•New plug-in hybrids available for Audi Q5, A6, A7 & A8
•Engines boast strong electric motor, high battery capacity and a new drive strategy
•Electric only range of more than 40 km according to WLTP
•Convenient and networked charging with myAudi app
Audi will present its expanding range of hybrid variants at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Audi’s A8, A7 Sportback, A6 and Q5 hybrid models will have an electric range of more than 40 kms in the WLTP cycle and customers will be offered the choice between a comfort variant and a performance variant with a sporty design. The new plug-in hybrid models will be available for order during the course of 2019.
Wide selection of models: The plug-in hybrid strategy of Audi
Audi will increase the premium brands range of plug-in-hybrids for sustainable mobility from medium-size SUV to luxury saloon – with Q5, A6, A7 and A8 TFSI e. Depending on the model series, there is a choice of two variants with different performance and equipment: A comfort model and a variant with a sporty configuration with S line scopes*, a more tightly tuned suspension and drive setup with higher boost performance of the electric motor for more dynamic handling. The new plug-in hybrid models carry the “TFSI e” signet while the “e-tron” label will remain reserved exclusively for electrically driven cars.
A versatile drive concept
Audi plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) combine the power of two hearts from the combustion engine and electric motor. The electric-only range of the PHEVs account for more than 40 kms in the WLTP cycle for every model. All new plug-in-hybrids by Audi use a turbo-charged gasoline engine with direct injection which works together with an electric motor that is integrated in the transmission. A lithium-ion battery beneath the luggage compartment floor supplies the electrical energy. As a result, the electric motor can support the combustion engine during acceleration resulting in high start-off performance and powerful acceleration. When breaking, the new Audi PHEV models recover up to 80 kW of energy.
The lithium-ion battery for the Audi A6, A7 and A8 is made up of 104 pouch cells, which are combined in eight modules. It stores 14.1 kWh of energy at a voltage of 385 V. The lithium-ion battery in the Q5 comprises prismatic cells and has the same capacity. In each case, the cooling circuit of the battery is integrated in the low-temperature circuit, which supplies the electric motor and the power electronics.
The Audi A8 with plug-in hybrid drive has a combustion engine and a permanently excited synchronous motor as an electric motor. The Audi A7 and A6 models with plug-in hybrid drive use the same powertrain. The battery capacity is identical to that of the Audi A8 PHEV. The powertrain in the Audi Q5 PHEV follows the same concept as Audi A6s and A7s.
The New Plug-In Hybrid Models
Audi Q5, A6, A7 and A8
Maximum comfort and high electric range
The hybrid management of the plug-in-models is designed for maximum efficiency and customer comfort and automatically selects the optimum operation strategy.
The plug-in hybrid models have the following drive modes: ‘EV’, ‘Auto’, and ‘Hold’. With the operating mode button, the driver can select from these three basic settings: Priority for the electric drive, fully automatic hybrid mode or save power for a later phase of the journey.
The predictive efficiency assist makes an essential contribution to increasing the electric range and ensuring maximum customer comfort. The driver can also select between the ‘comfort’, ‘efficiency’, ‘auto’ and ‘dynamic’ drive modes via the familiar switches in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. This influences the setup of the drive, suspension and steering. In ‘dynamic’ mode, the electric motor supports the combustion engine more intensively with its electric boost performance for maximum dynamic handling.
The optional Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI display present all important notifications concerning electric driving: a power meter, the range and all energy flows*.
Charge Management from the Couch: The myAudi app.
The myAudi app brings services from the Audi connect portfolio direct to customer’s smartphones. Using the app, customers can remotely check the battery and range status, start the charging process, program the charge timer and view the charge and consumption statistics. The myAudi app also allows the user to determine exactly how the interior should be heated or cooled while the vehicle is parked or the battery is being charged.
