Move over, Lexus – Audi’s first production hybrid has arrived. Even though the firm grabbed the motor show headlines with its e-tron concepts, its first foray into the electric era comes in the form of our newly crowned Best Executive Car: the A6 saloon.
On the surface, there are virtually no visual clues to mark the all-new A6 Hybrid out from the rest of the range. Only a few subtly placed badges on the bootlid and front wings, plus unique aerodynamic 17-inch alloys, give the game away.
Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Audi A6
The car aims to offer the punch of a V6 engine without the steep running costs. To help it achieve this ‘guilt-free’ performance, it comes fitted with a modified version of the company’s 2.0-litre TFSI engine, developing 208bhp and 350Nm.
But that’s not the whole story: the brand’s engineers have fitted a 40kW electric motor directly behind the four-cylinder petrol unit. This provides an extra 53bhp and 210Nm of torque in short bursts, giving the hybrid an impressive turn of pace. Peak torque arrives at different times, though, so the total system output is less than the sum of its parts.
The motor’s power source is a lithium-ion battery pack that is stashed in a protective compartment under the boot floor. This reduces the load area from 530 litres to 375 litres with the rear seats in place.
Driving only the front wheels, the A6 can travel at speeds of up to 62mph using purely electric power. Maximum range in EV mode is a mere 1.8 miles, but with the help of an automatic stop-start system, it should still offer buyers plenty of chance to make tailpipe emissions-free progress.
Clever engineering allows the set-up to work as effectively as possible. The battery cells are coupled directly to the A6’s climate control systems, and can heat or cool themselves to maintain the optimum operating temperature. Also, the motor feeds excess torque back into the batteries to keep them topped up while you’re on the move.
It all works seamlessly. Whether you’re cruising silently around town in EV mode or exploiting the big torque boost that comes from the motor when overtaking, the eight-speed auto gearbox does a fine job of managing the transitions.
The hybrid does carry a small weight penalty – it’s around 37kg heavier than a regular A6 – but it still feels very planted. It responds well to quick steering inputs and resists body roll through tight corners. There are limits to its talents, though. Under normal driving conditions, it’s actually surprisingly difficult to stay in EV mode. Push the throttle through only a few degrees of travel, and the engine automatically takes over, so you have to drive the car really gently in order to avoid producing local emissions.
What’s more, with combined economy of only 44.1mpg, the A6 Hybrid lags trails the faster 3.0-litre TDI quattro by more than 10mpg. Another dynamic flaw is that by combining such a high power output with front instead of four-wheel drive, this model can be left scrabbling around for grip when pushed – not what you expect from an Audi.
Inside, the A6 feels every bit as well built and roomy as its direct rivals from Lexus. But the sweeping dashboard and high kit count make it infinitely more desirable than the Japanese firm’s established GS hybrids.
Ultimately, the deciding factor for the A6 Hybrid will be price. The car isn’t due to reach the UK until summer next year, but unless it’s within touching distance of the rest of the range, it’s likely to remain a niche choice.
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Whats the point in these stupid hybrids? You may as well buy the faster and cheaper FWD 3.0TDI with 133 CO2's, 55mpg and £33k price tag. In fact for that money you could have a quattro which probably in the real world will still be more efficient. I suspect the hybrid will be "not without problems" and back at the dealership every 10 mins.
What would make more sense would be to stick this hybrid gumpf on a TDI to see what it will do. I don't understand why car companys keep trying to make inefficient engines efficient by sticking electric motors on them. Surely the clever thing to do would be to make their most efficient engines even more efficient?
Just to correct AE, the 3.0 TDI Quattro combined MPG is 47.9
Firstly I have to agree with Jake, WHY are the manufacturers obsessed with pertrol hybrids. Why can't we have diesel electric cars where the engine acts as a generator to charge the battery pack which would then drive the (four) wheels via electric motors, thus eliminating the gearbox, diff and driveshafts. Is there nobody with lateral thinking capabilities in the motor industry ? Another topic nobody is addressing is how long will the battery last, if its anything like my laptop and mobile phone the answer is probably a few years, I own an 12 year old volvo with 150000 miles on the clock, how many hybrids will be able to boast the same figures and still be on the first battery pack, nobody tells you how much a battery pack costs to replace or what the warranty is on it (shoudl be life of the car). BTW running the aircon to keep the battery pack at its optimum temperature further reduces economy, its just all wrong.
Total waste of time producing these things, the lexus hybrids do nothing like the MPG they claim and nor will this.
Pure "Green Freak".
As Jake & will already said, what's the point of launching a petrol hybrid? Though I would add the qualifier of "in Europe" as the Septics have a diesel phobia so might buy this.
If, instead, the diesel motor was allowed to act as a generator and run at the most efficient rate - ignoring road speed variations that would be handled by the electric motor - I suspect that we'd see much better performance, emissions and economy figures.
I'm not sure that 4WD is necessarily appropriate, since it adds weight and complexity, but 2WD on the rear wheels would simplify things under the bonnet and create additional space for electrical gubbins. It would also help with weight distribution.
i agree about doing all this with a diesel....but manufacturers have spent years complicating and making the diesel more expensive to rival the petrols. The petrol is a much simpler and cheaper engine now hence this situation. Bring back simplicity...loose the turbos/intercoolers etc....reduce the cost for a change please.
When will the VW Group rule the eco-friendly world of cars by installing their fabulous 1.6TDi mated to their currently high-tech Hybrid technology? That would be great for the Compact Golf/A3/Octavia/Yeti, the 2.0TDi Hybrid to the mid-size range in their stable, Passat/A4./Superb/Tiguan/Q5. Or the 3.0TDi for the A6/Touareg/Q7. This would be the answer to what we really want! The funny thing is, they can do this right now with hardly any development. Come on VW, get your act together and stop messing about with the Petrol Hybrid!
Hybrids are meant mainly for the US market where diesels never managed to score in sales. Look at Lexus, they don't even offer diesel and the only way for them is to stuff heavy electric motors and betteries. Amerikans associate the oil-burners with tractors and alike and no advancement in technology could change that perception so far. I'd go for the new 3.0 V6 diesel (>300bhp) from Audi which is more powerful, more efficient and lighter than any crapy battery assisted hybrid.