Audi has just expanded its European A6 lineup with a new plug-in hybrid version, and unlike most PHEVs which offer electric ranges so pathetic they're hardly worth the bother of plugging in, this one might actually be useful. The new electrified A6 packs a battery with 20.7 kWh of net capacity – a whopping 45 percent larger than the previous PHEV model – giving it an electric range of up to 66 miles on the combined cycle. That's not just a little bit better; that's a genuine game-changer. Most plug-in hybrids offer about as much electric range as a television remote control, typically managing 20-30 miles before the petrol engine kicks in. But 66 miles? That's enough to cover the average commuter's entire day without burning a drop of fuel. And if you stick to city driving in the sleeker sedan version, Audi says you can squeeze out up to 69 miles of pure electric motoring. Of course, if you decide to stretch the A6's legs on the German Autobahn, that range will disappear faster than free beer at a football match. The car can reach a limited 87 mph in pure electric mode, which is impressive but will drain the battery quicker than a teenager's phone at a TikTok convention. With the engine running, the top speed increases to a properly German 155 mph. Because what's the point of building an efficient plug-in hybrid if you can't still terrify your passengers on derestricted highways? Power and performance: having your cake and eating it too Audi is offering the A6 PHEV in two flavors: a "base" version with 295 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, and a more powerful variant producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. If those numbers sound familiar, it's because they're identical to the outputs of the new A5 plug-in hybrid, which shares the same Premium Platform Combustion architecture. The entry-level PHEV will hustle from 0-62 mph in a very respectable six seconds flat, while the more powerful version shaves that down to 5.3 seconds. That's quick, though not quite as rapid as the non-hybrid V6 3.0-liter model, which accomplishes the same sprint in 4.7 seconds. And of course, the upcoming S6 and RS6 performance variants will be even quicker, because Audi knows its customers still want the option of cars that accelerate fast enough to rearrange their internal organs. What's particularly clever about these new PHEVs is the way Audi has integrated the 141-horsepower electric motor directly into the housing of the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This arrangement ensures that full torque is available "at close to idle speed," meaning you get instant response when you press the accelerator. Combined with the standard Quattro all-wheel drive system and rear-wheel steering, this should make the A6 PHEV properly quick off the line and nimble in corners despite its inevitable weight penalty from lugging around all those batteries. Practical matters: charging speed and creature comforts For those who are actually going to bother plugging in their plug-in hybrid (a surprisingly small percentage, according to studies), Audi has increased the AC charging capacity to 11 kW. This means you can fully replenish the battery in just two and a half hours, which is quick enough to top up during dinner at a restaurant or while you're in a meeting. Audi has also gone to town with making the new A6 quieter than a library during final exams. There's 30 percent more sound insulation than before, acoustic glazing on the rear-side windows, and tighter door and window seals. They've even fitted foam rings inside the tires on cars with 19-inch wheels or larger to reduce road noise. The engineers also reworked the engine and transmission mount bushings and optimized the shape of the gear teeth to reduce mechanical noise. The result should be a car quiet enough to hear a pin drop, or more likely, the gentle whirr of the electric motor. For German buyers, the A6 Sedan E-Hybrid starts at €65,800 for the base model and €68,300 for the more powerful version. If you prefer the more practical wagon (and who wouldn't?), the A6 Avant E-Hybrid begins at €75,050 and €77,550 respectively. The price difference between the two power levels also brings additional standard goodies like S Line trim inside and out, larger wheels, a sport suspension, and red brake calipers, which will alert everyone at your child's school drop-off line that you bought the faster version. European deliveries begin this summer, but there's no word yet on when or if this new PHEV powertrain will make it to the U.S. market. The standard A6 hasn't even gone on sale in America yet, so don't hold your breath for the plug-in variant anytime soon. Still, this new A6 PHEV represents a significant step forward for plug-in hybrids. With genuine electric range that could cover most daily driving needs, it addresses one of the main criticisms leveled at PHEVs – that their electric-only capability is so limited as to be barely worth the complexity and cost. If more manufacturers followed Audi's lead and offered plug-in hybrids with usable electric ranges, perhaps they wouldn't be dismissed by many as mere tax-dodging devices for company car drivers. And on that bombshell, it's time to end. The new Audi A6 PHEV: a plug-in hybrid that might actually be worth plugging in.
