Audi reveal four new ‘TFSI e’ plug-in hybrid models
Audi surprised the world after the announcement of four new plug-in hybrid models that they will be showcasing at the Geneva Motor Show this year. The models in question are the Audi Q5, A6, A7 and A8, which will all wear the new ‘TFSI e’ badge.
You may be asking yourself why they aren’t called ‘e-tron’ models, but that is because the ‘e-tron’ brand is exclusively linked to Audi’s fully electric models. The ‘TFSI e’ models aren’t fully electric, being petrol hybrid electric vehicles instead. Each model is claimed by Audi to be capable of more than 40-kilometers of range from only the electric motor.
The top of the range plug-in hybrid model is the A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro. While it has an incredibly long name, the A8 makes up for it in power. A 3.0-litre petrol V6 engine is paired to an electric motor and a 14.1kWh battery pack, bringing the total power output to 330kW with 700Nm of torque. Audi is yet to announce performance figures for the A8 TFSI e, but with an all-wheel drive quattro system and an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission at its disposal, we can expect it to be quick.
We find the Q5, A6 and A7 just under the A8 in the model line-up. These three models will produce the same 220kW of power and 450Nm of torque across the board in entry-level 50 TFSI e guise, while the sportier 55 TFSI e models are slightly more performance focused. These models flaunt sportier styling and a more engaging suspension set-up, as well as a beefier 270kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
Powertrain technology is borrowed from the fully electric Audi e-tron SUV, with the regenerative braking system recuperating up to 80kW of energy under maximum load. The TFSI e models also feature haptic feedback that triggers on the accelerator pedal to let the driver know when they are in electric mode, improving efficiency during scenarios like coasting.
Local pricing is yet to be announced, but we will be following the Geneva Motor Show closely, so keep an eye on the site for more news.
