Audi reduces pricing on new A3 e-tron hatch

Audi New Zealand is reducing the retail price on the latest incarnation of the Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

The recommend retail price for the new A3 e-tron Sport has reduced to $69,900 plus on-road costs, from the previous model’s price tag of $74,990.

Customers can opt for the $6000 e-tron technology package, which includes 18-inch Turbine alloys, adaptive cruise control, virtual cockpit, smartphone integration, LED headlights, side assist, park assist, active lane assist, and high beam assist.

For 2017, the A3 e-tron Sport now mirrors the rest of the A3 range with an exterior redesign, an expanding suite of driver assistance systems, and increased technology.

The A3 e-tron Sport combines a 1.4-litre 110kW/ 250Nm TFSI four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor producing 75kW and 330Nm, providing the car with a zero to 100km/h sprint of 7.6 seconds, and combined fuel economy of 1.7l/100km.

It is the second-fastest member of the A3 family behind the S3 Sportback.

Audi says the disc-shaped electric motor is integrated into the six-speed S-Tronic transmission designed particularly for the A3 Sportback e-tron.

The flat lithium ion battery is installed under the rear seat and takes around 3 hours and 45 minutes to charge using a household three-pin 10-amp electrical outlet.

Audi New Zealand is covering the 8.8kWh battery with an eight-year 160,000km warranty.

It will run in pure electric mode for up to 50km, and in parallel, with the petrol engine, the car can travel up to 890km.

Audi New Zealand general manager Dean Sheed says the A3 PHEV offers owners the best of both worlds.

“Not only will people appreciate not having to go to the petrol station as often as they may have done previously, but they will also understand that an overnight charge will cost around a $1.10 which equates to 30 cents a litre of fuel,” says Sheed.

By 2025 Audi says one-third of its global production volume will be electric vehicles.