The 2009 International Motor Show Germany included the debut of the e-tron concept car. Four UQM Technologies motors[26] power a two-seater that looks somewhat smaller than the Audi R8 and has four-wheel drive. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds thanks to its combined 313 PS (230 kW; 309 horsepower) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lbft) of torque.
In front of the rear axle is a 470 kg (1,036 lb) 42.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that has a range of about 248 km (154 mi)[27] and can be fully charged in 68 hours using a regular household outlet. Both ceramic disc brakes and regenerative braking are present. [28] Audi started a development program in 2010 with the goal of producing a R8 e-tron with a limited run. [29] [30] In the 2013 Marvel Studios film Iron Man 3, the R8 e-tron had a brief appearance. [31]
After creating 10 prototypes for testing and research, Audi opted to stop building the electric vehicle in May 2013 due to its short all-electric range and the fact that battery technology had not developed as quickly as Audi had anticipated, rendering the R8 e-tron unworkable for mass production.
[32] Audi changed its mind in March 2014 and declared it would construct the R8 e-tron upon request. The automaker stated that their most recent research work boosted the range from 215 km (134 mi) to roughly 450 km (280 mi). [33]
In This Article...
What caused the A3 e-tron to be retired?
Due to the implementation of WLTP emissions standards, Audi has discontinued the A3 Sportback e-tron, joining a number of other plug-in hybrid vehicles, such as the Audi Q7 e-tron.
The German company said that procedural changes, not other factors like sales success, were to blame for the adjustment. In the UK last year, 637 A3 Sportback e-trons were sold in total.
The A3 e-tron is still produced by Audi?
In 2018, Audi did decide to stop making the A3 Sportback E-Tron in favor of other models, however the vehicle is still obtainable secondhand.
Is the Audi A3 e-tron a good investment?
Although the base 2018 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron Premium is a well-equipped luxury compact, many desirable technology options are not available. Only the top-of-the-line Prestige includes all the technology and active safety features that many premium purchasers want, while the Premium Plus provides more alternatives.
Why is the Audi e-tron flawed?
2019 Audi e-tron vehicles are being recalled by NHTSA due to problems with moisture accumulation in the electrical system.
A poor seal on the system’s charging socket can allow moisture to get inside the high voltage system of the car and accumulate there. The Audi e-tron may short circuit as a result of this moisture accumulation in the high-voltage electrical system of the vehicle.
The risk of a car fire might significantly increase as a result of moisture accumulation in the e-high tron’s voltage system. When the “electrical system: fault” warning light appears on the Audi e-tron display, drivers should immediately halt their vehicle.
Make sure you park your car outside, away from buildings, and without charging it. To have your car taken somewhere secure, outside, and away from buildings, call Audi Roadside Assistance, AAA, or a towing service.
How long does the battery last on an Audi A3 Etron?
Since the sole six-speed S tronic automatic version of the A3 Sportback e-tron was available, all of them share the same mechanical components. An 8.8kWh battery pack allows for a maximum theoretical range of 584 miles while utilizing both gasoline and electricity.
For the A3 e-tron, there was only one trim level initially offered, although it had a substantial amount of equipment. The 17-inch alloy wheels, GPS, eight-speaker stereo with DAB, sports seats, dual-zone climate control, and multifunction steering wheel were all included for the buyers. All versions came standard with front and rear power windows, parking sensors, automatic headlights, and wipers.
White, black, and red were the only conventional colors; however, 15 other metallic and pearlescent shades were also offered, including silver, red, blue, green, grey, black, and white. All e-tron interiors were equipped with fabric trim as standard, although leather or leather and Alcantara trim could be had for a fee.
Other optional extras for the front seats exclusively were heated seats, electric lumbar adjustment, and electric adjustability. A fixed panoramic glass roof, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, cruise control (with adaptive cruise control, which costs extra money again), privacy glass, a rear parking camera, and front parking sensors are other features that you might wish to focus on.
Alternatives
The Volkswagen Golf GTE, which is fundamentally identical to the Audi A3 e-tron, is its main opponent. There isn’t much to differentiate them in terms of the driving experience, and both have really high-quality interiors. Additionally, their running expenses are probably going to be fairly comparable.
If the hatchback design is not necessary, you should consider the BMW 330e or Mercedes C 350 e, both plug-in hybrid vehicles that are only available in saloon form for the BMW and an estate version for the Mercedes. These vehicles are wonderful to drive, well crafted, and simple to live with, as you would expect from the brands that represent them.
The i3, which is offered as a range-extender or in pure-electric form, is another BMW that is worthwhile of consideration. The latter claims to have a range of up to 206 miles when combined with a tiny petrol motorbike engine; the electric-only model reduces this to just 125 miles.
Verdict
One of the sleekest vehicles in its class, if not the sleekest of them all, is the Audi A3. By releasing a plug-in hybrid that wasn’t as stunning as all of the other vehicles in the A3 lineup, Audi was never going to compromise. As a result, even if it’s not the cheapest option available, you can be confident that the A3 Sportback e-tron will be enjoyable to own.
As with any plug-in hybrid, the price is substantially higher than the same A3 model with a diesel or petrol engine. You must determine whether the cost is worthwhile, as our sister publication Auto Express noted in its initial evaluation of the A3 Sportback e-tron: “Compared to competing range-extenders, the hybrid configuration feels less well-resolved, and the drive is weakened by the heavier batteries. Finally, if you drive a lot, your fuel economy will suffer.”
Checklist
- Owners can communicate with their e-tron with a free app. This shows the battery pack’s current charge level and fuel consumption information. It also makes it possible to remotely adjust the climate control using a smartphone. You may also remotely control charging.
- As a plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback e-tron features a larger battery pack (8.8 kWh) than a conventional hybrid. It is able to go up to 31 miles in electric-only mode as a result.
- According to manufacturer estimates, the A3 Sportback e-tron may be fully charged in two hours 15 minutes or three hours and 45 minutes using a wallbox.
- There is an active bonnet installed, which means that in the case of a collision with a pedestrian, it will rise to provide protection. Sadly, it may also appear if an animal is struck, resulting in a significant price to make things right.
- Make sure the vehicle has both of the two charging cables that come standard with the e-tron. One is for using at home, while the other is for usage at public charging stations.
- When the back seats are folded, the e-boot tron’s can accommodate 1220 liters and 280 liters, respectively. 380 and 1,220 liters are the equivalent for A3s with conventional engines, which also come with 50 or 55-liter gasoline tanks as opposed to the e-40-liter tron’s capacity.
Running costs
- 29-33 insurance groups
- MPg on average: 166176
- emissions of CO2: 3739 g/km
Although the A3 Sportback e-overall tron’s warranty was limited for three years, the battery pack’s warranty is for eight years or 100,000 miles. The interval between minor and major maintenance is set at 12 months or 9,000 kilometers. These cost $170 and $335, respectively, at the time of writing (October 2019), and a brake fluid change was also necessary every two years and cost an additional $65.
Every five years or 140,000 miles, the 1.4-liter TSI petrol engine that powers the e-tron needs to have its cambelt replaced. An authorized Audi dealer will charge a fairly high 725 for this service.
The Audi e-tron is manufactured where?
A media rumor claims that due to great demand, Audi plans to begin producing its Zwickau-made Q4 e-tron electric SUV in Brussels starting in November 2022. The VW planning meeting on December 9 will be where the final decision is taken.
According to business circles, Automobilwoche reported this. The Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback are currently constructed in the VW facility in Zwickau, Saxony, alongside other MEB vehicles, specifically the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and Cupra Born. At Skoda’s primary manufacturing facility in Mlada Boleslav, only the Skoda Enyaq is built as a MEB model.
The Volkswagen brand has already raised the possibility of using the Wolfsburg factory for excess production because to the generally high demand. However, it appears that Audi is also thinking about constructing the Q4 e-tron in a second factory in the future. The decision is alleged to have been taken in favor of the Belgian facility in Brussels and against the Neckarsulm combustion engine location.
Since 2018, Audi has solely produced the e-tron quattro and its Sportback derivative in Brussels. The larger Audi SUV is still built on the MLB Evo combustion engine platform, unlike the MEB model Q4 e-tron. Brussels is also where the e-tron quattro’s batteries are put together. It is unknown if MEB battery packs will be shipped pre-assembled or if Audi will follow suit with the Q4 e-tron.
What is certain, however, is what will occur at the Brussels factory starting in 2026: as Audi CEO Markus Duesmann stated at a local event in November, Audi aims to start producing the Q8 e-tron in Belgium at that time. While the e-tron quattro (technically connected to the internal combustion model Q5) and the future Q6 e-tron (from Ingolstadt from 2023) are in a different class, the huge electric SUV is projected to be about the same size as the internal combustion model Q7.
The overflow production of the Q4 e-tron would be a huge success for Brussels if the planning round next week is successful. The factory likely also bid to produce the Audi Artemis vehicle, but the Hanover plant of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles won the contract. The German plant in Neckarsulm, where, according to the source, expectations had also been banked on gaining production of an electric car model, would have lost to Brussels if the information from Automobilwoche is accurate.
Audi Etron has it been retired?
The automaker revealed its plans to produce a plug-in hybrid version of the A3 in June 2012.
[40]
[41][42] The 2013 Geneva Motor Show saw the introduction of the plug-in hybrid concept vehicle. [43] The Volkswagen Golf GTE plug-in hybrid shares the same fundamental powertrain hardware as the Audi A3 e-tron, but each vehicle has unique software controls. [44] Audi said in May 2013 that it would only make the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron in a plug-in hybrid configuration. [45] [46] The 8.8 kWh battery pack in the A3 Sportback e-tron provides an all-electric range of 50 kilometers (31 miles) on the NEDC cycle and a total of 940 kilometers (580 mi). The plug-in hybrid’s top speed is 220 km/h (140 mph), and it needs 7.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph). The vehicle’s average fuel efficiency is 1.25 L/100 km (188 mpg US), and its CO2 emissions are 35 g/km, according to Audi. [45] [46]
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2013, Audi revealed that the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron will start at 37,000 euros ($44578.31) in Germany.
[47] Early in 2015, the vehicle is also expected in Australia. [48] On August 1, 2014, Audi stated that the car is now available for purchase at the company’s 410 dealerships[48] throughout Europe, with prices beginning at 37,900 (US$45662.65). [49]
In August 2014, Germany registered its first 227 automobiles.
[50] Through September 2014, 415 vehicles had been registered globally, 250 of which were in Germany, according to JATO Dynamics[51]. [52]
In the U.S., retail sales were planned to start in the early part of 2015.
[1] Audi America President Scott Keogh stated in a video from April 2015 that the “price point is going to be approximately $40,000,” however he did not specify whether this was before or after tax credits. [53]
In November 2018, Audi stopped selling the A3 PHEV Sportback e-tron in Europe.
[54] However, the vehicle was briefly re-released for MY20 at the tail end of 2019 under the new name convention for Audi, the A3 Sportback 40 e-tron. Audi’s virtual cockpit was added as standard equipment on the updated A3 e-tron in the UK, replacing the previously standard LED headlights. The updated model used the same battery and motor as previously, but the new WLTP test now rates its electric range at 22 miles. [55] [56]
Will the Audi A3 be entirely electric?
The brand-new Audi A3 40 TFSI e variant advertises 201 horsepower, 31 g/km of CO2 emissions, and a 41-mile electric-only range. A new A3 Sportback plug-in hybrid version’s specifications have been confirmed by Audi. Prices for the new model start at 33,060 this week, and orders can be placed.
Audi might produce an electrified A3.
According to media sources, as part of its expedited electric car path, Audi will only offer its little A3 model in pure electric form for the next generation anticipated in 2027.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the new A3 e-tron will be based on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) with unit battery cells developed by the Volkswagen Group. The “traditional compact automobile layout based on the MEB from the Ingolstadt automakers” is unlikely to include an e-model.
Markus Duesmann, the head of Audi, unveiled the “Vorsprung 2030 plan” in August of last year. This once again said that new models would only be introduced with electric drive starting in 2026 and that the production of combustion engines would be gradually phased out by 2033. Therefore, it seems sense that the Audi A3 generation of 2027 will exclusively be offered as an electric vehicle.
According to Auto Motor und Sport, the Scalable Systems Platform will serve as the foundation for the electric A3 (SSP). In keeping with its “New Auto” philosophy, VW debuted this last year. VW only provided a few essential SSP details. An “800 Volt Flex system is to become the standard for the mechatronic platform,” according to Audi CEO Markus Duesmann, who also oversees group research. In 2026, the first car based on the SSP is expected to hit the market. From that point forward, “all significant future models, for all brands and types, are to be built on this platform, with outputs ranging from 85 to 850 kW.