Plug-in hybrid Audi Q5, A6 and A7 get bigger EV-only range

Audi has announced that it is upgrading the battery packs in the plug-in hybrid versions of the 2021 Audi Q5 SUV, A6 sedan and A7 Sportback in a bid to give all three a larger pure-electric range.

According to the German car-maker, the new battery pack has a 17.9kWh (14.4kWh useable) capacity, a big bump up from the previous 14.1kWh battery used in all three TFSIe-branded vehicles.

The batteries have a higher power density but are no larger than before, enabling pure-electric range to increase to around 91km on the NEDC cycle, or 73km on the more realistic, stricter WLTP testing regime.

That's up from the previous models' 55km (WLTP) EV range.

All models also benefit from a maximum charging capacity of 7.4kW that allows them to be fully recharged in about 2.5 hours.

Like before, the Audi Q5, A6 sedan and A7 Sportback are available in two outputs – a 55 TFSIe with a combined output of 270kW and a less powerful 50 TFSIe with 220kW.

Both combine a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 105kW electric motor that's integrated within the seven-speed S tronic transmission.

According to Audi, the lower-powered Audi A6 50 TFSIe can average up to 1.5L/100km with CO2 emissions of around 44g/km.

As well as the more powerful batteries, Audi has introduced a new 'Charge' driving mode that joins the existing EV, Auto and Hold mode.

In Europe, the new upgraded plug-in Audi Q5, Q6 and Q7 join the TFSIe versions of the Audi A3, Q3, Q7, Q8 and flagship A8.

Audi Australia has previously said it is considering reintroducing plug-in hybrids to our market, however the German car-maker’s immediate focus is on establishing its first electric vehicles, the Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback in the marketplace.