Audi reveals a Q5 plug-in hybrid (and more)

As one of the first German big guns to take on Tesla’s premium EV dominance with the well-hyped E-Tron, Audi will be adding more plug-in models to its line-up, including one of Australia’s most popular premium SUVs and what will likely rival the Volvo CX60 PHEV: the Audi Q5.

Set to be fully revealed at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the new range of plug-in hybrids will see the Q5, A6, A7 and A8 earn TSFI e badges (e-tron is reserved only for Audi’s fully electric models).

Depending on the model series, there will also be two variants to choose from – ‘A’ and the sportier ‘S’, the latter with tighter suspension, boosted performance and more dynamic handling.

The news of the new plug-in hybrid Q5 TFSIe comes just days after the new SQ5 diesel was revealed in Europe, proving that hot diesels and hybrid plug-ins can live in harmony. The hybrids will use a turbo-petrol engine, with the electric motor integrated into the transmission.

Switch to electric only and Audi claims a WLTP range of more than 40km. When it comes to charging, a 7.2kW wall box will fully charge the 14.1kWh-capacity battery in two hours.

In Europe, Audi says that the new models will be available for order later this year, but a spokesperson from Audi Australia said, it “certainly sees future opportunity with these models, in support of the overall Audi electrification strategy. Currently, we’re evaluating these models in the context of the current and possible future market conditions.”

Audi has said it plans to make one-third of its global production electrified by 2025.