Say hello to Audi’s Q5, A6, A7 and A8 plug-in hybrids

Company car drivers, we have news for you. Audi has revealed plug-in hybrid versions of the Q5, A6, A7 and A8 ahead of next week’s Geneva Motor Show.

All four models feature 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery packs hidden under the boot floor. Supposedly this gives enough energy for more than 25 miles of electric-only running. From a 7.2kWh wallbox, a full charge of the battery takes around two hours.

In the Q5, A6 and A7, said battery supports either a 2.0-litre 4cyl petrol or a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, both of which drive all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The former, called the 50 TFSI e (e-Tron is only for pure EVs now), makes 291bhp and 332lb ft, while the V6-engined 55 TFSI e gives 357bhp and 369 lb ft.

The A8, meanwhile, is available as a 55 TFSI e or a 60 TFSI e, where the V6 is uprated to 436bhp and a massive 516lb ft. It also uses a conventional eight-speed auto rather than a dual-clutch. In all four cars, the electric motor is integrated into the transmission.

Naturally there’s energy regeneration when braking, plus a load of drive modes that control how the hybrid system stores, releases and regenerates power. “EV” forces the car to run on electric power for as long as possible, while “Hold” instructs it to save electric power for later in the journey. Same old PHEV story.

More info, including performance figures no doubt, at Geneva.