fully charged into the future with the AUDI A3 sportback e-tron

fully charged into the future with the AUDI A3 sportback e-tron
image courtesy AUDI AG

the term ‘e-tron’ stands for the systematic electrification of the drivetrain. as one outcome of the future lab tron-experience research and development projects from the past years, AUDI now brings the A3 sportback e-tron onto the streets – the first premium compact car with a plug-in hybrid drive. the A3 sportback e-tron combines sporty power, high efficiency and an emotional driving experience with everyday utility. the five-door compact demonstrates what emotional and dynamic electric mobility can be. it can cover up to 50 kilometers (31.1 mi) in pure electric mode, and its 1.4 TFSI engine offers an additional 890 kilometers (553.0 mi) of range. on a recent trip to vienna, designboom had the opportunity to test drive this sporty all-arounder.

the AUDI A3 sportback e-tron accelerates to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 222 km/h (137.9 mph). in purely electric mode, top speed is limited to 130 km/h (80.8 mph). the battery has a capacity of 8.8 kWh and can be charged in somewhat more than two hours from an industrial outlet. a versatile charging system is standard. a smartphone app provides for extremely easy remote charging and pre-cooling/pre-heating.

 
charging via versatile charging system, including charging dock
image © designboom

the AUDI A3 Sportback e-tron comes standard with a charging system that makes full use of the power supplied by the electrical outlet. it comprises a control unit with graphical display, a car cable and two power cables with the household and industrial plugs. for use at home, the e-tron charging cable can be mounted in a design wall box. it takes barely more than two hours to charge the battery fully from an industrial power outlet and about three hours and 45 minutes from a german domestic power outlet.

charging dock
image © designboom

the car is being charged through an outlet compartment hidden behind the AUDI rings, that can easily be slid to the side
image © designboom

charging dock station
image © designboom

1.4 TFSI engine with 110 kW (150 hp) and 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque, disc-shaped electric motor with 75 kW and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft)
image courtesy AUDI AG

the 1.4 TFSI engine and an electric motor work together in its parallel plug-in hybrid drivetrain. the electric motor/decoupler unit is integrated into a newly designed six-speed S tronic, which transfers the power to the front wheels of the AUDI A3 sportback e-tron.

detail of the charging plug
image © designboom

outlet through the grill
image courtesy AUDI AG 

image © designboom

thanks to systematic lightweight design, the five-door car has a curb weight (without driver) of just 1,540 kg (3,395.1 lb), yet offers space for five occupants and plenty of luggage. the body of the AUDI A3 sportback is sportily elongated, the front end low, and a spoiler crowns the taut dome of the roof. the design with the three side windows is taut, with every detail precise and expressive. the large wheel wells underscore the car’s sporty character.

A3 sportback e-tron, misano-red
image © designboom

interior view
image courtesy AUDI AG

intelligent hybrid management with multiple driving modes
image courtesy AUDI AG

the hybrid management system intelligently controls the interaction of the drive systems. it offers the driver numerous functions, including boost, in which the engine and motor actively work together, and recuperation, which feeds the automobile’s kinetic energy back into the battery. the A3 sportback e-tron comes with a generous list of standard equipment, and AUDI offers numerous high-end solutions with the optional assistance and infotainment systems.

AUDI connect e-tron services for remote control via smartphone
image courtesy AUDI AG

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