Search
Close this search box.
Sign up for our weekly Newsletter

Audi Q7 e-Tron: Plug-in hybrid version of big SUV promises low tax and long range

Audi Q7 eTron pylons
Tax-saving large SUV - The frugal Audi Q7 e-Tron

Share

19 February 2016

New Audi Q7 e-Tron

  • Plug-in hybrid with 34-mile electric-only range
  • 156mpg capability
  • UK ordering begins in May
  • Priced around £65,000 OTR

THE Audi Q7 e-tron will soon be a familiar sight on UK roads, albeit often without a familiar sound as it travels in near silence for up to 34 miles under electric power alone.

Ahead of next week’s Geneva Motor Show, in which the premium plug-in hybrid will star on the Audi stand, German pricing has just been confirmed with UK ordering from May and our pricing set to start around £65,000 on the road.

What is it?

The Audi Q7 e-Tron plug-in hybrid version of the latest Audi Q7. The combination of a 3.0-litre TDI diesel and 94kW electric engine produces 373PS and is designed to take on hybrid SUV rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne and the latest Volvo XC90 T8.

Yet if you’re going to run this Audi SUV on the business, it’s the 166mpg fuel consumption with just 46g/km predicted CO2 emissions, that will attract attention.

What’s hot?

  • The standard Q7 is no beauty in our opinion, but we do like the fact that the transformation from standard diesel power to e-Tron plug-in power is pleasingly understated. Ignore the e-Tron logos that were down the sides of our test car as they were only fitted for the launch! Only the 19-inch e-Tron-specific alloys (20-inchers are optional!), plus the 3D nine-bar grille, subtle e-Tron badging and a rear diffuser with hidden rear exhaust pipes, give it away.
Audi Q7 eTron dash
The informative Q7 e-Tron display
  • Like the exterior, the interior changes for the Q7 e-Tron over the standard SUV are equally understated. Most notable is the fitment of Audi’s innovative virtual cockpit instrument panel as standard. However, in the e-Tron, the virtual cockpit includes extra displays including fuel economy displays and a graphic display of the electric range.
  • On top of the special version of the virtual cockpit, the Q7 features a suite of advanced technology and safety kit. This includes the MMI infotainment system, which on top of the Google mapping, can also act as wi-fi hot spot for passenger internet access, hill decent control for off-roading, plus Collision Avoidance Assist, Turn Assist and Audi’s semi-autonimous adaptive cruise control.
  • Cleverest bit of kit on the Q7 e-Tron as far as we’re concerned, has to be the Predictive Efficiency Assistant, which works with the navigation on the MMI system to give the best operating strategy from the hybrid system for a particular route. The system recognises curves, roundabouts and intersections, downhill slopes, town limit or speed limit signs. When it does, a corresponding ‘foot from gas’ message then appears in the instrument cluster as well as in the optional head-up display. If the assistant screen is active, detailed graphics can be seen. The system can also control the freewheeling function of the eight-speed tiptronic within certain parameters (in terms of speed and accelerator pedal gradient), so that the new Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will roll at idle towards a slow-driving zone, such as a roundabout. Very clever.
  • Another global first for the Q7 e-Tron is the heat pump. It works by recyling the waste heat from the electrical components to heat and cool the interior.
  • We reckon the e-Tron version of the Q7 could be even more refined to drive than the standard car. The e-Tron starts with an eerie silence as it’s relying on the electric motor first. However, the switch between the electric motor and the diesel engine is so seamless, we struggled to tell which was powering us on various points of the test route! Part of the reason for this added refinement is Audi’s fitment of active engine mounts to the 3.0-litre TDi diesel engine.

Share this article

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit
Email

Want more motoring news?

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Sign up here for our free weekly serving of motoring.

Latest news

Top