2012 Audi A8 Hybrid Revealed With a 4-Cylinder Engine
Audi has just released official details on a new hybrid version of its A8 luxury flagship sedan, powered by a 4-cylinder engine. The 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (what else?) is mated to an electric motor and makes a total of 245-hp with 345 lb-ft of torque while achieving an average fuel consumption of 36.75-mpg (on the European test cycle). Even more impressive is that the luxury sedan can travel up to 62-mph on the electric motor alone and can cover 1.86-miles at a speed of 37-mph with zero local emissions.
Separately, the 2.0L TFSI produces 211-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the electric motor puts out 54-hp and 155 lb-ft of torque. Combined, this helps power the A8 hybrid to a 0-62 mph time of 7.7 seconds – a reasonable though hardly impressive time. Three driving modes are available to the A8 hybrid driver, an EV mode that gives priority to the electric drive, a “D” mode that efficiently controls both the electric and gas engine and an “S” mode can be combined with the tiptronic gate to provide a sporty driving experience.
On the outside, the hybrid version sports subtle differences than its gas-only counterpart. The 10-spoke wheels are unique and come in an 18-inch sizing as standard, with a 19-inch upgrade available as an option. Hybrid badges adorn the body while Arctic Silver is an exclusive paint finish to the hybrid model. Standard to the model are metallic paint, three-zone automatic air conditioning, LED headlights and a Bose sound system.
No pricing was announced for the A8 hybrid.
GALLERY: Audi A8 Hybrid
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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