"Audi For Life" (audiforlife)
11/04/2014 at 11:05 • Filed to: Audi, A3 Sportback e-tron, Photography, Quattrofest
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"Audi For Life" (audiforlife)
11/04/2014 at 11:05 • Filed to: Audi, A3 Sportback e-tron, Photography, Quattrofest | 1
| 10 |
Back in the first half of 2012, Audi produced a small number of A3 e-tron concept cars that were plug-in electric cars based on the 2nd generation A3 Sportback. Although it proved that an A3 EV would be feasible, Audi decided that an extended-range plug-in hybrid would be the best route to go down. With that, the A3 Sportback e-tron concept, based on the new A3 riding on the MQB platform, was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Audi of America later announced that the A3 Sportback e-tron would be available for sale in the United States for the 2016 model year.
Before the A3 Sportback e-tron would be on display at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, Audi of America brought four of the ten e-trons in the United States to be displayed at Audi Club Northwest's signature event: Quattrofest. At Quattrofest, there were two red A3 Sportback e-trons equipped with LED headlights and two blue A3 Sportback e-trons equipped with Xenon headlights.
All Audi A3 Sportback e-trons are powered by a 150 HP 1.4 TFSI petrol engine that is mated to a 102 HP electric motor plus a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The electric motor feeds off of a 8.8 kWh lithium ion battery pack and, when combined with the petrol engine, has a total power rating of 204 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. Expected battery-only range is around 14 to 19 miles and there are several options in the MMI system to control when the electric motor and petrol engine engage and how much brake regeneration is done to help recharge the battery pack.
Along with the e-trons, there were representatives from Audi of America at the event to provide a few rides in the e-trons and to answer questions that the attendees had. The e-tron was also available for viewing at the banquet that Saturday night.
The 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron should start to be available for sale around September 2015, along with the upcoming 2.0 TDI powered 2016 Audi A3 Sportback.
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bob and john
> Audi For Life
11/04/2014 at 11:14 |
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this would word brilliantly for my mother....any idea if they come in sedan form as well?
CB
> Audi For Life
11/04/2014 at 11:15 |
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Okay, that's pretty cool.
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Audi For Life
> bob and john
11/04/2014 at 11:17 |
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For now, the A3 e-tron will only be available in Sportback form. I think the reason why they opted for the Sportback version first is that the amount of space eaten up by the electronics and battery have less of an impact in hatch form compared to eating into precious sedan trunk space.
Milky
> CB
11/04/2014 at 11:19 |
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My first thought too. Makes you interact with the company's logo in a positive way everyday, good job on that one.
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bob and john
> Audi For Life
11/04/2014 at 11:22 |
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hmm, dam. We already have a 2010 A3 TDI hatch, and my mom cant STAND driving hatchs.....
they are AWD right? might help to convince her...
Cé hé sin
> Audi For Life
11/04/2014 at 11:34 |
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This would be as opposed to the proposed A1 e tron which would have had one of these, a little rotary
charging the battery rather than directly powering the wheels.
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Audi For Life
> bob and john
11/04/2014 at 11:38 |
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Front-wheel drive. It'll probably be a number of years until e-quattro becomes available in any Audi.
duurtlang
> Audi For Life
11/04/2014 at 11:41 |
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I believe these are available in Europe already. They cost so much more than a normal A3 they don't make any financial sense. If you drive a lot the range is prohibitive and a diesel will be cheaper to run, if you don't drive enough you won't ever recoup the price premium.
German market prices (excluding taxes)
Base A3: €18.7k (admittedly slower)
Base A3 Sportback: €19.4k
Base A3 sedan: €20.8k
Base A3 TDI Sportback: €21.8k
Base A3 Sportback e-tron: € 31.8k
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Audi For Life
> duurtlang
11/04/2014 at 12:00 |
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Agreed that the TDI is still the best way to go overall. That said, the US wants its EVs, ER-EVs, plug-in hybrids, etc. over diesels.
That said, I wouldn't mind Audi exploring the world of electric cars and finding a way to supplement quattro with electric motors and super-capacitors.
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bob and john
> duurtlang
11/04/2014 at 13:04 |
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HOW MUCH?!?!?!?