Luxury saloon combines 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine with electric motor for zero emissions driving and in excess of 44mpg

• Luxury saloon with hybrid drive to enter series production in 2012
• 245 PS system output, fuel consumption in excess of 44mpg
• Four-cylinder petrol engine, powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery

Luxury class grandeur meets compact class efficiency in the Audi A8 hybrid, which this week has been given the green light for series production beginning in 2012, and will reach the UK late next year. Employing a four-cylinder petrol engine for the first time in an Audi model at this level, the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s latest paragon of economy will offer performance befitting its 245PS and 480Nm outputs, despite delivering  more uncharacteristic sub-148g/km CO₂ output and all-electric, completely local emissions-free running at speeds of up to 62mph.

The Audi flagship model is designed as a highly efficient parallel hybrid. Its 2.0-litre TFSI engine, which has been modified in some areas, generates an output of 211PS and makes a 350 Nm torque peak available between 1,500 and 4,200 rpm. The combustion engine works together with a disc-shaped electric motor which generates 40 kW (54 PS) and 210 Nm.

The permanent magnet synchronous motor is mounted in the space usually occupied by the torque converter in front of the modified eight-speed tiptronic transmission. A multi-plate clutch that operates in an oil bath connects or disconnects the electric motor and the TFSI engine, and does so ultra-precisely and gently in all situations. The smooth and fast-shifting hybrid transmission guides the torque to the front wheels, and its wide gear spread contributes to the efficiency of the Audi A8 hybrid.

The short-term system output of 245PS and the system torque of 480 Nm serve to provide impressively strong response. According to the provisional figures generated by early-stage tests, the Audi A8 hybrid will be capable of reaching 62mph from rest in 7.7 seconds and continuing to a top speed of 146mph while returning in excess of 44mpg in the EU combined cycle test, along with CO₂ emissions of less than 148 g/km.

The Audi A8 hybrid can drive at up to 62mph purely on electric power and has a range of up to 1.86 miles at a constant 37mph. This gives the driver the choice of three modes: The ‘EV’ setting gives priority to the electric drive, while the ‘D’ option efficiently controls both the engine and the electric motor. The ‘S’ mode and the tiptronic gate place the emphasis on optimal acceleration. The hybrid saloon has five operating states: with the TFSI engine alone, with electric drive only or in hybrid mode; recuperation and boosting are also possible. Two displays show the driver all operating modes in detail.

The lithium-ion battery, which weighs 36.7 kilograms, is located in a crash-proof area in the boot. It provides 1.3 kWh of nominal energy and up to 40 kW of power. Two different methods are used to air-cool the battery, depending on need: air is either blown from the passenger compartment by a fan or via a separate cooling circuit coupled to the automatic air conditioning system. The battery is thus kept within the temperature window required for it to perform to its full potential over a wide range. The electric motor and the compact power electronics which serve as a controller between the electric motor and the battery are water-cooled.

In visual terms, the Audi A8 hybrid is distinguishable by subtle details such as its 18-inch or optional 19-inch ten spoke alloy wheels which resemble turbine blades, hybrid badges and an exclusive Arctic Silver paint finish. The metallic paint finish is a standard feature, as are three-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights and a BOSE sound system.

Thanks to the brand’s ultra-lightweight construction expertise, the Audi A8 hybrid will be one of the lightest saloons in its category. Its ASF (Audi Space Frame) body is made almost entirely of aluminium, with ultra-high-strength steel used only for the B –pillars to optimise rigidity. Weighing just 231 kilograms, it is roughly 40 per cent lighter than a comparable steel construction.