Audi will be adding a new member to its e-tron family when it unveils the all-new A3 e-tron concept at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The premium hatchback, similar to its e-tron siblings, uses an electrified drivetrain featuring plug-in technology.
The Audi A3 e-tron sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 222 km/h; the five-door model consumes on average just 1.5 liters of fuel per 100 km, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 35 g/km. In electric mode, the Audi A3 e-tron reaches a top speed of 130 km/h and has a maximum range of 50 km.
The combustion engine is a modified 1.4 TFSI producing 150 hp. A clutch links the TFSI to an electric motor with an output of 75 kW. The disc-shaped electric motor is integrated into a newly designed six-speed e-S tronic, which transfers the power to the front wheels. The electric motor delivers its peak torque from start to around 2000 rpm, and the TFSI’s maximum pulling power is available in a range from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm.
The Audi A3 e-tron can be driven with just the combustion engine, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. The driver can choose to have both powerplants active at the same time (“boosting”). When the driver lets up on the accelerator, they both deactivate temporarily (“gliding”). In this way motor braking torque is eliminated and efficiency increases.