Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim costs $42,000, while the range-topping Prestige model carries a base price of $46,800.
Advertisement
All A3 e-trons regardless of trim level are powered by a 204-horsepower gasoline-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain made up of a turbocharged 1.4-liter TFSI engine, a six-speed automatic transmission that spins the front wheels and an electric motor.
Even with a bit of delay, this A3 will still be the first Audi plug-in model offered in the U.S., beating the 2017 Q7 e-tron plug-in hybrid SUV and the all-electric R8 e-tron to the punch. For most buyers, the A3 Sportback e-tron will be eligible for $4168 in federal tax credits, with additional incentives possible depending on your state’s fiscal enthusiasm for plug-ins. The system has total output of 204 hp and 258 lbs.-ft. of torque.
While other versions of the A3 are sold in the U.S. only as four-door sedans or two-door convertibles, the e-tron will be available only as a Sportback five-door hatchback.
The European-market A3 e-tron gets 31 miles of electric-only driving range, but the U.S.-market A3 e-tron’s EV range will likely vary because of the different testing cycles used by U.S. and E.U. regulators.
Advertisement
Optional equipment will include Audi’s MMI infotainment system with a 7-inch dashboard screen, and a host of electronic aids that include adaptive cruise control, active lane-keeping assist, and forward-collision mitigation. The 8.8 kWh battery under the rear seats charges in around 2 hrs 15 minutes when the port behind the four-ring Audi logo is hooked up to a 240V outlet. Fuel economy figures will be published closer to the e-tron’s launch date. It is a package that makes the A3 Sportback e-tron a versatile choice for the full array of daily commuting challenges, some of which can be handled on battery power alone. A smartphone app will show charging status remotely, as well as allow the climate control to be adjusted.
