Audi A3 Sportback

• Body Glass
  • Acoustic glass windscreen
  • Front electric windows
  • Light and rain sensors
  • Privacy glass - dark tinted rear window, rear door and side windows
  • Rear electric windows
  • Rear wiper
• Brakes
  • Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL
• Carpets/Rugs
  • Front/rear floor mats
• Chassis/Suspension
  • Standard suspension
• Communication
  • Audi smartphone interface
  • Bluetooth interface
  • Voice control system with natural language interaction
• Driver Aids
  • Audi drive select (Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency and Individual)
  • Camera based traffic sign recognition
  • Collision avoidance assistant
  • Electromechanical power speed sensitive steering
  • Lane departure warning system
• Driver Convenience
  • Automatic start/stop system with recuperation
• Driver Information
  • Audi Virtual Cockpit - 10.25" digital and colour instrument cluster
  • e-Call (emergency call)
  • MMI Navigation Plus with high resolution 10.1" colour touch screen display
  • Service indicator
  • Trip computer
• Driving Mirrors
  • Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror
  • Body colour exterior mirrors
  • Electrically adjustable/heated/folding/dimming door mirrors with kerb view includes integrated LED indications + kerb view function for passenger side
• Embellishment Trims
  • Dark spectrum aluminium inlays, accent surfaces in the dashboard and centre console in platinum grey silk effect paint finish
• Entertainment
  • 2xUSB-C connection with data and charging functions
  • 6 passive loudspeakers
  • DAB Digital radio
• Exterior Body Features
  • Aluminium window trim
  • Illuminated door sills with aluminium inserts at the front with S logo
  • Rear side air outlets in grained matt black
  • Rear side wing doors
  • S line bumpers
  • S roof spoiler
• Exterior Lights
  • 3rd brake light
  • LED daytime running lights
  • LED headlights with LED rear lights and dynamic rear indicators
• Heating/Cooling/Ventilation
  • Dual zone electronic climate control
• Interior Features
  • 12V socket and storage compartment in front centre console
  • 3 spoke leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shift
  • Black cloth headlining
  • Front and rear centre armrest in artificial leather
  • Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
  • Luggage compartment floor covering
  • Manual boot compartment lid
  • Stainless steel pedals and front footrest in black
  • Tool kit
  • Twin leather upholstery with front sports seats S embossed logo
• Interior Lights
  • Interior lighting - glove compartment light and right hand side
• Packs
  • Aluminium interior elements pack - A3 Sportback
  • LED interior lighting pack - A3 Sportback
  • S line styling pack - A3 Sportback
• Safety
  • 3x3 point rear seat belts
  • Driver and front passenger airbag with passenger airbag deactivation
  • First aid kit with warning triangle and 2 safety vests
  • Front side airbags with head airbags and interaction airbag
  • Pre-sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection
  • Seatbelt monitoring
  • Tyre pressure loss indicator
• Seats
  • 3 seat bench in 2nd row
  • 4 way electrically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger
  • 60/40 split folding rear seat bench
  • Front and rear headrests
  • Manually adjustable front seats
  • Seat side bolsters
  • Single front passenger seat
• Security
  • Anti theft alarm
  • Anti-theft wheel bolts
  • Electronically operated child locks
  • Immobiliser
  • Remote control central locking
• Vehicle Charging
  • 3 pin 10 amp domestic charging cable
  • 3.6 kw On-board charger
  • Type 2 mode 3 32 amp charging cable
  • Type 2 socket for AC charging
• Wheels - Spare
  • Tyre repair kit

• Electric Vehicle Data
  • Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70
  • Battery Capacity in kWh: 13
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 300
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 225
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100
  • Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3.6
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins):
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW:
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins):
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N
  • Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW:
  • Battery Leased: No
  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Charging Port Location: Left Side Front
  • Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2
  • Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 3.6
  • NEDC Electricity Consumption kWh/100 km:
  • NEDC Maximum EV Range Miles:
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100,000
  • Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8
  • Usable Battery Capacity: 10.4
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 61
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEH: 60
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb - TEL: 64
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 38
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEH: 37
  • WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb - TEL: 40
• Emissions - ICE
  • HC+NOx:
  • Particles:
  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
• Emissions - PHEV
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 29
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 30
  • WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 26
• Engine and Drive Train
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Catalytic Convertor: Yes
  • CC: 1,395
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Engine Code: 8YACPX
  • Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION
  • Gears: 6 SPEED
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
• Fuel Consumption - ICE
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: No
• Fuel Consumption - PHEV
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 6.4
  • WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 44.1
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1.3
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 1.3
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 1.1
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 217.3
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEH: 217.3
  • WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb - TEL: 256.8
• General
  • Alternative Fuel Qualifying: Yes
  • Badge Engine CC: 1.4
  • Badge Power: 204
  • Based On ID:
  • Coin Description: TFSI e
  • Coin Series: S line
  • Generation Mark: 4
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 25E
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %:
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09:
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %:
  • NCAP Safety Assist %:
  • Safety Concerns?: No
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24
  • Service Interval Mileage: 18,000
  • Special Edition: No
  • Special Order: No
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60,000
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
• Performance
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): No
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.6
  • Engine Power - BHP: 204
  • Engine Power - KW: 150
  • Engine Power - PS: Yes
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5,000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 184
  • Engine Torque - MKG: 25.5
  • Engine Torque - NM: 250
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1550
  • Top Speed: 141
• Test Cycles
  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2
• Tyres
  • Alloys?: Yes
  • Space Saver?: No
  • Tyre Size Front: 225/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Rear: 225/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Style: 5 ARM DYNAMIC
  • Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
• Vehicle Dimensions
  • Height: 1,430
  • Height (including roof rails): 1,450
  • Length: 4,343
  • Wheelbase: 2,630
  • Width: 1816
  • Width (including mirrors): 1,984
• Weight and Capacities
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 40
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2,085
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1100
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 280
  • Max. Loading Weight: 535
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1,700
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1,550
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 11.1

Ten Second Review
The Audi A3 40 TFSIe plug-in hybrid makes some interesting numbers. It's claimed to return 282.5mpg, emit 31g/km of CO2 and get to 62mph in just 7.6 seconds. Real world economy is around a third of this number, and the asking price isn't inexpensive but this is a very complete piece of Ingolstadt engineering.

Background
It'll be interesting to see how long the Plug-in Hybrid era lasts. Some European governments say they're already looking to ban cars like these by 2035 - which seems a bit premature, particularly as PHEV tech is now really getting into gear. To an extent showcased in the premium compact hatch segment by this car, the Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSIe. As you might know if you ran an example of this variant's direct predecessor, the A3 e-tron, plug-in models of this kind have a history of providing fairly feeble levels of all-electric range. The 40 TFSIe though, has a much bigger lithium-ion battery than that old e-tron model could offer and the result is a far more usable 41 mile WLTP-rated level of range - for lower-spec variants at least (the larger 18-inch wheels of 'S line' trim drop that figure to 37 miles).

Driving Experience
Conventional A3 Sportbacks offer a degree of electrification but the mild hybrid lower order petrol versions of this car aren't proper hybrids. If you want an A3 that is, you'll need the PHEV model, almost certainly the '40 TFSIe' variant we look at here. This plug-in hybrid borrows its drivetrain from a PHEV segment pioneer, Volkswagen's Golf GTE, which means a 150PS 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 6-speed DSG auto gearbox. The 85kW electric motor this package works with is mated to a 13kWh lithium-ion battery that when fully charged can offer a WLTP-rated all-electric driving range of up to 41 miles. And a (rather academic) all-electric top speed of up to 80mph. Rely primarily on petrol power and the 62mph sprint occupies just 7.6s en route to 141mph. If you want to go faster in an A3 PHEV, you can talk to your Audi Centre about an alternative '45 TFSIe S line Competition' variant with a combined system output of 245PS - the same as a Golf GTI. Otherwise, it's just like any other A3 Sportback to drive. Differences with this MK4 design initially seem quite subtle, primarily centred around slightly sharper steering and handling that's now a little more responsive. That's thanks to a wider track and the introduction of a 'modular dynamic handling control system' that, based on steering movements, predictively co-ordinates interplay between all the car's dynamic systems - like a conductor with an orchestra - so the car can always be one step ahead of the drive inputs you want to make.

Design and Build
The 40 TFSIe is offered in the five-door A3 Sportback body and doesn't look a whole lot different to any other Sportback. There's some subtle badging at the back and the charging point is typically Audi-slick. Inside up front, there's an immersive style of ergonomic design - in the way the air vents combine with the instrument binnacle and the manner in which the centre screen and the re-designed climate controls just below have been canted towards the driver. Much effort has gone in to visually emphasise the width and spaciousness of this cabin, most notably with precise horizontal lines and surfaces. And you're going to really like the quality and classy design on show here. There's also what Audi calls a 'new level' of digital technology, a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument binnacle display standardised and working in concert with a 10.1-inch 'MMI Navigation plus' centre stack monitor. Audi claims that this MK4 A3 Sportback's slight dimensional exterior size increase benefits passengers directly and, sure enough, they get more elbow room at the front and rear and more shoulder room in the rear. Headroom in the front's better too - though only because the driver's seat has been positioned a little lower for a slightly sportier feel. Out back, boot space falls from 380-litres in the standard model to just 280-litres in this one thanks to the battery pack beneath the floor.

Market and Model
The big issue for most buyers is whether they see this A3 40 TFSIe variant's £33,000 asking price as being justifiable when a 35 TDI 150PS diesel A3 Sportback model will typically cost around £4,000 less. That four grand would buy you a lot of black pump fuel. In terms of pure hard-headed finance, it's going to find it hard to justify sales against a diesel; in the short to medium term at least. 'Sport' and 'S line' versions of the A3 Sportback 40 TFSIe are factory fitted with 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels respectively, but as wheel size can bring about minor variations in the compact hatchback's electric-only driving range, customers have the option to go up or down in size depending on their preferences. Thus the 'S line' can be fitted with a 17-inch wheel as a no cost option so business users can still qualify for the six per cent BIK banding, The wheels are carefully controlled by a sophisticated multi-link suspension system combining refined ride comfort that complements the plug-in hybrid's hushed electric-only cruising with excellent stability and composure for occasions when the full 204PS output is put to good use on more challenging roads.

Cost of Ownership
With 17-inch wheels, the quoted WLTP stats for a 40 TFSIe model are a fantasy land combined cycle fuel figure of 282.5mpg and a CO2 reading of up to 31g/km. That latter stat means a Benefit-in-Kind tax rating of just 6% (or 10% if you specify 'S line' trim with the larger 18-inch wheels). In comparison to a conventional 35 TFSI model, that'll cut your BiK tax payments by as much as 75%. At the time of this test in Autumn 2020, that meant a £792 annual outlay for a typical tax payer running a 40 TFSIe 'Sport' model, as opposed to the £3,200 per year that he or she would have shelled out running the equivalent 35 TFSI Sport variant. Do the maths and you'll find that means a saving of almost £10,000 over four years for a 40% tax payer; you can see the attraction. The downside with this fourth generation A3's evolved PHEV technology is that the extra cells inevitably take a bit longer to charge - think 4-5 hours when using an AC wall box in your garage (rated at 3.6kW and above). Because this Plug-in variant's onboard charging capacity was, from launch, limited to just 2.9kW, hooking the car up to the kind of 7kW garage wallbox you'd use for a full-EV won't make this Audi charge any faster, but future model updates might change that.

Summary
Although the headline numbers of 282.5mpg, 31g/km of CO2 and a 0-62mph time of just 7.6 seconds make the Audi A3 40 TFSIe appear quite a game-changer, look behind the numbers and you'll find things not quite so clear cut. In fact, a counter perspective might well be that you're paying around £4,000 over the top of an A3 Sportback 35 TDI 150PS diesel and getting a car that's slower, drinks more fuel, carries less luggage, offers inferior touring range and once out of charge will drink much more fuel. Of course, the A3 40 TFSIe has other benefits. It can run in a pure EV mode and it feels a far more special piece of kit than a diesel hatch. Can you put a price on that? You can perhaps if you measure the savings you'll make in company car tax. And this model certainly scores as a car you can drive as an EV on short commutes to work, but which is capable of long weekend trips. As a technical showpiece, it's an intriguing thing. As a sales proposition though, you might need to scour the small print quite carefully.