Currently reading: Audi bins hybrid plans
Petrol-electric engines dropped in favour of cleaner diesels

Audi’s plans for petrol-electric hybrids are on hold indefinitely following a decision to postpone the hybrid Q5.

Autocar revealed in July that the Q7 would not get a hybrid powertrain, with the company deciding to focus on more efficient diesels and cutting weight from its cars.

Now the Q5, which was next in line for the technology, won’t be available as a hybrid either. Senior sources said: “Audi won’t produce a petrol-electric hybrid until we can make nickel metal hydride batteries safer in crash situations, and hybrid technology more efficient overall. Until then we will concentrate on producing more efficient diesel engines and aluminium chassis.”

The Q5 will now be fitted with a stop-start system, and could get further fuel-saving technology. Audi’s answer to BMW’s Efficient Dynamics initiative won’t get a specific name, as the company wants to promote the belief that the improvements are a natural part of its technical progress.

The new technology could make its debut on the A1 supermini, due in 2010, but development is sufficiently advanced that it could be added to existing models next year.

Vicky Parrott

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MrTrilby 18 December 2008

Re: Audi bins hybrid plans

A DPF filter means reduced particulate emissions, not zero. And these our output at the point of use in congested populated areas, not contained neatly in a recycling centre.

If you're interested in emissions , take a look at http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/search/vehicleDetails.asp?id=20435

In addition to particulates, the diesel has three times the NOx emissions of the petrol Focus. And 150 times the NOx emissions of a hybrid car such as the Prius.

We have both a diesel and petrol powered car and agree strongly that you should pick the power source that suits your driving and personal preferences. I have to say though, I've yet to come across a diesel engine that sounds quieter than its equivalent petrol, and produces less vibration through the controls. I also personally strongly dislike the power delivery of the smaller capacity turbocharged diesels.


Will86 18 December 2008

Re: Audi bins hybrid plans

At the moment with the colder weather and a lot of driving through London I am getting about 56mpg from the Focus which is pretty good. A long trip up to Wales saw 66mpg, overall I average just under 60mpg. With the DPF the Focus doesn't emit any particulates and what about your lovely juicy batteries?

I am biased towards diesel as I have one, but trying to be objective I don't think there is much to chose between the two, it very much depends on the type of driving you do and personal tastes. One point I would completely disagree with though is about diesel being less refined to drive. The drivetrain is far smoother in the diesel focus than the petrol which is particularly noticeable in crawling traffic, the engine is much quieter than the petrol with the expception of low speed town driving, and with all the low down torque the diesel is much more relaxing to drive (and faster).

BMW definately seem to have the competition licked for efficiency, Audi have some catching up to do.

MrTrilby 17 December 2008

Re: Audi bins hybrid plans

Does your Focus achieve its 60MPG economy across the entire tank of fuel, consistently? Or is that a one off "if I do a long journey I can get up to" figure?

Petrol is currently considerably cheaper than diesel, and also emits less CO2 per gallon burnt than diesel. For your interest, our Prius averages 52MPG across the entire tank, day in, day out. If you account for the difference in fuel prices and CO2, your Focus needs to hit or exceed 60MPG on every tank to achieve the same.

You're also right in that diesels emit a huge amount more nitrous oxides and particulates, neither of which are very good for health, particularly in congested cities. As I see it, petrol has made great strides in catching up with diesel and reducing the benefits. Whereas diesel is perhaps running out of options and yet is still far dirtier and far less refined to drive. For example, the BMW 530i now hits just shy of 38MPG on the combined cycle, whereas the 530d is only 5MPG better at just shy of 43MPG.

Back on topic, I find it no surprise that Audi have canned their hybrid development - their entire range of cars seem pretty bad for efficiency when you compare them with their competition. You could view that as either they really don't care much about efficiency, or they have plenty of scope for improvement and catching up without needing to go hybrid yet.