Audi to Bring A8 e-tron with Diesel-Electric V6

German car maker Audi plans to introduce an A8 e-tron hybrid that pairs a diesel V6 with an electric motor. Recently, Audi confirmed its plans to install plug-in hybrid powertrains across its core line-up in next five years. And the latest report from a publication claims that full-size A8 saloon will be among the first to be electrified, following on the footmarks of the its younger sibling A3 Sportback e-tron.

The A3 Sportsback e-tron features a 4-cylinder 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol mill and an electric motor, pushing out a combined output of 201 bhp and 350 Nm. While the elder A8 e-tron will get its power from 3.0-litre diesel engine (most likely to be sourced from RS5 TDI Concept), coupled with one or more electric motors. In combined form the unit outputs 368 horses of power and more than 700 Nm of torque. Despite of its huge size, this arrangement will allow the A8 e-tron to run up to 48 kms only on electric power and in hybrid mode it will have CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi's board member for technical development, said, "The 3.0-litre e-tron will be used in different cars. The plugin hybrid is an exciting combination." He added, “the A8 e-tron should boast some impressive figures when it does arrive as it will go under the 100g/km barrier, especially in Europe.”

The German auto major will reveal the new e-tron system by early 2015, and production of A8 e-tron is most likely to commence after that, with the same setup of other prominent models A6 and Q7 will follow. Considering the fact that the A3 Sportback e-tron carries 50-percent higher price tag than the standard model, the A8 e-tron will also be asking for a significant premium over the regular variant. Though no final words on launch as well as pricing are out till date.  

Source : AE

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