There was a time when hybrids were seen as the dull cousins of the car world – slow, dreary little machines for people who cared more about their carbon footprint than the thrill of driving. But Audi, those clever chaps from Ingolstadt, have decided it’s high time to put that nonsense to bed. Meet the new Audi A5 e-Hybrids: a pair that proves you can go green without handing your soul over to a Prius.
Let’s kick off with the big news: these A5s can cover up to 116 kilometers on pure electric power. Yes, you heard that right – 116 kilometers without a single drop of petrol. That’s enough to zip from home to work, swing by for a coffee, and head back without the combustion engine even bothering to wake up. And if you think that means sacrificing power, think again. The 40 TFSI e pumps out 204 horsepower, while the 45 TFSI e cranks it up to a hefty 265 horses. Plenty to teach most hatchbacks a lesson in humility on the motorway.
What makes these cars truly special is how they blend the best of both worlds. Under the bonnet, you’ve got a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a trusty workhorse that’s been proving its worth for years. But it’s paired with a 145-horsepower electric motor, fed by a 17.9 kWh (net) battery. The result? A system that doesn’t just accelerate briskly – 6.9 seconds to 100 km/h for the 45 TFSI e – but can also cruise in whisper-quiet electric mode. And let’s be honest: there’s something deeply satisfying about gliding past a noisy diesel without making a peep.
The design? Classic Audi. Sleek, elegant, with a grille big enough to host a small barbecue. The A5 Sportback and Avant still look every bit the premium mid-sizers they’ve always been, but now with a dash of the future. Inside, it’s just as impressive: an 11.9-inch digital dashboard, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen, and enough buttons and gizmos to run a spaceship. You can even opt for an extra screen for the passenger, so they’ve got something to fiddle with while you mash the throttle.
Now, let’s talk practicalities. That 116-kilometer electric range isn’t just hot air – it’s measured to WLTP standards, meaning you’ll likely still get well over 100 kilometers in the real world. Charging? Hook it up to a 50 kW fast charger, and you’ll go from 10 to 80 percent in under half an hour. Or, if you’ve got a bit more patience, a 11 kW home charger will top it up in a few hours. Perfect for an overnight charge and a fresh start in the morning.
Of course, this isn’t a full-on electric car. The purists will grumble that there’s still a fuel tank, and fair enough. But that’s the whole point: these A5 e-Hybrids are for those who want to flirt with electric driving without ditching the combustion engine entirely. With a total range of over 900 kilometers (tank included), you can drive from London to the south of France without a care – something you’d still be sweating over in a pure EV.
Is it perfect? Nearly. The price isn’t official for the UK yet, but expect to bring a hefty wad of cash – this is Audi, not Dacia. And while the extra 200 kilos or so from the battery are neatly masked by a tweaked suspension, you might feel it in the corners if you really push it. But let’s be real: if you’re buying an A5, you’re probably not planning to tackle rally stages in the Welsh hills.
So, what do we have here? A car that looks like an A5, drives like an A5, but secretly harbors a green, electric heart. A hybrid that not only makes the planet a tad happier but also plasters a grin on your face when you floor it. Audi’s done it again: they’ve built a car that proves you don’t have to choose between fun and responsibility. And that, dear readers, is worth raising a glass of fine wine to – or a fully charged battery, naturally.
