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).
Google News