The 2018 Audi A8 is reportedly featuring a mild hybrid system through its 48V technology. The new system boasts of fuel economy saving of 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.
Audi has made the announcement this week at the technical day of the Audi Forum held in Munich, Germany. The automaker confirmed the new mild hybrid system will be featured as a standard on all models of the new A8, the diesel and petrol.
The new mild hybrid system features a 48V lithium-ion battery and a belt-driven alternator/starter. A regenerative braking recharges the two components of the new system.
Audi claims the new mild hybrid technology can deliver up to 12kW of power and 60Nm of torque. New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) testing scheme verifies the new model's fuel economy can be improved by up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.
The 2018 Audi A8 sports a front-facing camera that is beneficial for the car to know the best time to switch off the engine. There is also the usual 12V battery that will be utilized to supply power to the lighting, engine management, air conditioning, and other systems of the new A8.
According to Alexander Kruse, AUDI's head of mild hybrid systems, the automaker targets to "very quickly" implement the same technology on its larger lineups too. With regard to the smaller models of Audi, Kruse said they plan to use a lighter, more conventional battery that can deliver less torque.
Also carrying the new system will be the next generations of the A6 and A7 models. The latter is set to be launched at the Frankfurt auto show in September while the former is still set to debut next year.
Meanwhile, Audi is not the only automaker utilizing the 48V technology. Other brands will also feature the mild hybrid system. Mercedes-Benz is set to release its latest S-Class model next month with the 48V technology as well. Whereas, Renault has used the same on the diesel models of the new Megane hatchback and Scenic minivan. The 2018 Audi A8 is the first model of the brand to carry the new mild hybrid system powered by 48V.
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