Audi Expands Electrified Lineup With Plug-In Hybrid Version of A7 Sedan

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Last year, Audi made it apparent that it wanted to introduce a plug-in hybrid powertrain for every vehicle that it sells. The automaker already has plug-in hybrid versions of the Q5 and A8, and now, it's introduced a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the A7 sedan. In addition to being more powerful than its gas-only counterparts, the A7 PHEV will qualify for federal tax subsidies.


PHEV Powertrain Adds More Power


The official name for the plug-in hybrid powertrain is the A7 55 TSFI e. It's good for a combined output of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor. Compared to the regular A7 that comes with a V6 engine, the plug-in hybrid brings an additional 27 horsepower. 

Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard.


The hybrid system in the A7 55 TSFI e is pretty cool, as it allows drivers to decide how and where the power comes from – either the engine or the battery pack. When route guidance is being used, the vehicle's hybrid mode is automatically activated and will help optimize battery and engine use to ensure the vehicle is performing as efficiently as possible. 

As with other PHEVs, an electric mode will see the vehicle be powered solely by electricity, as long as the driver doesn't pin the throttle to wake the internal combustion engine up.


Fuel Economy Yet To Be Announced


The EPA hasn't released official figures for the plug-in hybrid A7 yet, but the larger A8 sedan, which uses a similar 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and has a more powerful internal-combustion engine, carries an EPA rating of 54 MPGe combined and can travel 17 miles on electricity. So, the A7 plug-in hybrid's figures should be better.


Audi is saving the plug-in hybrid powertrain on the A7's two top-ranging trims, which means the powertrain won't be cheap, but they're not too far off of the regular A7. The A7 55 TFSI e Premium Plus will start $75,895, which is just $500 more than a similarly equipped A7 without a hybrid powertrain. 

The Prestige will cost $81,245 or $1,900 more than a regular A7 in the same trim. That's before you consider that the A7 55 TFSI e will be eligible for federal and local tax credits. The plug-in hybrid variant of the sedan will go on sale in the U.S. later this fall.

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods