With less than two weeks until all eyes in the automotive world turn to Switzerland and the Geneva Motor Show, Audi today confirmed the world premiere of a new addition to its third generation A3 hatchback, the plug-in hybrid ‘e-tron’.
Audi’s latest e-tron model features a hybrid powertrain that couples a 1.4-liter TFSI turbocharged petrol engine delivering 148hp (150PS) to an electric motor with an output of 75kW (101hp or 102PS) integrated into a newly designed six-speed e-S tronic, transferring the power to the front wheels.
The two powerplants produce a combined system output of 201hp (204PS) and 350Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque allowing the five-door Sportback model to complete the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 7.6 seconds and top out at 222 km/h (138mph).
The German automaker says that, according to the ECE standard for plug-in hybrid automobiles, A3 e-tron consumes on average just 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (156.8 US mpg or 188 UK mpg with CO2 emissions of 35g/km, but keep in mind, both these numbers includes the constant use of the electric motor.
The A3 e-tron can be driven in three different modes: with only the combustion engine, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. In pure electric mode, the e-tron model can reach a top speed of 130km/h (81mph) and has a maximum driving range of 50 kilometers or about 31 miles.
Audi hasn’t said yet in which countries the A3 e-tron will be available.
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