Hybrid? "It's an AUDI, Partner !!" - GreenHybrid

lars-ss · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

FRANKFURT AUTO SHOW: Audi debuts Europe's first gas-electric vehicle at show

September 13, 2005
BY MARK PHELAN

FRANKFURT, Germany -- Audi unveiled the first gas-electric hybrid vehicle from a European automaker at the Frankfurt auto show Monday.

The German luxury brand will begin selling the hybrid version of its new Q7 SUV in 2008, Audi Chairman Martin Winterkorn said.

The hybrid version of the low-slung and car-like Q7 will get 15% better fuel economy and better performance than a gas-only version of the SUV equipped with the same V8 engine used in the hybrid, Winterkorn said.

European automakers have been slow to introduce hybrids because the diesel engines popular in Europe also provide better fuel economy, but at a considerably lower cost than the complicated gas-electric models.

Audi developed the new hybrid system with its owner, Volkswagen AG, and Porsche, which has a long history of collaborating on vehicle development with the VW group.

Audi's fuel-economy gain is considerably more modest than those of existing hybrids like the Ford Escape, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 400h. Those hybrids have recently been criticized for failing to deliver the fuel savings some owners expect. Diesel engines typically use 20% to 30% less fuel than comparably powerful gasoline engines.

Gas-powered 350-horsepower V8 and 280-horsepower V6 versions of the Q7 go on sale in the United States next June and September, respectively.

Audi also will offer a V6 diesel Q7 in Europe, but has not decided if it will sell diesels in the United States.

http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/...e_20050913.htm

xcel · #2 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 01:47 PM

Hi Lars-ss:

___All these manufacturers are trying to hold onto that $5,000 - $10,000 profit margin of their SUV’s and I cannot say that I blame them but 15% improvement when we can see the oil supply problem as in “staring down the barrel of a gun” right in front of us? What a joke

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

AZCivic · #3 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 02:37 PM

Incidentally, Infiniti is currently suing Audi saying Q7 infringes on it's Q45 and Q56's naming convention.

AshenGrey · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2005, 02:54 PM

I wonder if the Audi hybrid model is based on BAS, THS-M, or if they've developed their own system. It looks like a small step, but it's at least a step in the right direction.

Of course, the article just couldn't pass up on a jab at the FEH and Prius-II. Ugh.

It always cracks me up how the magazines always cite the diesel FE advantage over standard gasoline ICE, but never mention the absolute carcinogenic filth that comes out of a diesel exhaust pipe. Diesel engines clatter and tap like a choir of chattering teeth. Diesel fuel also doesn't evaporate, which is why the diesel area of the gas station is always a greasy cess pool.

DPFHybrid · #5 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 04:22 AM

[quote=AshenGrey]but never mention the absolute carcinogenic filth that comes out of a diesel exhaust pipe. Diesel engines clatter and tap like a choir of chattering teeth.

AMEN, Brotha!!!

LarsBoelen · #6 (**permalink**) 09-14-2005, 04:53 AM

"will begin selling the hybrid version of its new Q7 SUV in 2008"

No they wont, they'll all be looking for a new job, because Toyota and Honda just split what remains of the automotive market between the two of them.
(Or Bush must sign a decrete forbidding non-SUV cars, because smaller hybrid cars are hurting the oil producers, and thus are hurting "the economy")