New Audi A3 Sportback Hybrid 40 TFSI e

Audi Ireland has confirmed that a new Audi A3 Sportback with plug-in hybrod technology will debut in Ireland in January 2021.

The new Audi A3 range went on sale here over the summer and is available as a five door hatchback or four door saloon with a range of petrol and diesel engines.

The new Audi A3 hybrid will be badged 40 TFSI e and will have 204 hp and can be driven on electric power alone for a limited range up to 67 kilometres (WLTP). A more powerful variant will follow shortly after.

The new A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e is the latest new plug-in hybrid model from Audi , which already includes the A6, A7, A8, Q5, and Q7.  The A3 hybrid uses a 1.4 TFSI with an electric motor and six-speed S tronic automatic gearbox. When the engine and motor are working together with maximum boost, the system torque reaches 350 Nm. The compact plug-in hybrid model sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds on its way to a top speed of 227 km/h.

When the A3 PHEV is in hybrid mode, the two drives divide the work intelligently. Two special modes can be selected via the MMI operating system: “Battery hold” and “Battery charge.” In “hold” mode, the available battery charge is held at the current level. In “charge” mode, as much electricity as possible is supplied to the battery.

Audi drive select also features in the hybrid and offers comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual driving profiles.

Audi says that it will take slightly more than four hours to fully recharge a completely empty battery. Customers can control the charging times with the free myAudi app.

Hybrid-specific functions and displays have been added to the operating concept of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e. The powermeter in the digital instrument cluster – or in the optional Audi virtual cockpit – displays the system’s output, the status of the drive, the recuperation, the battery’s state of charge, and the range. The central 10.1-inch MMI display shows the energy flows.

Equipment includes LED headlights, a leather multifunction steering wheel, two-zone automatic air conditioning system, Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning, turn assist, and swerve assist.