Audi's Q7 e-tron Plug-In Hybrid: 700 Nm at £65,000

Audi is well underway with its long-term goal of CO2-neutral mobility. Back in 2012 the A3 Sportback e-tron went on sale here in the UK, but has remained Audi's only hybrid vehicle. Pricing and specifications have been released for the Q7 e-tron quattro and it doesn't disappoint.

The hybrid SUV market is already booming, with the Mercedes GLE 500e 4MATIC and BMW X5 xDrive40e being the most obvious choices. Other options include the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid and the Lexus RX 450h. This only means one thing - the Q7 e-tron quattro needs to be perfect.

Its 34-mile electric-only range is far above the 19 offered by both Mercedes and BMW. All three models use four-wheel-drive systems to deliver the power to the road in the most composed manner possible.

Diesel-powered engines are renowned for their healthy torque figures. In fact, so are electric motors. This means that the V6 diesel-electric combo pushes out 700 Nm, with a side serving of 369 bhp. The Q7 e-tron quattro will get to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds despite returning a claimed 156.9 mpg.

Standard equipment includes LED headlights, satellite navigation and Audi's virtual cockpit. The infotainment system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, whilst in-car LTE connectivity communicates with a smartphone app to keep you up-to-date with the charging process and interior climate control settings among other things.

Predictive Efficiency Assistant works with the navigation to coach the driver into gaining the most miles out of his or her gallons. This includes advising the driver to ease off the throttle whilst approaching a bend or transitioning into a lower speed-limited road. The Active Cruise Control and traffic sign recognition also play important roles in helping use as little fuel as possible.

Charging the battery takes 4 hours and 45 minutes via the standard cable.

The Audi Q7 e-tron quattro will start at around £65,000 before options, that's a £17,000 premium over the standard Q7. Its main rival is the equally-priced Mercedes GLE 500e (which comes at a £15,000 premium over the standard model). It will be proudly displayed at the Geneva Motor Show with order books opening in May 2016.