One with the road

Audi’s latest addition to their range of plug-in hybrid vehicles, the Q5 50 TFSI e quattro, has landed in New Zealand, and Avenues editor Liam Stretch had the chance to put it to the test.

Let me tell you; it did not disappoint! The Q5 offers a stylish exterior, practical features, and a seamless blend of electric and combustion power.

Aside from its stunning European-styled curves, one thing that stood out to me as we took to the road was the impressive range of the Q5, with up to 62km on full electric and a strong emphasis on fuel efficiency. The hybrid mode allows for seamless switching between both options, making it the perfect vehicle for those who want the best of both worlds. I can see this being perfect for daily commutes and weekend getaways alike.

The Q5 offers plenty of space for passengers to stretch out and enjoy the ride. The driving experience is smooth, making you feel safe, yet the iconic Audi thrill remains with a strong connection to the road.

Charging is also no problem, whether at home, making the most of lower night rates, or at a charging station, thanks to Audi’s partnership with ChargeNet. They offer special access to 280 fast-charging stations in New Zealand, and you can monitor your charge and range through the myAudi app.

To the technical side, the Q5 50 TFSI e quattro is the first of Audi’s new plug-in range, featuring a combustion engine and an electric motor with an intelligent controller. This allows the Q5 to cover most everyday driving emissions-free, offering a total system output of 220 kW and 450 Nm of torque just above idle. Fuel consumption ranges from 1.6L/100 km, corresponding to 38 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This basically means that Audi has its fingers on the pulse of emissions regulations and are tackling them head-on. audi.co.nz

What’s more, the Q5 50 TFSI e marks the first time that Audi’s signature quattro allwheel drive with ultra-technology is used in combination with an electric motor. The allwheel-drive intelligent control system works predictively, always looking ahead by means of sensors and the continuous analysis of the data collected during driving. The quattro all-wheel drive system is always ready when needed.

The Q5’s lithium-ion battery is also impressive, storing 14.1 kWh of energy with a voltage of 381 volts. And thanks to some innovative thinking, even on a brisk Canterbury early winter day, we were kept snug thanks to the highly efficient heat pump that pools the waste heat from the highvoltage components, generating up to 3 kW of thermal heating output with just 1 kW of electrical energy.

The Audi Q5 50 TFSI e quattro is a chic, practical, and efficient SUV that is perfect for everyday life. It’s eco cool and stylish, a great family car that combines practicality, luxury, style, comfort, and performance, with a range and charging options that make it ideal for your routine work commute or a road trip around our little country. It’s a vehicle set to impress even the hardiest of petrol heads.