Audi is offering its successful full-size station wagon A6 Avant as a plug-in hybrid: The new A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro has a system output of 270 kW (367 PS) (combined fuel consumption 2.1–1.9 l/100 km (112.0–123.8 US mpg); combined electric power consumption of 18.1–17.6 kWh/100 km; and combined CO₂ emissions of 48–44 g/km (77.2–70.8 g/mile)).

The drive combines a 185 kW (252 PS) 2.0 TFSI engine with 370 N·m (272.9 lb-ft) of torque with a powerful electric motor. The permanently excited synchronous machine has a peak output of 105 kW and a peak torque of 350 N·m (258.1 lb-ft).

Together with the separating clutch, it is integrated into a seven-speed S tronic, which uses ultra technology to transfer the drive torque to a quattro drivetrain. The Audi A6 Avant PHEV thus has an efficient and permanently available all-wheel drive for an equally high level of traction and dynamic handling. The system torque already reaches its maximum of 500 N·m (368.8 lb-ft) at a speed of 1,250 rpm.

The electric range of the Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro is up to 51 kilometers (31.7 mi) in the WLTP cycle. This means that it is eligible for a 50% company car tax reduction in Germany.

The A6 Avant PHEV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.7 seconds. Its top speed is 250 km/h (155.3 mph). In electric-only mode, the plug-in hybrid can reach a speed of up to 135 km/h (83.9 mph).

The drive concept of the Audi PHEV model is designed so that customers can do most of their daily driving electrically and therefore with zero local emissions. They can choose between three drive modes: “EV” for all-electric driving, “Hybrid” for the efficient combination of both drive types and “Hold” to conserve the electrical energy available at any given time.

In “Hybrid” mode, the predictive operating strategy ensures maximum efficiency and the maximum possible amount of electric driving. It controls the drivetrain so that the last stage of the journey before getting to the destination can be covered in all-electric mode and the battery is charged up beforehand via the combustion engine where necessary. The predictive efficiency assist takes over the fine planning of a stage of the journey.

It also uses a large amount of information for this purpose, including navigation, online traffic events, the customer’s driving style, and the vehicle sensors such as the camera and radar. It plans the management of the drives and decides between freewheeling with the engine deactivated and coasting recuperation.

Customers can use the myAudi app to manage charging and pre-entry climate control even before they set off. The air conditioning system operates together with an efficient heat pump that uses the waste heat from the electrical drive components.

With the standard mode 3 cable, customers can charge the plug-in hybrid at public charging terminals with an output of up to 7.4 kW. The lithium-ion battery is thus recharged in around 2.5 hours. While on the road, the Audi e-tron Charging Service provides access to more than 140,000 public charging points in 24 European countries. The myAudi app is equipped with a route planner that shows where the terminals are.

The 14.1 kWh lithium-ion battery is placed in the rear of the vehicle and is integrated so that the luggage compartment still provides a level and convenient luggage space. The luggage capacity is 405 liters (14.3 cu ft) as standard – without a step in the loading floor. This means that even large and bulky goods can be loaded and transported easily. When the rear seat backrest is folded down, the luggage capacity is up to 1,535 liters (54.2 cu ft).

The base price for the Audi A6 Avant 55 TFSI e quattro €71,940 (US$78,000).