Audi A6 TFSI e plug-in hybrid ready for early 2020 launch

Audi has revealed details of its new plug-in hybrid A6, the 55 TFSI e, which is expected to go on sale in November for deliveries in early 2020.

The new model promises an EV range of up to 32 miles at speeds of up to 83mph.

It uses a 14.1kWh battery that can be recharged in around two-and-a-half hours.

A 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine works in conjunction with the electric motor to deliver 367PS and 500Nm – enough for a 5.7-second 0-62mph sprint.

The new A6 joins A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 variants which also go by the name of TFSI e. As company car tax becomes pressured by the introduction of WLTP emissions regulations, these low CO2 models will be key to fleets.

Provisional figures suggest the A6 55 TFSI e will emit 43-47g/km of CO2.

“Hybrid power is a particularly good fit for our customers in the executive class,” says Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle. “There is of course a commuting element to their usage, but long distances are also traditionally covered by cars in this segment. The potential to make journeys of over 30 miles under pure electric power, and to travel for hundreds more thanks to the powerful TFSI unit, makes the A6 TFSI e exceptionally fit for purpose, even before the BIK and VED advantages that its strong efficiency focus bring are taken into account.”

Audi says the new model uses a predictive operating strategy for maximum efficiency and many trips using electric power.

The A6 55 TFSI e quattro offers the advantage of quattro all-wheel drive as standard. The powertrain is calibrated so that customers can do most of their daily driving electrically and therefore with zero local emissions and in near silence.

Three drive modes offer “EV” for all-electric driving, “Hybrid” for the efficient combination of both drive types and “Hold” to conserve the electrical energy available at any given time.

In “Hybrid” mode the predictive operating strategy controls the drivetrain so that the last stage of the journey before getting to the destination can be covered in all-electric mode and the battery is charged up beforehand via the combustion engine where necessary.

The predictive efficiency assistant uses a large amount of information, including navigation, online traffic events, the driver’s style and the vehicle sensors such as the camera and radar. It plans the management of the drives and decides between freewheeling with the engine deactivated and coasting recuperation.

Drivers can also use the MyAudi app to manage charging and pre-entry climate control before they set off. The air conditioning system operates together with a heat pump that uses the waste heat from the electrical drive components.

Standard equipment includes lowered sport suspension, Matrix LED lighting, privacy glazing and a black styling package, taking the S line sports specification as its basis.

Pricing and CO2 emissions data is expected to be published when the car is available to order.