Hybrids Account for About 10 Percent

Hybrids are not solely the domain of Japanese cars. With the current demand for reduced environmental impact, German manufacturers are also focusing on them. Audi is progressively introducing hybrid versions in its premium models.A8, A6, and the 'Q5'.And all of them are surprisingly good.

Corporate responsibility towards environmental issues is growing, and fuel efficiency regulations being implemented in various countries are becoming stricter. Furthermore, punitive taxes are planned for non-compliance. In this way, the automotive landscape is becoming increasingly challenging.

In Europe, some countries are restricting access to city centers for vehicles without catalytic converters. While this is an unavoidable trend, in order to survive, automakers are diligently developing various technologies, including smaller engines, efficient combustion technologies, and alternative fuels. Hybrid vehicles are one such development.



Hybrid vehicles are well-suited to Japanese cities like Tokyo, as is well known, due to their ability to provide strong acceleration even with smaller displacement engines and their dramatic improvement in fuel efficiency at low speeds in urban driving. Audi's hybrid models also show remarkable progress in their EV mode performance, making them appealing for daily use.

CrownWhile hybrids account for 70% of the entire Crown series, Audi Japan states they aim to "limit supply to around 10 percent." Although there might be some differences in customer preferences, based on the driving experience, users of that 10 percent seem to be truly fortunate. Here, we will briefly summarize our impressions of all three Audi hybrid models: the A6, A8, and Q5.

The New Generation Luxury Sedan

A6 HybridThe Audi A6 Hybrid was the first of Audi's hybrid models to be introduced to the Japanese market, launching in September 2012. It is available only as a sedan. The engine is a compact and lightweight 2-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injection unit with a turbocharger. It features a parallel hybrid system with the electric motor on the same axis as the engine, a configuration favored by European manufacturers, and is front-wheel drive. The hybrid system is an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Audi's parallel hybrid system differs significantly from Toyota's THS-II, known as a series hybrid, and also utilizes a conventional transmission. Audi offers an 8-speed automatic transmission. However, instead of the torque converter used in standard automatics, it incorporates a hybrid unit that integrates an electric motor and a multi-plate wet clutch.



The transition from EV to internal combustion is seamless. I recall an engineer mentioning how meticulously they worked to achieve V6-like smoothness when Toyota adopted a four-cylinder engine for the Crown Hybrid, and the Audi A6 Hybrid is equally smooth. Without looking at the meter, you wouldn't know which mode you're in.


And when you press the accelerator firmly, the electric motor provides additional torque, making the acceleration even more spirited and exhilarating.

With minimal noise intrusion from the windows or road, and surrounded by a perfectly finished interior of synthetic resin, wood panels, and leather, the price of 6.9 million yen for this A6 Hybrid feels justified. It is a new generation luxury sedan.

Living Up to the A8 Name

AudiA8 HybridLike the A6 Hybrid, the Audi A8 Hybrid features a 2-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo engine paired with a parallel hybrid system and is front-wheel drive. It also uses an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. Despite its imposing 5.1-meter length, it drives surprisingly well. Considering the gasoline engine's displacement, it's astonishing that it's only 2 liters. It effectively leverages the advantages of the hybrid system.

The transition from EV mode to engine start is natural. I tried accelerating while consciously staying within the "efficiency" range indicated on the meter (presumably meaning fuel-efficient driving mode), and even then, the speed quickly reached the legal limit.



Perhaps due to the 4-cylinder engine, there's a slight roughness if you focus intently, but overall, it offers a pleasant and smooth driving experience. It lives up to the A8 name, positioned at the top of the lineup. The substantial ride comfort and spacious interior are significant attractions, even in the hybrid version.

Furthermore, the robust chassis truly shines when the Dynamic mode is selected. In Dynamic mode, the EV mode typically disengages, and the car runs solely on the internal combustion engine. Experiencing the torque of the engine, along with the increased steering weight, is indeed satisfying.

One might think, 'What's the point of a hybrid then...' but inwardly, I was impressed by the performance, especially considering it's supposedly only a 2-liter engine. The price of 9.48 million yen is lower than the 3.0 TFSI quattro (9.62 million yen), making it the most affordable A8 in the series. This could also be a compelling factor.

The Only Quattro Hybrid

The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro, like the A8 hybrid, was launched in Japan in January 2013. Its defining feature is the combination of quattro all-wheel drive with the hybrid system. While the system is parallel, similar to the A6 and A8 hybrids, the Q5 hybrid quattro is characterized by a center differential located at the rear of the transmission.

The powertrain components are the same as those used in the A6 hybrid and A8 hybrid. The engine is a 2-liter, 4-cylinder direct-injection unit with an intercooled turbocharger, combined with a 40 kW electric motor. The transmission is an 8-speed torque converter automatic.


In a word, the impression is one of surprising low-speed power, riding a wave of torque that provides a delightful surfing-like sensation. Audi Japan states that "the turbo setting, which effectively engages from 1,500 rpm, is fundamentally the same as the A6 hybrid and A8 hybrid," but subjectively, the heaviest of the three, the Q5 hybrid quattro, feels the most powerful.

The slight coarseness of the 4-cylinder engine's rotation detracts somewhat from the premium feel, as is also the case with the Q5 hybrid quattro. However, the responsive steering around the center point and the flat posture during cornering offer sporty enjoyment that more than compensates, providing significant value. With the boost from the electric motor at higher revs, it's powerful. If you didn't know, you wouldn't guess it's a 2-liter.

Unlike the A8 hybrid, the Q5 hybrid quattro is the most expensive in the series. Its starting price is 7.15 million yen, compared to the 2.0 TFSI quattro's 5.79 million yen. It's a model that leverages the character of a hybrid in a completely different direction than the A6 hybrid.

Audi A6 Hybrid | Audi A6 Hybrid
Body Dimensions | Length 4,930 x Width 1,875 x Height 1,465 mm
Wheelbase | 2,910 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,625 / 1,615 mm
Ground Clearance | 150 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.7 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 375 liters
Weight | 1,850 kg
Engine | 1,984cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Intercooler Turbo
Compression Ratio | 9.8 : 1
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Max. Output | 155 kW (211 ps) / 4,300-6,000 rpm
Max. Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,500-4,200 rpm
Motor Output | 40 kW (54 ps)
Motor Torque | 210 Nm (21.4 kgm)
System Max. Output | 180 kW (245 ps)
Transmission | 8-speed automatic
Gear Ratios | 1st: 4.714
2nd: 3.142
3rd: 2.106
4th: 1.666
5th: 1.284
6th: 1.000
7th: 0.839
8th: 0.666
Reduction Ratio | 3.252
Drivetrain | FF
Front Suspension | 5-link double wishbone with stabilizer
Rear Suspension | Trapezoidal wishbone with stabilizer
Tires | 245/45R18
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated disc / Disc
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 13.8 km/ℓ
Fuel Tank Capacity | 73 ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 168 g/km
Price | 6.9 million yen

Audi A8 Hybrid | Audi A8 Hybrid
Body Dimensions | Length 5,145 x Width 1,950 x Height 1,465 mm
Wheelbase | 2,990 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,640 / 1,630 mm
Ground Clearance | 130 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.8 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 335 liters
Weight | 1,930 kg
Engine | 1,984cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Intercooler Turbo
Compression Ratio | 9.8 : 1
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Max. Output | 155 kW (211 ps) / 4,300-6,000 rpm
Max. Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,500-4,200 rpm
Motor Output | 40 kW (54 ps)
Motor Torque | 210 Nm (21.4 kgm)
System Max. Output | 180 kW (245 ps)
Transmission | 8-speed automatic
Gear Ratios | 1st: 4.714
2nd: 3.142
3rd: 2.106
4th: 1.666
5th: 1.284
6th: 1.000
7th: 0.839
8th: 0.666
Reduction Ratio | 3.252
Drivetrain | FF
Front Suspension | 5-link double wishbone with anti-roll bar and air suspension
Rear Suspension | Trapezoidal wishbone with anti-roll bar and air suspension
Tires | 245/45R18
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated disc / Ventilated disc
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 13.8 km/ℓ
Fuel Tank Capacity | 75 ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 168 g/km
Price | 9.48 million yen

Audi Q5 hybrid quattro | Audi Q5 Hybrid quattro
Body Dimensions | Length 4,630 x Width 1,900 x Height 1,630 mm
Wheelbase | 2,810 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,615 / 1,615 mm
Ground Clearance | 175 mm
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.4 meters
Trunk Capacity (VDA) | 540-1,560 liters
Weight | 2,000 kg
Engine | 1,984cc Inline 4-cylinder DOHC Intercooler Turbo
Compression Ratio | 9.8 : 1
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Max. Output | 155 kW (211 ps) / 4,300-6,000 rpm
Max. Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,500-4,200 rpm
Motor Output | 40 kW (54 ps)
Motor Torque | 210 Nm (21.4 kgm)
System Max. Output | 180 kW (245 ps)
Transmission | 8-speed automatic
Gear Ratios | 1st: 4.714
2nd: 3.142
3rd: 2.106
4th: 1.666
5th: 1.284
6th: 1.000
7th: 0.839
8th: 0.666
Reduction Ratio Front/Rear | 3.759 / 3.763
Drivetrain | 4WD
Front Suspension | 5-link double wishbone with stabilizer
Rear Suspension | Trapezoidal wishbone with stabilizer
Tires | 235/55R19
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated disc / Disc
Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 12.7 km/ℓ
Fuel Tank Capacity | 72 ℓ
CO2 Emissions | 183 g/km
Price | 7.15 million yen