Audi working on an A8 with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain

For Audi’s flagship sedan — the new A8 — to triumph against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series, the company had added the latest technologies and fuel-efficient engines. The new A8’s unveiling at Miami last Monday was led by CEO Rupert Stadler.

With technologies such as an energy recuperation system and innovative thermal management, Audi was able to reduce the new A8’s fuel consumption by 13%-22% compared to the current car. Stadler says that there’s also a plan to build an A8 with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. He confirmed however that there won’t be a diesel hybrid A8. The A8’s most fuel-efficient model is equipped with a 204hp, 3.0-liter diesel engine that’s available only in Europe. It will have CO2 emissions of 159 grams per kilometer (255.89 g/mile) and use 6 liters of fuel per 100km (39.2 U.S. mpg).
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AlleVier - 12/2/2009 6:59:16 PM

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To me, the disappointment is rooted in two frontal details; the headlights and the lower air intakes. The check-mark light cluster doesn't bother me a great deal except that it doesn't fit well with the overall lens shape. The grill insets in the intakes need to go. They create the appearance of too much chrome and too much detail, in general. These should have been recessed like those on the A7 Sportback concept.

The body's overall profile is about as dramatic as one can expect from a large, flagship sedan without being overly fashionable. Every new Audi, except for the A5, has taken me some time to appreciate--even the R8. I suspect I will like this more as time goes on and when I see it in person with a non-beige finish and Audi's best wheels.

Agent63 - 12/2/2009 10:19:27 PM

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The exterior on the outgoing A8 is the much nicer than the new one (unless it grows on me). The previous generation A8 also looked nice too in an understated way. The rear lights on this flagship isn't appealing to me. It looks a bit too understated. Where's the flamboyance? where's the hoo-haw? where's the "hey look at me i'm driving a 100,000 dollar car". Any car in this price range needs a hint of that at the least no matter how conservative it is. With that said the interior is an Audi, enough said.