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Audi will introduce the world's first electric turbocharged engine--or e-boost engine--in the next-generation Q7 SUV, which is set to launch "very soon" according to Ulrich Weiss, Audi's head of diesel-engine development.
The German automaker has already shown off similar technology in its R18 endurance race car, which captures waste heat from the engine and converts it into electric power, and in the RS5 TDI concept, which uses an electric supercharger to make up for turbo lag in its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6.
The RS5 cranks out 385 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds. According to Weiss, this staggering performance was meant to highlight the performance potential of the e-boost engine and that Audi is monitoring public reaction to the idea.
If that's the kind of engine we'll get in the Q7, which is already rumored to weigh 800 pounds less than its predecessor, it's safe to say Weiss can count us as very enthusiastic about the idea.
In the meantime, check out Audi's other incredible vehicles at Jim Ellis Audi Marietta!
