“We are excited to continue our electrification initiative at Audi with the rollout of these TFSI e plug-in hybrid models,” said Greg Leet, general manager at Audi New Zealand. “Joining the recently launched Q5 TFSI e here in our NZ showrooms, the larger SUVs are a valuable addition to the range offering extra space, comfort, and towing capabilities, with the added convenience of driving with better fuel efficiency. While our more compact models (A3 & Q3) serve customers as an efficient daily drive.”
The Audi TFSI e plug-in hybrid range relies on the power of its two hearts. In the Q7 & Q8 TFSI e quattro, one of the brand’s most modern engines, the 3L TFSI serves as the combustion engine delivering an output of 250 kW and 450 Nm of torque. A permanently excited synchronous motor (PSM) serves as the electric motor. Together with the coupling, which connects the combustion engine to the drivetrain, it forms what is known as the hybrid module – delivering a combined peak output of 340 kW and 700 Nm of torque.
A quick and smooth shifting eight-speed tiptronic transfers the forces of the two motors via the quattro drivetrain to all four wheels. And, when both power units work together in boost mode, the Q7 TFSI e accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 240 km/h. The Q8 TFSI e quattro delivers sprints to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. In electric operation, the Q7 can achieve up to 50km* and the Q8 up to 48 km* in accordance with the WLTP procedure.
The A3 and the Q3 TFSI e both include a 1.4LTFSI as the combustion engine combined with a PSM. The PSM is integrated with the housing of a six-speed S tronic transmission. Together, these motors generate a power output of 150 kW and 350 Nm of torque in the A3 TFSI e and an output of 180 kW and 400 Nm of torque in the Q3 TFSI e.
The A3 TFSI e accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 7.6 seconds and the Q3 TFSI e in 7.3 seconds – both models have an electronically limited top speed of 140 km/h in Pure Electric mode. In electric operation, the Q3 can achieve up to a range of 55 km*, while the A3 can cover up to an impressive 62km* in accordance with the WLTP procedure.
Whether you are driving short or long distances, the hybrid management of the TFSI e is designed so that the driver can cover a large section of their daily journeys on electric power.
The drive will start in fully electric “EV” mode. “Hybrid” mode offers two operating modes: “Auto” and “Hold”. In “Auto” mode, the predictive operating strategy is activated automatically when route guidance is started in the standard MMI navigation plus. The battery charge is spread intelligently along the route, with large electric portions in the city and in stop-and-go traffic. In “Hold” mode the battery’s existing state of charge is kept at the current level with just minimum fluctuations. This is done by recuperation and shifting the load point. Following a long-distance journey, this allows the following urban drive to be covered on purely electric power.
The phases in which the driver takes their foot off the accelerator pedal are also important for the efficiency of these plug-in hybrids. The PEA takes over the regulation in such situations. In addition to the navigation data, it also takes the distance to the car in front into account and then decides between freewheeling with the TFSI switched off (“gliding”) and recuperation. These models can recover up to 25 kW of power just by coasting and feed it back to the lithium-ion battery.
When operated as an alternator, the electric motor performs all light and medium brake applications up to 0.3 g, which make up more than 90% of all deceleration processes in everyday customer operation. The hydraulic wheel brakes are activated only in the case of heavier deceleration processes. Thanks to sophisticated fine-tuning, the transition, also known as “blending,” between the electric and hydraulic brakes is virtually imperceptible; the brake pedal always provides good feedback and can thus be modulated precisely. During a brake application, the Q7 & Q8 TFSI e achieve a recuperation power of up to 80 kW, while the A3 & Q3 can recover up to 40 kW.
The Audi A3 40 TFSI e truly has the driver’s needs at its heart, with features like lane change assistant and tire mobility system coming as standard. The interior comes with a smart fabric trim throughout, complemented by titanium grey headlining and platinum grey inlays.
The design of the Audi Q3 45 TFSI e lets the driver enjoy a powerful and sporty stance on the road. The standard exterior includes black roof rails and window trims, adding to the car’s sporty look. The interior features titanium grey headlining, finished with a micro-metallic silver inlays.
The Audi Q7 60 TFSI e quattro delivers sporty appeal which is reinforced by the standard S line exterior and striking design details at the front and rear. The look is completed by the black styling package and the Matrix LED headlights. Red brake calipers are installed behind the 20-inch wheels, and the adaptive air suspension provides a great range from taut handling to comfortable rolling.
The interior features the S line sport package. This includes sport seats with S line embossing, black headlining, and aluminium inlays. When the doors are opened, LED lights in the door sills project the four rings onto the ground.
The Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is Audi’s most progressive SUV coupé to date. The standard S line exterior package sharpens its appearance with striking design details at the front, side, and rear. Combined with the black styling package which contrasts with the S line exterior attachments in body colour.
Matrix LED headlights come as standard, as does the adaptive air suspension sport. The S line sport package immerses the interior in black or partially in rotor gray (on the seats). It includes sport seats with S embossing, pedals, footrests made of stainless steel, and inlays made of matt brushed aluminium.
All TFSI e plug-in hybrid models come with a standard Compact charging system plus, a Mode 3 cable with a Type 2 plug for use at public charging stations. The Compact charging system comprises cables for household and industrial outlets plus a control unit. The system features an LED status display and safety functions such as temperature and residual current monitoring. Audi also offers the optional wall-mounted holder clip, and a lockable holder for the charging system.
• Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e MRP from $72,990* + ORC
Eligible for the Clean Car rebate of $4,025
• Audi Q3 45 TFSI e MRP from $79,990* + ORC
Eligible for the Clean Car rebate of $4,025
• Audi Q7 TFSI e 60 quattro MRP from $167,990* + ORC
• Audi Q8 TFSI e 60 quattro MRP $173,990* + ORC
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