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Why we can't have better headlights here in the U.S.

It wouldn't be a European auto show if we weren't teased with at least one mainstream vehicle we can't have here. At the Geneva Motor Show last week, the small but vocal contingent of shooting-brake buffs lamented that the Mazda6 wagon won't be coming to our shores, although they can take comfort in the fact that the vehicle won't get the torquey 250-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine we'll get here. Mercedes-Benz also announced a new headlight technology in Geneva that likely won't be available here anytime soon. It's just the latest in a long line of innovative and potentially lifesaving front-lighting solutions that the federal government doesn't allow in this country due to outdated standards — and a current lack of leadership at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Mercedes-Benz's new Digital Light system that debuted in Geneva uses a computer chip to activate more than a million micro-reflectors to better illuminate the road ahead. The Digital Light headlamps works with the vehicle's cameras, sensors and navigation mapping to adjust lighting for the given location and situation and to detect other road users. The Digital Light technology also serves as an extended head-up display of sorts by projecting symbols on the pavement ahead to alert drivers to, say, slippery conditions or pedestrians in the road. And it can even project lines on the road in a construction zone or through tight curves to show the driver the correct path. Digital Light will be available on Mercedes-Maybach vehicles later this year, although like any technology it's bound to trickle down to less expensive vehicles. That is, if we ever get it here in the U.S. Audi, a leader in automotive lighting, has repeatedly run into snags trying to bring state-of-the-art car headlights to the U.S. The German luxury automaker's recently introduced matrix laser headlight system, which performs many of the same trick as Mercedes-Benz's Digital Light, also isn't legal on U.S. roads. And five years after the introduction of its matrix-beam LED lighting, which illuminates more of the road without blinding oncoming motorists with brights by simultaneously operating high and low beams, Audi still can't bring that technology to the U.S. either.

Recharge Wrap-up: Audi's EV SUV to be built in Brussels, Mercedes-Benz to extend EV range

European Union Industry Commissioner Elzbieta Bienkowska is demanding that Volkswagen compensate owners of cars affected by the diesel emissions scandal. She says European customers should receive the same goodwill compensation as American drivers, whom VW is providing with $1,000 worth of recompense. "The issue of compensation goes beyond the difference in the legal setup between the US and the EU and plays a fundamental role in viewing VW as a responsible and trustworthy company," says Bienkowska in a letter to Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller. Bienkowska has also requested detailed data about the vehicles and "corrective measures" VW is planning. Read more from Automotive News Europe. Mercedes-Benz will equip its plug-in vehicles with higher-capacity batteries as it expands its electric model range. While the PHEVs it has released so far have electric driving ranges between 14 and 20 miles, better batteries should extend that range starting around model years 2018 or 2019. After releasing a slew of plug-ins by the end of next year, Mercedes-Benz development director Dr. Thomas Weber says, "The next-generation vehicle will overcome the 30-km to 50-km hurdle and then the next generation after that will be 80-100 km when they run as pure electric cars." Read more at Green Car Reports, or from Motoring. Audi will build its pure electric SUV at its plant in Brussels, Belgium. The batteries for the vehicle based on the Audi E-Tron Quattro concept (perhaps to be called the Q6) will also be built at the Brussels plant when production begins in 2018. With this announcement comes news that production of the A1 will shift from Brussels to Martorell, Spain, while Q3 production will move from Spain to Gyor Hungary. Audi says the Brussels facility will "become a key plant for electric mobility at the Volkswagen Group." Read more at Green Car Congress, or in the press release below. Audi production network: ready for electric mobility - Premium manufacturer to produce large series of electric cars in Brussels as of 2018 - New models for Martorell (Spain) and Gyor (Hungary) - Audi CEO Rupert Stadler: "We are increasing our efficiency and bundling key competencies" Audi is preparing its international production network for the mobility of the future. Large series production of the first purely electric driven SUV from Audi will begin at the site in Brussels in 2018. The plant will also produce its own batteries.

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.