For some time, German luxury automaker Audi has been one of the few automakers to offer clean diesel cars to the U.S. market.
But until Audi announced plans back in March last year to offer diesel-engined options for every new Audi sold in the U.S. by 2015, the only diesel Audis you could buy were the Audi Q7 TDI SUV, or the compact, VW Golf-based Audi A3 Hatchback.
Not for much longer.
At this week’s 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Audi bosses confirmed that the 2013 Audi A8 family would get its own clean-diesel option in the form of its 3.0-liter V-6 TDI turbodiesel engine.
Most likely the same engine found in the 2012 Audi Q7 TDI, expect the oil-burning luxury sedan to generate around 225 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque.
In addition to the usual technology found in the rest of the Audi A8 range, the 2013 A8 TDI will come with start-stop technology as standard, cutting the engine at stop-lights to improve gas mileage and reduce fuel wastage.
2012 Audi A8 Hybrid
Official mileage figures haven’t been released yet. We’d expect them to be published near launch, along with a comprehensive price and options list.
Sadly, the TDI-engined A8 will be the only green Audi A8 on the market for now: Audi hasn't announcediwhen we can expect the Audi A8 Hybrid to get introduced to the U.S. market.
We’re pleased to see Audi expand clean diesel options throughout its range, but have one little request of the ad agency responsible for advertising the new engine option for the luxury sedan.
Please, don’t bring the notorious Superbowl XLIV Green Police back.
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