New Audi A5 e-hybrid: the plug-in hybrid versions get a new name and increase electric range up to 110 km

The Audi A5 range introduces, for the first time in the history of the model, plug-in hybrid PHEV versions, which also take on a new name: from now on, the PHEV models of Audi will be identified with the e-hybrid nomenclature, instead of the TFSIe acronym. They are the first models based on the Premium Combustion Platform to receive this technology, which we will not be long in seeing also in the new Audi Q6 and A6 Avant.

Available for both the A5 saloon and the A5 Avant, the e-hybrid versions are offered with two system power levels: 220 kW (300 PS) and 270 kW (252 CV). The petrol engine is always a 2.0 TFSI of 185 kW (252 CV), while the electric motor integrated in the seven-speed S tronic gearbox can deliver up to 105 kW, depending on the version. Maximum torque is 450 Nm for the 220 kW variants, and 500 Nm for the 270 kW ones. Traction is always on all four wheels, and the electric-mode range under the WLTP cycle is up to 110 km. With the more powerful 270 kW engine, the A5 and A5 Avant e-hybrid accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, while the 220 kW versions do so in 5.9 seconds, a very good figure. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h in both cases.

Audi has already confirmed prices: from 65,170 euros for the A5 e-hybrid quattro with 220 kW, and from 76,770 euros for the most powerful version, with 270 kW. With the estate body, the A5 Avant carries a 2,180-euro premium over the saloon.

Up to 110 km of electric range

One of the keys to the new A5 e-hybrid powertrain compared with the previous-generation system used in the A6 TFSIe is the high-voltage battery, whose capacity increases by almost 45%, reaching 25.9 kWh gross (20.7 kWh net). This allows the new e-hybrid models to claim an electric-mode range of up to 110 km. The battery, located under the boot floor, features new technology that not only improves energy density by up to 46% but also takes up less space. Boot capacity in the A5 Avant e-hybrid is 361 litres, and 331 litres in the A5 saloon, figures that can rise to 1,306 litres and 1,175 litres respectively with the rear seatbacks folded down.

Charging power has also been increased: instead of 7.4 kW (single-phase), it is now possible to charge with alternating current at up to 11 kW (three-phase), reducing the time needed to go from 0 to 100% battery capacity to 2.5 hours. The braked towing capacity of these versions is 1,900 kg, and up to 750 kg for unbraked trailers.

Other important changes in the e-hybrid system affect the power electronics, which have been newly developed to improve efficiency. Regenerative braking performance has also been increased, reaching up to 88 kW. Now, the driver can use the steering-wheel paddles to control the intensity of regenerative braking when running on electric power, just as in the fully electric e-tron models. In automatic recuperation mode, the system takes into account the traffic ahead, route data stored in the navigation system and the driving style.

Maximum speed in electric mode is 140 km/h, and also new is the option to select a desired battery charge level using a digital slider, which keeps the battery from dropping below that preset level… or uses the combustion engine to reach the target state of charge if one higher than the battery’s current level is selected.

Audi A5 e-hybrid | Image gallery