New Audi A8 hybrid coming to Geneva

You hear lately about all these knew hybrid / electric vehicles with astounding fuel economy figures that will never make it into mass production. Well, this time, Audi will present a hybrid version of the Audi A8 at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show that will actually make it into production.

The Audi A8 hybrid will get a parallel system which places the electric engine in the drive line between the 2.0 liter TFSI four cylinders petrol engine and the eight speed automatic gearbox. The 2.0 liter TFSI engine will have an output of 211 horsepower while the electric engine will provide up to 45 horsepower and 211 Nm of torque, when needed. According to the German automaker, this adds up for a combined total output of 245 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque. Now let`s do the math. The 45 horsepower of the electric motor plus the 211 horsepower of the petrol engine give a total of 256 horsepower. Well, 256 horsepower is not 245 horsepower. There are two options: either the total output will be electronically limited or someone at Audi failed his Math class back in school.

According to the German automaker, the Audi A8 hybrid should be able to go in all electric mode for a total of 1.2 miles or 2 kilometers, time in which it should reach a maximum speed of 40 mph (65 km/h). Also, the performance of the Audi A8 hybrid should be the same as the one of the V6 version.

The Audi A8 hybrid will be available starting the end of the next year.