New Audi Q5 Sportback TFSI e PHEV unveiled

The Audi Q5 Sportback coupe-SUV is now available with a choice of two plug-in hybrid powertrains. The car is on sale now, priced from £53,435 for the entry-level 50 TFSI e quattro Sport and £59,085 for the 55 TFSI e quattro powertrain.

Audi’s more affordable Q5 Sportback 50 TFSI e quattro is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that works in conjunction with a 17.9kWh battery and an electric motor. Combined, the system produces 295bhp and 450Nm of torque, which Audi says is enough for a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds.

The more expensive 55 TFSI e features a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, which is mated to the same battery pack and electric motor as in the 50 TFSI e. It produces 362bhp and 500Nm of torque in total, which cuts the car’s 0-62mph time down to 5.3 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 148mph.

Audi says the 50 TFSI e will return up to 166.2mpg, while the 55 TFSI e offers 156.9mpg. Emissions for the new PHEV Q5s stand at between 36 and 42g/km depending on spec, and Audi says both cars can cover 37 miles on electric power alone.

Audi’s pair of plug-in hybrid powertrains offer four driving modes: EV, Hybrid, Hold and Charge. The first two are self-explanatory, providing dedicated settings for either pure-electric or electrically assisted running.

Hold mode retains the battery’s charge state for use later in the journey, which is useful if the latter part of a trip takes in an emissions-controlled area. Finally, Charge mode slowly tops up the battery pack using the petrol engine.

Using a three-pin plug, both Q5 PHEVs take around eight hours to fully charge their battery packs. A 7.2kW on-board charger is standard, but Audi hasn’t yet revealed how long a top-up from a wallbox will take. 

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Standard equipment for the Audi Q5 Sportback 50 TFSI e quattro Sport includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, chrome exhaust tips, aluminium roof rails, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and gloss black exterior trim.

Inside, there’s a pair of heated leather sports seats, three-zone climate control, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, both of which feature dedicated menu options for the new PHEV powertrain.

The Q5 Sportback 50 TFSI e quattro S line is priced from £55,985 and adds 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, deeper side skirts and rear privacy glass. Headlight washers are also standard, as are scrolling indicators.

The cabin features some brushed aluminium trim, a sports steering wheel and black headlining. The Q5’s standard sports seats are also swapped for leather and Alcantara-trimmed replacements embroidered with the S line logo.

Audi also offers a special edition version of the 2.0-litre PHEV Q5 Sportback, called the Edition 1. It’s priced from £60,485 and adds 20-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, red brake calipers and the Black Styling Pack, which swaps the SUV’s door mirrors, radiator grille, bumper inserts and tailgate trim for gloss black parts.

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Sitting at the top of the Q5 Sportback 50 TFSI e quattro range is the Vorsprung model. It’s priced from £71,135 and features 21-inch alloy wheels, OLED rear lamps, adaptive air suspension, a panoramic glass sunroof and Audi’s Black Styling Pack.

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Vorsprung cars also get a host of extra interior equipment, including a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system, an electrically adjustable steering column, Nappa leather upholstery, massaging front seats and heated rear seats. Safety kit gets a boost, too, with a 360-degree parking camera, active lane assist and adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist.

The V6-engined 55 TFSI e quattro comes in two specifications: Competition and Competition Vorsprung. The cheaper model starts from £59,085 and features a similar level of equipment to the S line variant, albeit with acoustic glass, massaging front seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Finally, the flagship Q5 Sportback 55 TFSI e Competition Vorsprung features all the equipment found on the 50 TFSI e Vorsprung, mated with the more powerful PHEV drivetrain. Prices start from £74,235.

Now read our long-term report of the Audi RS 4 Avant. Let us know your thoughts in the comments…