New Audi A5 e-hybrid PHEV beats BMW 330e for speed and range

• New plug-in hybrid engine for Audi A5
• Up to 68 miles of electric range and 362bhp
• Available for both Sportback saloon and Avant estate

The all-new Audi A5 may have only just gone on sale, but it’s already picked up a new plug-in hybrid engine, badged ‘e-hybrid’. The new model pairs a petrol engine with a battery and an electric motor, making it the most efficient A5 in the lineup and delivering a BMW 3 Series-beating 68 miles of electric range.

It arrives following Audi’s recent announcement to double down on plug-in hybrid cars, with the brand aiming to launch 10 new models before the year is over. The latest A3 plug-in hybrid has already arrived, and the new A5 will join it later this year to bring the tally to two. 

What do I need to know about the new Audi A5 e-hybrid?

The e-hybrid badge is new for Audi, replacing the ‘e TFSI’ name it used for its plug-in hybrid models until recently. For the A5, it brings a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 20.7kWh battery, which Audi claims is around 45% bigger than the battery fitted to the old A6 plug-in hybrid. As a result, its electric-only range has seen a big boost – there’s now up to 68 miles of EV driving available.

That’ll make the A5 a great choice for both urban drivers who want to cut their fuel bills. You can drive all the way up to 87mph before the petrol engine kicks in, so it’s possible to cover the majority of your mileage in electric-only mode, so long as you’re able to keep the battery topped up.

For company car drivers, the A5 e-hybrid will also make a lot of sense, falling into the same 8% benefit in kind bracket as the BMW 330e. However, it just falls short of the even cheaper 5% bracket – something that the A3 plug-in hybrid achieves with its longer 88-mile electric range.

The e-hybrid engine is available in both the A5 Sportback saloon and the A5 Avant estate, and there are two power outputs to choose between. The first produces a respectable 295bhp, giving it more shove than the rival BMW 330e. For even more performance, there’s a 362bhp version – that’s as much power as the V6-engined Audi S5. All models get Audi’s renowned ‘quattro’ all-wheel drive system.

The 362bhp model will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.1 seconds, while the less powerful version is only eight tenths of a second behind. Audi claims that both models will return well over 120mpg when the petrol engine and battery are used in conjunction. Let the battery run flat and expect that figure to plummet – Audi suggests you’ll only see around 44mpg using the petrol engine alone.

How much does the new Audi A5 e-hybrid cost?

UK pricing is still to be confirmed for the A5 e-hybrid, but it will start from €62,500 (around £52,000) in Europe. The priciest model in the lineup will be the 362bhp Avant model, which is likely to cost upwards of £60,000.

New Audi A5 e-hybrid exterior and interior images

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