Would You Give a Plug-in Hybrid Audi A6 Avant a Shot?
Audi makes some of the best looking wagons in the world, and their latest A6 wagon now has a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain permanent all-wheel drive. This Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro (learn the nomenclature basics here) marries a 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder with a powerful electric motor integrated into the 7-speed S Tronic transmission. You get 252PS (185kW) and 370Nm of torque from the petrol engine, while the electric motor contributes 105kW and 350Nm of torque. Combined, the system can deliver 367PS and 500Nm of torque.
That ought to give most premium segment buyers the kind of performance they’re looking for. Official figures say it’ll go from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, yet be able to return 51 km of pure electric range on a full charge.
With that performance, you still get a lot of space to play around with. A flat loading floor gives access to 405 litres of luggage capacity even with a 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery buried under the floor. With the rear seats folded, luggage capacity expands to 1535 litres. No pictures of the interior were released though.
We’re doubtful Malaysians will appreciate the A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro, even though it manages to be just as practical as it is sporty as it is efficient. First of all, it’s the wrong shape. A wagon shape denotes a lifestyle of utility and physical activity or work. They’re also associated with hearses in the country. Even with some interest in the Bodystyle, the volume would never justify any manufacturer to consider local assembly in Malaysia to bring prices down. It’s still an interesting car to admire from afar. Perhaps that’s all we can do for now!
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Audi is now also offering its successful full-size station wagon A6 Avant as a plug-in hybrid: The new A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro has a system output of 270 kW (367 PS) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (US mpg): 2.1–1.9 (112.0–123.8); combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 18.1–17.6; combined CO2 emissions in g/km* (g/mi): 48–44 (77.2–70.8)). Its drive concept combines a 2.0 TFSI engine with 185 kW (252 PS) of output and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft) of torque with a powerful electric motor. The permanently excited synchronous machine has a peak output of 105 kW and a peak torque of 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft). Together with the separating clutch, it is integrated into a seven-speed S tronic, which uses ultra technology to transfer the drive torque to a quattro drivetrain. The Audi A6 Avant PHEV thus has an efficient and permanently available all-wheel drive for an equally high level of traction and dynamic handling. The system torque already reaches its maximum of 500 Nm (368.8 lb-ft) at a speed of 1,250 rpm.
The electric range of the Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro** is up to 51 kilometers (31.7 mi) in the WLTP cycle. This means that it is eligible for a 50 percent company car tax reduction in Germany. The A6 Avant PHEV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.7 seconds. Its top speed is 250 km/h (155.3 mph) – in electric-only mode, the plug-in hybrid can reach a speed of up to 135 km/h (83.9 mph) (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km [US mpg]: 2.1–1.9 (112.0–123.8); combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km*: 18.1–17.6; combined CO2 emissions in g/km* (g/mi): 48–44 (77.2–70.8)).
Autonomous – drive management and predictive operating strategy
The drive concept of the Audi PHEV model is designed so that customers can do most of their daily driving electrically and therefore with zero local emissions. They can choose between the three drive modes “EV” for all-electric driving, “Hybrid” for the efficient combination of both drive types and “Hold” to conserve the electrical energy available at any given time.
In “Hybrid” mode, the predictive operating strategy ensures maximum efficiency and the maximum possible amount of electric driving. It controls the drivetrain so that the last stage of the journey before getting to the destination can be covered in all-electric mode and the battery is charged up beforehand via the combustion engine where necessary. The predictive efficiency assist takes over the fine planning of a stage of the journey. It also uses a large amount of information for this purpose, including navigation, online traffic events, the customer’s driving style, and the vehicle sensors such as the camera and radar. It plans the management of the drives and decides between freewheeling with the engine deactivated and coasting recuperation.
Connected and comfortable – charging equipment and charging management
Customers can use the myAudi app to manage charging and pre-entry climate control even before they set off. The air conditioning system operates together with a highly efficient heat pump that uses the waste heat from the electrical drive components. With the standard mode 3 cable, customers can charge the plug-in hybrid at public charging terminals with an output of up to 7.4 kW. The lithium-ion battery is thus recharged in around 2.5 hours. While on the road, the Audi e-tron Charging Service provides access to more than 140,000 public charging points in 24 European countries. The myAudi app is equipped with a route planner that shows where the terminals are.
Predisposed for practicality – 405 liters (14.3 cu ft) of luggage capacity and a flat loading floor
The lithium-ion battery, which is placed in the rear of the vehicle, stores 14.1 kWh of energy: It is integrated so that the luggage compartment still provides a level and convenient luggage space. The luggage capacity is 405 liters (14.3 cu ft) as standard – without a step in the loading floor. This means that even large and bulky goods can be loaded and transported easily. When the rear seat backrest is folded down, the luggage capacity is up to 1,535 liters (54.2 cu ft).
Elegant and sporty – design and equipment
The A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro** with a sporty design includes the S line exterior package, the black styling package, black exterior mirrors and privacy glazing as standard for a particularly dynamic appearance. Matrix LED headlights, sport seats, four-zone automatic air conditioning, Audi virtual cockpit, sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and red brake calipers round out the comprehensive standard equipment.
The base price for the Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro** is EUR 71.940.
About the Author
Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.
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