Limo drivers that love decent mpg but hate having stinky fingers will be overjoyed at the release of the Audi A8 Hybrid.
Due in 2012, the semi-electric luxury car will boast at least 44mpg and drive on electricity alone at speeds up to 62mph.
Obviously at that speed the battery will run out before you can say "how far is Stringfellows from here?" Audi says, that at a constant 37mph, the battery will last 1.86 miles.
It's a parallel hybrid, using a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine with 208bhp alongside a 53bhp motor. The official maximum combined output is 242bhp, though.
That's good enough for a 7.7-second sprint to 62mph, which means that, although power and consumption are broadly similar to those of a 3.0-litre TDI A8, it's significantly slower to the benchmark.
Average CO
2 emissions are, however, notably lower: 148- against 174g/km.
The transmission has three modes: EV, Drive and Sport. The first gives priority to electric-only driving where possible, while the other two are self-explanatory.
There are a couple of distinguishing features separating hybrid A8s from normal ones. Firstly there are the ten-spoke alloys, inspired by turbine blades we're told. And then there's the exclusive paint finish, which we think is a little risky - but bless Audi for pushing the envelope. It's silver.
Frankfurt Motor Show
Mark Nichol - 24 Aug 2011