Audi has announced it is committed to electrifying its lineup and has already revealed plug-in versions of other popular models Motor Authority announced on Saturday. Now the A6 is getting a plug-in option in the form of the A6 L e-tron, revealed today ahead of its debut at the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show, Motor Authority announces on Friday.
Audi first previewed the A6 L e-tron ay the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The production version, is based on the long-wheelbase A6 sold primarily to the Chinese market. The vehicle is a plug-in hybrid, which means it features both an internal combustion engine as well as an electric drive system, and both power sources can drive the car.
In the A6 L e-tron, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a disc-shaped electric motor integrated with the vehicle’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 245 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque, and drive is to the front wheels only. This is enough for 0-100 km/h acceleration in around 8.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 209 kmh.
The vehicle will produce a fuel economy of close to 45 km/l in mixed driving conditions and travel up to 878km with a full tank of gas and the battery fully charged. The battery is a lithium-ion unit with a 14.1-kWh rating—enough for an all-electric range of approximately 49km. Top speed in this mode is limited to 133km/h in order to maximize efficiency.
Inside the vehicle, display screens provide detailed information about the status of the drivetrain and the battery charge. The powermeter in the instrument cluster displays the total system output. The monitor for the MMI, meanwhile, visualizes the energy flows in the hybrid system. On the outside, you can distinguish the vehicle by its unique 18-inch wheels, LEDs in the front bumper, “e-tron” badging and concealed exhaust pipe.
