on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Audi to develop solar-embedded panoramic EV roof with China's Hanergy

BEIJING — Audi, Volkswagen's main profit driver, on Wednesday said it was working with China's Hanergy Thin Film Power Group to integrate solar cells into panoramic glass roofs for an upcoming Audi electric vehicle. Alta Devices, a unit of the Chinese solar cell firm Hanergy, will design the solar-embedded vehicle roof that will eventually help increase the range of EVs by feeding solar energy into internal electrical systems, such as air conditioning and other appliances, Audi said in a statement. The prototype of the vehicle with a solar roof will be built by end-2017, the automaker added, without giving any details on investment and estimated time frame for mass-production. Audi plans to make three battery-electric models by 2020 and aims to cover one third of its vehicles with fully electric drivetrains by 2025. Its E-Tron is currently in testing. Audi, which has been grappling with car recalls, prosecutor investigations and persistent criticism from unions and managers over an emissions scandal and its performance post-dieselgate, is currently looking to shift its focus to EVs. Last month, Audi said it aimed to cut costs by about $12 billion by 2022 to help fund the shift. It is also looking to free up funds for investments in zero-emission technology by developing a new production platform with Porsche, allowing both VW brands to save money by sharing components and modules.At a later stage, Audi said it hopes to be able to use solar energy to directly charge the traction battery. "That would be a milestone along the way to achieving sustainable and emission-free mobility," said Dr. Bernd Martens, Board of Management Member for Procurement at Audi. Hanergy presented four solar-powered EVs last year, and has been seeking to cooperate with car producers to mass produce its solar devices. Reporting by Muyu Xu Related Video: Image Credit: Audi Green Plants/Manufacturing Audi Technology Emerging Technologies Electric Luxury audi e-tron

Audi Rover In New Alien Movie | Autoblog Minute

The Audi Lunar Quattro Rover will be featured in the upcoming Alien: Covenant movie. Directed by Ridley Scott, Alien: Covenant is the next chapter in the Alien movie franchise. Audi's next goal for its Rover is an actual mission to the Moon. Audi Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

Audi Prologue Avant Concept points to the future of wagon design in Geneva [w/video]

The new generation Audi R8 and its LMS GT3 racing version are grabbing much of the attention at the Audi stand at the Geneva Motor Show. However, if you are more interested in seeing the brand's future design direction, just take a look at the Prologue Avant Concept that's also on display. Audi traditionally uses the Avant name for the company's wagons, but that's tweaked slightly here. The vehicle is certainly a five-door, but from some angles it looks more akin to a Porsche Panamera-like hatchback. Compared to the B-pillarless Prologue Coupe (that we recently drove), the stretched roof flows all the way to the angled rear hatch, and the result is a very elegant design. The interior tends towards minimalism with just a few screens showing the driving info. The Prologue Avant also ditches the Coupe's petrol-fueled hybrid for a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo diesel V6 plug-in hybrid with a total of 455 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, which is linked to an eight-speed gearbox. Audi claims the setup reaches 62 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds and allows for 33 miles of pure electric driving. To get a sneak peek at what's next from Audi, take a look at the Prologue Avant Concept on the floor of the Geneva show in the gallery above.