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As far as I can tell, you won't see "hybrid" on Audi's site because the "energy recuperation system" isn't a hybrid system at all -- it simply banks energy from

by zucked 4y ago

As far as I can tell, you won't see "hybrid" on Audi's site because the "energy recuperation system" isn't a hybrid system at all -- it simply banks energy from the alternator and then reduces the load on the alternator (and the load on the engine, as a byproduct) when requested, allowing the car's energy needs to be drawn off the battery during that time instead. From Audi's literature: >While the vehicle is coasting or braking, the alternator voltage is raised above the level of the basic electrical system. During these phases the alternator can convert the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored temporarily in the vehicle battery. When the vehicle subsequently accelerates or is driven at constant speeds, this energy is used to relieve the load on the alternator, allowing a fuel saving of up to 3%, depending on the driving cycle. I am fully aware of how efficient a modern turbo engine can be, and perhaps you did, in fact, best the EPA estimates. Did you calculate these numbers yourself, or rely on the onboard computer?

Kon-Peki 4y ago
I keep track of everything myself. That's fine, we don't have to call it a mild hybrid. But whatever you want to call it, it's working really well on my car. It only has about 7k miles on it, but the efficiency keeps getting better as it breaks-in. I have to imagine that this is probably as good as it will get. Let me ask you something, though: if I went back and edited the original post to say 30 mpg, would you agree that how someone drives makes a huge difference in their fuel costs. Because that was my main point :)
- zucked 4y ago
  Yes - I'm certainly being pedantic. You're correct in that driving style can have a huge impact on fuel consumption. You don't have to hypermile it; just not playing speed racer between red lights, cruising at 70 instead of 85 helps, etc. I was just kind of blown away by the claim. Not that long ago, high 30's MPG on the highway was the domain of economy cars (think Corolla's and the like) and euro diesel cars. To hear that a gasoline SUV, albeit a smaller one, could be close to 40MPG on the highway made me skeptical and curious of how it was achieved.

by zucked 4y ago

Kon-Peki 4y ago

I keep track of everything myself. That's fine, we don't have to call it a mild hybrid. But whatever you want to call it, it's working really well on my car. It only has about 7k miles on it, but the efficiency keeps getting better as it breaks-in. I have to imagine that this is probably as good as it will get. Let me ask you something, though: if I went back and edited the original post to say 30 mpg, would you agree that how someone drives makes a huge difference in their fuel costs. Because that was my main point :)

zucked 4y ago
Yes - I'm certainly being pedantic. You're correct in that driving style can have a huge impact on fuel consumption. You don't have to hypermile it; just not playing speed racer between red lights, cruising at 70 instead of 85 helps, etc. I was just kind of blown away by the claim. Not that long ago, high 30's MPG on the highway was the domain of economy cars (think Corolla's and the like) and euro diesel cars. To hear that a gasoline SUV, albeit a smaller one, could be close to 40MPG on the highway made me skeptical and curious of how it was achieved.