2020 Audi A3 (4th Generation)

The new Audi A3 plug-in hybrid now gets 88 miles of all-electric range

And brings with it 50kW DC fast charging too. Happy days

Having renewed its A3 hatchback lineup earlier this year, Audi has now introduced a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) which achieves 88 miles of clean, green driving courtesy of a 25.7kW battery. EV anoraks will note that automatically sends it close to the top of the hybrid range list too.

The A3 Sportback ‘40 TFSI e’ as it’s called (what happened to ditching the confusing nomenclature naming system, Audi?), even gains 50kW DC fast charging for the first time. That’ll result in a 10-80 per cent recharge in under 30 minutes.

The powertrain itself is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-pot aided by a busy little permanent synchronous motor and a six-speed S Tronic gearbox. Together, this lot forms a 201bhp/258lb ft package with a 0-62mph time of 7.4s and a top speed of 140mph (or 87mph in EV mode).

Expect the PHEV to hit showrooms this November, with prices starting at £39,150. Yeesh, when did the Audi A3 get so expensive?

 
Refreshed Audi A3 to switch to mild-hybrid 1.5 TFSI in SA

Audi SA says the facelifted A3 range will switch to a mild-hybrid 1.5 TFSI engine when it launches locally in early 2025, while also ditching “lower-rung” trim levels…

The facelifted Audi A3 Sportback and A3 Sedan are due to launch locally in early 2025, with the Ingolstadt-based firm’s local division confirming the “35 TFSI” derivatives will switch to a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine featuring mild-hybrid technology.

Though this will be the sole powertrain option at launch in Mzansi, the German automaker says the updated 8Y-series A3 range – a generation that arrived in SA in July 2021 – will be expanded “with sportier derivatives” (we’re guessing in the form of the likewise revised S3 and RS3) later in 2025.

As a reminder, the 35 TFSI derivatives in the outgoing (pre-facelift) A3 portfolio in Mzansi each employ a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol motor. Interestingly, the incoming 1.5-litre 4-pot generates the same peak outputs of 110 kW and 250 Nm, though swaps from an 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (and gains the aforementioned 48-volt mild-hybrid gubbins).

Though detailed powertrain specifications for the local market have yet to be released, Audi’s international press material lists a 0-100 kph time of 8.1 seconds for the front-wheel-drive 35 TFSI variants, along with a combined fuel economy range of 5.2 to 5.9 L/100 km.

 
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