A new hybrid diesel tech revives old-school power with instant torque, better efficiency, and the ability to run on renewable fuels
A decade ago, VW’s dieselgate scandal rocked the automotive world, accelerating the industry’s shift toward electrification. However, in many markets outside North America, diesel engines remain popular, and Audi is doubling down with a new powertrain for the Q5 and A6 models in Europe.
Its standout feature? A clever hybrid setup that virtually eliminates turbo lag.
Read: Audi Fixes One Of Its Most Hated Interior Features For 2026
The new engine, known as the EA897evo4, traces its lineage back to the original EA897, one of the units caught up in the diesel scandal years ago. This latest version, though, has been thoroughly reworked.
The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 now produces 295 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. Not only does it have plenty of grunt, but Audi is also promising important emissions improvements.
What’s New About It?
Like many other modern turbocharged models on the market, the engine of the Q5 and A6 includes an electrically-powered compressor in the intake path, behind the conventional turbo and the intercooler.
The compressor runs on a 48-volt system, and when the throttle demand rises, incoming air is first channeled through the hybrid compressor. From there, it’s further compressed by the turbocharger before making its way into the combustion chamber.
The electrically-powered compressor eliminates turbo lag, delivering strong torque at low engine speeds, while also improving fuel economy.
According to Audi, the compressor can provide 3.6 bar of pressure, spinning at up to 90,000 rpm in just 250 milliseconds. In addition, the hybrid assistance also contributes an additional 24 hp and 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) of torque. During deceleration, as much as 25 kW of energy is recovered and stored in the battery.
Improved Acceleration And Efficiency
While Audi hasn’t shared exact performance figures, it says “responsiveness during initial acceleration has been substantially improved”. In the first 2.5 seconds of acceleration, the company notes, cars equipped with this new diesel engine cover roughly a full car length more than before.
As with all diesel engines, efficiency remains a key talking point. The Q5 equipped with this V6 diesel averages between 5.8 and 6.8 l/100 km (40.6–34.6 US mpg) on the European cycle, while the A6 manages between 5.3 and 6.1 l/100 km (44.4–38.6 US mpg).
Another important development made to the EA897evo4 is that it can now run on hydrotreated vegetable oil produced from cooking oil or agricultural by-products. All new vehicles leaving Audi’s plants in Ingolstsadt and Neckarsulm are delivered with HVO fuel in their tanks.
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Brad Anderson’s lifelong affair and fascination with cars started young. Before even graduating high school,… Read full bio

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