The drive principle of the Q7 hybrid concept is a genuine technological world first: this unprecedented combination of FSI petrol direct injection unit and electric motor develops maximum power at minimum fuel consumption. The quattro four-wheel drive translates the engine’s impressive power into forward movement with maximum dynamism and safety.Drive Concept: Dynamism and efficiency-the drive concept
The drive principle of the Q7 hybrid concept is a genuine technological world first. The combination of FSI petrol direct injection unit and electric engine provides maximum power – from minimum fuel consumption. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive translates power and torque into outstanding road performance and safety, thus making the concept study a genuine all-rounder complete with the qualities of a sports car. The Q7 hybrid concept accelerates to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds. The pulling power of this performance SUV is even more impressive – in 5th gear, it sprints from 80 to 120 km/h in precisely 7 seconds. Its fuel consumption is remarkable, too – it is 13% lower than that of the basic Audi Q7 model.
The concept vehicle features a dynamic 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine developing 257 kW (350 bhp) and 440 Newton-metres. The advantage is that FSI engines are notably economical and generate more power and dynamism than conventional engines with indirect injection. The V8 was retuned for use in the Q7.
Elektric motor
The electric motor is integrated ideally into the driveline between the V8 engine and the automatic transmission’s torque converter. It develops 32 kW (44 bhp) at 200 Newton-metres. With the FSI engine connected up via a cut-out clutch, the electric motor can be used on its own or in conjunction with the V8.
Battery system
The electric motor draws its energy from a nickel metal hydride battery system that is housed at the rear of the vehicle, beneath the luggage compartment floor. This arrangement is superbly space-efficient, not intruding in any way on the entire volume of the occupant cell including the spacious luggage compartment.
If desired, the battery can drive the car in an exclusively electric mode at speeds of up to approx. 30 km/h. Coasting and brake applications feed additional energy into the system. Once the capacity limit is reached, the combustion engine cuts in unobtrusively to recharge it.
Compared with earlier generations of hybrid vehicles, the electric motor and the nickel metal hydride battery are distinctly light in weight – the study vehicle weighs just 140 kilograms, or seven percent, more than the basic version.
Intelligent Energy Management: Efficiency and dynamism
Complex control electronics take charge of coordinating the FSI power unit and the electric motor. They automatically decide how the drive components interact and respond efficiently to the driver’s wishes as indicated by applications of the accelerator and brake pedals, or operation of the tiptronic selector lever. The MMI shows the current status on the display.
Perfectly coordinated energy management
The energy management approach of the Q7 hybrid concept fundamentally recognises three driving modes, thus assuring the high efficiency of the drive system: the combustion engine or electric motor can operate as the sole power source, or they can combine forces in accelerating the vehicle. The petrol engine acts as the basic power source, as it simultaneously discharges energy to the battery.
“Boost”
If the driver wants to accelerate particularly swiftly, the electronics activate the electric motor, too. This new dimension of acceleration, known as “boost”, is entered automatically whenever the accelerator is pressed fully down. A comparison: the Q7 hybrid concept knocks 0.6 of a second off the time its V8 petrol counterpart takes to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h, and it accomplishes the sprint from 80 to 120 km/h, important for instance for overtaking, 2.0 seconds faster.
“Recuperation”
Whenever the driver applies the brakes or is driving downhill, the unit turns into an alternator and uses the energy released by such processes to charge up the battery. This process, known as “recuperation”, takes place unnoticed by the drive.
Energy-saving operation
“Creeping” and energy-saving operation: at speeds of up to 30 km/h, the Q7 can also be driven along exclusively by its electric motor if desired. If the vehicle is rolling in the hybrid mode without the accelerator being pressed or if it remains stationary for more than three seconds, the combustion engine is shut down.
The power of the sun
This innovative concept study not only manages its energy sources intelligently, but also uses the sun’s light to absorb additional energy. The expansive sliding glass roof, the open sky system, incorporates solar cells that can power the ventilation or air conditioning even when the car is parked - this function can in addition be activated by remote control.
Source: Audi News
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