The part-electric Audi Q5, A6 and A7 Sportback will soon start shipping with larger batteries, more electric range, faster charging, and a new powertrain mode.
The new 14.4-kWh battery array comes to replace the old 14.1-kWh one, extending the single-charge range to 91 km (56.5 miles) according to the admittedly outdated NEDC cycle. WLTP-rated range now amounts to 73 km (45.4 miles). The physical size of the battery stays the same, as does the trunk size.
A new drive mode called Charge joins the old EV, Auto and Hold modes. In the Charge mode, the powertrain replenishes the battery by burning gasoline, which can be useful when approaching a zero-emission area.
Charging now takes less time, too, with the manufacturer promising a full cycle within 2.5 hours.
The A6 PHEV wagon now ships in a new base spec that features a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and an electric motor. The cumulative output amounts to 299 PS (295 hp / 220 kW). The new A6 Avant 50 TFSI e costs from €61,790 in Europe not counting the subsidies.
Audi hybridized the Q5, A6, A7 Sportback, and A8 models two years ago. The cars ship with three main powertrain variants producing between 299 and 449 PS (295-443 hp; 220 – 330 kW, respectively) and between 450 and 700 Nm (332 – 516 lb-ft) of torque. The A8 60 TFSI e flagship spec featured in the attached video uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6.