Audi has combined its world renowned diesel engine expertise with its equally widely acclaimed flair for technological innovation to create its first TDI plug-in hybrid with quattro all-wheel drive.

Making its world public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Q7 e-tron quattro combines a frugal TDI engine with lithium-ion battery technology for a potential range of up to 1,410km and the ability to travel emission-free for over 55km on electric power alone, contributing to an official CO₂ figure of less than 5g/km.

The Q7 e-tron quattro is the second Audi model with a powerful plug-in hybrid drive system. With a system output of 373bhp and 700Nm of torque, it accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just six seconds, and continues up to a top speed of 223km/h. According to the relevant standard for plug-in hybrid vehicles, however, the large SUV can return up to 70.6km/L combined, corresponding to CO₂ emissions of under 50g/Km. This value too sets new standards.

Like all Audi hybrid models, the Q7 e-tron quattro has also been designed as a parallel hybrid. The highly efficient 3.0-litre TDI is the latest generation V6 diesel engine, delivering 258bhp of power and 600Nm of torque. Active engine mounts - a world first for a diesel engine - eliminate unwanted vibrations through selective counter pulses.

The disc-shaped electric motor provides 94kW and 350Nm of torque. Together with a decoupler, it is integrated into the eight-speed tiptronic. The automatic transmission is outstanding for its high efficiency and low weight. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive, also compact and lightweight, transmits power to all four wheels. During fast cornering, its centre differential works closely with the wheel-selective torque control system, an intelligent software feature.