Reveal: 2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

From the moment Audi showcased the A8 hybrid at the Geneva Motor show in 2010 in May, motor enthusiasts can’t wait for 2012 to come and to get their hands and feet inside the A8 hybrid. This car is gonna change the way people view sedans. Sedans are taken as fuel guzzling rides, and Audi is set to change that image. With their claim that it will deliver power of a six cylinder engine, and guzzle fuel as of a four cylinder one, they are sure to get good publicity. This car exudes elegance and class from front to back. Read on to revel in its light.

2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

First impression

The A8 hybrid is a car for the future. When driving pleasure is as important as running fuel costs, that’s when you start thinking along the lines of A8. Audi’s luxury flagship sedan has a 2.0 turbocharged 4 cylinder combined with an electric motor. It delivers a power of 245 hp, with a torque of 345 lb-ft. The European Combined Cycle Tests conducted by Audi have given a consumption of 36.7 mpg, or around 13 kmpl, which is reasonable for a car of this stature. It can shoot from 0-62 mph in 7.7 seconds, now, don’t think of it as a shortcoming, it is a sedan of the future, not a sports car which you can burn the roads with.

The powertrain

Power for the electric motor is supplied by a lithium-ion-battery. It weighs at 36.7 kg, and is fixed in the boot. The battery delivers energy of 1.3 Kwh, and a power of 54 hp. To cool the battery, Audi has employed air cooling, incorporated with the car’s air conditioning. The hybrid version uses Audi’s direct injection technique. If you want to take the car for a spin and feel all green about it, then know that the electric motor can run the car upto around 2 miles by itself - with a top speed of 62 mph, and at a speed of 37 mph with zero emissions. An oil bathed multi plate clutch is used to connect or disconnect the electric motor from the TFSI engine. And deviating from the norm here as with all other Audi A8’s, the transmission is given only to the front wheels in the hybrid version, and not to all four. A KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is attached to the brakes to replenish the battery. Although if you are an F1 fan, you would have already been familiar with KERS. Top speed is rated at 146 mph.

Picture Gallery

2012 Audi A8 Hybrid

2012 Audi A8 Hybrid Revealed

What’s new?

The car comes loaded with Bang and Olufsen speakers to enrich your music experience and is integrated with Google Earth for navigation. A8 hybrid comes with three driving modes. There is an ‘EV’ mode for that green drive with the electric motor. A ‘D’ mode that balances both the electric motor and gas engine. A ‘S’ mode for that sporty experience in your sedan. The A8 employs an eight speed tiptronic transmission for transmitting power to the front wheels.

What’s refreshing?

Everything. It’s mere presence exudes class and grace. You can feel it oozing out of the exhaust, and when the doors open. The interiors are polished and elegant. The placement of the trademark 4 ring symbol on steering wheel just makes you smile. The driver’s panel is totally ‘Audilicious’. You just can’t get enough of it. The ergonomics are great, it has to be- It is an Audi. The ten spokes of its 18 inches diameter alloy wheels have been designed to resemble turbine blades. The LED lining along the front headlamps give it a menacing as well as a sober look, though how they manage to do that- I suppose the secret lies somewhere in the minds of all their talented engineers.

Price and availability

The car will be available from 2012, that’s for sure, though there is no official date as such. There has been no news on the price as well. Although, Audi has given confirmation that they are gonna showcase the A8 hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, let’s see if they have any news on the price and availability. But, whatever be the price, this beauty will be worth every cent of the metal from which it is made.