Audi Q5 PHEV confirmed for Australia

While some luxury brands question the need for plug-in hybrid vehicles, Audi will re-introduce a PHEV to its Australian line-up mid-year via the 2023 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e.

The hybrid mid-size luxury SUV, which has been available in Europe since 2019, is the most powerful Q5 ever offered by Audi.

But the 55 TFSI e will also be the second most expensive model in the range behind the SQ5 high-performance turbo-diesel, which is priced at $102,900 for the wagon and $110,200 for the Sportback (both plus on-road costs).

The Audi Q5 55 TFSI e will come with a 195kW/370Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that integrates a 105kW/350Nm electric motor to deliver combined outputs of 270kW and 500Nm.

The Q5 55 TFSI e drives via quattro all-wheel drive with Ultra technology, which means it runs in front-drive mode only in orthodox driving conditions to save fuel.

The claimed range on electric power courtesy of the 14.4kWh (net) lithium-ion battery is 55km for the wagon and 53km for the Sportback. Claimed fuel consumption is 2.0L/100km (WLTP). It can be charged at up to 7.2kW AC for a full charge in around 2.5 hours.

The claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time is 5.3 seconds, making this the second fastest accelerating Q5 behind the 251kW/700Nm SQ5, which reaches that speed in 5.1sec. Top speed is 239km/h as a PHEV, or 135km/h as an EV.

The Q5 55 TFSI e will be one of three plug-in models to be introduced this year by Audi Australia alongside the pure-electric e-tron GT (and RS) and the Q8 e-tron.

In Australia, electrified vehicle sales have been dominated by Toyota hybrids, while battery-electric vehicles led by Tesla had a breakthrough year in 2022, accounting for 33,410 sales. But PHEVs languished with only 5937 sales.

As a result of that, some brands including Mercedes-Benz are focussing on EVs rather than PHEVs. Volvo has also dropped the plug-in variant from its XC40 line-up.

The federal government’s new FBT incentives for plug-in vehicles also has a 2025 sunset clause for PHEVs. Beyond that time the discounts will only apply to pure EVs.

But some luxury brands are pushing plug-ins. The Q5 PHEV’s rivals at the moment include the BMW X3, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC60. Both the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and forthcoming Mazda CX-90 will also offer plug-in petrol-electric hybrid power.

Audi Australia’s product planning boss Peter Strudwicke explained to carsales why PHEV’s are worth pursuing.

“We don’t see it [55 TFSI e] ever being our biggest selling Q5 variant, but there are some customers for whom this is the only one they would buy,” he insisted.

“In the last six months – particularly since the change of [federal] government – the amount of enquiry on vehicles you plug in has increased enormously.

“Our dealers keep asking us ‘when are we going to get a vehicle with hybrid plug-in technology?’ so there is definitely a demand there from a certain type of customer.

“If you look at where we have positioned Q5, in that segment there is still quite a lot of activity with plug-in vehicles. While they are not doing thousands and thousands of cars, they are doing solid volumes in that area.”

This is the third PHEV to be sold by Audi in Australia following the 2015-16 A3 e-tron and Q7 e-tron in 2017-18.

Those vehicles were very much the first steps down Audi’s road toward electrification. But the Q5 55 TFSI e will come to Australia nearly three years after the e-tron EV was launched locally.

Standard Q5 PHEV exterior equipment will include S line trim, 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and red brake callipers.

Interior highlights will include leather appointed upholstery, sports front seats with heating and memory, tri-zone climate control, colour ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, a 10-speaker 180-Watt sound system and connect plus internet services.

Driver assistance features confirmed by Audi include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, swerve assist, a 360-degree camera and park assist.

Features exclusive to the Sportback include Matrix LED headlights, S line interior and Nappa leather trim with diamond stitching. Roof rails are optional.

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