Audi's A6 PHEV Wows with Stellar Electric Range

• Audi has unveiled a plug-in hybrid variant of its latest A6 sedan and Avant.
• The A6 e-hybrids have an electric range of up to 69 miles per charge and come with standard all-wheel drive.
• The more powerful of the two variants produces 362 horsepower and accelerates to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Plug-in hybrids have evolved from serving as a handy tax incentive in certain nations to becoming legitimate electric vehicle alternatives with substantial electric range capabilities, and now Audi has introduced their newest model in this category. A6 The e-hybrid versions of the sedan and Avant merely strengthen this perception.

When compared to its predecessor, the plug-in version A6, these updated e-hybrid models see an impressive 45% increase in battery capacity. The lithium-ion cells housed beneath the rear floor now total 20.7 kWh net. This enhancement allows them to achieve a WLTP-rated electric range of approximately 69 miles (111 kilometers) as a sedan and around 66 miles (106 kilometers) when equipped with the station-wagon body style.

Related: Audi Has Recently Released Its Most Aerodynamically Advanced Sedan Yet

Indeed, certain PHEVs like the European Volkswagen do so as well. Tiguan The Range Rover has an electric range exceeding 70 miles (113 km), yet the Audi underscores just how much progress plug-in hybrids have made. Three decades back, the first GM EV-1—a purpose-built electric vehicle—could not travel farther on a single charge. Additionally, certain pre-owned initial models of the Nissan Leaf, which were originally capable of covering 100 miles (160 km), may now offer roughly half that distance because of degraded batteries.

Audi has come up with two versions of the A6 PHEV, both featuring the same 248 hp (252 PS) 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four, but different levels of electrical assistance. The milder PHEV makes a total of 295 hp (299 PS) and needs 6.0 seconds to reach 62 mph (100 kmh), but upgrade to the 362 hp (367 PS) version and that time drops to 5.3 seconds.

Opt for electric mode alone, and your maximum speed will be capped at 87 mph (140 km/h). However, incorporating an internal combustion engine (ICE) into the mix boosts the top speed up to an electronically governed 155 mph (250 km/h). Similar to many high-performing electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), the Audi model allows adjustment of regenerative braking levels through paddles located on the steering wheel.

Additional improvements from the previous version PHEV include an 11 kW onboard AC charger – boosted from the previous 7.4 kW – which allows the battery to be refilled in 2.5 hours. Or you can use the combustion engine to recharge the battery, though only above 40 mph (65 kmh) and only to a maximum of 75 percent fill. For a complete top-up you’ll have to hook up to the mains.

Both plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models come with all-wheel drive and rear-axle steering as standard features. The starting price in the UK is £61,755 for the 295 horsepower sedan and £63,705 for the Avant wagon model. However, if you opt for the version with 362 horsepower, expect to pay an additional €9,000 or £8,000 in Germany; this higher-tier option includes S line trim featuring sport-tuned suspension, larger wheels, and red brake calipers.

Would you choose an A6 e-Hybrid instead of an A6 e-tron Which has a similar starting price to a basic PHEV, accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 6.0 seconds, and offers an estimated range of 384 miles (457 km) per charge?