Frankfurt 2013: Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron

Audi has brought the A3 Sportback e-Tron to the Frankfurt Motor Show, and has announced that is will be available to purchase (at least in Germany) in the spring of 2014.

 

The A3 Sportback e-Tron is Audi’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle, and it will offer an all-electric range of up to 37 miles before having to rely on gasoline for power. It offers an average fuel economy of about 156 miles per gallon. The total range on one tank of gas and a full charge is 584 miles.

 

 

The A3 e-Tron is powered by a 150-horsepower 1.4-liter TFSI engine, and a 100-horsepower electric motor. Total peak output is 204 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It a car that weighs 3483 pounds, this adds up to a 0-62 mile-per-hour time of 7.6 seconds. It has a respectable top speed of 137 mph, making it a decent car for long hauls on the autobahn.

 

 

When it goes on sale in Germany this spring, it will have a starting price of around €37,000 (the current approximate equivalent of $49,050).

 

Scroll down for more details in the press release from Audi.

 

 

As the first plug-in hybrid car from Audi, the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron enables up to 50 kilometers (37.01 miles) of all-electric driving with top sporty performance – and with zero local emissions. Automotive journalists from across the globe are currently testing the production version at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The 150 kW (204 hp) five-door car will be available to purchase from spring 2014. The price in Germany will be around 37,000 euros.

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron combines sporty power with impressive efficiency and high driving enjoyment as well as unlimited everyday utility. Its drive system combines a 110 kW (150 hp) 1.4 TFSI engine and a 75 kW electric motor. System power is 150 kW (204 hp), and maximum torque is 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft).

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron accelerates to a speed of 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 7.6 seconds, and it has a top speed of 222 km/h (137.94 mph). Its average fuel consumption is just 1.5 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (156.81 US mpg), which equates to CO2 emissions of 35 g/km (56.33 g/mile). It offers a 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) driving range in electric mode; when combined with the additional 890 kilometers (553.02 miles) of range supplied by the gasoline engine, its total driving range is an impressive 940 kilometers (584.09 miles). The battery of the A3 Sportback e-tron has an energy capacity of 8.8 kWh and can be charged in less than 2.5 hours using a 16 A electrical outlet.

Thanks to systematic lightweight design, the five-door car has an unladen weight of less than 1,580 kilograms (3,483.30 lb), including all electrical components, and it offers space for five occupants and plenty of luggage. It comes complete with all the brand’s strengths: elegant design, a sporty suspension, first-class ergonomics, top-notch build quality and an extensive selection of high-end assistance and infotainment systems.