Audi Q7 Quattro Hybrid Concept

When looking to the future, some automakers aim at hybrids and others tend to focus on diesel. That's no surprise to auto enthusiasts who strive to keep up with the game. But sometimes there are surprises in the crossover interests between the two.

For instance, German automakers are more likely to be looking to diesel to carry their efforts forward in reaching new fuel efficiency heights and greenhouse gas emission reductions...no surprise here. However, hybrid explorations illustrate they also may have gasoline-electric - or even diesel-electric - hybrids in mind.

Audi is one such example. This automaker was late to the sport-utility vehicle game with its mid-size Q7 SUV, trailing fellow premium German automakers that had SUVs on the market for some time. When it did get around to its introduction of the Q7 sport utility vehicle, Audi also showed its interest in hybrids with a tandem showing of its Q7 Quattro Hybrid concept. Its approach calls for further examination.

Rather than just maximizing efficiency, Audi took a high-performance approach by basing the Q7 hybrid on the top-of-the-line V-8 model. The electric motor injects up to 43 horsepower and 148 lbs-ft of torque into the driveline on top of the 350 hp and 325 lbs-ft that the engine makes by itself. This extra power shaves over half a second off the sprint to 62 mph - the company claims the task is completed in a sports car-like 6.8 seconds - and about two seconds off high speed acceleration from 50 to 75 mph that is so crucial for passing. Top speed remains unchanged at 154 mph.

Even with these improved performance numbers, and despite a weight penalty of about 300 pounds imposed by the additional hybrid hardware, fuel consumption is reduced. Audi says the Q7 hybrid burns around 13 percent less fuel than the V-8 powered Q7, equivalent to about 20 mpg. In pure city driving, where stop-and-go traffic provides abundant energy recuperation opportunities, Audi says the Q7 hybrid will do even better.

Audi hasn't outlined the specifics of its hybrid system yet, but the basic idea is a familiar one. An electric motor is integrated between the engine and the transmission's torque converter. A control electronics system monitors the driver's commands, as well as the current road speed and battery charge status, and decides how to best mix the motor and engine power. Any combination is possible. In fact, for speeds up to 19 mph, the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery will power the Q7 hybrid in pure electric mode for over a mile.

The Q7 hybrid shows how a hybrid system might fit into the Audi technology suite. Audi's renowned quattro system routes both power sources through a six-speed Tiptronic transmission to all four wheels. On the engine side, the 4.2-liter V-8 employs the company's FSI direct-injection system that recently made its production debut on Audi's RS4 Bahn-stormer, improving both efficiency and power. And for a touch of sun-sourced luxury, integrated solar cells in the large glass sunroof allow the Q7 hybrid to cool its cabin while parked.

This hybrid concept is not Audi's first. The company has been toying with the idea since 1989, and actually marketed an A4 Avant-based diesel-electric hybrid called the duo back in 1997. Today, after major advances in battery technology and a heightened focus on both oil supply and environmental issues, hybrids have finally found the spotlight. It's about time Audi earned its share.