Audi confirms A6 Hybrid to reach US market

During the unveiling of the Audi A6 back in November last year, the car manufactured based in Ingolstadt did not confirm the availability of the A6 hybrid in North America. Recent reports though say that reliable sources from Audi confirms that the A6 hybrid will make it to the United States by next year with a tag price above $55,000.

Experts are speculating that the Audi A6 Hybrid that will reach the US soil will have the similar specs as the one that Audi will roll out in Europe next year.

The European version will make use of a parallel hybrid setup which makes use of a 2.0L TFSI petrol engine that generates 211 horsepower and 258.15 lb-ft of torque with a 45 horsepower, 155.63 lb-ft torque electric motor.

Combining the capabilities of the electric motor with the gasoline dependent engine, they have a combined output of around 245 horsepower and roughly 354 lb-ft of torque. The power will be transferred to the front wheels via an 8-speed modified tiptronic gearbox.

The electric motor will be dependent on a system of lithium ion battery that will weigh around 36.7 kilograms. The battery pack will be placed under the luggage compartment. The luggage compartment has a good space for around 375 liters but is less that the regular model’s 530 liters.

The Audi A6 Hybrid can blast from 0 to 100 kilometecrs per hours in just 7.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 238 km/h. The combined fuel economy with this setup will be 6.4 liters/100 kilometers. The hybrid A6 can go on pure electric power for about 100 kilometers.

United States Patent problems blocking entry of Toyota Hybrids

The sales figures of Toyota hybrid vehicles in Japan and the rest of the globe are close to amazing as they lead the pack in the hybrid segment. What rolls out of their factories attracts consumers including the recently launched HS 250h under the Lexus badge. There is something blocking Toyota from really to fully bloom in the hybrid market, patent issues in the United states prevents them from importing some hybrid models.

Toyota Hybrid Synergy DriveIt is up to the U.S. court to decide on a case filed by Paice LLC with the International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. Paice claims that they own several patents to engines for hybrid vehicles. The complaint serves as a hurdle for importing Toyota models into the U.S. market. Vehicles like the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander hybrid, and some hybrid units of Lexus might be banned if the court favors Paice.

In 2005, Paice edge on the legal battle that Toyota used Paice’s invention in making the drive trains for the RX400h of Lexus, Highlander, and Prius. The next trial in October will explore the infringement claims for the production of the Camry hybrid.

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Scuderi Engineers fire up the prototype of the split-cycle engine

About three years ago, the auto industry first heard of the split-type engine being Scuderi Split-Cycle Engine Hybriddeveloped by the Scuderi Group. It was a concept tahat aims to significantly improve the efficiency of the powertrains beneath the hoods of your everyday car.

The concept revolves around utilizing parallel cylinders to divide the four strokes of the engine cycle which can lead to reducing pumping losses.

Last week the engineering team of Scuderi went beyond computer simulation of the split-type engine and was able to fire up for the first time the prototype of the engine. Further testing is being conducted by the laboratory engineers to tune the engine to its optimal and efficient levels. The data of the study is shared to other experts in the industry under a non-disclosure deal.

The prototype which is a 1L naturally aspirated engine running on gasoline is said to have 80% fewer emission than the combustion engines we know today. The Scuderi Group is planning to fully develop the engine for hybrid use and turbo charged settings where fuel efficiency will be achieved at its highest.

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Italdesign to reveal speedy but penny-wise hybrid car at Geneva motor show

Italdesign Hybrid Race Car

Italdesign Giugiaro will reveal its latest concept of a speedy but fuel-efficient hybrid car at the Geneva motor show.

Italdesign-Giugiaro S.p.a , commonly called Italdesign, is a famous automobile designer and is a highly-specialized engineering company that is located in Turin, Italy.

It was founded in the year 1968 with its first name as Studi Italiani Realizzazione Prototipi S.p.A that worked in collaboration with the Volkswagen. At present, the company is recognized for the famous works of its subordinate, the Giugiaro Design, the home of the renowned car designer Giorgetto Guigiaro.

Today, with their innovative concept, Italdesign revealed that the hybrid coupe is a two-seater and can achieve a top speed on the road at 186 miles per hour, or 300 kilometers per hour. It can also be accelerated from an amazing zero to 62 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds.

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