Audi has revealed that its new A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid will arrive in the UK market by mid-2014.
It's due to go on sale in Europe for approximately €38,000, meaning the e-tron should cost around £32,700 here.
Designed to offer the benefits of an electric vehicle with unrestricted range, the A3 Sportback e-tron features a conventional petrol engine coupled to an electric motor.
Its 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine delivers 148bhp and 184lb ft; the electric motor, which is integrated into the car's six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, can output 101bhp and 243lb ft.
Combined, the system can develop a total of 201bhp and 258lb ft. This grants the front-drive A3 e-tron a 0-62mph time of 7.6sec and a top speed of 138mph; more impressively it means a claimed average of 188mpg and CO2 emissions of just 35g/km.
The A3 can be charged from a domestic socket in around four hours. A faster dedicated charging point, capable of completing the same process in two hours, will be available for less than £1,000.
With an 8.8kWh battery storing current for the electric motor, the A3 Sportback e-tron has a potential all-electric range of 31 miles.
Total range, if using both petrol and electric power sources, is stated to be in the region of 553 miles. As the A3 e-tron is a plug-in hybrid, you can also simply refuel the car and continue on your way, even if the drive battery is totally flat.
A variety of powertrain modes will be offered as standard, including a 'hold' function that saves the battery for when you want to drive on electric power alone, for example in city centres.
It's expected that the Audi A3 e-tron will take its place in the range with its own distinct trim level, which is reputed to offer a decent amount of equipment and various customisation options.
The manufacturer also states that the servicing regime will be comparable to that of a standard A3.
An Audi engineer said "The A3 e-tron will be the benchmark car for plug-in hybrids."
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Wonder what those who bought
Wonder what those who bought in to the Nissan Leaf model think about this?
Above article prompted a look at prices on Autotrader - a 2012, 12 plate Leaf, 4000 miles on the clock supplied through Nissan dealer network - £15k. And that's the sellers price, not it's actual value - I'm guessing trade-in value around £13- £14k (Anyone know for sure?) How much did it cost new last year? Ouch! And it can still only travel 40 odd miles in the real world before the drivers trousers turn brown.
With depreciation still the biggest factor in motoring costs (surely this A3 will be one of the least depreciating cars on the market?), I'd expect the A3 e-tron makes financial as well as eco warrior sense.
At last...
...after multiple miscarriages, Audi brings us a car that could be just right for many a buyers.
A clarification whether the price quoted includes the government £5,000 grant will be welcome.
It will get £5k grant as it
It will get £5k grant as it can do 30miles under electric power.
Taking it to the same price roughly as an A3 2.0TDI S-line tronic. So its good value with the grant. Free tax disc too.