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A magical, disappearing ad for the hydrogen Audi A7 Sportback H-Tron

It's not quite Tupac appearing at Coachella with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre in hologram form, but it'll do for the gearhead set. Audi is looking to make a first impression for its A7 Sportback H-Tron hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle by making as little of an impression as possible. Like the car itself, Audi has, as it says in a video, "created ads that leave behind nothing but vaporized water." Pretty slick. Audi worked with German advertising agency Thjnk, on the campaign, which uses LED lighting and other bits of magic to first show an image of the sedan and then show it disappearing into a cloud of steam, according to Adweek. The publication posted Audi's 58-second video on the campaign (we've embedded a German version of the video for those looking to practice a bit of linguistics). The German automaker first revealed details about the A7 Sportback H-Tron late last year. The all-wheel-drive sedan can go as far as 31 miles on electricity alone. And the hydrogen fuel-cell drivetrain delivers almost 400 pound-feet of torque and a full (hydrogen) tank's range of 311 miles as well as a 0-62 mile per hour time of less than eight seconds and a top speed of 112 mph. Featured Gallery Audi A7 Sportback H-Tron Quattro View 83 Photos News Source: Adweek via Hybrid Cars Green Marketing/Advertising Audi Hydrogen Cars billboard adweek

2016 Audi TTS

We recently drove the Audi TT, and although we wish it were radically entertaining instead of merely very fun, it's nevertheless a sharp coupe that vaults ahead of its predecessor with an inspired interior and eager handling. That car will be precursor to this TTS when it gets here a year from now, with the TTS adding adjectives like "more" and "better" to just about everything found on the base coupe. With the standard car having already put on such a fine edge, we wheeled the TTS on Spanish roads and at the Ascari race track to find out how much better and higher-performing the S will be.
Driving Notes
As of this writing, today's TTS commands an $8,350 premium over the TT. Assuming a commensurate gap is carried over into this next generation model, that supplemental dosh will get you 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque instead of 230 hp and 273 lb-ft in the standard TT. That would mean more for your money, too, since the gap between the current TT and TTS is 54 hp and zero lb-ft of torque. To achieve the new numbers, the 2.0 TSFI engine from the TTS benefits from upgrades like sturdier valves, revised aluminum pistons and stronger connecting rods with new bearings, a reinforced crankshaft and a high-performance intercooler. The amplified brawn rips 0.7 seconds off the 0-60 mile-per-hour time, getting you there in 4.6 seconds.

Germany says nein to EU ban on new fossil-fuel cars from 2035

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's government will not agree to European Union plans to effectively ban the sale of new cars with combustion engines from 2035, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Tuesday. In its bid to cut planet-warming emissions by 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, the European Commission has proposed a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2035. That means it would be impossible to sell combustion engine cars from then. European Parliament lawmakers backed the proposals this month, before negotiations with EU countries on the final law take place. Speaking at an event hosted by Germany's BDI industry association, Lindner said there would continue to be niches for combustion engines so a ban was wrong and said the government would not agree to this European legislation. Lindner, a member of the pro-business Free Democrats, which shares power with the Social Democrats and Greens, said Germany would still be a leading market for electric vehicles. (Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Miranda Murray and Edmund Blair) Green Government/Legal Green Audi BMW Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen Opel SEAT Skoda