I don't know what I'm more enthused about The A4 Allroad Quattro or the H-tron Quattro concept that Audi showed last week at NAIAS.
First up, since its actually being readied for sale, lets talk about the A4 Allroad Quattro. Its name implies what the brand has done well for a while. Performance oriented all wheel drive that can take you anywhere in any weather with confidence. Add in the versatility of it being built on a wagon body instead of SUV you retain the nimble handling and ride quality of a car, not a truck/SUV thingy.
To build the Allroad Audi does a lot of tweaks and upgrades to the body and suspension to handle the higher ground clearance...not that you need it for off roading, but rather you don't have the old snow plow effect in winter driving that you get with a lower car.
The other car of significance is the H-tron Quattro building on the E-tron Quattro unveiled here in Los Angeles in November. This car is a significant upgrade over the E-tron as it uses a hydrogen fuel cell for electricity generation. The upgrade comes in much further range, 350+ miles between fill ups that take only 4 minutes. Build the infrastructure to support and this is a better and more viable option to the EV. Having already driven an A7 H-tron I can tell you this is going to be an amazing machine.
More pics by me from the NAIAS show in Detroit in my flickr album.
Full press release on the A4 Allroad Quattro and the H-tron Quattro after the jump.
Lincoln Continental Concept at Los Angeles Auto Show
Rumors abound on what will be revealed next week at press days for NAIAS aka Detroit Auto Show. I'll summarize here a few of what I've been able to gather from official manufacturers news and snippets from reliable sources.
Lincoln. Production ready Continental will be revealed along with details on the cars features including Black Label top of the line trim. Expected the twin turbo 3.0V6 generating 400 horsepower to be the talk of the town.
Buick. Envision concept is definitely to be revealed along with a hinted at Verano replacement possibly a Buickized Opel Astra hatch.
Audi. I love my A4, its been all but confirmed next generation A4 will be revealed here. I'll be curious to see how far upmarket they bring it and if they will have a true "M" fighter in the mix.
Acura. I love this underdog. Great cars, ugly grills that keep them from hitting the mainstream luxury market hard. It may change with the reveal of their "precise" concept with entirely new body language for the brand.
Ford. We get to see the redesigned 2017 Fusion. What else remains to be seen. Pure speculation, rumor mills in the tech industry swear Ford and Google went to bed together for the autonomous car so its possible it will be confirmed here since no one has denied it publicly from either camp. That would be the coup to swipe every ones thunder this year at NAIAS like the reveal of the GT at last years show did. Pure speculation...so don't quote me.
Mercedes Benz. Their deluxe mid-size E class is to be revealed during a press conference on Monday.
Honda. I could snark but they are set to reveal their pickup truck based on their capable minivan. Look for Ridgeline to be their big reveal. Rumor has it they'll tease us further with a hot hatch turbo motorized Civic there as well.
Chrysler. The minivan inventor promises to reveal their best minivan ever at this show. Will it be good enough feature wise to take on the heavy hitters from Toyota/Honda and even Kia remains to be seen. I really want them to succeed with this launch.
Watch my flickr album for blogging on the fly recap of NAIAS next week. All I shoot at the show will be uploaded Weds 1/13/16. Stay tuned for more thorough write ups when I return.
Complete photos from my time at NAIAS courtesy Ford Motor Company can be found in a flickr album.
Audi started its press conference different than others, different than others with problems with recalls and associated turmoil. They hit it head on at the beginning of their press conference. Rather than ignore the pink elephant in the room the addressed it. They apologized for violating their customers trust with the clean diesel and what has now been determined to be a deliberate effort to foil emissions testing with programming that senses when a car is in test mode to run its cleanest. They said they will make their customers whole and resolve the problem. They promised to win their customers respect and loyalty back.
They discussed the A3 e-tron which was one of the Green Car of the Year nominees. Its really a nice A3 that just so happens to have been electrified as a plug in hybrid. Making a total 204hp and 243 ft lbs of torque this compact hybrid tops its competition in terms of power and performance yet returns up to 30 miles in EV mode and EPA tests at 87MPe in EV mode and 39 MPG combined in gas mode. Certainly not prius numbers, but its not a prius. Its an Audi and it gives up nothing in terms of performance, luxury or build quality. Its an Audi dammit and you don't compromise the experience. Its worth the slightly lower number from a prius for an Audi in my not so humble.
The big news however was the E-tron Quatrro concept and its North American debut. It promises to be a competitively priced (with what...Tesla Model x?) full sized all electric EV with a range of 300 miles. Enough for a non-stop Vegas run something no EV today can claim. Creature comforts and performance of an Audi are promised in the production model when it releases in a couple of years. Unlike other manufacturers releasing EVs, this won't be a CA release only, it will be national.
To ensure range anxiety will be a thing of the past with this car Audi is partnering with a few others to build a fast charge network across the country. Making it possible to drive cross country, across multiple states, not just a few established interstate routes that we see now. These fast charging stations promise to charge the E-tron Quattro for 200 miles in 30 minutes. Not gas fast, but an improvement in mobility with an EV.
More pics from Press Days at the L.A Auto Show in a flickr album
Chevy Volt Reveal at Detroit Auto Show January 2015
With the Los Angeles Auto Show being the green car show in the International Show Circuit its only appropriate that the Green Car of the Year is awarded at this show by the Green Car Journal. The winners in past years haven't always been an electric or even a hybrid, but they've been class leaders in efficiency and emission reductions. This years fleet of the 5 finalists is no different.
The 5 finalists this year are:
Honda Civic
Hyundai Sonata
Toyota Prius
Chevy Volt
Audi A3 e-tron (my personal favorite)
Judging will be done prior to the announcement on the second day of Press Days at the L. A. Auto Show next month.
The full press release:
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR®
Green Car Journal to Reveal Winner of 11th Annual Award at LA Auto Show Press & Trade Days, November 19
LOS ANGELES, CA (October 15, 2015) – Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the magazine’s prestigious 2016 Green Car of the Year® award. The 2016 models include the Audi A3 e-tron, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Prius.
An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year® program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important “green” vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005.
“This is the strongest field of finalists we’ve seen in our annual Green Car of the Year® program,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. “Each of the five nominees makes a strong environmental statement in distinctly different ways, with a common strategy of recognizing what’s most important to today’s drivers. Their use of wide-ranging powertrain technologies underscores that all approaches are essential to achieving important environmental goals.”
The Finalists:
AUDI A3 E-TRON The A3 Sportback e-tron is Audi's entry in the hot plug-in hybrid vehicle market. This five-door hatchback uses lithium-ion batteries and a 102 hp electric motor to deliver up to 19 miles of all-electric driving, after which its 150 hp, 1.4-liter gasoline TFSI engine provides power for extended driving in efficient hybrid mode.
CHEVROLET VOLT Chevrolet’s second generation Volt features sportier styling, better performance, and a lighter and more powerful two-motor drive system. The five-passenger, extended range electric now drives up to 53 miles on batteries alone, with its 1.5-liter gasoline powered generator creating on-board electricity to deliver an overall 420 mile range.
HONDA CIVIC Now in its tenth generation, the all-new Honda Civic delivers exemplary fuel efficiency in an affordable, conventionally-powered model. The Civic thoughtfully blends hybrid-like fuel economy and appealing style, with an array of desired amenities and advanced electronics that meets the needs of a great many drivers.
HYUNDAI SONATA Hyundai’s stylish 2016 Sonata offers it all with efficient gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices within the Sonata lineup. New this year, the hybrid delivers up to 43 highway mpg and features distinctive styling cues. The Sonata Plug-In Hybrid drives up to 24 miles on batteries with additional range on conventional hybrid power.
TOYOTA PRIUS The venerable Toyota Prius emerges in 2016 a completely redesigned model, faithfully delivering the attributes expected of an industry-leading hybrid with important design, technology, and efficiency updates. It features a familiar yet bolder exterior and incorporates suspension and other improvements to deliver improved driving dynamics.
The Green Car of the Year® is selected through a majority vote by an esteemed jury that includes celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno, plus leaders of noted environmental and efficiency organizations including Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, board member of Global Green USA; Dr. Alan Lloyd, President Emeritus of the International Council on Clean Transportation; Mindy Lubber, President of CERES; and Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save Energy.
During the award’s vetting process, Green Car Journal editors consider all vehicles, fuels, and technologies as an expansive field of potential candidates is narrowed down to a final five. Finalists are selected for their achievements in raising the bar in environmental performance. Many factors are considered including efficiency, EPA and CARB emissions certification, performance characteristics, ‘newness,’ and affordability. Availability to the mass market is important to ensure honored models have the potential to make a real difference in environmental impact, and finalists must be available for sale by January 1st of the award year.
About Green Car of the Year®
Since 1992, Green Car Journal has been recognized as the leading authority on the intersection of automobiles, energy, and environment. The GCOY award is an important part of Green Car Journal’s mission to showcase environmental progress in the auto industry. CarsOfChange.com presents ‘green car’ articles online along with a focus on connectivity. Green Car of the Year® is a registered trademark of Green Car Journal and RJ Cogan Specialty Publications Group, Inc.
Hashtag: #GreenCarJournal
About the Los Angeles Auto Show and Connected Car Expo
Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto Show (LA Auto Show®) is the first major North American auto show of the season each year. The show’s 2015 Press & Trade Days begin with the Connected Car Expo (CCE) at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live on Nov. 17, followed by LA Auto Show’s vehicle debuts and press and trade events at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Nov. 18 and 19. LA Auto Show will open to the public from Nov. 20-29. The third annual CCE will unite automotive and technology professionals in an effort to increase development and foster relationship-building in the connected car industry, providing attendees with access to the key players and top media constructing the future of the automotive mobility. The CCE conference is where the rules for how vehicles are made, sold, serviced and owned are changing and where the playbook is being written. Named “Best Car Tech/Connected Car Trade Show” by AUTO Connected Car News, CCE is where the new auto industry gets business done, unveils groundbreaking products and makes strategic announcements in front of media from around the globe. LA Auto Show is endorsed by the Greater L.A. New Car Dealer Association and is operated by ANSA Productions. To receive the latest show news and information, follow LA Auto Show on Twitter at twitter.com/LAAutoShow or via Facebook at facebook.com/LosAngelesAutoShow and sign up for alerts at www.LAAutoShow.com. For more information about CCE, please visit http://connectedcarexpo.com/.
Recently I had the chance to drive to advanced fuel cell research cars. Both had similar set ups based on each other. The two cars were the VW Passat HyMotion and the Audi A7 h-tron. The difference came with the Audi famed quattro adapted to fuel cell use. An electric motor at each end powering 4 wheels, but more on that in a bit.
The first of the dynamic duo that I drove was the VW Passat HyMotion. Man, what a nice car that was. The fuel cell system was the quietest one I had driven today. Nary a compressor whine or grumble to be heard. Just a soft whoosh when you really stepped on the accelerator.
VW's version of the fuel cell borrows heavily from their hybrid technologies and adds in a fuel cell to charge batteries or provide extra oomph when need to charge up an on ramp or keep up with fast moving traffic. No hesitation, just go. Feather foot and and you're keeping with traffic on battery power, need to quick step around a fruit cart on Pico (It really happened) and the car was actually nimble and responsive.
What struck me most about the VW Passat HyMotion was the build quality of the Passat in general, but specifically the choice of materials and the solidity of the body on the rough streets around DTLA. With no engine noise to intrude there is little that the body and tires don't filter out for the occupants of the car. I think I may need to look seriously at a regular Gasser Passat when my wife's Milan comes up for trade in the next year or so.
Range on this particular fuel cell driven at the speed limit is about 300 miles. 0-60 with all the amps pulled out that you can is about 8 seconds. Refuel time...10-20 minutes depending on the set up of the fueling station. That means this car is capable of a Vegas run on a single fill. Take that Tesla.
And fueling stations, or lack thereof is what is going to keep the VW Passat HyMotion out of the production in the foreseeable future. CA has aggressive plans to add hydrogen fueling stations, but even what we have planned doesn't meet the 200 that VW feels would be need to make a sustainable business model. Sad, its really a great car and its water out the tail pipe as the only emission makes it one sorely needed here in the Los Angeles basin.
I inquired as to cost...which the rep was really sly. This isn't even a pre-production model at this point, but VW is looking to price it competitive with its Toyota and Hyundai competition when it does come to market...about $80K in today's dollars
Now for the real star of the Fuel Cell Twins
The Audi A7 h-tron quattro absolutely blew me away. Yes, you do give up a little autobahn prowess with a top speed of about 111mpg, but this is So Cal and even a Vegas run doesn't get going that fast so it will pace traffic and produce only water vapor in the process.
Based on a similar system to save costs as the VW Passat HyMotion, and using even some of the same technology the Audi A7 has a very unique set up. With 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of propulsive power at its disposal the Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro, which tips the scales at only around 1,950 kilograms (4,299.0 lb), races from a standstill to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.9 seconds. Its top speed is 180 km/h (111.8 mph) – a top figure for its field of competitors. The e-quattro concept requires precise coordination of the electric motors – the technology demonstrator offers a sporty, stable and high-traction drive that is comparable to a production car with mechanical quattro drive.
What does all that mean? In a real world cruise around DTLA this fuel cell gave up none, absolutely NONE of the luxury or perceptible performance to the standard Gasser. What you did gain is the absolute silence of the fuel cell power train, which in my not so humble is the very best iteration of this technology I've ever driven. That you can bank on. Audi kept the character and spirit of the brand alive in the conversion to a green car. Quite the accomplishment.
From their Press release:
Expertise in fuel cell technology – A7 Sportback h-tron quattro technology demonstrator ready for real-life traffic
Long range – more than 500 kilometers (310.7 mi)
Plug-in hybrid concept can and electric quattro
It covers over 500 kilometers (310.7 mi) on one tank of fuel – and its exhaust emits nothing more than a few drops of water: The A7 Sportback h tron quattro uses a powerful, sporty electric drive with a fuel cell as its energy source, in combination with a hybrid battery and an additional electric motor in the rear. Its drive configuration makes the emission-free Audi A7 Sportback h-tron quattro a quattro through and through, with 170 kilowatts of power at its disposal – a new departure in fuel cell cars. There is no mechanical connection between the front and rear axles. As an e quattro, the A7 Sportback h-tron quattro features fully electronic management of torque distribution.
The engineer I rode with felt it would be several years to a decade before an economically sustainable infrastructure is in place for them to consider a launch in the US let alone California. Drat. Germany is on track to have 2000 hydrogen fueling stations in place within the decade which at that time they get this marvelous machine.
Cost of the car...it will carry a premium over the standard A7, but how much is any ones guess. The basic 3L supercharged 2015 A7 starts at 65.9K, options up to over 80K without trying... The rep I was with was very coy in avoiding the discussion or possible retail value.
This is the most painless green car I've ever been in. Applause to Audi.
Of course the one thing no one talks about much is the green house gasses associated with the production of the majority of the hydrogen in the market right now. The most economical way to get hydrogen is to crack methane molecules leaving free hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide...CO2 that bugger of all green house gasses. Its the elephant in the room no one is talking about.
Several years ago with the launch of Honda's F-Cell I talked with an engineer at length over this very issue. He acknowledged its a problem for hydrogen in the near future. The carbon footprint using methane as the source of hydrogen left their F-Cell CO2 footprint comparable to a compact car getting 25 MPG.
There is hope at least. Audi sees it in wind powered electrolysis where water is broken into hydrogen and free oxygen. There currently is a solar powered hydrogen station in Santa Monica that does this for a carbon footprint free source of hydrogen, that that's the rarity not the standard. Yet.
