Author Archives: admin

Audi-A3-e-Tron-EPA-numbers

Audi A3 e-Tron range rated at 17 miles by EPA

Original estimates were that the Audi A3 Sportback e-Tron would achieve 20 miles of all electric driving, but recent documents filed with the EPA show the e-Tron plug-in hybrid can drive up to 17 miles on its battery power.

The standard Audi A3 e-Tron model is only rated at 16 miles electric range, but with the Ultra package (which includes a downgrade from 17 inch to 16 inch wheels as well as ultra-low rolling resistance 16inch tires) you can achieve 17 miles. The efficiency rating also goes up slightly from 83 MPGe to 86 MPGe with the Ultra package.

Currently, the A3 e-Tron is available in the USA in limited numbers and will soon be available nationwide.

2016 A3 Sportback e-tron

Audi A3 e-tron is more fun to drive than all other PHEVs and EREVs on the market

According to a review of the 2016 Audi A3 sportback e-tron by GreenCarReports.com, the plug-in hybrid is more fun to drive than any other plug-in hybrid or extended range electric vehicle they’ve tested in the past.

Part of this status comes from the weight distribution and overall weight of the vehicle.

Audi gave the e-tron aluminum fenders, and aluminum hood, and some other weight saving measures in order to keep the overall vehicle weight to a reasonable total. Overall, the vehicle weighs under 3,400 pounds which is less than 400 pounds heavier than the base 1.8l A3 and the same weight as the 2.0T Quattro A3.

The low overall weight, combined with a battery pack location to help the front/rear weight bias be 55/45 respectively, give the A3 Sportback e-tron a great feel that makes the plug-in hybrid handle great and a pleasure to drive!

History, Audi A3 E-tron Forum

The Audi A3 E-tron was first introduced in 2011 as an all electric version of the Audi A3 production model. The A3 E-tron was powered by an electric motor powered by rear and mid mounted battery packs. It was a front wheel drive vehicle, and with a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the all electric range was somewhere around 90 miles, likely around 70-75 miles in real driving conditions.

Audi deployed a fleet of 17 A3 E-tron electric vehicles in the US in mid-2012 as part of a testing program. In June of that same year, Audi announced it would be producing a plug-in hybrid version of the A3, and that vehicle was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013.

In May of 2013, Audi announced it wouldn’t be producing an all-electric A3 E-tron, but only the plug-in hybrid A3 E-tron.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013, Audi priced the A3 E-tron Sportback plug-in hybrid electric vehicle at 37,000 Euros, which is somewhere around $49,000 USD. It’s likely the North American pricing will be somewhere in the mid to high $30K range.

Are you interested in purchasing or discussing the Audi A3 E-tron Sportback? Visit our Forum