The hybrid version of Audi’s large luxury saloon, the A8 Hybrid gets a price tag prior to its market launch in Germany and all other European countries in May 2012. The A8 Hybrid is priced at €77,700 fro the standard wheelbase, while the long wheelbase model starts at €85,400. The LWB is primarily designed for the Chinese market.
The Audi A8 Hybrid is relatively well-priced, compared to hybrid versions of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series. Granted, it’s not the first choice for those looking a large German saloon, but it’s a damn good car and you get a lot of kit for your money.
The Audi A8 hybrid is a parallel hybrid – a high-efficiency concept. Its 155 kW (211 hp) 2.0 TFSI and the electric motor are mounted one directly behind the other and are linked by a clutch to work together, when necessary. System output is 180 kW (245 hp) and peak system torque is 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft).
The power is delivered to the front wheels via a highly modified eight-speed tiptronic. The lithium-ion battery in the rear provides 1.3 kWh of energy, and its sophisticated air cooling system switches between two stages as needed.
The upshot of that is 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.7 seconds, and top speed is 235 km/h (146.02 mph), while averaging 6.3 liters of fuel per 100 km (37.34 US mpg). CO2 rating is 147 grams per km (236.57 g/mile).
