Audi has upgraded its Q7 and Q7 SUV offerings in Europe, landing both models with superior hybrid powertrains. Sales will start soon from €85,500.
The old 17.3-kWh battery pack is no longer available, replaced with a larger 25.9-kWh version. This essentially doubles the all-electric range for both SUVs, allowing them to cover 85 km (53 miles) per charge instead of 43 km (26.7 mi). Charging from a 7.4kW charger now takes 3 hours 45 minutes.
The 55 TFSI e quattro retains the same 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, but gets a superior electric motor built into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to the new motor, the cars with this powertrain deliver up to 394 PS (389 hp / 290 kW) and 600 Nm (663 lb-ft) of torque to the wheels. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) succeeds in 5.7 seconds – two-tenths of a second faster than before.
The 60 TFSI e quattro spec is even better off with 490 PS (483 hp / 360 kW) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque under its command. Both crossovers with this powertrain now conclude their sprint exercise in 5 seconds flat instead of 5.7. The top speed is electronically limited at 240 km/h (149 mph) in hybrid mode and 135 km/h (84 mph) in all-electric mode.
