In the next two weeks, Audi is going to introduce its latest Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at the Geneva Motor Show, which is hosted annually in Geneva, Switzerland. The latest A3 e-tron propulsion system comprises a 1.4 litre TFSI turbocharged gasoline combustion engine that produces 148 HP, and an electric motor that provides an additional 101 HP.
It utilizes a newly designed e-S tronic six-speed transmission that turns the front wheels.
The electric motor and gas engine mentioned above provide the vehicle in total with 350 Newton-metres, or 258.1 ft-lbs of torque, and 201 HP.
These motors propel the vehicle from 0 to 62 MPH (100 km/h) in 7.6 seconds, and to a maximum velocity of 138 MPH (222 km/h). This is not bad for a plug-in hybrid, but it isn’t uncommon for hybrids to achieve this. For example: the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid does it in 2.9 seconds, and can attain a top speed of 198 mph; the Lexus RS450h AWD hybrid SUV does it in 7.4 seconds; and the Lexus LS 600h L does it in 5.6 seconds.
According to the ECE standard for plug-in hybrid automobiles, the Audi A3 e-tron requires only 1.5 litres of fuel per 100 km traveled — this translated to 156.8 MPG (U.S. rating) or 188 MPG (UK rating). Its CO2 emissions are 35 g/km when the electric motor is in constant use. This PHEV has three driving modes:
Electric mode: In this mode, it relies only on electricity and can travel 31 miles (50 km) per charge. It can attain a top speed of 81 MPH (130 km/h) in this mode. Hybrid mode: This involves the combined use of the electric motor and gasoline engine. The vehicle can attain a speed of 138 MPH in this mode. Gasoline-only: This involves the use of the gasoline combustion engine alone.
