The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron has arrived in Australia. The first customer vehicles are being delivered later this month, complete with generous specification and a comprehensive ownership package that delivers a truly premium experience for customers who have never considered owning a hybrid vehicle before.
It is the brand’s first plug-in hybrid (PHEV), based on the 2014 World Car of the Year, the Audi A3.
“The A3 Sportback e-tron is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle from Audi, and importantly, it gives our customers an innovative and extraordinarily efficient mobility solution, without compromising on any of the versatility that has made the new A3 Sportback such a success,” said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.
“Urban dwellers can commute each day in pure electric mode, and you only need to charge the battery overnight. If you want to drive a longer distance, then the combination of the electric motor and petrol engine together gives you the kind of range that people are accustomed to.
It’s an easy concept for customers to understand, which is why we’ve already seen such strong interest,” said Mr Doyle.
The innovative drivetrain that powers the A3 Sportback e-tron comprises a 1.4 TFSI engine with 110 kW, a 75 kW electric motor and a newly developed six-speed S tronic. System output is 150 kW, while maximum system torque is 350 Nm. The battery has a capacity of 8.8 kWh and can be fully charged in approximately 2.5 hours.
The A3 Sportback e-tron delivers strong performance, accelerating to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h. In purely electric mode, it can reach 60km/h in just 4.9 seconds, before reaching a limited top speed of 130 km/h.
Fuel consumption is just 1.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres – corresponding to CO2 emissions of 37 grams per kilometre. The compact five-door has a range of up to 50km in full electric mode, yet can cover up to 920km on a single charge and a full tank of fuel – meaning no compromises for owners who want to know that they can still take their vehicle for a weekend away.
The A3 Sportback e-tron is a true Audi, based on the five-door A3 Sportback. It can seat five people and accommodate 280 litres of luggage (or 1120 with the rear seats folded flat).
Like all other models in the A3 range, the A3 Sportback e-tron has been awarded the maximum 5-star ANCAP safety rating, and is fitted with seven airbags.
The A3 Sportback e-tron is positioned as a premium vehicle within the A3 Sportback range, with generous levels of standard specification. Highlights include:
- Audi drive select
- Audi Parking system plus; front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera and park assist
- Efficient LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
- Convenience key
- Sport front seats, with leather appointed seat upholstery
- Multi-function leather sport steering wheel with paddle shift
- Audi Music Interface
- Bluetooth with audio streaming
- Digital radio (DAB+)
- MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch (7.0-inch retractable WVGA screen, DVD player, 2 x SDHC memory card readers, voice control, 20 GB HDD storage)
In Australia, the A3 Sportback e-tron will be offered to customers with a standard home installation package that includes the fitting of a dedicated 230-volt, high-output 16-amp single-phase power outlet that allows the battery to be fully charged in approximately 2.5 hours. This work will be carried out by an Audi electrical partner, and in many cases, this will be a cost-neutral exercise for the customer.
Additionally, Audi Australia has partnered with Origin Energy to purchase accredited renewable energy displacements as part of the GreenPower program. With the purchase of a new A3 Sportback e-tron, customers receive a certificate that confirms up to the first 10,000km of grid-charged electric driving has been offset by accredited renewable energy displacements.
Pricing (Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) – excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges)
A3 Sportback e-tron 150kW 1.6L/100km $62,490
