Audi to Unveil Four PHEVs at Geneva

Audi confirms it will add four new plug-in hybrid models to its North American lineup as FSFI e versions of the Q5, A6, A7 and A8.

With the German automaker’s e-tron branding now reserved exclusively for its battery-electric models, Audi is billing the new TSFI e models as the first in a new generation of plug-in hybrids, each of which is claimed to offer an electric-only range of over 25 miles (40 km) on the newly introduced WLTP test cycle. They are to debut at the upcoming Geneva auto show.

Heading Audi’s new PHEV push is the all-wheel-drive A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro. It features a turbocharged 3.0L gasoline V-6 and a synchronous electric motor mounted within a standard 8-speed, torque-converter-equipped automatic gearbox. Combined output is 443 hp and 516 lb.-ft. (700 Nm) of torque, but no performance or economy figures have yet been made official.

The TSFI e iterations of the A6, A7 and Q5 quattro come with the choice of two different plug-in hybrid systems, both using a turbocharged 2.0L gasoline 4-cyl. in combination with a gearbox-mounted electric motor. The base system, as fitted to the A6 50 TSFI e, A7 50 TSFI e and Q5 50 TSFI e quattro, develops 295 hp and 332 lb.-ft. (450 Nm) of torque.

In more performance-oriented A6 55 TSFI e, A7 55 TSFI e and Q5 TSFI e quattro models, the new plug-in hybrid system offers 362 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) of torque.

Audi has developed two different batteries for its new generation of PHEVs, each boasting an energy capacity of 14.1 kWh. The battery of the A6 TSFI e, A7 TSFI e and A8 TSFI e is comprised of 104 pouch cells, while the unit in the Q5 uses prismatic cells.

As well as providing all-electric drive, the electric motor of each model has been developed to support the combustion engine during acceleration for stronger step-off and performance qualities.

All four of the new Audi PHEVs draw on the energy-recuperation technology used by the German automaker’s new all-electric e-tron quattro. Under braking, they recover up to 80 kW (107 hp) of kinetic energy. Also included is a so-called active accelerator pedal which provides haptic feedback in electric mode for greater efficiency, while the energy-recuperation qualities of a standard coasting function vary depending on the driving mode.