Audi’s first ever production plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback E-Tron, is available to order in Europe at 410 Audi dealers, 105 of which are in Germany.

The model is priced from €37,900 ($50,895) in Germany, with the first compact electric cars to be handed over to customers this winter. Audi is also offering the A3 Sportback E-Tron from €319 ($428) per month for a leasing contract with a term of 36 months.

To mark the start of the A3 Sportback E-Tron, Audi has put together an “e-tron plus” package which includes in Germany the charging dock, a cable for public charging points, MMI navigation plus, Audi connect and phone box.

The Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron combines a 1.4-liter TFSI gasoline engine and an electric motor, for a system output of 204PS (201hp). The A3 Sportback e-tron’s fuel consumption in accordance with the NEDC standard for plug-in hybrid vehicles is just 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (156.8 US mpg), with CO2 emissions of 35 grams per kilometer.

The vehicle has an all-electric driving range of 50 kilometers (31 miles), while in combined mode it can cover more than 900 kilometers (559 miles).

Audi says dealerships’ employees are receiving special training in sales and service relating to electric vehicles for the A3 Sportback E-Tron. Between mid-July and the end of August, Audi is providing training to around 2,000 sales, service and used car employees from all over Europe at its Training Center next to Munich.

In addition, some 300 German high-voltage technicians and service advisors from Audi will undertake a technical training course at the Service Training Center in Neckarsulm.

By Dan Mihalascu

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