Audi’s latest hybrid concept car takes the TT family offroad, with 408HP under the hood
Audi’s latest prototype packing an E-Tron hybrid drivetrain is this TT Offroad Concept that takes the TT family beyond the coupes and convertibles we’re familiar with. Going on display at the Beijing Motor Show, it combines two electric motors (one on each axle) with a 292HP turbocharged combustion engine to produce up to 408 horsepower total. The concept is even quipped with wireless charging tech, making the “plug-in” hybrid possible to charge simply by parking in the right spot. As a result, despite having all that power available, Audi claims it can average up to 123.8 MPG. As Autoblog points out, it shares a number of characteristics with the Allroad Shooting Brake concept Audi showed off at the Detroit Auto Show a few months ago. According to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, “it shows how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family.” So tell us, are you lusting after yet another E-Tron concept, or hoping Audi goes back to the drawing board on this crossover.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Autoblog
Source: Audi
Weekends with Engadget: Windows Phone 8.1 and Gear 2 reviews, the anonymous internet and more!
Welcome to Weekends with Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines from the past seven days — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. For even more action, subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
Windows Phone 8.1 review: Microsoft’s mobile OS finally feels whole
Microsoft’s mobile OS just got a whole lot better. Complete with keyboard swipe gestures, a notification center and Cortana, the virtual assistant, version 8.1 brings Windows Phone into adulthood.
My connected home turned me into a spy and an addict
Ten years ago, adjusting the temperature of your home from a smartphone might have seemed like something from a science fiction movie. But in this age of hyper-connectivity, it’s easier to get wrapped up in the quantifiable aspects of life than you might think. Just ask our own Joseph Volpe.
Sony Xperia Z2 review: a big, powerful slab of a phone
The Xperia Z2 is just as waterproof as the original Z1 and it packs a slightly larger display and better battery life — not to mention it’s several grams lighter. But at 5.2-inches, Sony’s curveless flagship might be too big for its your britches.
Shh, it’s a Secret: The allure of the anonymous internet
You can say almost anything you want on the internet, often without consequence. But are there advantages to being truly anonymous? Our own Nicole Lee spent some time with an app called Secret to find out.
Samsung Gear 2 review: much improved, but that doesn’t mean you should buy it
Samsung’s next gen smartwatch, the Gear 2, is indeed an improvement over its predecessor. It sports a slimmer design and a much longer battery life, though it’s $50 more than the original. Add in a skimpy app selection, and it still might not be worth investing in Samsung’s wrist-worn platform.
Here’s Amazon’s phone: six cameras and a 4.7-inch screen
We’ve all heard the rumors, but BGR claims it’s gotten hold of Amazon’s first phone — and it has six cameras. The 4.7-inch handset (shown above) might not appear very sleek or attractive. But don’t worry, that’s just an enclosure.
Apple CarPlay coming to Pioneer’s in-dash systems this summer
Pioneer’s NEX line of five in-dash entertainment systems will get Apple’s CarPlay support through a firmware update set to arrive this summer. Owners with an iPhone 5, 5c or 5s will be able to take advantage of Apple Maps, Siri and more!
Google beats Facebook to acquisition of drone maker
Earlier this week, Google agreed to buy Titan Aerospace, a solar-powered drone manufacturer that had previously been in talks with Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company plans to use the high-flying aircraft in collaboration with its Project Loon.
MSI GS60 Ghost review: a gaming rig in Ultrabook’s clothing
Thin, light and simple: MSI’s latest gaming laptop is all of those things and more. Dubbed the GS60 Ghost, this slim aluminum machine has a bright 15.3-inch display and ultrabook-esque buttonless trackpad. All in all, the Ghost is a great choice for serious gamers, provided they can endure its less-than-average battery life.
Sony pumps up its PS4 update with game pre-loading and SHAREfactory video editor
In a recent blog post, Sony announced it’s preparing a 1.70 firmware update for the PS4 that will include a brand new video editor (called SHAREfactory) and pre-game loading functionality. Exactly when it will be released, however, is still to be known.
Feedback Loop: E3 expectations, first MP3 player and password managers!
Welcome to Feedback Loop, a weekly roundup of the most interesting discussions happening within the Engadget community. There’s so much technology to talk about and so little time to enjoy it, but you have a lot of great ideas and opinions that need to be shared! Join us every Saturday as we highlight some of the most interesting discussions that happened during the past week.
This week, we speculate on what we want to see from E3, share our fond memories of our first MP3 players and talk about strategies for securing our passwords. Head past the break to join the conversation!
What do you want to see at E3?
E3 is right around the corner and Tim Seppala wants to know what you want to see from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony? Given all the new hardware is out in the wild, the focus this year is likely going to be on games, games, games, games and possibly a bit of VR. So, what is on your gaming wish list?
What was your first MP3 player?
Do you remember CD’s and cassette tapes? I shudder at the thought of that old fashioned technology. Thankfully, digital media players were invented and our mobile music habits have been changed ever since! Peterburk wants to know if you remember the time when you were able to free yourself from the shackles of physical media once and for all? Head over to the forums and tell us about your first MP3 player.
Do you use a password manager?
It seems like there’s a new security breach at a different website every day. Besides being a huge inconvenience, all these leaked passwords floating around have given hackers better strategies for cracking our most precious passwords. Do you use a password manager to protect yourself?
That’s all this week! Do you want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
AIVAnet 