BERLIN: Audi’s has revealed two new editions in its ultra-green and growing ‘e-tron’ family , in the form of the Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro and the A6 L e-tron.
For the big petrol-electric plug-in hybrid Q7, this latest unveiling follows the reveal of an electrified diesel version at last month’s Geneva Motor Show.
Uniquely, Audi has revealed that this new take on the Q7 e-tron has been developed specifically for Asian markets, where diesel models are not popular.
Power in this new Q7 e-tron is provided by a 185kW/370Nm 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine, matched to a 84kW/350Nm disc-shaped electric motor packaged inside an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is also featured, and the company claims fuel consumption ratings of just 2.5 l/100km – making this Q7 e-tron thirstier than its diesel counterpart, but far more frugal than most conventional SUVs.
Total driving range is listed at around 1020 kilometres and, in pure EV mode, the big petrol-electric plug-in SUV claims a range of around 53km.
Its green credentials aren’t the Q7 e-tron’s only focus, however, with Audi also promising a swift 0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.9 seconds.
By comparison, the diesel-electric Q7 e-tron lists fuel use at 1.7 l/100km, with a 6.0 second 0-100km/h time and a driving range of 1410km.
Joining the Q7 e-tron at this week’s Shanghai Auto Show is the A6 L e-tron, building on its first appearance as a concept at the Beijing Auto Show in 2012.
This time, A6 L e-tron partners a 155kW/350Nm 2.0 litre turbo petrol engine with a 91kW/220Nm electric motor, again a disc-shaped unit integrated into the big limo’s eight-speed auto.
Power in the petrol-electric plug-in A6 L e-tron is sent to the front wheels alone, and fuel consumption is listed at a low 2.2 l/100km.
At electrified A6 L will be built in China, exclusively for that market, although we may yet see an e-tron version of the A6 hit Western markets in the future.
