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Drive modes

Selection of drive mode affects the car's driving characteristics in order to enhance the driving experience and facilitate driving in special situations.

Using the drive modes it is possible to quickly have access to the car's numerous functions and settings for different driving needs. Each drive mode is adapted to provide optimum driving characteristics:

  • Steering
  • Engine/gearbox/all-wheel drive
  • Brakes
  • Driver display
  • Climate settings

Select the drive mode adapted for the current driving conditions. Remember that not all drive modes are available in all situations.

Selectable drive modes

 Warning

Remember that the car does not emit any engine noise when it is only powered by electricity and may therefore be difficult to notice by children, pedestrians, cyclists and animals. This applies in particular at low speeds, such as in car parks.

 Warning

Do not leave the car in an unventilated area with activated drive mode and the fuel-driven engine switched off - automatic engine start occurs at low energy level in the hybrid battery, and the exhaust gases could then cause serious injury to people and animals.

Hybrid

  • This is the car's normal mode where the two electric motors and the internal combustion engine work together.

When the car starts, it is in the Hybrid mode. The control system uses both the electric motor and internal combustion engine – individually or in parallel – and adapts use with regard to performance, fuel consumption and comfort. The capacity to run solely with the electric motors depends on the hybrid battery's energy level and, for example, the need for heating or cooling in the passenger compartment.

If the hybrid battery is well charged, it is possible to drive with electrical power alone. When the accelerator pedal is depressed, only the electric motors are activated until a certain position is reached. The internal combustion engine starts when this position is exceeded and the energy level in the battery is insufficient for the engine power that the driver requests with the accelerator pedal.

At low energy level (hybrid battery almost empty) the battery's energy level must be maintained, leading to the internal combustion engine starting more often. Quick-charge the car1 or charge the hybrid battery from a 230 V socket using the charging cable. Alternatively, activate Charge in the function view to restore the ability to run on electricity alone.

The drive mode is designed for low energy consumption with a mix of the electric motor and the internal combustion engine, without compromising the climate comfort and driving experience. When higher acceleration is required, maximum additional power from the electric drive line is used.

The car also senses if the driving conditions require all-wheel drive and automatically engages it if necessary. All-wheel drive and electric additional power are always available regardless of the battery's state of charge.

Information in the driver display

When driving in hybrid mode the driver display shows a hybrid gauge. The pointer in the hybrid gauge indicates how much energy the driver requests with the accelerator pedal. The marking between the lightning bolt and the drop shows how much energy is available.

PS-1926-ALL hybrid-Hybrid meter engine running change values
The driver display for propulsion with both the electric motor and internal combustion engine.
PS-1926-Battery, electric engine charging symbol

The driver display also shows when energy is returned to the battery (regenerated) during light braking.

Pure

  • Drive the car with the electric motors, with energy consumption as low as possible and with lowest possible carbon dioxide emissions.

The drive mode is fully electric and the car is driven using the electric motors in the rear axle, which means that the car has rear wheel drive. The internal combustion engine starts if acceleration performance is limited, e.g. on very steep inclinations.

Drive mode may also be unavailable

  • if the speed exceeds 160 km/h (100 mph)
  • if there is insufficient charge in the hybrid battery
  • in the event of system/component limitations, e.g. low outside temperature.

The Pure mode is adapted for maximum range with electric propulsion and especially developed for urban traffic. The drive mode does not offer four-wheel-drive, so this may result in certain restrictions on poor roads or in cold weather.

Constant AWD

  • Improve the car's roadholding and traction with enhanced all-wheel drive.

The drive mode locks the car in all-wheel drive. An adapted distribution between the front and rear axle torque provides good traction, stability and roadholding, for example on slippery roads or when towing. Constant AWD drive mode is always available regardless of the battery's state of charge.

Both the internal combustion engine and the electric motors are engaged in order to drive all four wheels, which results in increased fuel consumption.

In drive modes other than Pure, the car automatically adapts the need for all-wheel drive to the road surface, and can engage the electric motors or start the internal combustion engine when necessary.

Power

  • The car has sportier characteristics and faster response to accelerating.

The drive mode adapts the combined power from the electric motors and internal combustion engine by means of the car being driven by both front and rear wheels. The gear changes become faster and more distinct, the steering response is faster and the gearbox prioritises a gear with greater traction.

Both the internal combustion engine and the electric motors are engaged in order to drive all four wheels, which results in increased fuel consumption.

The drive mode is adapted for maximum performance and response on acceleration. It changes the internal combustion engine's accelerator pedal response, gear shift pattern and boost pressure system. The steering and brake response are also adapted. The Power drive mode is always available regardless of the hybrid battery's state of charge.

Individual

  • Adapting a drive mode according to individual preferences.

Select a drive mode to start from, and then adjust the settings according to the desired driving characteristics. These settings are saved in an individual driver profile.

An individual drive mode is only available if it is first activated in the centre display.

PS-1926-Individual drive mode settings
Settings view for individual drive mode.
Press Settings in the top view.
Press My CarIndividual Drive Mode and select Individual Drive Mode.

In Presets, select a drive mode to start from: Pure, Hybrid or Power.

Possible adjustments apply to settings for:

  • Driver Display
  • Steering Force
  • Powertrain Characteristics
  • Brake Characteristics

Using the electric motor or internal combustion engine

An advanced control system determines the extent to which the car is driven on the internal combustion engine, the electric motors or all three in parallel.

The primary function is to use the engine or motor and the available energy in the hybrid battery as efficiently as possible, with regard to the characteristics of the different drive modes as well as the driver's request for power via the accelerator pedal.

There are also cases where temporary limitations in the system, or functions governed by legal requirements aimed at maintaining a low level of total emissions for the car, may use the internal combustion engine to a greater extent.

  1. 1 Direct current is used for quick charging via special charging stations that support CCS (Combined Charging System)