Audi showcases A3 Sportback e-tron
Featuring Audi's plug-in hybrid system, the A3 e-tron makes an appearance at Geneva
If you're thinking that this is just another pointless "Save-The-Blue-Planet" concept, look again. This is the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, and it is incredibly serious about electrifying (yes, we love puns) the segment.
So, to the details. The A3 e-tron is actually a hybrid, and is powered by a 148bhp 1.4-litre TFSI engine, which is complemented by a disc-shaped electric motor. Together, they produce 201bhp and 350Nm, which propels the e-tron to 100kph in 7.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 222kph. Not bad for a hybrid, we say.
When driven in electric-only mode, the top speed plummets to 130kph, but this mode helps the car travel 50 kilometres on a single charge (which takes just two and half hours, using a 3.6kW charger). Combine the electric motor's range to the petrol engine's, and you get a total range of 940 kilometers.
We're not sure if Audi intends to put this car into production, but one thing's for sure - the technology is in place, it's just a matter of time before it filters down into the rest of Audi's model range.
Tags: geneva 13, e tron, a3 sportback e tron, a3 sportback, sportback, a3, audi
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