Audi's A8 Hybrid is about to get real. The concept shown at Geneva in 2010 has morphed into a production model with only minor changes, and will debut at the Frankfurt motor show in mid-September, with production scheduled for 2012.
It combines a 155kW/350Nm version of the two-litre TFSI petrol engine and a 40kW electric motor for a total of 180kW and 480Nm, while averaging a claimed 6.4 litres per 100km, "the power of a six-cylinder car on the fuel consumption of a four", says Audi.
It's designed as a "parallel hybrid", using both engines almost all the time; range on electric power alone is just three kilometres at a steady 60km/h - and a lot less at its electric top speed of 100km/h.
The disc-shaped, permanent magnet, synchronous electric motor is fitted in the space usually taken up by the torque converter, ahead of a modified eight-speed tiptronic auto transmission that drives the front wheels.
A soft-acting, multi-plate wet clutch connects the electric motor and the petrol engine.
The 36.7kg lithium-ion battery is in a crash-protected area between the boot and the rear axle and air-cooled, either by a fan blowing air from inside the car or, if it still gets too hot, by a cold-air feed from the car's auto aircon.
It's rated at a nominal 1.3 kWh - that's just under two minutes with the electric motor drawing its full 40kW.
Given a fully-charged battery and a heavy right foot the A8 Hybrid will hit 100km/h from a standing start in 7.7sec and reach a top speed of 235km/h.
The driver has a choice of three driving modes: the EV map will use electric power whenever battery charge levels permit, D mode combines petrol and electric power as efficiently as possible and S uses all the power available (and re-maps the transmission's shift points) for a sporty driving style.
The A8 Hybrid will have special alloy rims (18" standard, 19" optional) with spokes like turbine blades, Bose premium audio and three-zone climate control as standard and the option of hybrid-only silver metallic paint.
Audi SA says it has no plans at this stage to release the A8 Hybrid in South Africa.