Audi’s new 2012 A6 debuted at this year’s Detroit auto show, and Audi stated at the time that a hybrid version was in the works; the company didn’t promise, however, that it would come to the U.S. Fast-forward to today, and full specs on the A6 hybrid have been fully revealed; we still don’t know if we’ll get it. One clue existed in the press materials, though: Audi converted its fuel-economy numbers for the green-leaning four-door to U.S. mpg, and it nets an impressive 37 mpg combined.
The Audi A6 hybrid combines a 211-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with a 54-hp (40-kW) electric motor, and routes a total system output of 245 hp to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid powertrain’s peak torque output of 354 lb-ft is healthy, and it helps scoot the A6 hybrid to 60 mph in a claimed 7.3 seconds. Juiced by a lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the trunk floor, the electric motor can accelerate the A6 to 62 mph or travel up to 1.9 miles at less than 40 mph on its own. (So, realistically, to your mailbox and back.) The A6 hybrid comes equipped with three driver-selectable operating modes: electricity-prioritizing “EV,” normal “D,” and sporty “S.” It should be noted that it’s only in S mode that the A6 hybrid’s full 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque are available.
The Audi A6 hybrid is distinguished from normal A6s by unique 17- and 18-inch wheels, plus “hybrid” badging on the decklid, fenders, and door sills. A U.S.-market A6 hybrid isn’t likely to deviate much—if at all—from the Euro car’s formula, but we’ll have to wait for Audi to send it here to find out.
