The Audi A6 Avant is now also available as a plug-in hybrid 55 TFSIe. In a test, we see whether this new premium plug station wagon masters charging on stand.
Fortunately, they are still there, those traditional station wagons in the so-called executive class. Just as practical as an SUV, but due to the lower roofline a lot more elegant and less macho than their sister models placed high on the wheels. Nowadays it is simply noticeable when you see an Audi A6, Mercedes E-class or BMW 5-series with a fresh license plate. Fortunately, the arrival of a new engine version in the Audi A6 Avant gives us another reason to test such chic combinations. And if there is any news in this segment, nine times out of ten it concerns the arrival of a PHEV version. Audi currently only has the 55 TFSIe with 367 hp as a plug-in A6 Avant, but the 299 hp 50 TFSIe from the A6 sedan will also soon find its way into the station wagon.
32 kilometers electric
Audi hangs in the A6 Avant 55 TFSIe a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine of 252 hp. It is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which incorporates the 143 hp electric motor. The battery pack has a capacity of 14.1 kWh and according to the manufacturer you should be able to get 56 kilometers far. However, we collect the car in the coldest week of the year, where the fitted winter tires come in handy because of the heavy snow on the road. However, these are circumstances that cut into the range that the batteries can offer. With the Audi we arrive at an electric range of 32 kilometers. As with any plug-in hybrid, electric driving requires a careful gas foot; this allows the car to drive fully electrically with sufficient energy in the battery pack. The transmission therefore takes its shifting moments, through the coupling of the electric motor and transmission. The transition between driving on electricity and petrol feels refined and flows smoothly. You notice that the Audi moves smoothly when the electrical power is the only one that comes into action. To achieve that, you need to set Drive Select of the A6 in Efficiency. Be very controlled with the accelerator, otherwise the petrol engine will still help. The Audi cuts a fine figure on the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h. In 5.6 seconds it shoots past the national limit that applies on our highways during the day. The intermediate sprint from 80 to 120 km/h takes an astonishing 3.3 seconds. It is a pity that a full throttle command briefly yields some thinking moments from all control units. Two motors, each peaking separately, make full acceleration with such a composite drivetrain a very different experience. The Audi drives best in the mid-range, if you let it perform smoothly, without wanting to get the most out of it.
Fewer litres
It is a pity about the shrunk loading space compared to other A6 Avants, because as a plug-in hybrid it offers only 405 liters of luggage space and without that extra technology that is 565 liters. The tank capacity of the Audi is only 52 liters and that is not enough. A small consolation is that the petrol engine is reasonably economical. In the consumption measurement without plug use, we arrive at 13 kilometers per litre. For charging, the car has a plug hole on the left rear, mirrored at the tank opening. If you connect the charging cable to it, the battery pack can be charged with 7.4 kW.
Audi has been scoring high with its interiors for years: beautiful leather finish on the top of the dashboard, many screens with a so-called haptic touch function, where it feels like you are pressing a button and beautiful graphics. The seating position is low and the steering wheel can be turned far towards you. Ergonomically, the solution of the two screens seems fine; the lower central screen is there for, among other things, direct control of the climate control and you will find a direct button to the EV functions. The Drive Select menu for the driving modes is also quickly accessible. That does not apply to other things, because you are clicking for quite a while.
As far as driving is concerned, it is clear that you should not buy an A6 if you like sporty steering and dynamic handling. He feels too indirect and distant for that. Fortunately, he does have a comfortable chassis. Moreover, he is solid on the road. The chassis of the car is between the pronounced comfortable of the Mercedes E-class and the dynamic (without being hard or stout) of a BMW 5-series. In terms of driving characteristics, we rate these cars higher than the A6. The safety and assistance systems in the Audi are of a high standard, with the car offering resistance in the accelerator pedal especially in Efficiency mode if it goes faster than the permitted speed. The car sees traffic situations coming and starts to reduce speed early before approaching a roundabout, for example.