This decision is intended to ensure technological development and compliance with the CO2 emission standards set by the European Union.
The changes now also affect classic models: Audi is expanding the engine range for its A6 and Q5 lineups. A new V6 TDI powertrain, now equipped with MHEV-plus technology, is available to order from this point forward. This means these engines now also fall into the hybrid category. Two electrical components in the engine support the operation of the internal combustion engines.
For a long time, the principle at Audi—the Ingolstadt-based subsidiary of Volkswagen—was “either electric or a traditional engine.” There was little enthusiasm for hybrid powertrains, which combine electric and traditional components. However, this has changed in recent months.
Now, the powerful V6 diesel engines for the highly popular Q5 and A6 models are being launched on the market in an updated form. This not only brings technological progress but also helps meet the EU’s CO2 emission standards, which are calculated as an average across all vehicles from the manufacturer—the so-called fleet targets.
MHEV-plus Technology Used for the First Time
A motor-generator, which functions as a small electric motor (in the current version, 24 hp), enables driving purely on electric power, for example, when parking, reversing, or during “coasting” on country roads at a steady speed.
Furthermore, this device assists when starting from a standstill and during sharp acceleration, allowing the car to accelerate much more dynamically than is typical for diesel powertrains. This motor-generator and another electrical component, the so-called starter-generator, are powered by a lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
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