Comments on: Audi Developing New Variation on the Hybrid

By: Shines

Shines — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 22:30:20 +0000

Wasn’t the first Malibu microhybrid using a bigger starter motor and the larger battery? This sounds like the same thing but without the regenerative braking. So you have a bigger battery that could use the energy that will be wasted as heat when this Audi brakes, which means the alternator will have to work harder to recharge the larger battery. Without the regenerative braking it is like a cheap microhybrid. Add the regenerative breaking and then you have something close to the eAssist in GM cars already on the road.

By: MS

MS — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 11:29:16 +0000

I'm not seeing here any hybrid .

This VW is all about marketing, they take the stop and start concept and join the dual clunch and call it hybrid.

By: JD

JD — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 03:13:37 +0000

Oh my gosh, Audi perfected the Chevy Malibu Eco or did they?

By: SteveC

SteveC — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:58:03 +0000

What is the big deal? My Toyota hybrid has been shutting the engine off when I’m coasting for many years now. This is silly. I’m not a big fan of Audi. I think their cars are very ugly and they seem to think everything they do is big news even if they are several years behind. My $.02

By: perfectapproach

perfectapproach — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:22:29 +0000

Lets see, extra cost for the system, with 3% time penalty vs only 10% fuel savings?
A long run for a short slide!

I'm gonna agree with ya there. They're squeezing every little bit of efficiency out of an internal combustion engine when the reality is that big electric motors/batteries are much more efficient. The research has (mostly) already been done, and the cost for this new system will likely outweigh the benefit it provides. This might make for a good system to control an ICE in a true hybrid setup, but with only the ICE pushing the car, it's almost a waste of time.

I do also recall that Mazda was doing something like this with their SkyActiv technology. Again, good way to control an ICE in a hybrid setup, but without an electric motor providing some of the motive force, it's wasted effort.

By: Mike Stevens

Mike Stevens — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:34:10 +0000

Lets see, extra cost for the system, with 3% time penalty vs only 10% fuel savings?

A long run for a short slide!

By: jayzz

jayzz — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 11:06:44 +0000

Isn't it a shame that after all those of years of campaigning against hybrids, the likes of audi and volkswagen have finally realised the need to move ahead in engine tech, specifically twin power source engines.

I would ask Audi to lose the crap eHEV iHEV crap and just call the designs Hybrids. Really there is no point in pretending the designs are different to the other hybrids. Consumers these days are very well informed and know how to quckly grasp differences.

By: DownUnder

DownUnder — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 10:27:02 +0000

Toyota must feel the heat now from Audi.
BTW, Toyota just beat Audi in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
" . . . Thanks also to Audi for a clean fight; we really enjoyed competing with them and they were very fair. We have huge respect for them and what they have achieved over the past decade and more; to beat such a strong opponent has not been easy. It's not only a fantastic result for Toyota Racing, it also shows how exciting the FIA World Endurance Championship is. We know Audi will come back strongly in the next races so we are looking forward to continuing our close, and genuinely friendly, rivalry."