Audi Q5 hybrid

By Tom Phillips

09th November 2010

Audi’s Q5 hybrid is coming to LA. But ahead of the Auto Show, which starts on 17th November, a number of details have begun to emerge about the production version of the firm’s green machine.

Power comes from a 208bhp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, which is supplemented by a 33kW (44bhp) electric motor powered by a battery mounted under the boot floor. Just as with the rest of the Q5 range, power is delivered to all four wheels via the usual Quattro four-wheel drive system.

The Q5 hybrid can hit speeds of up to 62mph in electric-only mode. However, the battery can only drive the car for up to 1.8-miles.  The hybrid also features an S mode, which allows both engines to work together to produce 241bhp and 480Nm.

Audi has redesigned the instrument cluster, which now incorporates a remaining battery charge meter which looks like a fuel gauge and a larger dial which shows whether the car is using power from the engine, battery or is regenerating energy under deceleration.

Sadly, no fuel consumption or carbon dioxide figures are available, but the SUV will be able to complete the sprint in 7.1 seconds and hit 138mph flat out, making it usefully quicker than the hybrid Lexus RX450h which manages 7.8 seconds and 124mph respectively.