Audi has lifted the veils off the Q7 E-Tron Quattro, the brand’s first diesel plug-in hybrid which is said to combine low consumption figures with more than decent performance.
Audi says the Q7 E-Tron 3.0 TDI Quattro averages just 1.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 138.4 mpg US) in the NEDC cycle, with a CO2 emission level of less than 50 grams per kilometer (80.5 g/mile). These figures owe a lot to the fact that the Q7 E-Tron Quattro can cover up to 56 kilometers (34.8 miles) in all-electric mode. Combined driving range is 1,410 km (876 miles).
Furthermore, it is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6 seconds and to reach a top speed of 225 km/h (140 mph). That’s because the Audi Q7 E-Tron Quattro’s powertrain consists of a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine and an electric motor with a combined output of 373PS (368hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) of system torque.
The diesel engine alone produces 258PS (255hp) and 600Nm (442lb-ft) of torque, while the disk-shaped electric motor delivers 94kW (126hp) and 350Nm (258lb-ft) of torque. The latter is integrated into the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission together with a decoupler.
The 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery consists of 168 battery cells and is fluid-cooled. Specifically for this model, Audi has developed the standard thermal management system with integrated heat pump. The system makes it possible for the waste heat from the electrical drive components to be made available to the interior of the Q7 E-Tron Quattro. As a consequence, the interior heats up more quickly.
From a styling point of view, the Audi Q7 E-Tron Quattro features specific details including the singleframe grille, the air intakes, the 19-inch wheels and the rear diffuser. The headlights are three-dimensional, with their light signature appearing as a double arrow.
The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will arrive at dealers in Germany in the spring of 2016.
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