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Audi A6, A7, A8, Q5 plug-in hybrids revealed – UPDATE

Petrol-electric range detailed ahead of public debut in Geneva next week. All are capable of over 40km of all-electric driving, while Australian timing is still to be announced.


Audi has revealed its new range of plug-in hybrids, based on various model lines including the A6, A7, A8 and Q5.


UPDATE, 25/2/19: Audi's local division has released a statement regarding the introduction of the new PHEV models in Australia. See bottom of article for details


Set to make their public debut at the Geneva motor show next week, the four new PHEVs are badged 'TFSI e' – the company will reserve the 'e-tron' monicker for all-electric models from here on.

Depending on model line, the TFSI e models will be available in two states of tune, though all are claimed to offer more than 40 kilometres of all-electric range based on the WLTP testing regime.

All models team a turbocharged petrol engine with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor, though outputs vary depending on vehicle.

In the A6, A7 and A8 TFSI e, there's a 14.1kWh battery pack living under the boot floor, made up of 104 pouch cells combined into eight modules with a voltage rating of 385V.

The Q5, meanwhile, has its cells arranged in a prismatic format, though retains the same 14.1kWh capacity.

As for the drivetrain, the A8 TFSI e has its synchronous electric motor integrated with the clutch within the eight-speed tiptronic auto transmission.

The A6, A7 and Q5 follow a similar concept, though the electric motor is integrated within a dual-clutch transmission instead.

Like various other hybrid vehicles currently on sale, the Audi PHEV family offers a unique set of drive modes allowing owners to configure their powertrain to maximise power or efficiency.

All models offer 'Auto', 'EV' and 'Hold' modes. The Auto mode lets the vehicle decide when to use petrol, electric, or combined power as required, while EV draws solely upon electric power, naturally.

Finally, the Hold function saves battery power for whatever reason, for example later on in the journey where the driver may be navigating through urban areas where electric power is most appropriate.

These modes supplement the 'Comfort', 'Efficiency', 'Auto', and 'Dynamic' modes that are available through the Audi drive select system. In Auto and Efficiency profiles, the vehicle will coast at speeds under 160km/h, with the petrol engine switched off and decoupled from the electric motor while the latter recuperates kinetic energy and converts it into electrical power.

Vehicles specified with the Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display also get hybrid-specific displays to give the driver a real-time look at the power meter, energy flow, and range.

Charging can take as little as two hours when using a 7.2kW connector.

Australia

Speaking with CarAdvice, Audi's local communications boss, Shaun Cleary, said: "Audi Australia certainly sees future opportunity with these models, in support of the overall Audi electrification strategy".

"We are currently evaluating these models in the context of the current and possible future market conditions."

Stay tuned to CarAdvice for our coverage of the Geneva motor show next week.

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