Most of the world’s biggest carmakers are planning new, greener versions of their luxury saloons. BMW has invested EUR1.2 billion in green fuel saving, while Mercedes has doubled its investment to EUR1 billion. So it comes only as natural for Audi to counter this with a four-cylinder, hybrid A8.
In an effort to reduce emissions and consumption, the premium manufacturer is developing a hybrid platform that combines a smaller four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor.
We announced yesterday that Mercedes is also introducing a four-cylinder unit in the S-Klasse, which is a first for the German manufacturer in its 60-year history. However Audi thinks downsizing the engine alone is not the answer, as this will compromise the driving characteristics. A hybrid is going to offer the performance a car like this needs to offer.
The model is scheduled to arrive in 2012, with prices to be made available at a later date. In order to reduce consumption until the new model arrives, Audi is introducing a front wheel drive version of the A8 that is powered by a six-cylinder turbo diesel engine next year.
Cars like this are created for people who want the social approval a prestigious badge has to offer, but don’t want to be punished for this with huge fuel bills and taxes. Countries across Europe are increasing such auto taxes, based on carbon-dioxide emissions, in order to reduce pollution.
Mercedes, who has already launched the S400 Hybrid, is making its bid at low emissions with the launch of a 2.2-liter turbo diesel on the S-Klasse, called the S250 CDI. However, the Bavarians are taking a different approach to this, by not reducing the number of cylinders, instead opting for systems that make the fuel burn better, so we should not see a four-cylinder 7 Series (thank God for that).
In an effort to reduce emissions and consumption, the premium manufacturer is developing a hybrid platform that combines a smaller four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor.
We announced yesterday that Mercedes is also introducing a four-cylinder unit in the S-Klasse, which is a first for the German manufacturer in its 60-year history. However Audi thinks downsizing the engine alone is not the answer, as this will compromise the driving characteristics. A hybrid is going to offer the performance a car like this needs to offer.
The model is scheduled to arrive in 2012, with prices to be made available at a later date. In order to reduce consumption until the new model arrives, Audi is introducing a front wheel drive version of the A8 that is powered by a six-cylinder turbo diesel engine next year.
Cars like this are created for people who want the social approval a prestigious badge has to offer, but don’t want to be punished for this with huge fuel bills and taxes. Countries across Europe are increasing such auto taxes, based on carbon-dioxide emissions, in order to reduce pollution.
Mercedes, who has already launched the S400 Hybrid, is making its bid at low emissions with the launch of a 2.2-liter turbo diesel on the S-Klasse, called the S250 CDI. However, the Bavarians are taking a different approach to this, by not reducing the number of cylinders, instead opting for systems that make the fuel burn better, so we should not see a four-cylinder 7 Series (thank God for that).