Someone in Audi’s engineering department has obviously been missing the days when the company made things as complex as possible for no reason. No more W-engines, no more back-of-the-block timing drives, no problem. But CarBuzz found a patent for something that suggests the days of complex Audi designs aren’t done just yet. In fact, this one might out-do them all.
It describes an extended-range EV that can work as a more conventional hybrid some of the time, and drive the front wheels, rear wheels, or both in different configurations. It’s definitely complex, but like other Audis, that complexity has benefits if you’re willing to look for them.
EREV, Sort Of, Some Of The Time
2026 Audi Q3 PHEVAudi
The difference between a plug-in hybrid and an extended-range EV (EREV) usually comes down to whether the engine ever turns the wheels instead of strictly looking range. If it does, it’s usually considered a hybrid or PHEV. If it doesn’t, it’s an EREV.
Audi’s new patent describes a vehicle where, in normal driving, the battery powers a primary electric motor. That motor turns the tires on that axle, and drives the vehicle. But in some situations, like when it needs AWD traction (this is an Audi after all), a secondary motor drives the other axle and wheels. It’s with the second motor that things start to get complex.
Is This Just Another Rear-Mounted Timing Chain?
Audi S6 e-tron spy photoCarBuzz/Valnet
The gas-powered engine, the generator in an EREV, needs to turn a motor to make electricity. A normal EREV uses a third electric motor mounted to the engine, used solely to produce that electricity. In this invention, the gas engine would be connected to the second motor on an axle, driving wheels.
Special couplings between the engine and motor, and motor and differential, would let the vehicle’s computer decide what to connect and when. With a full battery, both motors can turn the wheels to drive and can regenerate electricity when you slow down. When the battery is low, the engine can fire up and connect to the secondary motor to recharge it.
Then there’s the really strange case. In some situations, the gas engine can connect through the motor to drive the wheels directly. That scenario does not seem likely to occur very often, though. GM and Honda have done something similar, driving the wheels using the gas engine at highway speeds, but their systems do not use the same electric motor to both produce power and drive the car.
Audi says this method means fewer parts, specifically one less expensive electric motor and the electric components that go with it. That may not matter at initial purchase, but it could benefit customers down the road. As for all the connections and special couplings clicking into place… let’s just say that’s a lot more moving parts in an already complex system.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Audi W12 EngineAudi
Automakers exploring new ways to make a better car lead to some very cool tech and some very interesting ideas. Some of those never pan out, but others have a chance of reaching the road. This one feels like it has a chance for one key reason: It could cut manufacturer costs.
It does have some problems for a company like Audi, though. AWD, specifically Quattro, is the company’s signature. This setup might not be able to deliver AWD in all situations, if the secondary motor needs to charge instead of drive. That could be a non-starter for the company if it can’t figure out how to avoid it.
Patent filings do not guarantee the use of such technology in future vehicles and are often used exclusively as a means of protecting intellectual property. Such a filing cannot be construed as confirmation of production intent.
Source: US Patent & Trademark Office
