Audi Expanding Hybrid And Electric Vehicle Plans, A6 Hybrid Could Enter In 2012: Report

VOLKSWAGEN HAS DESIGNS on dominating the alternative-powertrain market by 2018, with a number of hybrid VWs planned to launch in the next few years alone.

Today, reports out of Europe suggest Audi is joining the party by expanding its hybrid offerings to include the next-generation A6 in 2012, joining the A8 and Q5 hybrids.

On the all-electric front, Audi's boss of technical development Michael Dick told industry paper Automotive News that the e-tron brand is set to become an important badge for the luxury carmaker in the coming decade.

"The e-tron name will have an important part to play. Just as 'quattro' has become a synonym for all-wheel drive, so 'e-tron' is to be the Audi brand name for electric mobility," Mr Dick said.

Mr Dick said that while Audi pushes to have a full five percent of its range made up of hybrids and EVs, the company will continue to improve its internal combustion engines. By 2020, Audi expects to have reduced emissions and fuel consumption by 30 percent.

This year's Geneva Motor Show saw Audi unveiled a number of environment-conscious models, including the A8 and Q5 hybrids and an all-electric e-tron version of the recently revealed A1 entry-level hatch.

Recent reports have also suggested that Audi is looking to introduce a new A2 or all-electric 'E2' model between the new A1 and the A3 hatch.