Now that the Audi A3 e-Tron has been green-lighted for production, Audi feels comfortable releasing exact specifications on the vehicle.

Audi A3 e-Tron Sportback

Set to go on sale in Spring 2015, the Audi A3 e-Tron has already entered pre-production.

Base Price: $51,000 estimated
Motor: AC synchronous electric motor, producing 101 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque
Engine: The gasoline power plant is an inline 1.4L turbocharged 4 cylinder, putting out 150 hp and 184 lb0-ft of torque.

Acceleration from 0-60mph is 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of 137 mph, or 81 mph in full electric driving mode. The front wheel drive plug-in hybrid sedan has a battery pack capacity of 8.8 kWh which is expected to deliver 31 miles (on the NEDC test cycle). Full driving range will be around 585 miles.

The 125kg battery pack is located underneath the rear seats, and the fuel tank is repositioned rearward, necessitating a slight increase in the height of the trunk floor. Even though the fuel tank is so close to the back of the vehicle, Audi says the A3 e-Tron can sustain a 50mph rear impact without the plastic tank rupturing.

Curb weight is 3483 pounds.

CO² emissions can be as low as 35g/km (NEDC figures).