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Audi has confirmed that the upcoming new A8 will have an all-hybrid lineup, even if it's not going quite the 'Full Lexus' on its new luxury car.
Instead of big batteries and an electric motor, all Audi A8 models will instead get a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup, which uses a belt-driven starter-generator (alongside a conventional starter motor which is used for cold engine starts) kept fed by a compact lithium-ion battery stashed in the boot.
As with other mild hybrid systems, this one isn't about driving around on battery power, but about taking strain from the petrol or diesel engine to improve fuel economy and emissions. So, the starter-generator allows the car to coast with the engine off for long periods, such as when approaching traffic lights or when easing off on the motorway, rapidly restarting the power unit as soon as you flex your foot on the accelerator.
At speeds of between 55km/h and 160km/h, the new A8 will be able to coast, engine-off, for up to 40 seconds at a time, depending on the conditions. The new system also ties in with the A8's other electronics, allowing it to restart when the brake is still pressed if the front radar detects the vehicle ahead pulling away, or kicking in the engine if you turn up the air conditioning. It can even detect if you're catching up to the car in front when coasting, and kick in the regenerative braking to slow you down and top up the battery charge at the same time.
Audi estimates that the mild hybrid can save as much as 0.7 litres per 100km on the overall economy figure.
The new A8 will be revealed at the first 'Audi Summit' in Barcelona on July 11th.