A8 Hybrid

Make
Audi
Segment
Sedan

It was almost one year ago when Audi announced a new lineup of plug-in hybrids at the Geneva Motor Show, based on A6, A7, A8, and Q5. Not all of these new PHEVs will make it to the United States but pricing was just announced for the 2020 Audi A8 TFSI e, the first plug-in hybrid variant of the A8. Like the standard A8, the TSFI e is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine fitted with a single turbocharger.

This new PHEV version is paired with an electric motor that is integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi estimates total output at 443 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, which is a notable increase over the non-hybrid's output of 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Thanks to the healthy bump in power and torque, the A8 Hybrid hits 60 mph in an estimated 4.9 seconds (nearly half a second quicker than the standard model). The A8's electric motor is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack, consisting of 104 cells in eight modules. The battery is housed under the trunk and delivers 14.1 kWh of energy at 385 volts. Drivers can engage the battery in different ways using the selectable drive modes controlled via the paddle shifters. The A8 can be driven using the gas engine and battery in tandem, using only the electric motor, or only using the gas engine to hold the battery for a later time.

The EPA estimates the A8 TFSI e will be able to travel 17 miles on an electric charge and achieve 54 MPGe when using the gasoline engine and electric motor together. Audi's official US name for the car is the A8 60 TFSI e, while the gas model is known as the A8 55 TFSI.

Pricing for the hybrid starts at $94,000 but Audi anticipates the car will be eligible for a $6,795 tax credit. This would effectively bring the price down to $87,205, which isn't much more than the A8 55 TFSI at $85,200. The A8 TSFI will join the standard V6 model, a new V8 variant, and the performance-oriented S8.