THE latest hybrid model to join Audi's rapidly-increasing portfolio of plug-in variants is the A6 55 TFSI e which is expected to become available to order in November with first examples hitting the roads in early 2020.

The new executive class hybrid saloon comes with an impressive 362bhp total system output and the scope to travel for up to 32 miles under purely electric power. It mates a four-cylinder 249bhp two-litre petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the seven-speed S tronic transmission with a peak output of 105kW.

The twin systems help power the A6 from rest to 62mph in 5.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. Under purely electric power, it is capable of a top speed of 83mph. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive is fitted as standard.

According to Audi the A6 55 TFSI e quattro is designed so that customers can do most of their daily driving electrically and therefore with zero local emissions and in near silence. Drivers can choose between three drive modes - "EV" for all-electric driving, "Hybrid" for a combination of petrol and electric power and "Hold" to conserve the electrical energy available at any given time.

The A6 hybrid joins A7, A8, Q5 and Q7 plug-in hybrid variants which also go by Audi's adopted hybrid designation of TFSI e.

According to Audi UK's Andrew Doyle:"Hybrid power is a particularly good fit for our customers in the executive class."