2021 Audi A3

Athletic details dial up the overall aggressive design of the A3 Sedan. The sharp, signature Singleframe® grille finished in titanium black leads the way while the available full LED headlights add distinction and greater visibility on the road ahead.

Step inside. The interior of the A3 is a whole new world. The minimalist design is constructed with beautifully textured materials and is full of thoughtful design details.

The available Audi virtual cockpit can make for a highly elevated driving experience. Set in a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display, the Audi virtual cockpit allows you to customize information such as available Audi MMI® Navigation plus and audio as well as access Google Earth™. The Audi virtual cockpit offers classic and infotainment modes for customized, streamlined use.

On the road, shifts happen. Constantly moving vehicles, traffic and obstacles. The Audi suite of available driver assistance technologies can help alert you to some of the unpredictable shifts that come your way.

Get more out of your life's adventures by equipping your Audi vehicle with Audi Genuine Accessories. Make it truly yours by adding versatility, craftsmanship and style to an already bold personal statement.

Source - Audi

Efficiency – charging comfort – everyday usability: the plug-in hybrids from Audi

Audi is rapidly expanding its range of plug-in hybrid models. The latest models of the A3 Sportback, Q3, and Q3 Sportback, as well as the Q8 complement the portfolio in the compact segment and full-size class. Their common strengths are a confident driving experience, straightforward charging management, and great everyday usability. These three strengths make up the fundamental target triangle in the development work for the plug-in hybrid models at Audi.
Audi is now offering its PHEV models (PHEV = plug-in hybrid vehicle) in seven product lines. After the large A6, A7 Sportback, A8, and Q7 models, the offering became available to the compact class with the new A3 Sportback in the summer of 2020. The Audi Q8 followed in the fall. The Q3 and Q3 Sportback are the most recent plug-in hybrid models. The compact SÚVs constitute the new entry into the world of electrified Q models. All current plug-in hybrid models from Audi carry the 'TFSI e' abbreviation.





In 'Auto Hybrid' mode, which is the main operating mode, the TFSI and the electric motor divide up the work intelligently and with maximum efficiency, using fully electric power at low speeds, predominantly the TFSI engine at higher speeds, and often a combination of the two. The electric motor provides support when accelerating or wherever there is a high load requirement.

When the driver depresses the accelerator firmly, the interplay between the electric motor and the gasoline engine creates a powerful boost. When accelerating from low rotational speeds, for example, the electric motor bridges the tenths of a second that the turbocharger needs to build up pressure. When driving at consistent rotational speeds, it sometimes functions as an alternator, thereby shifting the load point of the TFSI to operating ranges with higher efficiency. The predictive operating strategy helps with consumption reduction and recuperation in driving operation. In hybrid mode and when route guidance is activated, it controls the powertrain in such a way that the battery charge is distributed intelligently across the entire driving route.
It evaluates data from the navigation system, sensors, and assist systems continuously. The predictive operating strategy takes real-time events such as traffic jams or dense city traffic into account and adapts its calculations to the driver's style. Based on this information, it calculates a rough plan for the journey.



As soon as the driver takes their foot off the accelerator pedal, the hybrid management system and the predictive efficiency assist jointly decide between the two possibilities of letting the models coast with deactivated drive or decelerating them – like in the case of the A3 and Q8 – via the electric motor and recuperating. When the automatic transmission is in S gear, all models go into distinctive coasting recuperation.

The electric motor performs brake operations up to around 0.3 g alone – i.e. the vast majority of decelerations in everyday driving – and recovers energy. Only when the driver depresses the brake pedal more heavily do the hydraulic wheel brakes come into play as well, activated by an electric brake booster. The transition is almost unnoticeable and is referred to as brake blending. The brake pedal always provides excellent feedback and can be modulated precisely. Recuperation remains active. While braking, the A3 TFSI e and the Q3 TFSI e recover up to 40 kW of energy; the Q8 TFSI e quattro recovers up to 80 kW.

Special displays inform the driver about the activity of the drive. Aside from the current system output being demanded, the digital instrument cluster displays the Audi drive select mode and drive mode, as well as the state of charge of the battery. It also shows the electric range and total range. The central MMI display visualizes the flow of energy as well as the portion of the distance driven using the combustion engine and the electric motor.

Convenient charging management at home and on the road
The second aspect of the target triangle of Audi development is charging management. The PHEVs in the compact class charge with 2.9 kW and 3.6 kW, respectively, while the medium-size class and full-size class models charge with up to 7.4 kW. For example, it takes between twoand-a-half and four-and-a-half hours to charge the battery using an industrial power socket.Due to their greater electric consumption, the larger classes have a bigger battery and consequently a higher charging capacity.


Most PHEV customers charge their vehicles once or twice a day, usually in their own garage in the evenings or at work. If desired, they can use certified Volkswagen Naturstrom at home, which is generated from 100-percent-renewable energy sources.
According to a study conducted by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, 95 percent of all private journeys in Germany are less than 50 kilometers (31.1 mi) long, and 99 percent are less than 100 kilometers (62.1 mi) long. This means that the Audi plug-in hybrid models cover the common customer profile. The Q8 55 TFSI e** covers up to 59 kilometers (36.7 mi) on fully electric power in the NEDC, and the Q3 and Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** cover up to 61 kilometers (37.9 mi). The compact A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e** can drive up to 78 kilometers (48.5 mi) with zero local emissions.

The e-tron Charging Service from Audi ensures convenient charging while on the road. With just one card, it grants access to around 155,000 AC charging points in 26 European countries. All plug-in hybrid models from Audi come with two cables as standard: the compact charging system with a cable for domestic and industrial power sockets and a mode 3 cable with a type 2 plug for public charging terminals.

The myAudi app makes everyday life even more convenient by allowing customers to use the Audi connect services on their smartphones. Customers can check the battery and range status remotely, start charging processes, program the charge timer, and access the charge and consumption statistics. The app and the car display the charging stations at the current location as well as the destination. The app can also be used to heat or cool the car before setting off. Customers can preserve the vehicle's electric range by using electricity from an electric outlet for this. Depending on the how they are equipped, they can also activate heating of the steering wheel, seats, mirror, windshield, and rear window as well as the seat ventilation via the preentry climate control.

Make room: high everyday usability
The third aspect in the target triangle is everyday usability. This initially arises from the first two matters of frequent electric operation and straightforward charging management. However, a decent amount of space for passengers and luggage as well as a high level of variability for everyday and leisure-related tasks are equally important. The lithium-ion battery of the plug-in hybrid models features a space-saving and compact design and is integrated in the vehicle structure. Its installation position is based on the technology platform: In the PHEV models with a longitudinally mounted engine (MLB), it is located below the luggage compartment. In the models with a transverse engine (MQB), it is positioned in front of the rear axle, and the fuel tank is located below the trunk. Although the loading floor is raised slightly as compared to the conventional models, it does not feature a step. This creates an even surface with no restrictions when it comes to loading the vehicle. A trailer hitch – usually with the same
towing capacity as the conventional counterpart – is continuously available, with the exception of the A8 TFSI e.

Suitable for every model: the technology components
Audi has designed its PHEV models, with both longitudinally and transverse mounted engines, as parallel hybrids. A gasoline engine always serves as the combustion engine. In the compact A3 Sportback**, Q3**, and Q3 Sportback** models, it is a 1.4 TFSI with an output of 110 kW (150 PS). The plug-in hybrids from the A6** and A7 Sportback** product lines use the 2.0 TFSI with 185 kW (252 PS). The Q8**, A8** and Q7** are powered by the 3.0 TFSI, which outputs 250 kW (340 PS).

The electric motor is a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM) that outputs between 80 and 100 kW depending on the model. It is integrated in the housing of the automatic transmission, where it forms what is known as the hybrid module together with the separating clutch, which connects the TFSI engine with the drivetrain. An electric oil pump in the automatic transmission ensures oil supply and therefore gear changes even when the TFSI is deactivated. In terms of power transmission, the plug-in hybrids demonstrate the technological bandwidth of Audi. In the compact models, a six-speed S tronic sends the drive force to the front wheels. The full-size and luxury class models, which have longitudinally mounted engines, are equipped with either a seven-speed S tronic or an eight-speed tiptronic, and quattro drive comes as standard. The A6 and A7 Sportback feature the quattro with ultra technology, i.e. automatically engaging rear-axle drive. The A8, Q7, and Q8 have a permanent quattro drive with a purely mechanical center differential.

Depending on the model, the lithium-ion battery stores between 13.0 and 17.9 kWh of energy. In the compact models and the Q8 TFSI e quattro, it integrates prismatic cells in a fixed housing. The cooling circuit of the battery is connected to the low-temperature circuit, which supplies the electric motor and the power electronics. This improves the efficiency of the electric motor and ensures longer battery availability at high loads and high outside temperatures.

Úp to seven driving profiles: Audi drive select as standard
The Audi drive select system comes as standard in all PHEV models with the four rings. Depending on the model, it offers up to seven driving profiles that the driver can select in the MMI system: comfort, efficiency, auto, dynamic, individual, offroad, and allroad. Audi drive select influences the setup of the drive, automatic transmission, steering, and suspension, as well as various optional systems, such as the air suspension. Depending on the setting, the interaction between the systems also changes, for example the thresholds from which both drives work together or the electric motor supplies the boost and thus the maximum torque.Attractive: subsidy for the technology

In addition to all these technological strengths, these models are also made economically attractive to customers in Germany. When purchasing a new car, they are entitled to a subsidy of EÚR 5,625 or EÚR 6,750 (depending on the base price) for most models. As company cars, the PHEV models are taxed at a flat rate of 0.5% of the gross list price.

The new plug-in hybrid models: Audi A3, Audi Q3 and Audi Q3 Sportback, Audi Q8
From the compact class to the full-size class: The Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e and the Audi Q8 TFSI e frame the plug-in hybrid range of the brand with the four rings. The new Q3 45 TFSI e** and Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** have also joined the ranks. They mark the first step into the world of electrified Q models. The sporty 45 TFSI e** model will be added to the diverse portfolio of the A3 Sportback.

Entry into the world of PHEV: the Audi A3 Sportback TFSI e
The new A3 Sportback TFSI e continues the concept of its successful predecessor, the A3 Sportback e-tron, which was introduced on the market back in 2014 – with improved electric range and a new lithium-ion battery.

Optimized drive package
A 1.4 TFSI serves as the combustion engine. The four-cylinder gasoline engine outputs 110 kW (150 PS) and produces 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft) of torque. The electric drive is powered by a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM). It features an increased power density as compared to its predecessor but is still lighter and more compact. The electric motor produces 80 kW and 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) of torque. In the 'dynamic' drive select mode and when the S tronic is set to S gear and kickdown is engaged, the hybrid drive shows off its sporty potential. In this case, the electric motor releases the full boost torque for up to ten seconds. As soon as the driver takes their foot off the accelerator, it switches to recuperation. While braking, the electric motor can function as an alternator and recover up to 40 kW of power.

The lithium-ion battery of the compact plug-in hybrid integrates 96 prismatic cells. They store 13.0 kWh of energy, almost 48 percent more than the predecessor model. No changes were made to the high-voltage battery in the package; the progress results from the improved cell chemistry. The A3 Sportback TFSI e charges with a maximum power of 2.9 kW. An empty battery can be fully recharged at an industrial power socket in around four-and-a-half hours.

Two output levels in the range
The A3 PHEV as a 40 TFSI e (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (ÚS mpg)*: 1.5–1.4 (156.8–168.0); combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km (62.1 mi)*: 13.8–13.0; combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi)*: 34–30 (54.7–48.3)) has already been introduced on the market. It offers 150 kW (204 PS) of system power and 350 Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of system torque Now the sporty 45 TFSI e** with a system output of 180 kW (245 PS) and a system torque of 400 Nm (295.0 lb-ft) is being launched.

The added output and higher torque are generated by control software. It regulates the optimum interplay between the two drives under maximum power requirements. The electric motor complements the combustion engine in the corresponding engine speed ranges. The A3 45 TFSI e** takes 6.8 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) on its way to a top speed of 232 km/h (144.2 mph). In the NEDC cycle, it consumes between 1.5 and 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (156.8–168 ÚS mpg), which corresponds to 34 to 31 grams of CO2 per kilometer (54.7–49.9 g/mi).

The A3 40 TFSI e (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km (ÚS mpg)*: 1.5–1.4 (156.8–168.0); combined electric power consumption in kWh/100 km (62.1 mi)*: 13.8–13.0; combined CO2 emissions in g/km (g/mi)*: 34–30 (54.7–48.3)) accelerates to 62.1 mph in 7.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 227 km/h (141.1 mph). In the NEDC cycle, it consumes between 1.5 and 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (156.8–168.0 ÚS mpg), which corresponds to 34 to 30 grams of CO2 per kilometer (54.7–48.3 g/mi).

With the A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e**, the driver can cover up to 78 kilometers (48.5 mi) according to the NEDC (67 kilometers (41.6 mi) in the WLTP) under electric power alone, that is the majority of everyday journeys. This is almost 30 kilometers (18.6 mi) more in the NEDC cycle than the predecessor model. The A3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** provides an electric range of up to 74 kilometers (46.0 mi) in the NEDC and up to 63 kilometers (39.1 mi) in the WLTP. The top speed that both models can achieve on fully electric power is 140 km/h (87.0 mph).

Source - Audi