With several versions on view, and despite using a common architecture, it has its own personality, the result of very different solutions. For example, depending on engine and gearbox (Tiptronic torque converter, or S tronic double clutch) uses different all-wheel drive schemes.
These, in your case, can be either of the Torsen type, which may include a rear differential with torque vectoring, or the most recent quattro ultra, in which efficiency prevails, which is what concerns us. It appears like this with powers of 369 hp and an electric autonomy of 67, so that it earns the ZERO environmental label from the DGT. Its most immediate rival is one, and it is the BMW x2 xDrive25e.
- Type: plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
- Year of production: 2019
- Price: €80,000
- Capacity: 7 plazas
- Power: 369 hp
- Acceleration: 5.7 seconds/100km/h
Design
Starting with its design, perhaps the most popular of all the attractions, the Audi A7 TFSIe is part of the largest structure of the house, the same to which other illustrious names such as the Audi Q7, the Audi Q8 and the Audi A8 belong. That means it reserves the right to not only have the best interior technologies, but also the widest exterior size.
Thus, on the aesthetic level, it is true that it does not differ excessively from other pure gasoline or diesel versions, although in this plug-in hybrid the anagram of the tailgate and the cover of the electrical recharging socket, located in the opposite side of the fuel tank.
With very modern, colorful lines and details that make you witness a futuristic and groundbreaking image (Equal to equal with its combustion versions, everything must be said), it is a sedan that extends up to almost five meters long (4.97 meters specifically), with 1.9 wide and 1.4 high. high. One of the differences that we can notice is the capacity of the trunk, now reduced due to the location of the batteries.
Versions
As we said, the birth of this plug-in hybrid came as a reconfiguration of the combustion engine A7, although its steps are followed under its guidelines. This is why, beyond the fact that it is an Audi A7 TFSIe PHEV, we have with it a vehicle that lends itself with several similar points to his predecessor.
Likewise, there is a parallel version, also pluggable, which comes with some small performance differences, which is what marks the fine line between this type of model, as we can see. Thus, the conventional system presents a gasoline engine with a power of 252 hp.
As far as the plug-in hybrid versions are concerned, these are given the names of ‘quattro S tronic’, which is the one that offers a total of 299 hp of maximum power, and the ’55 quattro S tronic’, is giving itself as the most performance and most powerful in the class. Equipped with a combined propulsion system 369 hp.
Engine and batteries
All in all, for the most powerful version, this Audi A7 TFSI e comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. All in conjunction with an electric motor that sits between its engine and the 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The plug-in hybrid system of the A7 PHEV is made up of a four cylinder gasoline and two liters that generates a power of 248 CV and another permanent magnet electric motor that yields 105 kW (the equivalent of 140 CV), with which the total power rises up to 369 hp.
This is integrated into the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that incorporates a separator clutch that allows four-wheel drive. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 250km/h. Hybrid mode is activated automatically using route guidance in the MMI navigation system to optimize battery power on the road.
The system fits on a lithium-ion battery pack of 14.1 kWh capacity with a voltage of 381 volts. To help boost efficiency, the climate control system uses a heat pump that collects waste heat from high-voltage components and instead uses it to heat the vehicle’s cabin.
Consumption
As we have seen, having a pretty good engine and batteries high enough for a car of such dimensions (its electric motor reaches a maximum power of 105 kW), it is therefore a mechanic with a power that is distinguished from its sister version.
That is what it will do because its consumption is quite a bit heavier and gross of what we can find in similar vehicles, although the plug-in hybrid variant does not generally offer low consumption. As such, it approves a consumption of 8.7 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 39 g/km, it is exempt from registration tax.
And this is the key why the hybrid costs just 3,500 euros more than the 55 TFSI, despite the on-board technology that the hybrid propulsion system entails. In this sense, this consumption will be always with the battery chargedbecause if it is unloaded, the consumption figures increase a lot.
Interior and finishes
As we have seen with its exterior, in this Audi A7 TFSIe beauty is the first and main point to be addressed. For this reason, and if you liked its silhouette and design, we have to say that its interior will surprise you and powerfully draw your attention. Thus, in this space, the A7 is filled with the latest technological solutions and comfort from the Ingolstadt brand. Very comfortable for all the occupants, it has an outstanding habitability: it will be like having our own area.
In addition, it allows it to be made wider thanks to the increase in its wheelbase. In it you can see its three screens in front that are added to the 12.3″ digital instrument panel called Audi Virtual Cockpit. This will show us an infinity of information about the car, road and entertainmentas well as being highly customizable and very useful.
The materials inside are first class, and we will find leather upholstery, traditional seats or sports court according to the version with memories and electrical adjustment, ambient lighting, wireless phone charging, real ash wood inserts, sports-cut steering wheel and many more.
equipment
When configuring the Audi A7 we can choose to customize the interior line, but also the interior environment. The S Line finish can be applied to both areas independently, this allows us to have a sportier style in the exterior design but a more classic and calm atmosphere from the inside.
In an intermediate term for the interior is offered the design select package, that grants more quality and exclusivity in certain moldings. If we focus exclusively on the technological content is where we see the capabilities of the Audi A7 TFSIe. Among the large number of elements, it is worth highlighting the LED matrix headlights, the night vision camera, the digital instrument panel, four-zone climate control, or the heated front seats, among several others.
In it we have the true protagonist of the interior, an Audi MMI infotainment system reflected in a 10.1-inch touch screenwhich is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that includes navigation connected services and even the Car2x Safety System.
This allows communicate with other cars and infrastructure compatible with this technology to have more information about what is coming our way. As an audio system, it has a Bang & Olufsen Premium 3D. Finally, we have another 8.6″ screen placed below the main 10.1″ screen that will allow us to control parameters of the air conditioning system and some other functions focused on comfort.
Additional features
As for the extras, which can be included regardless of the equipment we have chosen, they stand out above all for their high level of security, since they have different airbags, an arsenal of up to 7 radars, 5 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors and a scanner. lasers that allow you to use up to your 39 driver assists.
Count with one semi-autonomous driving system that will allow you to drive only on the highway and in other traffic conditions as long as the road and infrastructure are up to the standards of the systems; also blind spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistant and adaptive cruise control among others.
Maintenance
On the other hand, and if what we want is for our Audi to have a long and healthy life, it is essential that you know everything about its maintenance. It is true that being a plug-in hybrid and not having so many elements subject to wear and tear, its cost will be lower, but it is also important to know what we can take care of, and how often.
However, in hybrids, Audi estimates that the service battery of this A7 TFSIe is changed every four years, while in the gasoline or diesel versions it is not a component with a preset life. This is also seen with the change of the strap, which is shortened from the 120,000 at 90,000 km or 6 years.
The rest of the components have very similar scheduled interventions and there is no marked maintenance for the electric propulsion system. Diesel does schedule, although in the very long term, more complex interventions, such as the replacement of the timing belt or the control of the particulate filter.
Guarantee
When we buy a car, we should all ask ourselves (or it is preferable) whether or not it has guarantees and what they are. In the case of Audi, or it is true that they are quite extensive, also because they are included within the same Volkswagen group.
Thus, these guarantees that they offer for vehicles like this Audi A7 TFSIe plug-in hybrid is of 2 years warranty on material and manufacturing defects plus a 2-year warranty extension up to a maximum of 80,000 kilometres, although it can also be extended to 3 years up to a maximum of 100,000 kilometres.
In addition, in the Official Service of Audi workshops, all repairs have a 2-year guarantee, 12 years against perforation or corrosion in the case of the bodywork and 3 years on paint defects with no mileage limit. In addition, for what has to do with its batteries, the brand presents a coverage for these units of Eight years up to a maximum of 160,000 kilometers.