Audi exec confirms A4 hybrid in 2.5 – 3 years

The guys over at Inside Line had the pleasure to sit down with Wolfgang Hatz, Audi’s head of powertrain development, at the launch of the new Audi A4. Hatz, who is also known as ‘Mr. Engine,’ is well known for his work on the E30 BMW M3, Porsche’s F1 program, as well as his work at Alfa Romeo and Ferrari.

According to the Hatz, the significance of the A4 model is very critical to Audi’s lineup. “The A4 is the heart of Audi. If it doesn’t work, the company will die. It’s as simple as that,” Hatz told Inside Line.

Hatz went onto confirm that Audi will be introducing an A4 hybrid in 2.5 – 3 years. The architecture of the new Audi A4 is already designed to easily integrate a hybrid system.

We will also be introducing a 3.0 TDI engine in the new Audi A4 in 2008. The car which is said to burn 35 percent less fuel, will produce 240 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. of torque.

Source: InsideLine (via GermanCarBlog)

[tags]Cars, Car, Auto, Automobile, Vehicles, Technology, Auto News, News, Automotive, Audi[/tags]