Audi has taken a bold new approach to vehicle development, shifting its focus from fully electric models to an innovative combustion-based platform. The brand’s latest architecture, named the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), is designed exclusively for Audi’s next-generation vehicles, including the upcoming A5 and the future replacement for the Q7.
This new chassis stands as the internal combustion counterpart to Audi’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), ensuring that traditional fuel-powered cars continue evolving with cutting-edge technology. Unlike shared platforms used by brands like Volkswagen and Skoda, PPC features a longitudinal engine layout, making it a bespoke solution for Audi’s lineup.
Introducing MHEV Plus: A Smarter Mild Hybrid System
To complement the PPC architecture, Audi has introduced a next-generation 48-volt mild hybrid system, called MHEV Plus. This advanced technology enhances efficiency, improves performance, and extends the lifespan of combustion engines well into the 2030s.
MHEV Plus features a 1.76kWh battery pack—a significant upgrade compared to standard mild hybrid systems, such as the Ford Puma MHEV, which uses a much smaller 0.38kWh battery. This larger capacity allows MHEV Plus to function more like a full hybrid system, providing greater energy recovery and power output.
How MHEV Plus Works
At the heart of Audi’s MHEV Plus system are two electric motors, strategically placed for maximum efficiency:
- Belt-Driven Starter Generator (BSG): Attached to the engine, this motor assists in energy recuperation and smooth restarts.
- Drivetrain Generator: Mounted behind the gearbox, this compact yet powerful motor significantly improves energy regeneration. Unlike traditional systems that rely solely on the engine’s rotational mass, the drivetrain generator captures energy from the entire vehicle, harnessing additional torque from the wheels.
This approach enables Audi to generate electricity more efficiently, maximizing battery charge during deceleration and braking.
Key Benefits of MHEV Plus
- Extended Fuel Efficiency: MHEV Plus optimizes energy consumption, reducing fuel usage by 0.38 liters per 100km for Audi’s new diesel engines and 0.74 liters per 100km for its V6 models.
- Lower Emissions: The system contributes to a 10g/km reduction in CO2 emissions on Audi’s updated 2.0-liter diesel engine and a 17g/km reduction on its new 3.0-liter V6.
- Electric-Only Driving: The drivetrain generator enables Audi models like the A5 to operate purely on electric power at speeds up to 18mph, making city driving smoother and more eco-friendly.
- Enhanced Highway Efficiency: At cruising speeds of up to 87mph, the system optimizes combustion engine performance to further improve fuel economy.
- Power Boost on Demand: When acceleration is needed, the electric motor provides an additional 24bhp, delivering extra responsiveness when overtaking or merging onto highways.
The Future of Audi’s Combustion Engines
While many automakers are prioritizing full electrification, Audi recognizes that consumer demand for combustion engines remains strong. With MHEV Plus, the company is ensuring that its petrol and diesel models remain competitive, efficient, and environmentally responsible—right up until the eventual EU combustion ban.
By integrating intelligent energy management and hybrid technology into its traditional powertrains, Audi is setting new standards for fuel-powered vehicles, proving that innovation doesn’t always mean abandoning the past—it can mean refining and enhancing it for the future.
