Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen Group), the Germany automotive group. Audi manufacturers across nine production facilities globally. In Germany, the company’s manufacturing facilities are based in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. The Audi e-tron family is series of electric and hybrid cars introduced since 2009. The first e-tron concept car was introduced at the 2009 International Motor Show (Germany). The Audi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) portfolio includes:
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
Overview Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG (Volkswagen Group), the Germany automotive group. Audi manufacturers across nine production…
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The Audi A7 executive premium car has been on sale since 2010. The Audi A7 Sportback concept was unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The A7 Sportback is available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
If sportier looks matter, then certainly the Audi coupe-styled A7 Sportback should be on the list. Of course, given its premium heritage, the saloon does not come cheap. But like in all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, there is scope to lower driving costs and achieve financial savings, but for that, the PHEV has to be driven on e-mode as much as possible.
The A7 has much to offer in terms of hybrid technology. The electric vehicle (EV) has a 17.9 kWh onboard EV battery, with a claimed emission-free electric range up to 40 miles. For most journeys, the electric motor and EV battery can be leveraged to reduce the overall tailpipe emissions of the electric vehicle and also improve the fuel economy and lower motoring costs. Depending on when and where the electric vehicle (EV) is charged, the cost per mile will be between 5 pence and 10 pence.
The Germany automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 235.4 mpg. However, real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, to include, the amount the electric saloon has been driven on the pure electric mode. The more regular the use of the e-mode, the better the fuel economy.
Similar to the real-world fuel economy, expect the real-world pure electric range to be lower than the claimed range. For the A7 PHEV achieving up to 35 miles is not unrealistic. The real-world EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving style, speed, wheel size, weather, road condition, passenger load, services used in the EV, and more.
The A7 plug-in hybrid does not offer DC charging compatibility. The EV has a 7.2 kW AC onboard charger. Using a dedicated domestic EV charger, the A7 PHEV can be fully charged in 2.5 hours. Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we at e-zoomed discourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug!
The financial savings are not limited to improved fuel economy. For company-car drivers, the obvious advantage is the reduced Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate, compared to the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant i.e. lower monthly tax bills. Of course, for all stakeholders, lower air pollution is another benefit.
The Audi A7 EV has a claimed 34 – 29g (CO2/km) tailpipe emissions, again much lower than the conventional petrol or diesel variant (156g CO2/km).
The performance will not disappoint for those seeking a quick getaway. The 50 TFSIe quattro S tronic can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.3 seconds, while the 55 TFSIe quattro S tronic can achieve it in 5.7 seconds.
The top speed of the all-wheel drive EV is up to 155 mph. Of course, as is the case for electric driving, the A7 EV also benefits from instant torque. The 2.0-litre combustion engine is paired with an electric motor, delivering up to 367 PS and 500 Nm torque.
As would be expected from Audi, the interior is high quality and refined. The Audi A7 Sportback EV interior reflects the sportier styled exterior design, with a number of ‘sporty elements’ as standard for the saloon. The A7 has a driver centric cockpit and includes twin touch screens (10.1 inches and 8.6 inches). Also included is the MMI navigation plus.
Despite the sloping roofline and the placement of the onboard EV battery, the A7 saloon remains practical. Having said that, the coupe-styled roofline, does reduce the rear view visibility. The electric car offers 380 L boot space.
The PHEV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG). Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
The Audi A7 TFSIe Sportback PHEV (credit: Audi)
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