Audi A3 Sportback e-tron heading for production

Posted 31st May, 2013 in Audi | Leave a comment

Following on from the news that Audi’s R8 e-tron will only serve as a test bed for future vehicles, one such car that has benefited from its development, the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, will be heading for production, with the company touting it as the benchmark car for plug-in hybrids.

Based on the five-door Sportback, the A3 e-tron is a plug-in hybrid with a system output of 150 kW (204 hp) and 350 Nm of torque, allowing a 0-100 km/h time of 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph), while consuming a average of just 1.5 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres and emitting 35 grams of CO2 every km.

Propulsion comes via a 110 kW (150 hp) 1.4 TFSI mated to a new six-speed e-S tronic gearbox with integrated 75 kW (101 hp) electric motor. In electric mode alone the e-tron can reach a top speed of 130 km/h and cover a maximum range of 50 kilometres.