As OEMs throughout the industry continue to adopt mild-hybrid technology, Audi becomes the latest to introduce an electrified diesel powertrain
Audi has expanded its A7 powertrain range with the addition of a 48V mild-hybrid diesel. Equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 that can deliver 231ps and 500Nm of torque over 1,750rpm to 3,250rpm, the A7 45 TDI Quattro is designed to save fuel.
This means the V6 TDI unit with 48V drivetrain will reduce fuel consumption to 4.6l/100km. It does so by intelligently shutting off the engine at speeds of between 54km/h and 160km/h and enabling the car to coast in freewheeling mode.
The Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) is designed to re-fire the engine smoothly after coasting, and is capable of channeling up to 12kW of energy back into the lithium ion battery during recuperative braking.
The start-stop functionality has also been significantly expanded and now activates at 21km/h (13mph). In combination with the standard front camera, the engine is restarted predictively while at a standstill as soon as the vehicle ahead begins to move.
Despite possessing the lowest power output of the current V6 line-up in the A7 Sportback, performance is still very much a priority – the 0-100km/h sprint takes 6.5 seconds, with a 155km/h top speed.
Channeled through a smooth yet swift-shifting eight-speed tiptronic and permanent Quattro all-wheel drive, the 231ps output is boosted by 13ps over the equivalent version in the outgoing A7 Sportback.
The 3.0-liter diesel V6 will also offer WLTP-certified emissions of 147g/km.