BMW and Mercedes-Benz have both unveiled hybrid versions of their flagship sedans and Audi is next. Audi is set to unveil the A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Audi announced its plans at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Audi also included that it sees hybrids as the next step to fully electric vehicles and that it has no plans for a mild hybrid. The A8 Hybrid will be a full hybrid. Audi is also going to release a Q5 hybrid this fall. The A8 hybrid is expected to appear shortly after the Q5's launch.
It's going to be freezing in Detroit next month for the Detroit Auto Show, but Mercedes-Benz has chosen the show as the official unveiling of the 2011 E-Class Cabriolet.
The replacement for the CLK Cabriolet is based on the E-Class coupe and can be powered by either a 268-hp 3.5L V6 in the E350 or a 382-hp 5.5L V8 in the E550. Although the trend has been for new convertibles to feature folding hardtops, the E-Class Cabriolet sticks to the soft top. The soft top only takes 20 seconds to open or close and it can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph. One of the benefits of a soft top is that it takes up less truck space. With the top up the cabriolet has 13.8 cu. ft. of space and with it down truck space is only decreased by 3.17 cu. ft.
The cool feature of the new cabriolet is a new AIRCAP system which consists of a wind deflector that can be extended by around 2.4 inches with a net in the windscreen frame and a draft-stop between the rear seats. According to Mercedes-Benz the system reduces interior noise and can be activated at speeds up to 100 mph. The AIRSCARF system acts like an invisible scarf by keeping passengers head and neck warm when the top is down. The system is in the back of the front headrests and provides warm air through air outlets.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet will be available in May 2010.
Posts
