Audi Q7 e-tron quattro revealed
New fuel-sipping diesel-electric plug-in hybrid to use just 1.7L/100km.
Audi has revealed details to its new plug-in diesel-electric Q7 e-tron quattro, claiming the big new seven- seat SUV delivers a theoretical range of up to 1410km thanks to combined cycle consumption which is put at 1.7L/100km on the European test cycle.
Set to go on sale in selected markets during the third quarter of 2015, the Q7 e-tron quattro is the first in a range of new Audi models to receive a newly developed plug-in diesel-electric hybrid system that Ingolstadt insiders say is set to play a crucial role in the company's efforts to meet the stringent 95g/km limit for CO2 emissions set to come in to force in 2020.
The modular system is based around the German car maker's familiar turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 common rail diesel delivering 190kW and 600Nm of torque. It is mated with a disc shaped electric motor mounted in the front section of the Q7 e-tron quattro's standard eight-speed automatic gearbox developing 94kW and 350Nm.
Together, they provide a combined system output of 275kW and 700Nm – sufficient, according to Audi, to endow the most frugal of all new second-generation Q7 models with a respectable 0-100km time of 6.0sec and 225km/h top speed.
With an official consumption figure of 1.7L/100km, the Q7 e-tron Quattro possesses average CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km. Energy for its electric motor is provided by a 17.3kWh lithium-ion battery mounted within the floor of the boot and consisting of 168 individual cells. Along with the combined diesel-electric range of 876 miles, Audi also claims an all-electric range of 56km.
A two phase system allows charging at up to 7.2kW. Audi claims an overall charge time of up to two-and-a-half hours on a high voltage system.
To boost efficiency, Audi has provided its new diesel-electric hybrid system with an integrated heat pump. It collects waste heat from the electric drive components and uses it to heat the cabin of the new Audi when required