Audi announces the arrival of the Q5 e-hybrid, with two plug-in hybrid versions already available in Spain

With 15 years already behind it, Audi kicked off September 2024 by presenting the third generation of the Q5 in its conventional SUV body, and a couple of months later it did the same with the coupé-style body that the German brand calls Sportback. The new Audi Q5 range launched with petrol and diesel engines featuring mild-hybrid technology (MHEV), and now the Q5 e-hybrid versions with plug-in hybrid system join the line-up.

So let’s get straight to the most interesting part: the powertrain. Regardless of the body chosen, the new Audi Q5 e-hybrid will be available in two power levels, 220 kW and 450 Nm of torque, or 270 kW and 500 Nm of torque. In both cases it uses the 2.0 TFSI 185 kW petrol engine combined with a 105 kW electric motor. This electric motor is integrated into the casing of the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox which, combined with Quattro Ultra traction, sends power to all four wheels.

Forming part of this plug-in hybrid system is the lithium-ion high-voltage battery, whose capacity has been increased to 25.9 kWh, roughly 45% more than its predecessor, and which is located at the rear of the Audi Q5 e-hybrid. The maximum AC charging power has been increased from 7.4 kW to 11 kW (three-phase), allowing it to go from 0 to 100% in 2.5 hours, and a mode 3 charging cable is included as standard. With this new battery, the Audi Q5 e-hybrid in both powertrain versions is capable of driving up to 100 kilometres in fully electric mode.

Fully electric or EV mode is used provided it is not deactivated manually; it is also engaged if we select the sporty “S” driving programme, when starting route guidance with hybrid assistance activated, or if we perform a kickdown, that is, if we floor the accelerator, in which case the combustion engine switches on or switches off again once the kickdown ends. In any case, while in fully electric mode the system limits top speed to 140 km/h.

The available driving mode will obviously be hybrid mode or hybrid, in which the system automatically maintains a specific charge level at all times as needed, saving enough electrical energy for later use. In any case, the new Audi Q5 e-hybrid is able to recover a greater amount of energy during braking and deceleration, and this can even be adjusted on the MMI screen in the D and M transmission modes.

Otherwise, the new Audi Q5 e-hybrid remains similar to its combustion-engined and MHEV siblings, although it is worth noting that boot capacity is slightly reduced by the inclusion of the battery, standing at 438 litres for the SUV body and 433 litres for the Sportback body, rising to 1,358 litres and 1,300 litres respectively with the rear seats folded. Also noteworthy is that the 220 kW version comes as standard with S sport suspension and, the 270 kW version has standard equipment equivalent to the SQ5.

The new Audi Q5 e-hybrid with SUV body and 220 kW power is already available in Spain from 68,240 euros, while the 270 kW power version starts from 82,250 euros. On the other hand, the Q5 e-hybrid Sportback with 220 kW power starts from 70,580 euros and, with 270 kW power, from 84,570 euros.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverAudi Q528 versions · from 63,000 €