The new Audi A5 e-hybrid models mark a significant leap forward in automotive efficiency, seamlessly blending performance with eco-consciousness. Designed for the discerning driver, these plug-in hybrids prioritize flexibility, intelligent operation, and unparalleled customer comfort. At the heart of the A5 Audi e-hybrid is a sophisticated hybrid management system that automatically selects the optimal driving strategy, ensuring peak efficiency in every journey. Powering this innovation is a permanently excited synchronous motor, boasting a peak output of 105 kW, cleverly integrated within the seven-speed S tronic housing. This electric motor delivers instant torque – a robust 500 Nm in the 270 kW variant and 450 Nm in the 220 kW version – available right from idle, promising exhilarating acceleration and responsiveness. A key advancement lies in the power electronics, specifically the pulse inverter, a newly developed component for the A5 plug-in hybrid range. This innovative inverter is not only smaller and lighter but also significantly more efficient, leading to a marked reduction in electrical consumption and enhancing the hybrid driving experience of the a5 audi.
Enhanced Battery Technology for Extended Range and Performance
A cornerstone of the new a5 audi plug-in hybrids is the redesigned high-voltage battery, situated at the vehicle’s rear. This battery represents a substantial upgrade with a capacity of 25.9 kWh (20.7 kWh net), a remarkable 45 percent increase compared to its predecessor, the Audi A6 TFSI e. Despite this significant capacity boost, the physical footprint of the battery has been minimized, demonstrating Audi’s commitment to efficient packaging. The battery dimensions are a compact 992 × 996 × 177 millimeters (39.1 x 39.2 x 7.0 in), showcasing the advancements in battery technology. Furthermore, the regenerative braking system in the a5 audi e-hybrid has been refined, optimizing the interaction between mechanical friction brakes and energy recuperation via the electric motor. This enhanced system significantly improves regenerative braking performance, further contributing to the vehicle’s overall efficiency.
The battery cells within the a5 audi e-hybrid are strategically arranged in a single layer, maximizing space utilization in the car’s rear section. Each prismatic cell now stores approximately 46 percent more energy than previous generations used in C-segment vehicles. These high-capacity cells boast a charge capacity of 70 ampere-hours (Ah). The advanced raw material composition of these cells enables a higher energy density, a crucial factor in achieving extended electric driving range. The battery’s energy is meticulously organized into 17 stacks, with six of these stacks forming a unit and connected in sequence for optimal power delivery.
Audi has adopted a cutting-edge “cell-to-pack” approach in the battery design of the a5 audi e-hybrid. This innovative method eliminates the traditional battery module, directly integrating and gluing the cells into the battery housing. This results in a higher packing density, effectively increasing both the energy content and energy density of the HV system while minimizing space requirements. Coupled with advancements in cell chemistry, this technology ensures higher electrical output, even when the battery charge is low or in cold ambient temperatures, ensuring consistent performance from your a5 audi.
Charging the a5 audi e-hybrid is now faster and more convenient. The maximum AC charging power has been increased from two-phase 7.4 kW to three-phase 11 kW, contingent on the available infrastructure. This enhanced charging capability reduces the zero-to-100-percent charging time to a mere 2.5 hours. A mode 3 charging cable (plug type 2) is included as standard, facilitating easy charging at home and on public charging points. Moreover, Audi charging service provides access to a vast network of AC charging points across 29 European countries, making charging on the go seamless for a5 audi e-hybrid owners.
Maximizing Energy Recuperation for Enhanced Efficiency
The new a5 audi e-hybrid significantly improves upon its predecessors with enhanced regenerative braking performance. The core philosophy of this PHEV model is to prioritize electric driving and maximize the utilization of the battery charge throughout each journey. Efficiency is paramount, and the a5 audi e-hybrid excels in phases where the driver releases the accelerator. Overrun recuperation is intelligently managed through defined deceleration based on the selected drive level. Furthermore, automatic recuperation can be preset in the MMI system within drive levels D and M, allowing the vehicle to autonomously adjust recuperation. This intelligent system leverages route data from the navigation system, including gradients, curve radii, speed limits, and even traffic conditions ahead. When automatic regenerative braking is engaged, predictive signals from the Predictive Efficiency Assistant (PEA) are seamlessly integrated into the overrun recuperative braking function. Notably, the a5 audi e-hybrid can also perform automatic regenerative braking even without active route guidance, showcasing its intelligent energy management.
During deceleration, when the brake pedal is engaged, the a5 audi Avant e-hybrid quattro and the A5 Sedan e-hybrid quattro can recuperate up to an impressive 88 kW of power, feeding it back into the HV battery. In fact, the electric motor is responsible for over 90 percent of all deceleration processes when operating as a generator. The integrated brake control system with blending capability (iBRS) ensures smooth, pressure-free braking and optimal energy recovery. Hydraulic wheel brakes are only engaged during more forceful braking maneuvers. Crucially, this sophisticated system maintains a consistent braking feel for the driver, as the brake pedal and brake hydraulics are effectively decoupled, providing a seamless and efficient driving experience in the a5 audi.
Customizable Recuperation for Optimized Driving
Thanks to the advanced E3 electronics architecture within the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), the a5 audi e-hybrid offers customizable thrust recuperation in electric driving mode (EV mode). Similar to Audi’s all-electric models, drivers can adjust the recuperation level using steering wheel paddles, offering three distinct levels. The left paddle (minus) increases electric braking and the corresponding recuperation level, while the right paddle (plus) reduces it. These paddles allow for proactive deceleration control, such as setting a higher recuperation level before entering a turn. At level zero, the a5 audi plug-in hybrid coasts freely without additional drag torque when the accelerator is released, recovering energy only when the brake pedal is applied. This level of customization empowers drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences and optimize energy usage in their a5 audi.
Intelligent Operating Modes for Peak Performance and Range
The a5 audi PHEV models offer two primary operating modes: “EV” and “hybrid.” In EV mode, the vehicle operates solely on electric power, ensuring zero-emission driving for urban commutes and shorter trips. The combustion engine is only activated under specific circumstances: manually deselecting EV mode, engaging driving program S, through Audi drive select dynamic handling system modes, or when initiating route guidance with hybrid assist. With active navigation, the hybrid assistant intelligently incorporates route data to optimize drive mode selection. The combustion engine also engages during kickdown for maximum acceleration, temporarily deactivating EV mode. Otherwise, in EV mode, the a5 audi PHEV models utilize the HV battery until it is fully discharged, maximizing electric range. The digital slider for controlling the desired state of charge in hybrid mode is disabled in EV mode, as the focus is on fully utilizing the battery’s electric capacity. In EV mode, the vehicle speed is limited to 140 km/h (87 mph). The a5 audi can be started in either EV or hybrid mode, and the last used mode becomes the default for subsequent starts.
In hybrid mode, the intelligent hybrid management system maintains the battery’s charge at an optimal level, ensuring sufficient electrical energy is reserved for later use, such as electric driving in urban environments. The a5 audi Sedan e-hybrid quattro boasts an impressive electric range of up to 116 km (72.1 mi) according to the WLTP EAER City value, highlighting its capability for extended electric driving.
For maximizing efficiency, hybrid mode proves to be the most effective for both short and long distances. The operating strategy dynamically chooses between electric and hybrid modes based on driving conditions and the driver’s power demands, always striving for optimal efficiency. The a5 audi PHEV prioritizes electric driving in urban areas, while hybrid driving becomes more prevalent at higher speeds. With active route guidance, the system anticipates the route ahead, automatically selecting the most energy-efficient configuration. The vehicle intelligently calculates route segments best suited for electric driving, such as urban areas and traffic congestion. When hybrid assist and route guidance are active, desired charge level settings are overridden to ensure the most efficient operating strategy for your a5 audi.
Beyond the automatic hybrid mode, the a5 audi now allows drivers to individually set a desired charge level using a digital slider, a first for this model. This feature provides precise control over the HV battery’s state of charge. Drivers can pre-set the charge level before a trip, ensuring ample electric energy is available upon arrival, particularly useful when electric driving is desired at the destination or when charging infrastructure is limited.
The desired charge level can be adjusted in defined increments using the digital slider on a percentage scale. If the target state of charge (SoC) is lower than the actual SoC, the battery will discharge to the target level. If the target and actual values are the same, the combustion engine primarily powers the vehicle to maintain the SoC. Conversely, if the target SoC is higher, the combustion engine will recharge the battery.
Battery charging in the a5 audi e-hybrid is strategically managed to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The combustion engine only charges the battery at speeds exceeding 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph); at lower speeds, the charge level is maintained. This approach optimizes efficiency and enables partially electric driving in urban areas or stop-and-go traffic. The battery can be charged in this manner up to 75 percent. To increase the battery charge beyond 75 percent, an external AC charging source is required, ensuring the a5 audi is always ready for efficient electric driving.
Comprehensive Standard Equipment for Premium Comfort and Convenience
The a5 audi e-hybrid models, in line with the entire A5 family, are generously equipped with a high level of standard features. These include progressive steering, navigation, the user-friendly MMI panoramic display, and an inductive phone charging pad.
Furthermore, the PHEV models come standard with 3-zone automatic air conditioning, auxiliary air conditioning, and stylish 18-inch wheels. The Avant variant offers a substantial trunk volume of 361 liters (12.7 cu ft), expandable to 1,306 liters (46.1 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down in the standard 40:20:40 split. The Sedan provides a trunk capacity ranging from 331 to 1,175 liters (11.7 and 41.5 cu ft respectively). The a5 audi is also capable of towing braked trailers up to 1,900 kilograms and unbraked trailers up to 750 kilograms (approx. 4,189 and 1,653 lb respectively), with a maximum permissible roof load of 90 kilograms and nose weight of 80 kilograms (approx. 198 and 176 lb respectively), enhancing its versatility.
The standard air conditioning system with an electric refrigerant compressor operates effectively in both EV and hybrid modes and can also pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin before departure. The auxiliary air conditioning ensures a comfortable interior temperature even before entering the car and can be programmed directly in the vehicle or via the myAudi app.
The optional comfort auxiliary air conditioning expands functionality to include seat heating, seat ventilation, steering wheel heating, and glass panel heating. A “quick climate control” function can be activated by unlocking the vehicle with the remote-control key, enabling rapid cabin cooling without the app. The standard 3-zone automatic air conditioning provides individual climate control for the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants. The comfort auxiliary air conditioning can be conveniently managed through the MMI or the myAudi app, ensuring personalized comfort in your a5 audi.
The sporty a5 audi e-hybrid quattro with 270 kW output comes standard with the S line exterior package, black styling package, and privacy glazing for a dynamic aesthetic. Mirroring the Audi S5, the e-hybrid quattro 270 kW features LED headlights plus and LED rear lights pro.
Parking system plus with distance display and reversing camera, sports seats in a leather/artificial leather combination, sport suspension, 19-inch wheels, and red brake calipers further enhance the standard equipment of the sportier variant. The 220 kW variants include 18-inch wheels and 3-zone automatic air conditioning as standard. All a5 audi models for the European market are equipped with heated front seats.
To cater to diverse customer preferences, the new plug-in hybrids and all models in the a5 audi A5 family offer various equipment packages that bundle optional extras. The business package, a new addition for Europe and available for the 220 kW PHEV variant, combines essential features enhancing comfort and digital connectivity. Selected assistance systems and other highlights streamline daily driving. The package includes adaptive cruise assist, parking system plus with distance display, park assist, and reversing camera. The Audi Application Store in the vehicle’s MMI provides access to a growing selection of popular apps.
The smartphone interface seamlessly integrates smartphones, displaying content directly on the MMI touch display. Front sports seats, included in the business package, offer enhanced comfort and lateral support with four-way electric lumbar support, manual thigh support adjustment, integrated head restraints, and pronounced seat side bolsters, ensuring a premium and connected driving experience in the a5 audi.
