Here Come The Hybrids!

Officials at Audi have confirmed that the German automaker is working on an all-electric vehicle based on the Volkswagen up! platform. When the vehicle makes it to the production stage, it will be marketed as a Lupo, although the platform will be available to all Audi/VW divisions. Audi has been working on the vehicle for some time, but company officials would not put a timetable on when the vehicle will be available to consumers.

The revelation came at last week's 2008 Paris Motor Show, where many automakers showed off hybrid and alternative propulsion concept vehicles. In addition to the Lupo discussion, Audi showed off its A1 Sportback hybrid; Puegeot showed a pair of Hymotion diesel-electric hybrids; Citroen showed its Hypnos concept as well as an F1 World Rally Championship hybrid vehicle; Kia brought the new Soul hybrid concept; Renault showed off its zero-emission concept for the home crowd; Pininfarina displayed an all-electric super-mini concept vehicle dubbed the B0; and BMW brought its super-high efficiency gasoline powered BlueHYBRID line. In connection with the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Toyota announced that it would bring its planned Prius-based Lexus hybrid, set for a European debut in 2010, to the January North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The 2008 Paris Motor Show marks what should be the beginning of an avalanche of hybrid, alternative-fuel, alternative-propulsion and super-high-efficiency vehicles and concepts over the next few years. These new vehicles will be introduced at the 2009 and 2010 motor shows around the globe in anticipation of new EU and US emissions regulations that will kick in with the 2012 model year.