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Audi A8 Hybrid Unveiled Before Frankfurt Debut

If the overall shape of this car is familiar to you, that’s because the concept A8 Hybrid arrived at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, and the Ingolstadt carmaker didn’t change all that much. This is the full production form we are seeing before our eyes: a luxury four-door with frugal ambitions that will go on sale next year. Just about the only visual changes made are the smaller 18-inch wheels that replaced the huge 21-inch ones of the concept, but the design has not changed. The brand-spanking-new A8 Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged TFSI engine kicking out 211HP and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft) of torque. We expect that Audi’s decision to go for a petrol engine instead of a diesel is US-market oriented, as this was also what happened with BMW’s i8, that reportedly made the switch for more global appeal. The hybrid part of the powerplant comes from mating the engine to an electric motor that provides 40 kW and 210 Nm (154.89 lb-ft) of torque. Audi engineers have determined that combined output can reach 245 horsepower, though knowing the Golf GTI’s engine, you really have to rev it to get there. The A8 Hybrid sprints to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.7 seconds and has a top speed of 235 km/h (146 mph), so it’s respectably fast. On the European cycle, consumption is expected to 6.4 liters per 100 km (36.8mpg US), while CO2 emissions stand at 148 grams. autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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