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Audi buys Ballard fuel cell patents for $80 million

While some auto companies (e.g., Toyota and Hyundai) are giving away some hydrogen fuel cell patents, others are paying a pretty penny to gain access to the H2 tech. Audi announced today that it has purchased a suite of fuel-cell patent from Ballard Power Systems. The deal between Volkswagen Group and the Canadian fuel cell pioneer is worth over $80 million US. Unsurprisingly, the value of Ballard's stock shot up about a dollar (to $2.61 as of this writing) on the announcement. VW and Ballard will also extend their development agreement, originally scheduled to end in 2017, to March 2019, and possibly another two years after that. Thus far, the deal – which revolves around the "design and manufacture of next-generation fuel cell stacks" for VW's H2 demonstration program – and Ballard says it is a leader in "critical areas of fuel cell product design – including the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), plate and stack components – along with certain testing and integration work." At the LA Auto Show last fall, VW showed off a Golf SportWagen and a Passat with a hydrogen hybrid HyMotion powertrain as well as a Audi A7 Sportback H-Tron Quattro. Audi buys fuel-cell patents from Ballard Power Systems Development agreement with Ballard extended until 2019 Audi's Head of Development Prof. Hackenberg: "The entire VW Group will use these patents." Ingolstadt/Burnaby, February 11, 2015 – AUDI AG has acquired a package of patents relating to fuel-cell technology from Ballard Power Systems Inc. In addition, the Volkswagen Group has extended its cooperation with the Canadian clean energy company until 2019. The purchase of these patents will provide new impetus for the development of fuel-cell drive systems at Audi, VW and the Volkswagen Group. As explained by Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG and responsible for the steering of the development departments of all brands in the VW Group: "Audi is acquiring these strategically important patents for the entire group and will make them available to all the brands. In this way, we are securing crucial expertise that will provide new impetus for the further development of this technology." Ballard Power Systems Inc. is based in Burnaby, Canada, and is one of the world's leading companies in the technology of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

New Audi A5 to debut in Ingolstadt on June 2

Audi will introduce the second-generation A5 during a late-night lightshow at its Ingolstadt, Germany, museum on June 2. In the announcement, the company only called out the standard model, but a new S5 coupe is probably not too far behind. Details on the next A5 have been scarce, and spy shots haven't revealed much. Our most recent images come from June of last year and show a vehicle that more or less follows the current A5's theme – a two-door A4 with a few small visual tweaks to distinguish it from the sedan, including a wider stance. Expect an interior treatment very similar to the A4's as well. The new coupe's mechanicals should mirror those of the four-door as well. The A5 will likely stick with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder (the A4's currently makes 252 hp) and ditch the current car's eight-speed automatic transmission for a new seven-speed dual-clutch. Unlike the sedan, the coupe is likely to continue offering a six-speed manual, as it is positioned as a sportier option even if it shares the A4's platform. Front-wheel drive will be standard, while Quattro all-wheel drive will be the one to buy. The S5 should definitely offer a manual again, along with the S4's 354-hp turbo 3.0-liter V6 and standard all-wheel drive. A seven-speed dual-clutch will be an optional extra, again, just like on the S4. Timing of the new A5's arrival appears to have shifted. A leaked product roadmap originally called out April 2016 for the A5 and S5 hardtop and May 2016 for the Cabriolet versions. Based on the June 2 debut, it looks like Audi pushed those dates back, so we'd expect the new convertibles to make their debut sometime in July. The new A5 is pegged to arrive as a 2018 model. We'll have all the details on the new A5 Coupe when it debuts early next month. Related Video:

Audi RS3 spy shots foreshadow an ultra-hot hatch

Not all vehicle prototypes and mules require heavy camouflage - sometimes they can be hidden in plain sight. That's probably what Audi was hoping for while testing its new RS3 wearing S3 duds, but thanks to some visual and audible telltales, our spy photographers were able to recognize this as a precursor to the marque's ultra-hot hatch testing near the Nürburgring.
Our photographer noticed the signature exhaust note of a five-cylinder engine, which suggests the RS3 could borrow its motivation from the excellent TT RS. Producing at least 340 horsepower, this 2.5-liter turbo powerplant could be the perfect answer for the new A45 AMG from Mercedes-Benz. The big brakes on this RS3 mule give us our best idea about the car's high-performance intentions, with Audi RS wave brake rotors and six-piston calipers peering out from behind the oversized wheels.
In production form, the RS3 should have a much different appearance from what you see here, with sportier design cues including oval-shaped dual exhaust outlets and a more aggressive front fascia. While we're still waiting for our first taste of the S3 in the North America, we'll be holding our breath for the RS3 to make its way here, as well.