According to the ad uses some sort of KERS type system to charge the battery under braking. But does it have an electric motor? Doesn't the alternator already do a good enough job of keeping the battery topped up?

I don't get it. :confused:

I'd like to know more. Presumably, the alternator can be switched out to save fule, if the regenerative braking is generating enough power to keep the battery alive.

Welcome to Audi Australia > Audi Experience > Concept Cars > Q7 hybrid concept > Energy management

Thanks, but that's on a hybrid car- are all the cars with this hybrids?

I would be interested in how these systems work.

Does the system contribute towards braking power at all?

Is it an alternator type device on each hub, or something akin to an alternator on the flywheel of the engine (or another constantly moving part) that switches on when it detects that the brake pedal is being pressed?

I would be interested in how these systems work.

Does the system contribute towards braking power at all?

Is it an alternator type device on each hub, or something akin to an alternator on the flywheel of the engine (or another constantly moving part) that switches on when it detects that the brake pedal is being pressed?

I found another article here suggesting it's fitted to a TFSI A3. I can only imagine that it's a combined starter/alternator unit in the vicinity of the flywheel.

From what I've heard it does pretty much as you said cjb, uses the energy to keep the battery topped up and clutches out the alternator to save fuel.