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Audi's new 1,000-hp hybrid pulls like a freight train

Audi's latest plug-in hybrid handles like it's on rails, and pulls like a freight train. That's because it's a train, and literally rides on rails. The vehicle in question is a locomotive which the German automaker developed for its main factory in Ingolstadt incorporates over 11 miles of railroad tracks, along which are transported parts and completed vehicles to be moved around the site. To carry out those duties, Audi teamed up with French manufacturer Alston to deploy a new hybrid locomotive on premises. The locomotive features a plug-in hybrid propulsion systems capable of running on electric power alone for two hours at a time, and can be plugged in to recharge during down-time. The upshot is that it not only pollutes less overall, but can be run inside warehouses more safely. When the power runs out, the electrical system is backed up by a diesel engine. Audi reports that 15 trains arrive at the factory every day. It employs 17 locomotive drivers on site. And each locomotive runs for 3,800 hours each year. Whether we can take Audi at its word when it comes to diesel emissions or not, the company claims that the new hybrid locomotive cuts its carbon emissions by half, taking 60 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere each year. 10/30/15 Ingolstadt Hybrid locomotive at Audi plant in Ingolstadt This Audi drives on rails: A 1,000 horsepower plug in hybrid locomotive manufactured by Alstom replaces the plant locomotives previously used at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt as of today. This means that components and finished Audi models will now reach the plant's loading stations in a more climate friendly way. "Our goal is all-round sustainable logistics," stated Johann Schmid, head of the Audi plant railway in Ingolstadt. "The new railway technology allows more economical, energy-efficient and low-emission rail transport. In connection with the latest chassis technology, the plug-in-hybrid locomotive sets new standards in shunting and rail transport." The complete automobile plant in Ingolstadt includes 18 kilometers of railways. Every day, 15 goods trains arrive at Ingolstadt North railway station for Audi – loaded with pressed parts, engines and transmissions, as well as cars from other Audi sites that are ready for delivery to customers. And cars produced in Ingolstadt also start their journey to customers by rail. 17 Audi locomotive drivers work at the plant railway. One of their tasks is to allocate the wagons to the various plant buildings.

Audi promises production laser headlights

Audi is showing off new laser headlight technology this week at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show on its Audi Sport Quattro Laserlight Concept, and most intriguingly, the automaker has plans to use the long-range lighting on production vehicles. Audi CEO Rupert Stadler tells Automotive News that this type of headlights will be used on a future production vehicle, although he did not specify any timeframe.
On the concept vehicle, the headlights employ LED low beams, while the high beams use the laserlight technology. Audi says that these lights are not only very small ("a few microns in diameter") they are also able to light the road for almost a third of a mile (1,640 feet), with three times the brightness of an LED highbeam, yet with pinpoint control. These lights have already been confirmed for use in motorsports on the 2014 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro LMP1 racecar, and the tech will eventually trickle down to road-going cars.
In addition to how long this trickle down will take, it's doubtful we'll see these lights in the US anytime soon. Audi is still working with the US Department of Transportation for approval of its LED Matrix Beam headlights, which are already sold in other markets, and the negotiations appear to be taking quite a bit of time. Automotive News also notes that the laser headlights earmarked as options on the 2015 BMW i8 will not be offered in the US, either.

Investors storm Volkswagen with $9 billion in lawsuits

Volkswagen's investors are latest group to take up pitchforks against the embattled automaker, and they're seeking $9 billion in damages, Reuters reports. The investor lawsuits were filed in a court in Braunschweig, Germany, near Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters. On Monday, the first business day following the anniversary of the emissions revelations, the court received 750 lawsuits alone. All told, about 1,400 lawsuits have been filed. The largest single claim totals $3.7 billion and was filed more than six months ago. The lawsuits stem from complaints that Volkswagen didn't divulge information on the cheating software to investors quickly enough. Volkswagen has said that it hasn't broken any capital market laws. The $21.5 billion the company set aside to weather the storm may not be enough. The consumer fix is estimated to run the company $14.7 billion, either through buybacks or a fix that still seems unclear. In addition to the lawsuits, Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller confirmed that Audi boss Rupert Stadler is under investigation regarding the scandal. Mueller refused to give further details, but this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Audi has admitted that its 3.0-liter V6 was equipped with the same emissions-cheating software as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesels. Stefan Knirsch, Audi's head of development, has been suspended as part of the overall investigation. Knirsch took over duties after his predecessor quit. Knisch was previously head of engine development at Audi. Related Video: News Source: Reuters Green Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Audi Volkswagen Emissions Diesel Vehicles vw diesel scandal