V8 Audi A8 Has Better Fuel Economy Than Most Hybrids!

Hybrids barely live up to their hype. They are a nice technology that is a small step in the march forward to making more efficient vehicles, but there comes a time when we think, is coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Advances in battery technology are making pure electric cars like the Mitsubishi iMiev and Nissan Leaf very viable, an range extended cars like the forthcoming Chevy Volt feel like the wave that’s coming in to wash the beaches clear. Then, there are the continued advances in standard internal combustion engines. There are well respected engineers who feel that there is still another 40% efficiency to be gained by just continuing to develop the internal combustion engine. It may look and sound different than what we think of today, but that’s beside the point.

It’s with this that we smile at the latest press release from Audi. Audi have put figures out showing that their naturally aspirated V8 in the A8, has better overall fuel economy than hybrid models from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus, OUCH! We’ve listed the figures below for you:

Audi A8: 17/21/27
BMW ActiveHybrid: 17/20/26
MB S400 Hybrid: 19/21/25
Lexus LS 600hL: 20/21/22
Mercedes S550: 15/18/23
BMW 750i: 15/17/22
BMW 740i: 17/20/25

The 4.2 liter FSI V8 is no slouch as it has 372 horsepower and 325 lb/ft of torque, it goes through an eight speed automatic gear box and has all wheel drive. Further proof that the shiny happy people who say the I.C.E. is dead, couldn’t by a clue with a winning lotto ticket.

[Source: German Car Blog]