Latest phase of Audi sustainable mobility offensive brings new petrol-electric variants to the A6, A7 Sportback, A8 and Q5 model lines

•Audi A6, A7 Sportback, A8 and Q5 as TFSI e plug-in hybrids with a powerful electric motor, high battery capacity and a new drive strategy

•An electric range of more than 40 km (25 miles) according to WLTP

•All models due during 2019

Ingolstadt, February 25, 2019 – The nascent range of fully electric Audi e-tron models is to be complemented by a series of plug-in hybrids that will consolidate existing model lines, and the first of these will make their debuts next week at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Appearing for the first time on the Audi stand on Tuesday March 5 will be new hybrid variants of the A6, A7 Sportback, A8 and Q5, the majority of which will be available in a choice of two configurations with either a comfort or performance orientation and corresponding outputs and equipment packages. The new plug-in hybrid models will be available for order during the course of 2019.

Wide selection of models: The plug-in hybrid strategy of Audi

In the future, the 'e-tron' label will be reserved exclusively for purely electrically driven cars in the Audi portfolio, while the new expanded range of plug-in hybrids will be identifiable by way of their 'TFSI e' badging. Depending on the model series, a choice of two variants with differing performance and equipment will be available: a comfort model (50 TFSI e) and a variant with a higher output and more of a performance focus (55 TFSI e or, for the A8 specifically, 60 TFSI e).

Power from two hearts: the versatile drive concept

An electric-only range of more than 40 kilometres (25 miles) will be possible in each TFSI e model based on WLTP test data. The hybrid drive concept behind them is designed so that customers can travel for around a third of their usual route in electric-only mode during day-to-day driving.

The fundamental TFSI e concept brings together a turbo-charged petrol engine with direct injection and an electric motor that is integrated in the transmission. A lithium-ion battery beneath the luggage compartment floor supplies the electrical energy. As a result, the electric motor can support the combustion engine during acceleration. The result: high start-off performance and powerful acceleration.

The configuration also offers impressive potential for energy harvesting thanks to recuperation technology based on the system used by the new purely electrically driven Audi e-tron. The electric motor can take care of the majority of everyday braking activations involving gentle, gradual deceleration, and under more moderate braking the task is divided between the motor and the hydraulic wheel brakes. Only when braking force exceeds 0.4g do the hydraulic brakes assume sole responsibility for deceleration. Thanks to this sophisticated control logic the new Audi PHEV models can recover up to 80 kW of energy during braking.

The lithium-ion battery for the A6, A7 and A8 is made up of 104 pouch cells, which are combined in eight modules. It stores 14.1 kWh of energy at a voltage of 385 V. The lithium-ion battery in the Q5 comprises prismatic cells and has the same capacity. In each case, the cooling circuit of the battery is integrated into the low-temperature circuit, which supplies the electric motor and the power electronics. The power electronics transform the direct current of the high voltage-battery into a three-phase current for the electric motor; when recuperating, they do the opposite. The standard heat pump ensures efficient vehicle climate control and can thus generate up to 3 kW of heat energy from 1 kW of electrical energy using heat from vehicle operation that would otherwise be wasted.

Efficient TFSI engine, high-performance electric motor, large lithium-ion battery

The A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro combines a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder TFSI combustion engine with a permanently excited synchronous electric motor. This is integrated together with the clutch in the eight-speed tiptronic which channels its torque to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

In unison, the two power sources at the heart of the Audi A8 L 60 TFSI e quattro provide an impressive 330 kW (449 metric horsepower) of system output and 700 Nm of system torque. The luxury limousine is available in standard and extended wheelbase A8 L forms.

The Audi A6 and A7 Sportback models with plug-in hybrid drive use the same powertrain, with a battery capacity that is identical to that of the Audi A8 PHEV, but in these cases a four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI petrol engine linked to a seven-speed S tronic transmission transfers torque to the quattro system with ultra technology. The dual-clutch transmission integrates the electric motor.

Both models are available in two output levels with different boost performance. For the 50 TFSI e, the system output is 220 kW (299 metric horsepower); for the 55 TFSI e, it is as high as 270 kW (367 metric horsepower). Peak system torque is 450 and 500 Nm respectively.

The powertrain in the Audi Q5 PHEV follows the same concept as the Audi A6 and A7. The SUV will be available as a 50 TFSI e quattro with 220 kW (299 metric horsepower) system output and as a 55 TFSI e quattro with 270 kW (367 metric horsepower).

Drive modes and drive control: Maximum comfort and high electric range

The hybrid management of the plug-in-models is designed for maximum efficiency and customer comfort and automatically selects the optimum operation strategy. On start-up each model automatically moves away in electric-only 'EV' mode; the combustion engine is switched on depending on the situation.

The plug-in hybrid models have the following drive modes: 'EV,' 'Auto,' and 'Hold.' With the operating mode button, the driver can select from these three basic settings which either give priority to fully electric drive, initiate a fully automatic hybrid mode or save power for a later phase of the journey. In 'Auto' mode, the PHEVs use the intelligent interaction of the electric motor and the combustion engine for maximum efficiency. In 'Hold' mode, the drive management controls the powertrain so that the current charge status of the battery is maintained, e.g. for driving later in electric-only mode in urban areas.

The predictive efficiency assist makes an essential contribution to increasing the electric range and ensuring maximum customer comfort. For this purpose, the intelligent drive management integrates the route profile into the control of the powertrain. The predictive operation strategy assesses both the navigation data during active route guidance and the information of the predictive efficiency assist as well as of the vehicle sensor system. Using this information, it creates rough planning for the entire route and more detailed planning for the upcoming mileage. As a result, situations are recognised in which the driver should lift off the accelerator pedal. The driver receives a corresponding visual indication on the display and haptic feedback via the active accelerator pedal. At the same time, anticipatory recuperation is initiated.

In addition, the driver can use the familiar Audi drive select controls to toggle between the 'comfort,' 'efficiency,' 'auto' and 'dynamic' drive modes and thus influence the operating characteristics of the drive, suspension and steering. Depending on the setting, the points at which the electric motor and combustion engine join forces or the electric motor supplies the boost and thus the maximum torque change when accelerating. In 'dynamic' mode, the electric motor supports the combustion engine more intensively with its electric boost performance for maximum dynamic handling.

The active accelerator pedal with variable pressure point for driving in electric-only mode supports the drive with haptic feedback for operation that is as efficient as possible. When the driver lifts off the accelerator, the vehicle coasts with both the combustion engine and the electric motor decoupled and switched off when the automatic transmission is in Drive mode and when the Audi drive select profiles are set to 'auto' or 'efficiency'. In the transmission's Sport mode, and in the Audi drive select 'dynamic' profile, the electric motor remains active in deceleration mode and recuperates, i.e. it converts the kinetic energy into electrical energy.

The optional Audi virtual cockpit and the MMI display present all important notifications concerning electric driving, including a power meter, range display and graphic illustrations depicting the system's energy management activity in real time.

Convenient: charging with the e-tron charging service

The compact charging system is also part of the standard equipment of the new Audi plug-in hybrids. It comprises cables for domestic and industrial sockets and a control panel. As an option, an attachment ('charge clip') and a mode 3 cable for public charging stations will be available. At a charging point with an output of 7.2 kW, a full charge of the HV battery will take around two hours.

Charge management from the couch: the myAudi app

By registering for the MyAudi portal customers will be able to access services from the Audi connect portfolio via smartphone. Using the app, they can remotely check the battery and range status, start the charging process, program the charge timer and view the charge and consumption statistics.

Another function of the myAudi app is the ability to set and activate the car's climate control even before setting off. This is made possible because the compressor of the air conditioning and the auxiliary heater in the vehicle work on a high-voltage basis. The customer can determine exactly how the interior should be heated or cooled while the vehicle is parked or the battery is being charged.

Depending on the respective vehicle equipment, heating of the steering wheel, seats, mirrors, windscreen and rear window as well as the seat ventilation can be activated remotely via the pre-entry climate control. Rapid start of the climate components is also possible when unlocking the vehicle with the key.

Photo credit: Audi
posted on conceptcarz.com

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