2005 Audi A4 2.0t Quattro on 2040-cars

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German prosecutors investigating Audi for emissions scandal

After weeks of investigation into Volkswagen by prosecutors in Braunschweig, Germany, attorneys in Ingolstadt will also begin an examination into Audi's potential role in the emissions scandal. They reportedly received multiple criminal complaints that requested an inquiry, including one from Audi, according to Bloomberg. The prosecutors in Ingolstadt want to focus on people within the automaker that are responsible for emissions. However, the investigation is still too early in the process to identify any specific suspects. The German lawyers might also eventually combine their cases, but they remain separate for now. "Braunschweig took those parts that are clearly located at Volkswagen and asked us to keep the elements limited to Audi," a spokesperson for the Ingolstadt attorneys told Bloomberg. Audi has 2.1 million vehicles worldwide with Volkswagen Group's emissions-cheating four-cylinder diesel, including an estimated 13,000-14,000 of them in the US. The Environmental Protection Agency also recently filed a second violation notice against the 3.0-liter TDI V6 that was used in several of the company's models here, and the automaker responded with a stop sale for them. VW Group's carbon-dioxide emissions cheating in Europe also reportedly involves some Audi models. In that case, engineers admitted to artificially improving test results to achieve the cuts that the automaker requested.

Audi introduces Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI in Shanghai

Audi made a name for itself with its Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and is rapidly expanding its range of E-Tron hybrids. And now it's bringing the two together for the first time with the new Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI. The company's first vehicle to combine a turbocharged engine, hybrid assist and all-wheel drive, the Audi Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI boasts all the enhancements wrought on Ingolstadt's new flagship crossover, but with a range of over 633 miles – nearly 33 of them on electric power alone. The powertrain pairs a 2.0-liter turbo four with an electric motor that combine to deliver 367 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That's said to be enough to send the hybrid luxury crossover to 62 in 5.9 seconds and on to a top speed in excess of 136 miles per hour, while boasting fuel efficiency of a claimed 94 miles per gallon. Unfortunately, however, the Q7 E-Tron is earmarked only for specific Asian markets – namely China, Singapore and Japan. So don't count on seeing this hybrid crossover in US showrooms any time soon – at least not in this specification. Ingolstadt, 2015-04-16 Great class, minimal emissions – the new Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro - First TFSI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive - Best-in-class: up to 53 kilometers (32.9 mi) electric range - Maximum efficiency with hybrid management and heat pump - Available for Asian markets The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro marks the first time that Audi has combined a TFSI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive. Audi developed it specially for Asian markets (China, Singapore and Japan). It is sporty, comfortable and at the same time supremely efficient. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in under six seconds while consuming just 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (94.1 US mpg) according to the measurement method specified in China for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV). Audi is presenting the Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro at Auto Shanghai. According to the measurement method specified in China for PHEVs, the large SUV can cover up to 53 kilometers (32.9 mi) solely on the electricity stored in its lithium-ion battery – quietly, powerfully and with zero local emissions. Total range is 1,020 kilometers (633.8 mi). The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro will be available beginning in 2016. Sporty power and minimum consumption The Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro has sporty power.

Audi to keep hiring workers despite VW diesel scandal

Even while Volkswagen contemplates delaying or canceling projects to pay for costs related to the massive diesel emissions scandal, its stablemate Audi is hiring, according to Reuters. Audi certainly isn't immune to the diesel scandal, with around 2.1 million affected vehicles worldwide including 13,000-14,000 in the US, but the scandal so far isn't affecting staffing levels. "We are sticking with plans for strategic growth and are continuing to hire new employees as planned," Audi board member for human resources Thomas Sigi said in a German newspaper, according to Reuters. Sigi even suggested paying a "respectable" bonus to workers next year. Audi has some big projects on the horizon, too. Among them, the company intends to launch a production version of the E-Tron Quattro Concept in 2018, and for performance fans a new TT RS appears to be on the way. The new A4 should be a big contributor to global volume when its worldwide rollout is complete. Rather than allowing the diesel scandal to hurt all of its divisions, the VW Group instead wants to concentrate the fallout (and costs) on the VW brand, according to Reuters. Those expenses could be huge. Volkswagen is budgeting around $7.3 billion just to repair the 11 million emissions-cheating vehicles. Worldwide, maximum estimates put the whole mess at $87 billion. Related Video: