Audi’s new Q5 e-hybrid will go 62 miles without its engine, yours from £56k

The Audi’s Q5 e-hybrid PHEV has arrived in both SUV and Sportback body styles, boasting a 295bhp powertrain and up to 62 miles of pure electric wafting.

That new rear-mounted battery is 45 per cent larger (now 20.7kWh) than its predecessor, and signals a new ‘cell-to-pack’ approach for Audi. It means the cells are glued directly to the battery housing, as opposed to within the battery module; more power density crammed into a smaller space. Simple but smart.

It’ll accept a maximum charge rate of 11kW at a three-phase AC charger, with a full juice taking around two-and-a-half hours. Not that many of us live in three-phase homes, mind.

The engine is a 2.0-litre TFSI four-pot, itself delivering 248bhp and contributing to a total torque output of 332lb ft. 0-62mph is a not-at-all bad 6.2 seconds, with an 87mph top speed in EV-only mode and 155mph otherwise.

Aside from the sports suspension, seven-speed DCT gearbox and trusty Quattro all-wheel drive, the other main technical bits revolve around the regen braking. Audi says it has ‘significantly’ ramped up the Q5's performance, and will now harvest energy at up to 88kW. You can cycle through three levels of adjustment using paddles on the steering wheel.

Speaking of which, the interior comes well furnished as standard. It’ll have the same 14.5in central touchscreen and 11.9in Virtual Cockpit as the mild hybrids, with the option of an extra 10.9in display for the front passenger. There’s a vented phone charger providing up to 15 watts of power, supplemented by a quartet of USB-C ports split between the front and back seats.

The Q5’s rear bench also tilts and adjusts, so you can make small gains on the 438-litre boot space (433 litres in the Sportback) when necessary. Fold it down entirely, and this increases to 1,358 and 1,300 litres respectively.

Prices start at £56,740 for the SUV, or you’ll need to cough up an extra £2.5k for the Sportback. Deliveries are scheduled to start this September.