I’m personally very fond of hybrid cars, having learn a lot about during a Honda Insight media drive and from covering a few events on the recent hybrid cars available in Malaysia such as the Jazz Hybrid, Toyota Prius and even test drove an electric car – the Nissan Leaf.
However, none of these cars were actually luxury cars, which made me wonder “Can’t luxury cars be eco-friendly? Is all the arguments of green vehicles being unpowered true?“. For a non-technical automotive enthusiast like me, seeing an automotive brand like Audi launching a hybrid model in Malaysia had me quite worked up in anticipation.
From left to right:
Dato’ Sri Haji Mohd Khamil Jamil, Group Managing Director, DRB-Hicom, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamed, Mr Stanley Tan, CEO of Euromobil, Dato’ Abdul Harith Abdullah, Group Director, Automotive and Defence, DRB-Hicom.
Just last week, Euromobil Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the DRB-HICOM Group and official importer as well as sole distributor of Audi in Malaysia launched the all-new Audi A6 hybrid, the latest Audi entrant in the executive and upper luxury car segments.
Fair enough, it’s not an entirely new model but it is a full hybrid engine (unlike the Honda Insight which was part hybrid) and from the media briefing, it seemed that no power were sacrificed in the making of the all-new Audi A6 hybrid.
NOTE:
* Audi Hybrid vehicles are parallel hybrids; which means combustion engine and electric motor works simultaneously
* BOTH engine and motor powers the powertrain (having said that, the all-new Audi A6 hybrid can operate on purely electric mode, traveling up to 3 km at a speed of 60 km/hr)
* Pure electric driving is possible as the electric motor can work independently – provided it has sufficient power to do so.
Well, that’s something new for me. This is certainly one of the coolest hybrid model I have came across so far (in Malaysia)!
During the media briefing, Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Harith Abdullah, Group Director of the Automotive and Defence Division, DRB-HICOM Berhad had said, “The Audi A6 hybrid stands as the perfect ambassador to Audi’s technological breakthroughs. The new Audi A6 hybrid is proof that driving pleasure and automotive efficiency is a winning combination.”
I sat in the car and it felt so good! Comfortable (as expected) and premium.
Since this isn’t a test drive, I won’t be able to share with you any driving experiences. However, here are some fascinating information about the all-new Audi A6 Hybrid that you should know!
FACTS & FIGURES of the The all-new Audi A6 Hybrid:
And how does the Hybrid system work?
The thing to look out for when you’re on the road with the Audi A6 Hybrid is the HYBRID meter on the dashboard.
So what do you think?
Loving what you have read so far? You’ll love what you see here as well! Let me show you some pictures of the interior, back seat, boot and engine.
The All-New Audi A6 Hybrid comes in:
Solid colour: Ibis White, Brilliant Black
Metallic: Ice Silver, Quartz Grey, Oolong Grey, Moonlight Blue, Havana Black, Dakota Grey, Aviator Blue, Glacier White, *Arctic Silver (*exclusively for A6 Hybrid)
Pearl Effect: Phantom Black, Garnet Red
** These pictures (the one above and this) are taken from 2 different coloured Audi A6 Hybrid and thus the difference in interior colours.
And the burning question – HOW MUCH?
The A6 hybrid is available from RM280,000 OTR without insurance and ready for test drives at all Euromobil showrooms. The pricing of the vehicle is also in reflection of the full import duty and excise duty exemption for hybrid vehicles with 2,000cc and below – are granted with import and excise duty exemption valid until 31 December 2013.
Now, if I get to test-drive the Audi A6 hybrid, what are the queries you have for me?? 