The new Audi A5 plug-in hybrid models are engineered to redefine efficiency, offering unparalleled flexibility and maximizing driver comfort through intelligent hybrid management. These vehicles seamlessly blend electric power with combustion engine performance, automatically selecting the optimal operating strategy for any driving scenario. At the heart of this advanced system lies a permanently excited synchronous motor, boasting a peak output of 105 kW, integrated within the seven-speed S tronic transmission 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, ensuring responsive acceleration and dynamic performance in your Audi A5. A key innovation in these plug-in hybrid Audi A5 models is the newly developed power electronics, specifically the pulse inverter. This component is now more compact, lighter, and significantly more efficient, directly contributing to reduced electrical consumption and enhanced fuel economy, even in hybrid mode.
Enhanced Battery Technology in the Audi A5 e-hybrid
A significant leap forward in the Audi A5 e-hybrid is its state-of-the-art high-voltage battery. Located at the rear of the vehicle, this new battery boasts a capacity of 25.9 kWh (net 20.7 kWh), representing an impressive 45 percent increase compared to the previous plug-in hybrid iteration, the Audi A6 TFSI e. Remarkably, this substantial capacity boost is achieved with only a marginal increase in the battery’s physical dimensions. The HV battery maintains a compact size of 992 × 996 × 177 millimeters (39.1 x 39.2 x 7.0 in). Furthermore, the regenerative braking system in the Audi A5 e-hybrid has been significantly improved. The interaction between the mechanical friction brake and energy recuperation via the electric motor is now more refined, leading to enhanced regenerative braking performance and greater energy recapture.
The battery cells within the Audi A5 e-hybrid are strategically arranged in a single layer, optimizing the available space within the car’s rear section. Each prismatic cell now stores approximately 46 percent more energy than previous cells used in comparable vehicles. These advanced cells have a charge capacity of 70 ampere-hours (Ah). The sophisticated raw material composition of these cells is crucial in achieving a higher energy density, maximizing the battery’s power within a constrained volume. The battery’s total energy is distributed across 17 stacks of cells, with six stacks combined to form a unit and connected in series to optimize power delivery.
Audi has adopted a pioneering “cell-to-pack” approach in the battery architecture of the Audi A5 plug-in hybrid. This innovative method eliminates traditional battery modules; instead, the cells are directly glued into the battery housing. This results in a higher packing density, enabling a greater energy content and energy density for the HV system while minimizing space requirements. Coupled with advancements in cell chemistry, this technology allows for higher electrical output, even when the battery charge is low or in cold ambient temperatures, ensuring consistent performance for your Audi A5 e-hybrid.
Charging the Audi A5 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 charging 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 public charging stations. Furthermore, Audi charging service provides access to an extensive network of AC charging points across 29 European countries, offering seamless charging solutions for Audi A5 e-hybrid owners.
Optimized Energy Recovery and Regenerative Braking in Audi A5
The new Audi A5 e-hybrid showcases a significant improvement in regenerative braking performance compared to its PHEV predecessors. The core philosophy of this model is to prioritize electric driving whenever possible, efficiently utilizing the available battery charge to maximize electric range. The efficiency of the plug-in hybrid system heavily relies on energy recuperation during deceleration. When the driver releases the accelerator, overrun recuperation is intelligently controlled based on the selected drive level, providing defined deceleration. Automatic recuperation can also be preset in the MMI system in drive levels D and M, allowing the vehicle to autonomously adjust recuperation based on various factors. These parameters include route data from the navigation system, such as gradients, curves, speed limits, and traffic conditions ahead.
The Predictive Efficiency Assistant (PEA) plays a crucial role in optimizing energy recovery in the Audi A5 e-hybrid. When automatic regenerative braking is selected, predictive signals from the PEA are integrated into the overrun regenerative braking function, further enhancing efficiency. Notably, the new Audi A5 e-hybrid can also perform automatic regenerative braking even without active route guidance, demonstrating its intelligent energy management capabilities.
During braking, the Audi A5 Avant e-hybrid quattro and the A5 Sedan e-hybrid quattro are capable of recovering up to 88 kW of power and feeding it back into the HV battery. The electric motor acts as a generator, contributing to over 90 percent of all deceleration processes. The integrated brake control system with blending capability (iBRS) ensures smooth, pressure-free braking and optimal energy recovery. The hydraulic wheel brakes are only engaged during more forceful braking, maintaining a consistent braking feel for the driver as the brake pedal and brake hydraulics are decoupled.
Customizable Recuperation Levels and Intelligent Driving Modes
Thanks to the advanced E3 electronics architecture in the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), the Audi A5 e-hybrid offers adjustable thrust recuperation in electric driving mode (EV mode). Similar to Audi’s all-electric models, drivers can use steering wheel paddles to select from three distinct recuperation levels. The left paddle (minus) increases electric braking and the corresponding recuperation level, while the right paddle (plus) reduces it. These paddles allow for on-the-fly adjustments to deceleration, such as setting a higher recuperation level before approaching a turn. At level zero, the plug-in hybrid coasts freely without additional drag torque when the accelerator is released, recovering energy only when the brake pedal is applied.
The Audi A5 PHEV models offer two primary operating modes: “EV” and “hybrid.” In EV mode, the vehicle operates solely on electric power, maximizing zero-emission driving. The combustion engine is only activated under specific conditions: manually deselecting EV mode, selecting driving program S, through Audi drive select dynamic handling system modes, or when initiating route guidance with hybrid assist activated. With active navigation route guidance, the hybrid assistant intelligently incorporates route data to optimize drive mode selection. The combustion engine will also engage during kickdown acceleration, temporarily deactivating EV mode. In the absence of these triggers, the Audi A5 PHEV will utilize the HV battery in EV mode until it is fully depleted. The digital slider for controlling the desired state of charge in hybrid mode is disabled in EV mode, as the battery capacity is intended for full electric utilization. In EV mode, the top speed is limited to 140 km/h (87 mph). The vehicle can be started in either EV or hybrid mode, with the last used mode set as the default for subsequent starts.
In hybrid mode, the intelligent hybrid management system maintains the battery’s charge level to ensure sufficient electrical energy is available for later use, such as for electric driving in urban environments. The Audi A5 Sedan e-hybrid quattro boasts an impressive electric range of up to 116 km (72.1 mi) based on the WLTP EAER City cycle.
For optimal fuel efficiency, hybrid mode is the most effective choice for both short and long journeys. The operating strategy dynamically determines whether to prioritize electric or hybrid driving based on driving conditions and power demands. The Audi A5 PHEV prioritizes electric power in urban settings, while hybrid driving becomes more prevalent at higher speeds. With active route guidance, the system considers the planned route and automatically selects the most energy-efficient configuration. The vehicle calculates sections of the route best suited for electric driving, such as urban areas and traffic congestion, to maximize efficiency. When hybrid assist and route guidance are active, desired charge level settings are overridden to ensure the most efficient operating strategy is employed.
The desired battery charge level can be customized for the first time using a digital slider, offering drivers precise control over the HV battery’s state of charge. This setting can be adjusted before a trip to ensure sufficient electric range upon arrival or when charging options are limited at the destination. The digital slider allows setting the target state of charge (SoC) in percentage increments. If the target SoC is lower than the current SoC, the battery will discharge to the target level. If target and actual values are equal, the combustion engine primarily powers the vehicle to maintain the SoC. If the target SoC is higher, the combustion engine will recharge the battery.
Battery charging is managed to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact. The combustion engine only charges the battery at speeds above 65 kilometers per hour (40 mph); at lower speeds, the charge level is maintained. This approach enhances efficiency and enables electric driving in urban or stop-and-go traffic. The battery can be charged up to 75 percent in this manner, ensuring efficient on-the-go charging. To achieve a charge level above 75 percent, an external AC charging source is required.
Comprehensive Standard Equipment and Optional Enhancements for Audi A5
The Audi A5 PHEV models, consistent with the entire Audi A5 family, come equipped with a high level of standard features, including progressive steering, navigation, the MMI panoramic display, and an inductive phone charging pad.
Furthermore, the PHEV models include standard 3-zone automatic air conditioning, auxiliary air conditioning, and 18-inch wheels. The Avant model offers a 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 a 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 Audi A5 is 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). The maximum permissible roof load is 90 kilograms, and the maximum nose weight is 80 kilograms (approx. 198 and 176 lb respectively).
The standard air conditioning system with an electric refrigerant compressor functions in both EV and hybrid modes, and can also pre-condition the cabin before driving. The auxiliary air conditioning system ensures a comfortable interior temperature even before entering the vehicle and can be programmed directly in the car or via the myAudi app.
The optional comfort auxiliary air conditioning extends functionality to include seat heating, seat ventilation, steering wheel heating, and glass panel heating. A “quick climate control” function can be activated when unlocking the vehicle with the remote-control key, enabling rapid cabin cooling without using the app. The standard 3-zone automatic air conditioning provides independent temperature, volume, and distribution control for the driver, front passenger, and rear occupants. The comfort auxiliary air conditioning settings can be managed through the MMI or conveniently via the myAudi app.
The sportily designed Audi A5 e-hybrid quattro with 270 kW output includes the S line exterior package, black styling package, and privacy glazing as standard for a dynamic aesthetic. Mirroring the Audi S5, the e-hybrid quattro with 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 complete the extensive standard equipment of the high-performance variant. The 220 kW variants come standard with 18-inch wheels and 3-zone automatic air conditioning, among other features. All Audi A5 models for the European market are also equipped with heated front seats.
To cater to diverse customer preferences, the new plug-in hybrids and all models in the Audi A5 range offer various equipment packages bundling optional extras. The business package, a new addition for Europe available for the 220 kW PHEV variant, combines key features enhancing comfort and digital connectivity. This package includes adaptive cruise assist, parking system plus with distance display, park assist, and reversing camera. The Audi Application Store within the MMI system provides access to a growing selection of popular apps.
The smartphone interface seamlessly connects smartphones to the vehicle, displaying content directly on the MMI touch display. The 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, making the Audi A5 e-hybrid a truly refined and dynamic driving experience.
