Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro – sporty and efficient plug-in hybrid SUV
The Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro with 270 kW (367 hp) output is the first of the new series of plug-in models. The drivetrain combines a combustion engine and an electric unit with a controller, enabling it to cover usual everyday driving electrically. The electric range is over 40 kilometers (25.9 mi). The new drive concept combines a 2.0 TFSI, a four-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline engine producing 185 kW (252 hp) and 370 Nm (272.9 lb-ft) of torque, and an electric synchronous motor adds another 105 kW and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft). The electric unit together with separating clutch is integrated into the seven-speed S Tronic, which transfers torque to the road via Quattro. The plugin hybrid SUV impresses with. acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) takes 5.3 seconds and top speed is 239 km/h (148.5 mph), in electric mode 135 km/h (83.9 mph). The fuel consumption ranges from 2.4 – 2.1 l/100 km (98.0 – 112.0 US mpg). The 104 prismatic cells of lithium-ion batteries are located under the luggage compartment floor. It stores 14.1 kWh of energy with a voltage of 381 volts. For optimal temperatures in the cabin, the climate control system uses a highly efficient heat pump that uses the waste heat from the high-voltage components including the electric motor and power electronics. The climate control system uses a highly efficient heat pump that pools the waste heat from the high-voltage components.
The Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro is the first time that the intelligent all-wheel-drive system works together with an electric motor. The complete drivetrain works predictively, always looking ahead using sensors and analysis of driver behavior. At low loads and sufficient traction, torque is transmitted to the front wheels while the rear is deactivated. This gives high-efficiency of a front-wheel drive system. All-wheel drive is deactivated whenever it is not needed, but it remains available at all times. Fast, automatic activation of the all-wheel drive system follows a three-stage strategy: proactive, predictive and reactive.
Silent and with zero local emissions in the city, this concept is designed so customers can do a big part of daily driving in electric mode, with high range on long-distance trips or sportily dynamic with the combined power of both engines. The predictive efficiency assistant (PEA) adjusts car behavior to the situation at hand, the system adjusts continuously between freewheeling with the engine switched off and recuperation. It uses the predictive route data from the navigation database and monitors the distance to the vehicle ahead using signals from the camera and radar. When the adaptive cruise control (ACC) is active, the PEA supports the driver with the aim of enhancing efficiency and comfort. If the driver is driving without ACC, however, signals in the cockpit and head-up display indicate the proper time to let off the accelerator to use as much kinetic energy as possible. At the same time, symbols in the cockpit indicate the reason for the reduction in speed. There are indicators for speed limits, town signs, curves, and downhill slopes, traffic circles, intersections, highway exits and traffic ahead.
Hybrid mode is activated automatically with route guidance in the navigation system. The battery charge is optimized over the route to reduce fuel consumption, with electric driving applied in urban areas. The system intelligently switches between freewheeling with the engine switched off and coasting recuperation, that can recover up to 25 kW of power. The electric motor is responsible for breaking up to 0.1 g, that is the majority of braking in everyday driving. Up to 80 kW of electrical energy is generated during braking recuperation. The disc brakes are in use only for emergency braking. If route guidance is active in the navigation system, the predictive operating strategy attempts to drive the last urban segment of the route all-electrically and arrive at the destination with the drive battery nearly empty. The control function is based on data that include online traffic information, distance to the destination, the route profile, immediate surroundings, speed limits, types of roads, uphill and downhill slopes and the latest data from the onboard sensors. Besides Hybrid mode, the driver can also choose between EV and Battery Hold modes. In EV mode, the car is driven exclusively electrically, in Battery Hold mode, battery capacity is held at the current level.
The Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro comes with a generous list of standard equipment. LED headlights, sport seats, three-zone automatic climate control, convenience key, DIS with color display, PHEV-specific displays and 18-inch wheels in a five-arm turbine design are standard. Sporty details from the S line exterior package hone the dynamic look: S line bumpers front and rear, a diffuser with a double clasp at the rear and the Singleframe grille. The Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro comes standard with the Compact charging system, that includes both regular household cables and industrial outlets as well. The system features a status display and safety functions monitoring. Customers can also order an optional lockable wall-mounted holder for the charging system. A full charge using an industrial outlet of 400 V/16 A takes around 2.5 hours. The integrated charger charges the lithium-ion battery with a maximum power of 7.4 kW. But even at a 220 V household outlet, an empty battery can be recharged overnight in six hours. Convenient recharging is also possible on the road. The proprietary Audi e-tron Charging Service provides access to 100,000 charging points in Europe. A single card is sufficient to start charging, regardless of the provider.
The myAudi app allows customers to use the services from the Audi connect portfolio on their smartphones, which is particularly practical with electrified models. The app can be used to check the battery and range status, start the charging process, program the charge timer and view the charge and consumption statistics. Furthermore, the route planners in both the app and the MMI navigation in the car show charging stations. Another function of the myAudi app is preheating/precooling prior to departure. In this case, the climate control system compressor and the auxiliary heater in the car are powered electrically. The customer can determine exactly how the interior should be heated or cooled while the battery is being charged. Depending on the optional equipment chosen, the same applies to the seat and steering wheel heating, heating of the windshield, rear window and mirrors, and the seat cooling.