Audi has announced details of its A3 Sportback g-tron, which will be powered by CO2-neutral Audi e-gas produced in the company’s power-to-gas plant in Werlte, Germany.
Due to make its début at the end of the year, the g-tron uses a revised 1.4 TFSI engine, featuring a modified cylinder head, turbocharger, injection system and catalytic converter, which develops 81 kW (110 hp) and 200 Nm of torque. On the road, 100 km/h appears in 11 seconds, while top speed is 190 km/h (118 mph). Performance figures are identical in CNG and gasoline modes.
After refuelling, or whenever it is very cold, the engine is started with gasoline initially, before switching over to natural gas as soon as possible. Two tanks located underneath the luggage compartment floor are each capable of carrying 7 kg of CNG at a maximum of 200 bar pressure.
Using CNG alone provides a range of around 400 km (249 miles), with gasoline providing another 900 km (559 miles) if needed, while average consumption of works out at less than 3.5 kg per 100 km of CNG or Audi e-gas and CO2 emissions below 95 grams per km in gas mode.
[Source: Audi]