LOCAL SPINS lithium-ion battery that is capable of driving the 1,845kg sedan solely on electric power, making it a full hybrid.
Inside the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, the conventional torque converter has been replaced with a 54hp, 210Nm electric motor. In a controlled environment, the motor is powerful enough to propel the A6 Hybrid up to 100km / h or cover a distance of 3km at a constant 60km / h.
Out in the real world, this translates to a smooth transition between electric and petrol power. In peak hour traffic, the A6 Hybrid silently carves its way through the maze of metal. Prod the throttle harder, the engine is awakened but the driver won’ t notice it without looking at the change in graphics on the seveninch driver information system on the instrument panel.
The transition from regenerative braking, electric mode driving to petrol mode driving is hardly noticeable.
An electrically operated airconditioning compressor keeps the cabin cool irrespective of whether the engine is running or not.
When inching along in traffic or idling, the 2-litre direct injection turbocharged petrol is put to sleep. The“ Powermeter,” which sits in place of the conventional tachometer gauge, is the only indication of the vehicle’ s ignition status.
Instead of displaying the engine revolutions per minute, the Powermeter displays the percentage of the hybrid drivetrain’ s total output that is being sent to the front wheels.
Keep it below 40 per cent and you will have no problem exceeding Audi’ s indicated combined driving
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fuel consumption of 6.2 litres per 100km. Exceed the 100 per cent mark, the electric motor goes into a“ boost” mode and switches from keeping the polar ice caps from melting to melting the tarmac.
With five adults on board, the A6 Hybrid never left us wanting for more performance.
The engine alone produces 350Nm from 1,500rpm while the electric motor provides another 210Nm from just over zero rpm. As both drive systems peak at different speeds, total system
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SpECifiCaTiOnS
Audi A6 Hybrid
Engine 2-litre, 4-cylinder 16-valve, direct injection, turbocharged
Power( total system) 245hp
Torque( total system) 480nm
Transmission eight speed tiptronic
Safety six airbags, esp, aBs with eBd and BA, EDL, Isofix
Price rm 288,000 excluding insurance
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torque is slightly less than a sum of the two, at 480Nm, which is still 80Nm more than a 3.6-litre Porsche Cayenne.
Rear occupants, however, may find legroom much less than expected. Despite being a front wheel drive, the A6 Hybrid retains the same floorpan shared with its all-wheel drive“ quattro” siblings. Running across the entire length of the cabin is a large transmission tunnel. Comfort of the middle rear passenger aside, the A6 Hybrid,
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like any other Audi, has the best interior in its class.
Cabin trim is beautifully textured and styled. Contours, separator panels and switches flow harmoniously from the doors to the dashboard to the centre console.
Audis of yore were not known for their prowess in ride and handling. While we won’ t go as far as to say this A6 Hybrid matches the best of Bavaria and Stuttgart, the gap is now a lot closer than before.
Over bumps and ruts, the A6 Hybrid remains pliant, despite additional weight penalty from the traction battery in the rear. Body roll resistance remains good without making the ride harsh.
There’ s also an Audi Drive Select function which allows drivers to customise the damper setting and power steering assistance.
Setting the steering to Dynamic makes the steering wheel heavier, but the extra heft pays little dividends in terms of steering feedback.
A typical Audi owner is not bothered with“ peasantry” details such as fuel consumption, but if you have to know, the trip computer returned an average figure of 7.8 litres per 100km, with most of our driving done in heavy urban traffic.
In summary, buyers in the luxury car segment never had it so good. Audi rivals, on the other hand, never had their products undermined this much.
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