Audi announced in spring that they will start manufacturing the plug-in hybrid Audi Q7 E-Tron Quattro next year and presented the diesel version, while taking the opportunity in the Shanghai automobile salon to present the petrol version.

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Audi Q7 E-Tron 2.0 TFSI Quattro is basically the same as the diesel-based Audi Q7 E-Tron 3.0 V6 TDI Quattro, except that its hybrid drive is based on the four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI engine. It is assisted by a disc-shaped electric motor integrated between the petrol engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission through which the drive train power is routed to all four wheels. When working together, the petrol engine and the electric motor can output 270 kW, which is enough for the 5.05-metre SUV to reach 100 kilometres per hour in 5.9 seconds and accelerate up to 220 kilometres per hour, while keeping the fuel consumption under 2.5 litres of petrol per 100 kilometres and emitting 60 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The electricity is stored by a lithium-ion battery whose capacity of 17.3 kWh allows up to 53 kilometres of electric driving.

April 23, 2015 Driving photo: Audi