The Audi A6 Hybrid - Executive Comfort and Performance Needs No Compromise.

Testament to the excellence of Audi’s core commitment to technology and progressiveness, the multi-awarding winning A6 family welcomed a new member to its Singaporean model line-up on 14 September 2012—the A6 Hybrid. The date also marked the launch of the Audi Technical Centre, one of four such facilities in the world purpose built to offer technical support to the dealerships in the 17 Asia-Pacific markets.

Offered as an option for the environmentally conscious in search of a premium hybrid option, the new A6 Hybrid is identical to the standard Audi A6 sedan, boasting the same award-winning exterior design, Audi ultra lightweight build and first-rate interior finish. The only discernible difference can be made out from the turbine design alloy wheels and ‘hybrid’ badges on its flanks and bootlid.

Unlike the other luxury hybrids in the market like BMW’s ActiveHybrid 5, the Audi A6 Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, both modified to accommodate the lithium-ion powered electric motor that sits behind the engine. Combined power output is rated at 245bhp with 480Nm of torque.

Intuitively activating the both the petrol engine and electric motor when driven hard lets the Hybrid A6 make 0-100km/h in just 7.5 seconds before topping out at 240km/h, helped by the electric motor’s ‘boost’, no doubt. Fuel economy is published at 16.1km/L fuel economy return and its CO2 emissions of 145g per km will see owners of the A6 Hybrid entitled to a $5,000 rebate when the Carbon Emissions-Based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS) kicks in next year.

As its name suggests, the A6 hybrid can be driven by using its petrol engine alone, in hybrid mode with engine and lithium-ion powered electric motor working in tandem, or, in full electric drive with a range of up to three kilometres at a constant 60km/h. Energy recovery takes place during braking.

On the inside, Special displays on the instrument cluster and the MMI monitor depict the various driving states with the standard A6’s tachometer making way for a power meter which also shows operational readiness, recuperation, electric driving, boosting and ignition.

The Audi A6 Hybrid is now available at a launch price of $278,150 with COE.

Credits: Text: Jonathan Tan Pictures: Jonathan Tan and Manufacturer