e-tron-erev-will-get-further-testing-in-germany/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A1 e-tron

The Audi A1 e-tron extended-range plug-in, which has already been extensively tested by the automaker, will be further put under the microscope, as it were, by Germany's National Platform of Electrification (NPE).

The test is part of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research's program to broaden plug-in vehicle adoption in Germany, Hybrid Cars says. Getting the up-close treatment is UQM Technologies' drivetrain and systems, which give the car a 30-mile range in all-electric mode and 155 miles of combined gas-electric range.

Last September, Audi started promoting the Dual-Mode Hybrid version of the A1 e-tron, which has multiple drivetrain modes that allows the car's 1.5-liter gas engine act both as a conventional motor and an on-board generator, depending on driving conditions. Audi said that version could go as far as 56 miles on battery power alone and delivers 177 horsepower.

Audi A1 e-tron EREV will get further testing in Germany originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1audie-tronextended-range plug-inGermanyNational Platform of ElectrificationNPEplug-in hybridThu, 04 Apr 2013 09:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20520825/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20520825/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/04/audi-a1-e-tron-erev-will-get-further-testing-in-germany/20520825/article-detail.xml 20520825 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audietron_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audietron.jpg <![CDATA[A3 Sportback E-Tron plug-in hybrid confirmed for US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/a3-sportback-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-confirmed-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/a3-sportback-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-confirmed-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/27/a3-sportback-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-confirmed-us/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A3 e-tron

We got our first look at the new Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. Today, Audi confirmed that a production version of the plug-in hybrid five-door will go on sale in the US at some point.

Audi calls PHEV technology a "practical first step towards electrified driving" because having a gas tank on board "mitigates the range anxiety concerns associated with most full battery electric vehicles." While not exactly transferable to the production version, the A3 E-Tron concept had a powertrain that offered 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy figures, even early estimates unverified by the EPA, were not discussed this time around, but an earlier press release said the concept's turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine burns 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (156.81 US miles per gallon) using a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Last year, Audi discussed how it was testing the A3 E-Tron in Golden, CO with employees it called E-Pilots. You can watch the feel-good video - noticeably lacking details on the car itself but full of information about people's pets - here.

Continue reading A3 Sportback E-Tron plug-in hybrid confirmed for US

A3 Sportback E-Tron plug-in hybrid confirmed for US originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi a3 sportbacke-pilotse-tronelectric vehicleplug-in hybridWed, 27 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20519798/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20519798/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/27/a3-sportback-e-tron-plug-in-hybrid-confirmed-us/20519798/article-detail.xml 20519798 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-e-tron-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-e-tron-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Audi A4 - front three-quarter view

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Audi has confirmed plans to offer a clean-diesel version of its A4 sedan in the US. Yes, you're right, the same news came out almost exactly two years ago, but then things changed and the marque's last diesels-in-the-US update dropped the A4 from the list. Now, citing Audi of America President Scott Keogh, Automotive News reports the oil-burning A4 is back on the schedule for the US next year.

The automaker will include a 2.0-liter TDI option on the redesigned A4 when it arrives in 2014. Keogh told reporters that, "This deep in its life cycle, it didn't make any sense to do all that dramatic re-engineering and re-architecting of the car to basically only have a two-year selling period."

Audi, which now offers TDI versions of its A3 hatchback and Q7 SUV, said in November that it would add diesel versions of the A6, A7, A8 and Q5 models in the US. The A8 will start sales this spring, while the A6, A7 and Q5 diesels will debut at US dealerships this fall.

Last year, Audi sold 7,179 diesels in the US, down 1.6 percent from 2011.

Audi to offer diesel-powered A4 in US next year after all originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2015 audi a4a4audidieseltdiWed, 13 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499803/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499803/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/13/audi-to-offer-diesel-powered-a4-in-us-next-year-after-all/20499803/article-detail.xml 20499803 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audia4_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audia4.jpg <![CDATA[Audi: Natural gas G-tron project exists "to have a future for the combustion engine"]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

audi a3 g-tron

Audi has been quite vocal about what it considers the benefits of the natural gas-burning A3 Sportback G-Tron and, more importantly, the company's synthetic methane (E-Gas) fuel project. On the one hand, it's a very cool idea to take CO2 that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and turn it into both hydrogen and synthetic natural gas (as Audi's E-Gas plant in Werlte, Germany will start doing later this year). On the other, the G-Tron simply uses another internal combustion engine doing what ICEs do best: burn fuel. Reiner Mangold, head of sustainable product development at Audi, said today at the Geneva Motor Show that that's kind of the point.

"The main idea is to bind the CO2 and to have a future for the combustion engine, to drive the eight-cylinder for our children," he said. "The G-Tron gives you CO2 figures that are really comparable to pure electric cars."

It's a very cool idea to take CO2 that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere and turn it into hydrogen and synthetic natural gas.

Citing trade secrets, Mangold would not describe exactly how the CO2 will be taken out of the atmosphere, but we do know that Audi's Wertle plant will make 1,000 tons of e-gas a year, which is enough to power 1,500 G-Trons for 15,000 miles each at a cost that is roughly three time higher than simply pumping natural gas out of the ground. The plan, still in the formulation stages, will be to pump the synthetic gas into the existing distribution network for fossil natural gas in Germany. A3 Sportback G-Tron buyers might be able to get (either buy or receive for free) an E-Gas contract that, while it doesn't actually get them E-Gas, shows that they're participating in the project. The details are still being worked out, Mangold said, but these contracts might be worth something in Germany's tax schemes and there won't be more than 1,500 such contracts available, since that's all the E-Gas that Audi can make.

Audi brought the A3 Sportback G-Tron to Geneva, and it will go on sale in Germany towards the end of the year. A bi-fuel car, the G-Tron can also burn regular gasoline. European regulations require that cars become efficient enough that they emit no more than 95 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2020, and there is no way to do this right now using a combustion engine, Mangold said. "So we have to stop the combustion engine or we find some way to reduce the CO2, and we think this will be a good solution."

Audi: Natural gas G-tron project exists "to have a future for the combustion engine" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audicngegaselectric vehiclegenevageneva 2013geneva motor show 2013natural gasreiner mangoldTue, 05 Mar 2013 20:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20488891/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20488891/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/audi-natural-gas-g-tron-project-future-combustion-engine/20488891/article-detail.xml 20488891 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-g-tron-geneva-628p_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/audi-a3-g-tron-geneva-628p.jpg <![CDATA[Safety outweighs emissions benefits of new A/C refrigerant for BMW]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/safety-outweighs-emissions-benefits-of-new-a-c-refrigerant-for-b/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/safety-outweighs-emissions-benefits-of-new-a-c-refrigerant-for-b/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/11/safety-outweighs-emissions-benefits-of-new-a-c-refrigerant-for-b/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



BMW has joined Daimler and, potentially, Audi in quitting an automotive industry research program studying a proposed new air conditioning refrigerant, the simply named HFO-1234yf. BMW disagrees with the test methods being used. "We do not want to say the test results are wrong, but we are not convinced the methods applied are sufficient to achieve a definitive conclusion that guarantees our high safety standards," a spokesman for BMW told Reuters.

European regulators want to see the new refrigerant adopted to cut atmospheric emissions which could cause global warming, and it's been researched for years. Daimler expressed safety concerns last year after conducting its own flammability tests, which caused the formation of a working group, the Cooperative Research Program, under the guidance of the International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Daimler confirmed it has left the working group, while Audi could not be reached for comment.

HFO-1234yf may lead to a billion-dollar monopoly beginning in 2017.

The HFO-1234yf refrigerant is being developed by Honeywell and Dupont. It may lead to a billion-dollar monopoly beginning in 2017 when a previously scheduled phase-out of current refrigerants is completed.

In September, Daimler made its decision to recall all 1,300 of its Mercedes cars that were using HFO-1234yf. The German carmaker had been testing simulated frontal crashes causing leakage of the refrigerant from its air conditioning system. Researchers were finding that when the surface of the turbocharged gasoline engine reached higher operating temperatures, it could spontaneously ignite.

The latest working group was formed in November with Daimler and 12 other major global automakers. In December, the group released a statement that none of these 12 automakers had expressed concern over the safety of HFO-1234yf. Since then, BMW and possibly Audi have joined up with Daimler.

The European Commission had no comment, and has been lobbying for adoption of the new refrigerant to scale back on carbon emissions. The US Environmental Protection Agency also supports the reduction of global warming over the HFC-134a currently in use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration may play a role in safety concerns outweighing the environmental benefits.

Safety outweighs emissions benefits of new A/C refrigerant for BMW originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acair conditioningcarbon emissionseuropean unionglobal warminghfo-1234yfrefrigerantsaevehicle safetyMon, 11 Feb 2013 14:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20454085/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20454085/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/11/safety-outweighs-emissions-benefits-of-new-a-c-refrigerant-for-b/20454085/article-detail.xml 20454085 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/air-conditioning-system_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/air-conditioning-system.jpg <![CDATA[Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Audi is constructing a huge synthetic natural gas plant in Germany that demonstrates its commitment to renewable energy just as it provides some valuable R&D to help prove e-gas is economically and environmentally possible. The 44,000-square-foot plant is in Werlite, a small town in northwestern Germany near the North Sea, 217 miles north of company headquarters in Ingolstadt, near Munich.

The goal is carbon-free fuel, and it sounds far from easy. Wind turbines generate electricity to manufacture hydrogen by electrolysis, which then is used, along with CO2 captured from the air, to produce methane. Audi calls it e-gas.

Audi will be plugging into the power produced by a massive wind farm two miles off the coast of Zingst, a resort town along the North Sea. The synthetic gas would be distributed through existing CNG pipelines to gas stations. The e-gas plant is set to absorb nearly 3,000 metric tons of CO2 from the air annually, and feed 1,000 metric tons of e-gas into Germany's public natural gas network.

The demonstration plant, with what Audi is calling a Methanation reactor, is set to begin a test run in spring 2013. Audi also is marketing an A3 Sportback, designated as a TCNG, to run on the synthetic natural gas. The A3 Sportback TCNG arrives in dealerships in Germany late in 2013.

Generating your own power, or manufacturing your own fuel, seems to be the new thing for automakers. Last week, VW plugged in its huge solar park, which will power its LEED-certified factory in Chattanooga, TN to make the fuel-efficient Passat.

Continue reading Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2

Audi to produce e-gas, its own synthetic fuel using wind, solar and captured CO2 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 31 Jan 2013 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelaudiAudiA3cnghydrogenwind powerThu, 31 Jan 2013 07:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439847/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439847/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/31/audi-to-produce-e-gas-synthetic-fuel-wind-solar-co2/20439847/article-detail.xml 20439847 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/audi-e-gas-delivery-trucks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/audi-e-gas-delivery-trucks.jpg <![CDATA[Audi building e-gas plant to make climate-friendly vehicle fuel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



On December 13, Audi celebrated its synthetic methane (e-gas) vehicle fuel plant, which is under construction in Werlte, Germany. Audi says that it is the world's first industrial plant for generating e-gas from CO2 and renewable electricity. Its end product will be hydrogen and synthetic Audi e-gas, which will be used as climate-friendly fuel for vehicles such as the new Audi A3 Sportback TCNG. E-gas production will begin in the spring of 2013.

The Audi e-gas plant will utilize renewable energy for electrolysis. The electrolysis process splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, or Audi e-hydrogen, which at some point can be used to power fuel-cell vehicles. Since there's not much of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure in place yet, Audi can react the hydrogen with CO2 in a methane-processing unit to generate renewable synthetic methane, or Audi e-gas. The e-gas can be delivered to fueling stations through the local natural-gas network, since chemically speaking, the e-gas is nearly identical to fossil-based natural gas.

Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 Sportback in Munich, right before the 2012 Paris Motor Show in September. The five-door hatchback features a bi-fuel powertrain as part of the Audi e-gas project. Since compressed natural gas fueling stations are hard to find, the A3 also makes use of a 13-gallon gasoline tank to help give the car an effective range of around 745 miles.

The e-gas initiative is part of Audi's strategy of bringing cleaner, carbon-neutral fuel to internal combustion engines. The Werlte plant will generate enough CO2-neutral e-gas to power 1,500 new Audi A3 Sportback TCNG vehicles 15,000 kilometers (9,320 miles) each year. This compact five-door hatchback is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in late 2013.

Audi gets the CO2 to power the e-gas plant from a nearby biogas plant, operated by energy company EWE. The CO2 is made climate neutral by being chemically bonded into the fuel at the Audi e-gas plant, so that it won't pollute the atmosphere. Audi's new e-gas plant will be able to annually produce about 1,000 metric tons (1,102 US tons) of e-gas, and will chemically bind about 2,800 metric tons of CO2. That's roughly the equivalent to the amount of CO2 that can be absorbed by about 224,000 beech trees in a year.

Audi was given an award for its e-gas project in November. The Working Group for Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Energy Use honored Audi with an award and 15,000 euros.

Audi building e-gas plant to make climate-friendly vehicle fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audibiogasco2e-gashydrogenmethanenatural gassynthetic fuelSat, 22 Dec 2012 15:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406345/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20406345/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/22/audi-building-e-gas-plant-to-make-climate-friendly-vehicle-fuel/20406345/article-detail.xml 20406345 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-e-gas-plant_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audi-e-gas-plant.jpg <![CDATA[VW will expand PHEV offerings from Porsche in 2014]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/vw-will-expand-phev-offerings-from-porsche-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/vw-will-expand-phev-offerings-from-porsche-in-2014/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/18/vw-will-expand-phev-offerings-from-porsche-in-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Porsche Panamera

Volkswagen is two-pronging its approach to alt-fuel vehicles by expanding its stable of plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles (PHEVs) starting in 2014 while continuing to boost its push for more sales of its clean-diesel vehicles.

Europe's largest automaker is adding PHEV versions of the Porsche Panamera and 918 Spyder to the electric-drive vehicles set to debut in 2014, Reuters reports, citing an interview with VW electric-car head Rudolf Krebs.

VW, which will also start selling PHEV versions of the Golf, Passat and Audi Q7 SUV in 2014, will spend a "considerable" percentage of its $9.13 billion annual research and development budget on electric-drive advancements.

VW started selling its first hybrid, a gas-electric version of the Touareg SUV, in 2010, 13 years after Toyota introduced the Prius. But the company is looking to take advantage of what IHG Automotive says will be an eightfold annual increase in PHEV sales between 2013 and 2018.

Volkswagen was among the group of large German automakers that recently launched the "Clean Diesel. Clearly Better" campaign to push for clean-diesel sales in the US. Diesels account for more than half the new car sales in Europe, though less than three percent in the States.

VW will expand PHEV offerings from Porsche in 2014 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audielectric vehicleplug-in hybridporschevolkswagenTue, 18 Dec 2012 15:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20405414/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20405414/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/18/vw-will-expand-phev-offerings-from-porsche-in-2014/20405414/article-detail.xml 20405414 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/porschepanamera-1355782191_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/porschepanamera-1355782191.jpg <![CDATA[German automakers renew push for clean-diesel sales in US]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/german-automakers-renew-push-for-clean-diesel-sales-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/german-automakers-renew-push-for-clean-diesel-sales-in-us/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/12/13/german-automakers-renew-push-for-clean-diesel-sales-in-us/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Audi clean-diesel SUV

Germany's largest automakers are renewing their pitch for their clean-diesel vehicles in the US as a way for consumers to combat high gas prices without having to resort to the (often) even pricier hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen, along with auto-component supplier Bosch, have joined together in a campaign titled: "Clean Diesel. Clearly Better." The project, developed with the German Association of the Automobile Industry (VDA), includes the website Clearly Better Diesel, which outlines the advantages of diesel powertrains in light-duty vehicles, and will be fully unveiled at Detroit's North American International Auto Show next month.

While clean-diesel sales have more than doubled in the US since 2009, they still account for less than three percent of new-car sales in the US. In Western Europe, more than half of the new cars sold are oil burners. In the US, through November of this year, Volkswagen's clean-diesel sales have jumped 32 percent from 2011 to 82,981 units, while Audi's diesel sales are actually down slightly to 6,555 vehicles. Last month, Audi said it will add a clean-diesel option to its A6, A7, A8 sedans as well as its Q5 crossover. Those models are getting a 3.0-liter V6 turbocharged diesel that will deliver 240 horsepower. The A8 diesel will start sales in the US next spring, while the others will debut by the end of 2013. The VDA's press release is available below.

Continue reading German automakers renew push for clean-diesel sales in US

German automakers renew push for clean-diesel sales in US originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audibmwboschcampaignclean dieseldaimlerdieselmercedes-benzvolkswagenThu, 13 Dec 2012 15:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20401484/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20401484/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/13/german-automakers-renew-push-for-clean-diesel-sales-in-us/20401484/article-detail.xml 20401484 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audidiesel-1355346600_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/audidiesel-1355346600.jpg <![CDATA[Electric Audi F12 Supercar keeps R8 E-Tron spirit alive]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/electric-audi-f12-supercar-keeps-r8-e-tron-spirit-alive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/electric-audi-f12-supercar-keeps-r8-e-tron-spirit-alive/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/26/electric-audi-f12-supercar-keeps-r8-e-tron-spirit-alive/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi F12

Why send all that electric power to two wheels when you can do it to four? That's the question Audi is asking - and answering - with its F12 super-electric vehicle.

Audi says the car, which is akin to the R8 E-Tron that had been slated to go on sale later this year until the winds of change swept through, will have three electric motors, as opposed to the E-Tron's two motors, and that power will be driven to both the front and rear axles. The F12 also uses two battery packs that have a combined energy capacity of over 38 kWh.

Perhaps most interesting, the packs area designed to better withstand crashes, using 200 macrocells in each pack packed into beveled walls that "allow the macrocells to shift relative to one another for additional safety in the event of an accident." Audi says this system "can even withstand a side impact with pole."

In all, the F12 will have 204 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Audi developed the model along with Bosch, among other entities, and the project so far has cost 36 million euros ($46.6 million US).

The Audi R8 E-Tron, which has a single-charge range of about 135 miles, set a world speed record for a series production car at Nürburgring earlier this year by completing a lap in eight minutes and 9.099 seconds. Audi's F12 press release is available below.

Continue reading Electric Audi F12 Supercar keeps R8 E-Tron spirit alive

Electric Audi F12 Supercar keeps R8 E-Tron spirit alive originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audie-tronelectric vehiclef12r8r8 e-tronFri, 26 Oct 2012 07:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20361093/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20361093/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/26/electric-audi-f12-supercar-keeps-r8-e-tron-spirit-alive/20361093/article-detail.xml 20361093 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/audif12-1351190736_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/audif12-1351190736.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R8 e-tron will have big Model S-like touch screen]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/audi-r8-e-tron-will-have-big-model-s-like-touch-screen/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/audi-r8-e-tron-will-have-big-model-s-like-touch-screen/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/audi-r8-e-tron-will-have-big-model-s-like-touch-screen/#commentsFiled under: ,

Audi R8 e-tron's digital display

Ah, analog, where have you gone?

Those analog gauges of the all-electric Audi R8 e-tron that we saw earlier this year in a video of a run around Nürburgring's track are being replaced by an all-digital set-up similar to that of the Tesla Model S, Plug In Cars reports.

As can be seen in a two-minute video below, the R8 e-tron, which is being shown off at the Paris Motor Show, will have a digital "powermeter" that takes the place of the tachometer (as there are no engine speed measurements needed here). The car's all-digital center console screen controls things like the radio and climate-control system. There's even a screen where the rear-view mirror usually is.

Audi is planning to start selling the car, which will have a single-charge range of about 135 miles, later this year. In June, the car set a world speed record for a series production car at Nürburgring, completing a lap in eight minutes and 9.099 seconds.

Continue reading Audi R8 e-tron will have big Model S-like touch screen

Audi R8 e-tron will have big Model S-like touch screen originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiconsoledashdigitaldisplaye-tronelectric vehicleparis motor showr8touchscreenTue, 02 Oct 2012 16:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20336696/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20336696/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/02/audi-r8-e-tron-will-have-big-model-s-like-touch-screen/20336696/article-detail.xml 20336696 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audiscreen_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audiscreen.jpg <![CDATA[Audi A7 'coasting' hybrid knows when to be quiet [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/audi-a7-coasting-hybrid-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/audi-a7-coasting-hybrid-video/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/audi-a7-coasting-hybrid-video/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi A7 with the iHEV

It looks like Audi is the latest automaker to equip a car with technology that makes humans look plain ol' dumb by comparison.

In this case, the German automaker is developing a so-called "coasting" hybrid, which is a variation of the stop-start feature being included in an expanding stable of vehicle models. In fact, the system is similar to what we saw on the Volkswagen Golf Twin Drive in 2008, but Audi uses a three-cylinder gas-powered TFSI engine instead of the four-cylinder diesel that was found in the Golf. A version of Twin Drive was developed for the Audi A3, as well.

The iHEV (Intelligent Hybrid Vehicle) is now being developed for the Audi A7 sedan, though the automaker hasn't said anything about timeframe, cost or availability. Still, the company came out with a nifty video (see it below), complete with computer-created graphics showing the car climbing and descending hills with the help of the hybrid system.

The video's explanation was minimalist, but UK's Autocar laid out the details of the system, which includes a 48-volt electric motor powered by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery that, unlike current stop-start systems that cut the engine when the car is at a standstill, actually cuts or idles the engine when the car's in motion in order to save fuel. In other words, it can coast. Audi goes one step further by equipping the A7 with a navigation system that collects data on the inclines and declines down the road (literally) and uses the information to speed up, slow down or shut down the gas engine appropriately.

The upshot is that the car, when tested on 38 miles of winding country roads, was able to shut down its gas engine during 28 percent of the journey and boosted fuel economy compared to a conventional A7 by about 10 percent.

Continue reading Audi A7 'coasting' hybrid knows when to be quiet [w/video]

Audi A7 'coasting' hybrid knows when to be quiet [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audihybridihevstop startstop-startFri, 28 Sep 2012 19:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20334345/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20334345/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/audi-a7-coasting-hybrid-video/20334345/article-detail.xml 20334345 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audiihev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audiihev.jpg <![CDATA[Audi testing A1 e-tron Dual-Mode Hybrid concept [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/audi-a1-dual-mode-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/audi-a1-dual-mode-hybrid/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/09/20/audi-a1-dual-mode-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: ,

audi a1 e-tron dual-mode hybrid

Small car, many motors.

Audi, which has been testing its A1 e-tron extended-range plug-in around Munich, has started doing the same with a version that has a conventional engine and two electric motors.

Audi's Dual-Mode Hybrid A1 e-tron concept car has multiple drivetrain modes that let the plug-in hbyrid's 1.5-liter TFSI internal combustion engine like both a conventional engine and an on-board generator, depending on the car's speed and other conditions. The engine can also be disengaged from the drivetrain by a claw clutch when needed. This is usually when the car is operating in electric mode, up to speeds of 34 miles per hour. Then there's serial mode, where "the combustion engine and the alternator ... produce electrical energy to support, relieve or substitute the battery should it be discharged."

There's a four-minute video floating around that provides some computer-generated images of the car's exterior and drivetrain system and that lays out how the car operates, complete with cool, mellow electronica music. You can see it below, along with Audi's too-long press release. The upshot is that the dual-mode e-tron delivers a combined 177 horsepower, can go about 56 miles on battery power alone and gets a whopping 235 miles per gallon equivalent (using an unspecified measuring stick).

Audi has already tested its "regular" A1 e-tron extended-range EV for about 30,000 miles. That concept car combines a rotary-engine range extender with an electric motor to give the vehicle a total range of about 150 miles.

Continue reading Audi testing A1 e-tron Dual-Mode Hybrid concept [w/video]

Audi testing A1 e-tron Dual-Mode Hybrid concept [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1audiaudi a1 dual mode hybriddual-modee-tronelectric vehiclehybridmunichplug-in hybridThu, 20 Sep 2012 18:17:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20329272/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20329272/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/20/audi-a1-dual-mode-hybrid/20329272/article-detail.xml 20329272 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audietron_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/audietron.jpg <![CDATA[Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/10/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi R8 etron digital rearview mirror screen

Audi's digital rearview mirror is officially going from the Le Mans clobbering, race-only Audi R18 to the road-going R8 e-tron (click the image above to enlarge). Lacking a rear window put the R8 e-tron in the same rear-view challenged category as its racing brethren, and so has been provided the same solution.

The 7.7-inch AMOLED screen receives the feed from a tiny camera just a few millimeters across. The screen is dimmable, will automatically reduce the glare from the headlights of cars behind, and can be switched off if the driver just isn't with it. For now, it appears the screen will just display the camera image, but Audi says it's working on adding more information to the display in the future. You can find out more about it in the press release below.

Continue reading Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production

Audi bringing digital rearview mirror from racing to production originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amoledaudiaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 tdiaudi r8 e-tronaudi sportdigital rear-view mirrore-tronelectric vehicleetronr18r8 e-tronrear view mirrorrear-view mirrorrearview mirrorFri, 10 Aug 2012 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20297795/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20297795/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/10/audi-bringing-digital-rearview-mirror-from-racing-to-production/20297795/article-detail.xml 20297795 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audielectrvmirror_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audielectrvmirror.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/watch-audis-r8-e-tron-quickly-and-quietly-round-the-ring-in-8/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/watch-audis-r8-e-tron-quickly-and-quietly-round-the-ring-in-8/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/09/watch-audis-r8-e-tron-quickly-and-quietly-round-the-ring-in-8/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi R8 E-Tron Nurburgring lap

Silent but deadly fast.

The Audi R8 E-Tron may set the record for a production EV on the Nurbürgring in June, but the video of Marcus Winkelhock won't win any awards for its sound track. During the eight minutes, nine seconds of driving, the car offers hardly any sound.

Gone is the thunder of Audi's V8 or V10 revving through every corner. Instead, it's tire squeals and wind noise. The 375-horsepower electric engines hardly make a sound. But that time is certainly not slow, falling just five seconds short of the R8 with a V8.

Audi promises that this car, which arrives later this year, will be identical to the one that raced on the famed German course. Though, as we pointed out before, it will have its speed limited to 125 mph. It should also have a range of 135 miles.

Scroll down to see the entire lap.

Continue reading Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09

Watch Audi's R8 E-Tron quickly and quietly round the 'Ring in 8:09 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Audie-tronelectric vehicleevgermanygreengreen carnurburgringr8r8 e-tronThu, 09 Aug 2012 11:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20297178/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20297178/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/09/watch-audis-r8-e-tron-quickly-and-quietly-round-the-ring-in-8/20297178/article-detail.xml 20297178 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audi-r8-e-tron-nurburgring_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audi-r8-e-tron-nurburgring.jpg <![CDATA[German Olympic team gets decked-out Audi A1 e-tron plug-in hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/german-olympic-team-gets-decked-out-audi-a1-e-tron-plug-in-hybri/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/german-olympic-team-gets-decked-out-audi-a1-e-tron-plug-in-hybri/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/german-olympic-team-gets-decked-out-audi-a1-e-tron-plug-in-hybri/#commentsFiled under: , ,

german olympic team audi etron

The German Olympic team may be trailing the Chinese and Americans in London when it comes to medal count, but at least it has a cool ride. Audi has presented the team with an A1 e-tron decked out in German colors, to promote the automaker's plug-in vehicles.

The 102-horsepower extended-range plug-in can sprint along at 80 miles per hour and includes an on-board gas-powered engine/range-extender that provides about 150 miles of range after the initial electrons are used up. As fun as that might be, for now, the car's being used for nothing more than a shuttle between the Olympic Village and the MS Deutschland cruise ship.

The German automaker has been busy publicizing its work on its e-tron group recently, including posting a video of its e-tron Quattro in June and operating a pilot project with its battery-electric version of its A3 hatchback in Colorado.

German Olympic team gets decked-out Audi A1 e-tron plug-in hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a1e-tronelectric vehicleextended rangelondonolympicsplug-inplug-in hybridshuttleFri, 03 Aug 2012 16:16:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20292372/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20292372/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/03/german-olympic-team-gets-decked-out-audi-a1-e-tron-plug-in-hybri/20292372/article-detail.xml 20292372 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audi-etron-german-olympic-team-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/audi-etron-german-olympic-team-628.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Audi A8 Hybrid]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-first-drive-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/07/09/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-first-drive-review/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Diesel Versus Electrons Debate Continues

2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

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.

Continue reading 2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

2012 Audi A8 Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 audi a8 hybrida8a8 hybridaudiaudi a8featuredfirst driveFirstDrivehybridMon, 09 Jul 2012 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20274227/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20274227/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/09/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-first-drive-review/20274227/article-detail.xml 20274227 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/07/2012-audi-a8-hybrid-fd.jpg -1 2