Carrera GT vs. Ferrari F430 Soundbattle! MUST HEAR!!

ROUSH Ford Mustang 427R

Yet again raising the standards in the Mustang world, ROUSH Performance unveiled the new 427R model with a total of 427 horsepower under the hood and ready to unleash with the turn of a key. This is the most horsepower ever offered on any version of the ROUSH Mustang.

The number 427 has been intertwined in the Ford product line for many years, both as a car model and one of the most powerful and legendary engines in their line. It is only natural that ROUSH, as perhaps the best Ford engine builder in the country, is the company to reintroduce the number to the automotive lexicon using modern engine technology.

Based on the acclaimed ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang, this version is slightly less in content but includes 100 percent of the fun factor. The 427R horsepower package is highlighted by the intercooled ROUSHcharger* system which adds 115 horsepower and 65 lb-ft of torque to the base Ford 4.6L, 3-valve V8 powertrain system. The additional power upgrade comes via a ROUSH-engineered ECM calibration which has been specially-tuned to work in harmony with the different exhaust system used on the vehicle.

Further adding to the style and performance of the 2007 ROUSH 427R is a four-piece aerobody kit which includes a stylized front fascia, front chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear wing and ROUSH 18-inch cast chrome wheels with high-performance tires and the special 427R striping kit.

The sports-tuned suspension includes all new front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs and sway bars and the jounce bumpers. Each component was designed for both comfort and performance by the industry-leading ROUSH automotive engineers.

Authenticating the vehicle are special ROUSH fender badges, decklid emblem, a serialized engine bay plate, and a ROUSH engine build plaque personally engraved by the technician who upgraded the car in the Livonia, Mich., facility. The ROUSH 427R is available in both coupe and convertible versions, and a complete listing of the content can be found online at www.RoushPerformance.com.

To assist customers in creating their own personalized one-of-a-kind vehicle, a variety of options are also available which include white face gauges, interior carbon fiber design dash trim kit, short throw shifter, door sill plates, and ROUSH sport leather seating.

"The new ROUSH 427R is a natural extension of our product line," said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH Performance Products. "It has more horsepower than any car we have produced in our company's history and I expect that this will become one of the most popular vehicles that ROUSH Performance has ever offered."

Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at Roush Performance. In addition to the Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered.

Ferrari 430 Scuderia

Michael Schumacher will officially unveil the car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupé and the F430 Spider. The 430 Scuderia is a truly high-performance 2-seater berlinetta which demonstrates how Ferrari’s Formula 1 know-how is carried across to its production cars.

The new model is a special series based on the F430 and is aimed specifically at Ferrari’s most passionate and sports-driving oriented clients. Development focused on light weight, minimum trimmings and innovative technology. All this to exalt the car’s extremely high performance and ability to thrill the driver.

The new car can count on an extremely low weight-to-power ratio of just 2.45 kg per hp thanks to a low dry weight of just 1250 kg – 100 kg less than the F430 – and to the naturally-aspirated 4308 cc V8’s 510 hp at 8500 rpm.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cutting-edge solutions. There is the latest F1 software – F1 Superfast – which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrari’s achievements in terms of developing road-certified sports cars.

The 430 Scuderia will be officially unveiled by Michael Schumacher at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2007.

Audi R8 All Model Range

Audi has announced its entire 2008 model line-up. New for 2008 are the TT Coupe and Roadster, the R8 mid-engine sports car, the limited-production RS 4 Cabriolet, and the A5 and S5 coupes. These six models join the already sporty, sophisticated, and progressive line-up of Audi models, which also receive enhancements for 2008.

Audi has established simplified option packages for the current line-up to ease customer ordering, as well as a standard tire pressure monitoring system in every model. As always, Audi anticipates trends in the industry, and enhances vehicles and packaging to match customer tastes.

New 2008 Models

Audi introduces some very exciting models for 2008. The all-new TT Coupe and Roadster arrived at dealerships in April. The new TT models feature the latest generation of Audi Space Frame (ASF®) that combines aluminum and steel for reduced weight and improved weight distribution. Both Coupe and Roadster models are available with a 200 hp 2.0T FSI engine or a 250 hp 3.2L V6 engine. All V6 models come standard with quattro® all-wheel drive.

September 2007 will mark the U.S. debut of one of the most exclusive sports cars in the world, the R8. Audi’s first-ever mid-engine sports car was named after the legendary race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times earlier this decade. The all-aluminum R8 has a 420 hp engine available with either a six-speed manual or R tronic sequential automatic gearbox, with sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The R8’s well-balanced aluminum architecture and mid-engine layout give the R8 handling capabilities unlike any vehicle Audi has ever developed.

Another exciting addition to 2008 will be the RS 4 Cabriolet. Arriving in Fall 2007, the RS 4 Cabriolet shares the same high-revving 4.2 V8 FSI engine found in the RS 4 sedan. It produces 420 hp at 7,800 rpm and comes with a six-speed manual and quattro all-wheel drive, 19” RS 4-style alloy wheels with performance tires, and four-link front and trapezoidal-link rear sport-tuned suspension with Dynamic Ride Control (DRC).

Approximately 300 RS 4 Cabriolets will be sold in the U.S.

Later in the fall, the 2008 S5 will make its debut. The S5 is the first new two-door coupe from Audi in the U.S. since 1991. While developing the S5, engineers moved the powertrain closer to the center of the vehicle. This set-up allows for better handling balance and more room for creativity for the designers. Former Audi Head of Design Walter de Silva called the S5 the “…most beautiful design I’ve ever created.” The S5 will have a 354 hp 4.2 FSI V8 engine, and can run from 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds. The 2008 A5, with a 265 hp 3.2 FSI V6 engine, will arrive shortly after in early 2008.

2008 Model Year Line-Up
Changes have also been made to the existing line-up for 2008. Listed below are the significant changes to each model, as well as highlights for the all-new models for 2008.

2008 A3 Changes
The A3 model line enters 2008 largely unchanged. There are new wheel options as well as a new Titanium Package. Manual rear side sunshades become available, as does factory-installed iPod® integration. SIRIUS® satellite radio and an auto-dimming interior mirror with compass become standard on A3 3.2 models.
A3 Titanium Package breakdown:
- 18” Titanium-color RS 4-style alloy wheels
- Black front grille
- Black interior headliner
- Piano black interior trim

2008 A4/S4 Sedan/Avant and 2008 RS 4 Changes
The 2008 A4 sedan and Avant models get some significant exterior changes. The S line package now becomes standard for the exterior. This includes revised front and rear bumpers, lower side door trim, integrated trunk lid spoiler, front grille, and S line badging. Other important changes to the A4 are:
- Optional factory iPod integration
- SIRIUS satellite radio standard on S/RS models
- S line interior package consisting of a sport three-spoke steering wheel, aluminum trim, and special interior stitching, and 18” alloy wheels
- Standard Bluetooth® on S4 models
- New RS 4-style 18” alloy wheels offered on S4

Two new option packages from Audi’s performance subsidiary quattro GmbH are available for the 2008 RS 4, the Titanium package and the Audi exclusive package. The Titanium package offers the same treatment at the A4 Titanium package with:
- Titanium colored 19” alloy wheels
- Black front grille
- Black exhaust tips
- Black side window moldings
- Black interior headliner
- Piano black interior trim
- Floor mats with contrasting red piping and “RS 4” logo

The Audi exclusive package ads a very distinctive interior treatment to the RS 4. The package consists of:
- Red leather seat centers (black leather side bolsters and head rests) and door trim
- Contrasting red seat piping
- Red stitching on shift boot, hand brake, seats, and steering wheel
- Piano black interior trim
- Audi exclusive badging

2008 A4/S4 Cabriolet Changes and New RS 4 Cabriolet Highlights
The A4 and S4 Cabriolets remain largely unchanged. A factory iPod interface is now available and heated front seats are now standard on A4 3.2 and S4 Cabriolet models. SIRIUS satellite radio is now standard on S/RS models.
2008 RS 4 Cabriolet highlights include:
- 420hp 4.2L V8 FSI engine
- Six-speed manual and rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive
- Dynamic Ride Control (DRC)
- 19” alloy wheels with performance tires
- Fully automatic Acoustic convertible top
- Leather covered RS 4 embossed sport seats, power operated
- Aluminum front body panels and widened fenders
- 14.4” front and 12.8” rear brake rotors

All-new 2008 A5 and S5 Coupe Highlights
The third new model line for 2008 is the A5 and S5 coupes. These models are the first four-seat coupes in Audi’s line-up in the U.S. since 1991. The A5 is powered by a 3.2 V6 FSI engine making 265 hp. The S5 is equipped with a 354 hp 4.2 V8 FSI engine. Both models have standard quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. A six-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox is optional on both models. These coupes solidify Audi’s performance portfolio, and contribute to 2008 as the “Year of Emotion” for Audi. A5 and S5 highlights include:
- A5: 265 hp 3.2 V6 FSI
- S5: 354 hp 4.2 V8 FSI
- Six-speed manual or optional six-speed Tiptronic®
- Asymmetrical dynamic quattro all-wheel drive
- New chassis architecture that moves the engine closer to the center of the vehicle. Benefits include a shorter front overhand and optimized axle load distribution for more dynamic handling characteristics.
- Al-new five-link front suspension design resulting in excellent ride comfort and directional stability
- LED daytime running lights (on models with Bi-Xenon headlights) and tail lights
- New Advanced key keyless entry system that stores vehicle data
- Optional 505 watt 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen® audio system

2008 A6 Sedan and Avant/S6 Sedan Changes
Like the A4 sedan and Avant models for 2008, the A6 models will receive the S line exterior treatment as standard equipment, including 18” alloy wheels and rear integrated spoiler from the S6. Additional standard equipment for 2008 consists of headlight washers, SIRIUS satellite radio, and seat-back storage pockets.
New options include:
- Audi navigation system with DVD as a stand alone option (still part of Technology package on S6)
- Audi lane assist
- New 19” alloy wheels (design from RS 4) on A6
- New chrome finish 18” wheel
- S line interior package consisting of front sport seats with S line embossed logo, new Milano leather upholstery, Birch Gray decorative inlays, three-spoke sport steering wheel with shift paddles, black headliner, aluminum door sills (A6 only)

2008 Audi Q7 Changes
In its second year, the Audi Q7 3.6, 3.6 Premium, and 4.2 Premium models compose the 2008 line-up. The options programs have been simplified and changes have been made to the standard equipment. SIRIUS satellite radio is now standard on 3.6 Premium and 4.2 Premium models. Some new standard equipment highlights include:
3.6
- Leather seating surfaces with power front seats
- Six-disc in-dash CD changer
- Aluminum decorative inlays

3.6 Premium
- Power tailgate
- Third-row seating
- Audi music interface
- Bluetooth
- Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera

4.2 Premium
- Four-zone automatic climate control
- Audi navigation system with DVD
- Advanced key
- 20” alloy wheels

The wheel program has also been revised. All 3.6 and 3.6 Premium models now come with 18” twin-spoke alloy wheels. The 4.2 Premium models now come standard with 20” twin-spoke wheels. Optional 19”, 20”, and 21” alloy wheels are still available on all Premium models.

2008 A8 and S8 Changes
Model production for the 2008 A8 and S8 begins later in the year than the rest of the model line-up, so changes are not yet finalized at this time. Please refer to the Audi of America press website for the latest information on the A8 and S8 models. www.media.audiusa.com

All-new 2008 TT Coupe and Roadster Highlights
The TT models are all-new for 2008. Both models are available with a 200 hp 2.0T FSI engine mated to a six-speed S tronic double-clutch automatic gearbox, or a 250 hp 3.2L V6 engine with quattro all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. A six-speed S tronic gearbox is optional on 3.2 models. TT highlights include:
- Third-generation Audi Space Frame (ASF) technology combining aluminum and steel in the chassis, helps reduce weight and improve weight distribution, allowing for more dynamic handling.
- 2008 models are 5 in. longer, and 3 in. wider than previous model, allowing for a more aggressive stance and improved interior space.
- Coupe 0-60 mph: 2.0T – 6.1 sec., 3.2 manual – 5.5 sec., 3.2 S tronic 5.3 sec.
- Roadster 0-60 mph: 2.0T - 6.3 sec., 3.2 manual – 5.7 sec., 3.2 S tronic – 5.5 sec.
- Optional Audi magnetic ride control
- Automatic climate control
- Alcantara or optional Nappa leather seating. Baseball optic leather available on 3.2 Roadster models.
- Flat-bottom sport steering wheel
- Fold-down rear seats (Coupe) able to accommodate two bags of golf clubs
- Optional enhanced interior package for Roadster featuring pass-through ski sack and storage bins behind front seats
- Power retractable wind blocker on Roadster
- S line package consisting of 19” alloy wheels, revised bumpers, and special interior stitching. Available on Coupe and Roadster
- Optional Audi exclusive package with two-tone leather seating and interior trim

All-new 2008 R8 highlights
Audi’s first ever premium mid-engine sports car will appear in the U.S. in early-fall of 2007. Called the R8, it demonstrates everything Audi has learned from years of involvement in motorsports. It’s lightweight aluminum chassis, high-revving 420-hp 4.2L V8 FSI engine, race-inspired suspension, quattro all-wheel drive system, and low center of gravity combine to make the R8 handle unlike any Audi before it. The R8 is hand-assembled by quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, Germany, where only 15 models a day are produced. R8 highlights include:
- 4.2L V8 FSI engine making 420 hp
- 8000 rpm redline
- Rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual with metal shift gate or six-speed R tronic sequential automatic gearbox
- Aluminum construction
- 0-60 mph in 4.4 sec.
- Top speed of 187 mph
- Audi magnetic ride suspension
- 19” alloy wheels and performance tires
- Eight-piston 15.0” front and four-piston 14.0” rear brake rotors
- Automatic climate control
- LED daytime running lights, 3D LED tail light treatment (industry first)
- Flat-bottom multifunction sport steering wheel
- Optional 465 watt, 12-speaker Band & Olufsen sound system
- Optional body color or Carbon Sigma sideblade
- Optional convenience package consisting of a rearview camera and front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, hill hold assist, auto dimming exterior mirrors, six-disc CD changer, HomeLink®, and a storage package.

Kia Sports Coupe

Kia Motors is to unveil a dramatic 2+2 sports coupe concept – the work of Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer – at the IAA Auto Show in Frankfurt.. Revealing a first ‘preview image’ of the car, Schreyer said: “Kia has given me the opportunity to shape its whole brand design and character. Seldom does a designer have such a clean sheet to work with.

“We started this exciting journey with the Kia ex_cee’d cabrio concept at the Geneva Show back in March, and at Frankfurt I’m sure Kia will surprise the entire automotive world when people see our new sports coupe concept in the metal.”

The new concept – its name remains secret for now – has an imposing road presence and was designed by Schreyer at Kia’s Frankfurt Design studio and was built in Europe.

The ex_cee’d cabrio concept was Schreyer’s first design after joining Kia in September last year, but the 53-year-old Bavarian had previously indicated that Frankfurt would be the target for his unveiling of a new face for Kia products in the future. The sports coupe concept is his design statement for Kia and heralds a future product strategy focussed on design.

Schreyer was recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the Royal College of Art in London in recognition of the contribution he has made to automotive design over the last 25 years.

Peugeot 4007

The Peugeot 4007 is the first SUV to be launched by Peugeot and extends the brand virtues of style, dynamism, innovation and quality. Positioned in the heart of the SUV market, 4007 has been designed to attract new customers who are looking for something distinctive.

The 4007 extends the Peugeot product portfolio and features an innovative electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, latest generation HDi engine technology and a versatile, dynamic and flexible interior which can transport up to seven in style and comfort.

The joint collaboration between the PSA Peugeot Citroën group and the Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has produced the 4007 – a vehicle that combines a high-driving position, distinctive appearance, a 5+2 seat configuration and ‘on-demand’ 4WD system. This combined with Peugeot’s class-leading HDi engine means it:

Emits less CO2 than some family cars due to its efficient HDi engine
Returns impressive mpg performance (39.2 mpg on the Combined Cycle)
Operates only in 4WD mode – when road conditions necessitate
Is fitted with Peugeot’s industry leading Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS) reducing exhaust particulate emissions to virtually zero, unlike a conventional SUV

On-Demand 4WD System
One of the most important engineering credentials of the 4007 is its innovative electronic ‘on-demand’ 4WD system. Unlike many other systems, the 4007 enables the driver to select three modes of drive, while on the move:

Permanent 2WD – great for the majority of times when travelling around town or on a motorway, with all power directed to the front wheels
Automatic 4WD – engine torque is delivered automatically to wheels that require the most traction at any time
Permanent 4WD – splits torque 50:50 between front and rear wheels making it perfect for when the going gets tough

This technology gives 4007 the ‘best of both worlds’, for it can tackle some of the roughest terrain, yet still provides excellent on-road dynamic behaviour and excellent fuel economy.

PRODUCT & PRICING
Powertrain
Powering 4007 is a variation of the 2.2-litre HDi engine first seen in the 407 HDi 170. In this application, it produces 156 bhp at 4000 rpm, but its torque increases to an exceptionally strong 380 Nm at just 2,000 revs. The flexibility of this engine makes it very tractable when performing off-road and gives fantastic performance on road too. The 2.2-litre HDi 156 engine with 6-speed manual transmission emits just 191 g/km CO2 and is fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter system (DPFS) – technology pioneered by Peugeot back in 2000.

Electronic ‘on-demand’ four-wheel drive system
ESP, ABS and EBFD
Roof bars
Automatic air conditioning with climate control, pollen and dust filters
6 airbags (front, side, and curtain)
Ultrasonic alarm and remote control central locking with deadlocks
Trip computer, front fog lights and radio/ CD player with MP3 compatibility

The SE will also feature as standard 16” alloy wheels. Customers choosing the range-topping GT gain full black leather upholstery, 18” alloy wheels, a 6 disc CD autochanger, rear parking aid, xenon headlights, dark tinted rear windows and increased use of chrome detailing.

Engine & Gearbox
All 4007s use the 2.2-litre HDi 156 bhp engine with six-speed manual transmission

Fuel type: Diesel with particulate filter and 30% biodiesel capability
Cubic capacity (cc): 2179
Bore x stroke (mm): 86 x 96
Number of valves: 16
Max power bhp (kW): 156 (115) @ 4,000 rpm
Max torque lb ft (Nm): 285 (380) @ 2,000 rpm

FUEL CONSUMPTION (EU directive '99/100) 16"/18" wheel versions
Urban drive cycle mpg (litres/100 km): 29.7(9.5), 29.4(9.6)
Extra Urban drive cycle mpg (litres/100 km): 47.8(5.9), 47.0(6.0)
Combined drive cycle mpg (litres/100 km): 39.2(7.2), 38.6(7.3)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (g/km): 191, 194

Audi Cleaner TDi Engines

From mid-2008 Audi will be putting the cleanest diesel technology in the world into series production. The new TDI engines with their ultra-low emission system combine the spontaneous performance and superior pulling power of today’s TDI power units with outstanding fuel consumption figures and incomparably low emissions. Indeed, they will already undercut the most stringent emissions limits that are to be applied in the future in Europe as soon as production starts. Just as the entire Audi range complied with the Euro 4 standard and the forthcoming Euro 5 emissions limits years in advance, the Ingolstadt brand is once again set to assume its role as the pioneer of groundbreaking technology.

For Audi, the trendsetting TDI engine is a core element of its integrated technology strategy. “We intend to consolidate the status of the TDI as a highly efficient form of propulsion on a sustained basis. And in future we will be launching ‘e’ model variants designed for optimised fuel consumption in the high-volume model series – either in TDI guise or as petrol models with state-of-the-art TFSI technology,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the AUDI AG Board of Management.

Maximum efficiency is the recipe for success

“Audi is a trailblazer when it comes to diesel power. Since 1989, over 4.5 millions cars have rolled off the production line with the highly efficient TDI technology under the bonnet. By equipping the R10 TDI sports prototype with this technology, we have just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a diesel-powered car for the second time. The Audi R8 racing cars with TFSI petrol direct injection took victory on five occasions at Le Mans. We have been incorporating the key findings from the world of motorsport directly into series-production development,” emphasises Michael Dick, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “By so doing, we are demonstrating how TDI and TFSI represent the ultimate in efficiency, driving pleasure and economy both on the road and on the racetrack.”

The latest TDI generation sees Audi reaffirm its leadership claim in the field of ultra-sophisticated diesel technology. When Audi started up series production of the first passenger-car TDI engine in 1989, it marked a key milestone in the advancement of automotive technology. Audi TDI soon became a byword for supreme pulling power plus maximum efficiency and, what's more, the pacemaker for the automotive industry as a whole. Even today, the spontaneous performance combined with extremely low fuel consumption achieved by the turbocharged direct-injection diesel engine remains unsurpassed by any other drive system under realistic conditions.

Consistent strategy throughout all model series

With its latest generation of TDI engines, Audi is now out to prove that this high-tech drive unit still has high potential and a guaranteed future: thanks to the optimised combustion process and the inclusion of an ultra-low emission system, these models comply with the BIN 5 emissions requirements in the US as well as meeting the toughest standards expected to come into force in Europe for the foreseeable future.

Audi is kicking off its consistent TDI strategy for 2008 with the three-litre V6 units in the Audi A4 and Audi Q7. Developing 176 kW (240 bhp) and a supreme peak torque of 500 Nm in the Audi A4 and 550 Nm in the Audi Q7, they boast the sublime dynamism combined with relatively low fuel consumption that is the hallmark of any Audi. Additional models will follow in rapid succession, with Audi seeking to extend the new technology to other vehicle classes and power categories by 2010.

Innovative technology for minimised emissions

This new technology from Audi takes the TDI principle of diesel direct injection with turbocharging that has been proven a million times over and launches it into a whole new dimension. To do this, the diesel-engine development engineers at Audi have incorporated a whole raft of innovative measures into the latest TDI generation: the new piezoelectric common-rail system with an injection pressure of 2,000 bar, the extremely efficient exhaust gas recirculation and optimised turbocharging bring about a dramatic cut in untreated engine emissions. One of the highlights are the combustion chamber sensors that enable even more precise regulation of the combustion processes in the engine – this is the first time that such sensors have been fitted on any engine in the world, marking yet another Audi innovation.

The status of the new-generation TDI as the definitive clean-running, high-tech diesel is sealed by the downstream ultra-low emission system which reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 90 percent. The ultra-low emission system runs on a biodegradable additive in the form of a solution called AdBlue. Tiny doses of this solution are injected upstream from the DeNOx catalytic converter. The ultra-low emission system as a whole comprises the catalytic converter, the metering module, the AdBlue tank and heated lines, as well as an extensive system of sensors. The comprehensive emission control system is rounded off by the separate two-way catalytic converter and the highly efficient, electronically controlled diesel particulate filter.

Great potential for reducing fuel consumption all around the world

Thanks to their extremely low emission levels, these cutting-edge direct-injection diesel engines can be put into service anywhere in the world, even in the US state of California where the most stringent emissions limits are enforced. Compared to the average fleet consumption of petrol engines typically fitted in the USA, the TDI offers a fuel saving of as much as 35 percent. As a consequence, diesel technology can make a greater contribution to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and emissions of environmentally harmful greenhouse gases than any other form of propulsion currently available. Audi will be marketing these new models in the USA and in Europe from the second half of 2008.

Hybrid systems for a number of models

Nevertheless, there may also be a call for a hybrid system designed for individual markets and to meet specific requirements. Audi is developing hybrid systems for a number of model series and will put them into series production wherever it sees this as producing significant benefits for customers. Audi unveiled the Audi Q7 hybrid study with an electric motor integrated into the driveline between engine and gearbox back in 2005. Designed as a “full” hybrid, as it is known, the Audi Q7 can run on either the petrol engine or the electric motor alone or be powered by both in unison. During phases when the vehicle is coasting or braking, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy, fed to the battery and then transformed into propulsive power as and when required.