Audi Q7 e-tron details released 25 | 02 | 2016
AUDI HAS RELEASED first details of its Q7 e-tron 3.0TDI quattro — capable of covering 34 miles on electric power only — which will go on-sale from Scottish dealerships in May, with prices predicted to start around £65,000 (read our roadtest of 2016 Audi Q7).
Audi's first Q family plug-in hybrid — which will be unveiled in Geneva next week — combines a powerful V6 TDI engine with a 94kW electric motor, delivering a combined 373bhp, and quattro all-wheel-drive. From standstill it'll hit 62mph in 6.2 seconds and returns — according to official figures — up to 156.9mpg.
Its lithium-ion battery can be charged from the socket and stores 17.3 kWh, ensuring the SUV delivers up to 34 miles on electric power only.
The Q7 e-tron includes LED headlights, MMI navigation plus with MMI all‑in‑touch, the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit with its flicker-free digital rendering, the Audi smartphone interface embedding Apple Car Play or Google Android Auto functionality in the car’s onboard infotainment system via a compatible connected handset, and Audi connect, which brings internet access to the car.
The Audi connect module links to the Internet via the high-speed LTE standard, and with the help of the Audi MMI connect app, it enables owners to use a smartphone to remotely control the charging process and interior climate control, and to access data relating to previous journeys.
Related: Audi Q2 teased in video
Fitted with Audi's Predictive Efficiency Assistan, this innovative system has the potential to reduce fuel consumption on interurban roads by as much as 10% by using the route data from the navigation system to alert the driver to situations in which it would make sense to reduce speed, such as before bends, towns or speed limit signs that are not yet visible.
Working with adaptive cruise control (ACC) and traffic sign recognition, it adapts the preselected speed to the route and the speed limits, and can also take over predictive control of the free-wheeling function of the eight-speed tiptronic transmission.
In the UK, charging of the new Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro will be taken care of using one of two cables. A 16A 3.6 kW version will be included as standard and will provide a full charge in as little as 4 hours and 45 minutes when connected to a domestic wall box or public charging point. Alternatively, an optional 23A 7.2 kW cable will be available for faster charging where the infrastructure permits this.
The standard thermal management system with integrated heat pump has been specially developed for the plug-in hybrids of the Q7 family. This makes it possible for the waste heat from the electrical drive components to be made available to the interior of the Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro. Audi is the first manufacturer worldwide to introduce this technology in series production in a plug-in hybrid and is thus setting new standards in the areas of interior comfort, climate control efficiency and range in EV mode.
Related: Audi unveils A4 Allroad
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Jim McGill