Audi to show the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at Geneva
21 February 2013
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| A3 e-tron. Click to enlarge. |
Audi will showcase the A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Audi A3 e-tron delivers 150 kW (204 hp) of system power and 350 nm (258 lb-ft) of system torque; projected fuel consumption is 1.5 liters per 100 km (157 mpg US), according to the ECE standard for plug-in hybrid automobiles. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of 35 grams per km (56 g/mile).
The A3 e-tron accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.6 seconds, and has a top speed of 222 km/h (138 mph). In electric mode, the Audi A3 e-tron reaches a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and has a maximum range of 50 km (31 miles).
The combustion engine is a modified 1.4 TFSI producing 110 kW (150 hp). A clutch links the TFSI to an electric motor with an output of 75 kW. The disc-shaped electric motor is integrated into a newly designed six-speed e-S tronic, which transfers the power to the front wheels.
The two powerplants complement one another. The electric motor delivers its peak torque from start to around 2000 rpm, and the TFSI’s maximum pulling power is available in a range from 1,750 to 4,000 rpm.
The Audi A3 e-tron can be driven with just the combustion engine, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. The driver can choose to have both powerplants active at the same time (“boosting”). When the driver lets up on the accelerator, they both deactivate temporarily (“gliding”). In this way motor braking torque is eliminated and efficiency increases.
IMPRESSIVE, but likely with MSRP to match.
Posted by: kelly | 21 February 2013 at 08:43 AM
Appears to be a VOLT chaser. With both power plants active the regen function only engages when brake is applied? - how is this effective downhill? Without this braking toque it is a different feel from EVs I've driven.
Don't see specs on the battery, though is appears to be somewhat less than the 16kW Volt. Good luck Audi. You have a lot of catching up to do.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 21 February 2013 at 09:48 AM
Folk don't actually realise the breadth and depth of what the VW group including Audi are doing in electrification.
They have a completely new platform, which was designed from the start to take a host of alternative engines and drives trains with minimal alteration so that short production runs are viable.
The MQB platform covers everything above the tiny Up, as far as their SUVs.
On it they can put a natural gas drivetrain, fuel cells, BEVs or plug in hybrids.
Their main effort though is going to plug ins, with Volt like EV range:
'A PowerPoint slide displayed to the five journalists in attendance showed a plug-in hybrid version of the Porsche 918 Spyder going into production in 2013—followed by no fewer than six plug-in hybrids beginning in 2014. That list included plug-in hybrid versions of the Audi A3, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7, as well as PHEV variants of the VW Golf and Passat. This lineup would be added to—rather than replacing—the VW e-up! and e-Golf that will be introduced in Europe in later this year. He did not specify how many of the future PHEVs would be sold in the United States—but gave the impression that VW was seeking a leadership role in plug-in cars in all global markets, in order to achieve the 3-percent target in five years.'
http://www.plugincars.com/vw-ev-chief-we-want-lead-electrification-125999.html#comment-25447
Although what they are up to is being almost ignored by the US media, they are aiming to own the plug in hybrid drive space, and have invested billions to do this, although some have released earlier than them they are, IMO, the toughest competitor of the lot.
GM, Ford, and everyone else had better watch out.
Posted by: Davemart | 21 February 2013 at 12:57 PM