Audi's first EV to cost about $60K

Audi has confirmed European media speculation that its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the A3 Sportback e-tron, will command a 3500-4500 Euro price premium over the A3 1.4 TFSI upon which it’s based, at around 38,000 Euro in Germany.

That’s the equivalent of about $51,500 in Australia, where the A3 e-tron will become Audi’s first electrified vehicle when it goes on sale in 2015.

However, Audi Australia has indicated that its first electrified vehicle will be positioned in line with or slightly below the new S3 Sportback, which will cost between $65,000 and $70,000, potentially making it more expensive than Australia's only existing plug-in hybrid, the Holden Volt ($59,990).

Although the latest A3 three-door will not be sold here, the new A3 five-door went on sale Down Under in May, priced from $35,600 plus on-road costs for the A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI S-tronic -- $5600 less than the model it replaces.

The initial line-up of two petrol and two diesel engines will be supplemented by a second 1.4 TFSI variant with advanced variable-displacement engine technology in October, followed by the all-new A3 sedan and S3 Sportback in the first quarter of next year.

When it arrives here about a year later, the e-tron will top the third-generation A3 range, which is currently headed by the A3 Sportback 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI ($42,500).

However, the entry-level sub-$36,000 A3 1.4 TFSI is a base Ambition-spec model that does without a host of premium features including satellite-navigation, all of which will be fitted as standard in the range-topping e-tron variant, for which Audi Australia will also make a considerable investment in training and marketing.

The A3 e-tron will also offer a zero-emissions all-electric driving range of up to 50km and combined fuel consumption of just 1.5L/100km, which equates to about 35g/km of CO2 emissions according to the ECE’s PHEV efficiency standard, making it more than twice as efficient as a Toyota Prius.

At the same time, it will accelerate to 100km/h in a claimed 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 222km/h (and 130km/h in EV mode), placing the Audi ahead of the average small hatchback on both scales of performance.

The key to the A3 e-tron’s performance is the combination of Audi’s familiar 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four and an all-new 75kW/330Nm electric motor, which together output a healthy 150kW/350Nm.

A new six-speed dual-clutch e-S-tronic transmission and dual-mass flywheel are sandwiched between the engine and motor, allowing it to be driven like a conventional automatic petrol vehicle, in pure EV mode or with a combination of both for maximum performance.

An 8.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack is mounted under the rear seat, while a 40-litre fuel tank is mounted above and slightly behind the rear axle, allowing a full 280 litres of cargo space that extends to 1120 litres with the 60/40-split rear seatback folded.

The motor weighs just 34kg, bringing the car’s total weight to 1580kg. Total range is 940km and the A3 e-tron’s battery can be fully charged at home in three hours and 45 minutes, or in two hours with an industrial fast-charger.

In Europe, where first deliveries will take in early 2014, owners will be able to manage a range of vehicle functions via their smartphone. They include the ability to check battery charge and the full range of trip computer functions, as well as to schedule charging.

For example, owners can schedule the majority of charging to take place overnight using off-peak power, with the last 10 per cent immediately prior to, say, 7.00am – thereby ensuring the drive system is fully charged and heated to its optimum 25-degree operating temperature for the drive to work.

Of course, owners can also choose to drive the vehicle using petrol power only after the battery is depleted, in which case the engine will fully charge it in about an hour at a constant 130km/h – longer in stop-start city traffic.

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