If you can’t make up your mind between plug-in hybrids and diesel-powered cars, perhaps Audi can help with their new Q7 E-Tron.
It’s the Ingolstadt-based firm’s first ever plug-in hybrid TDI model and it’s based on the second-generation Q7 luxury SUV.
It combines a frugal 3.0-liter V6 common rail diesel delivering 254hp (258PS) and 442lb ft of torque with a disc-shaped electric motor that provides 94 kW (126hp) and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque integrated into the eight-speed tiptronic transmission.
Total system output stands at 373PS (368hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft), which allows the Q7 E-Tronic to reach 100km/h (62mph) 6.0 seconds and top out at 225km/h (140mph).
So it’s fairly fast, but what about its fuel economy? That’s where this model shines returning an amazing 1.7 l/100 km (equal to 138.4 mpg US) in the NEDC cycle, with CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km (80.5 g/mile).
However, to achieve this figure, you’ll have to use the 56 km or 35 mile range of pure electric power. Charging times for the lithium-ion battery depends on the infrastructure, with Audi stating that it could take as little as two-and-a-half hours.
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