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Outstanding Efficiency And Perfect Driving Experience: Audi Q3 Plug-in Hybrid From Győr To The World

2020. 12. 03.

• The first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model of Audi in the compact SUV category
• 13,0 kWh a lithium-ion battery with a range of 61 km (New European Driving Cycle)
• Smart cooperation of 1.4 TFSI engine and a strong electric motor
• The Q3 plug-in hybrid models will be produced at Audi Hungaria

Ingolstadt/Győr, December 3, 2020 – Audi continues its electrification campaign by launching the Q3 45 TFSI e and Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e models. (Q3 45 TFSI e: combined fuel consumption l/100 km*: 1,7–1,4, combined electric power consumption kWh/100 km*: 16,0–14,4; combined CO2 emission g/km*: 39–32; Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e: combined fuel consumption l/100 km*: 1,7–1,4, combined electric power consumption kWh/100 km*: 15,9–14,6; combined CO2 emission g/km*: 38–33). Both plug-in models generates 180 kW (245 hp) of system output and in all-electric mode both compact SUVs can cover up to 61 km according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Calculated in accordance with the WLTP standard, Q3 45 TFSI e model can cover up to 51 km, the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e 50 km in pure electric mode.

The series production of the models will start soon at Audi Hungaria.

 “I’m very proud to announce that the new Q3 and Q3 Sportback plug-in hybrid models will be produced at Audi Hungaria. They will round out our product portfolio with highly efficient PHEV models. Thanks to the flexibility of our automobile production, we offer our customers vehicles with combustion engines and both mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology. Our employees are highly motivated to produce these models in premium quality as well, ‘from Győr to the world,’” said Alfons Dintner, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi Hungaria.

The electric driving experience, simple charging and excellent everyday usability make the plug-in hybrid models of Audi particularly exciting. The Q3 45 TFSI e** and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** complete Audi’s plug-in hybrid models launched in mid-2019. In addition, two compact SUV models enter the world of Q-models with electric drives.

245 hp of system output, 13kWh of energy capacity: the drive and the battery

Both Q3 models** include a 1.4 TFSI as the combustion engine. This four-cylinder engine delivers 110 kW (150 PS). The drive is completed by a permanently excited synchronous machine (PSM), providing 85 KW of power. The PSM is integrated in the housing of the six-speed S tronic together with the clutch. This dual-clutch transmission, which transfers the power to the front wheels, integrates an electric oil pump. This ensures the supply and thus the function of the clutches even when the TFSI engine is switched off.

Perfect driving experience and high efficiency - the powertrains of these two new models offer both. The 1.4 TFSI engine and the electric motor together generate 180 kW of system output (245 hp) and system torque of 400 Nm. Both the Q3 45 TFSI e** and the Sportback** require 7.3 seconds to burst from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph), and both reach a top speed of 210 km/h. Accoding to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), the fuel consumption of the Q3 45 TFSI e is 1.7 to 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (39 to 32 grams of CO2). The Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e records the same values of 1.7 to 1.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (38 to 33 grams of CO2). The total range achieved by both models is approximately 710 km, testifying their great suitability for everyday use.

The high-voltage battery is located in front of the rear chassis under the floor pan. The battery’s 96 prism-shaped cells store 13,0 kWh of energy. This compact, relatively lightweight battery owes this outstanding value to the new generation of cells. The battery system has an own cooling circuit connected to the AC system, thus providing sufficient cooling even at the highest requirements.

Focusing on the efficiency: the drive management system

The drive management system of the compact SUV models is designed for high efficiency in all respects. Except in extremely cold conditions, the SUVs are always started in electric mode. Both plug-in models can cover up to 61 km with zero local emissions according to the New European Driving Cycle (according to the WLTP standard, 51 km for the Q3 and 50 km for the Q3 Sportback). In this mode, vehicles can be driven at 140 km/h. At low speeds, the AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alert System) generates the legally required e-sound to warn other road users.

In the automatic hybrid mode, the main mode of the car, the drive management system divides the task between the 1.4 TFSI engine and the electric motor in a smart and efficient way. There are several situations, e.g. by overtaking, when the electric motor supports the operation of the four-cylinder engine. For example, accelerating at a low speed, with its high torque due to its operating principle, it helps bridge the few tenths of second that the turbocharger needs to build up the pressure – the operation of the electric motor here is imperceptible yet highly efficient. By pushing the EV button, the driver can prefer the operation of the electric drive. The drive management system keeps evaluating a number of data, including route information from navigation and the data of the vehicle sensors’ regarding nearby environment. The system can detect when the car approaches a sign indicating residential area, speed limit or roundabout or the vehicle in front of it. When te accelerator is released, the Audi Q3 45 TFSI e** and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** start to „sail” beside the switched off TFSI engine.

The right mode for the right requirements: „Hold”, „Charge” and „dynamic”

Regardless of the intelligence of the drive management system, the driver always remains in control. By pushing the EV button, they can switch between auto hybrid and electric-powered driving, while a menu opens in the MMI operating system at the same time that offers two additional special driving modes: “Battery Hold” and “Battery Charge”. These serve to keep the battery charge at the current level or to increase the state of charge. What’s more, the driver can influence the character of the drive using the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. By selecting the dynamic profile here, setting the S tronic to “S”, and flooring the accelerator, they get the full torque of the electric motor of 330 Nm available to them for up to 10 seconds. As soon as they take their foot of the gas, the electric motor switches to recuperation and recovers energy in generator mode. In this way, the vehicle can also decelerate quickly thanks to its electric motor.

Irrespective of the driving profile, both models** always recuperate when the driver steps on the brakes. Up to around 0.3 g – i.e. in the vast majority of brake operations in everyday driving – the electric motor performs the deceleration alone. It is only when the brake pedal is applied more heavily that the hydraulic wheel brakes come into play, activated by an electric brake servo. Thanks to the precise blending, the transition is practically undetectable, and the recuperation remains active. During braking, the system can recover up to 40 kW of power through the electric motor and store this in the battery.

With its balanced character, the compact SUV** chassis is the perfect drive partner. The Standard Audi Drive Select System makes the driving experience even more versatile, as it not only affects the engines, but also the S tronic transmission and power steering. In addition to "dynamic" mode, the system has "comfort", "auto" and "individual" profiles.Both plug-in hybrid models roll on 17" alloy wheels as standard, but 18", 19" and 20" wheels are also available. The car body of the new model is 10 millimetres higher than that of the conventional drive Q3 models – so the ground clearance of the vehicles is the same despite the battery cover plate.

Fully charged in 3 h 45 min: charging at home and on the go

The Audi Q3 45 TFSI e** and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e** can be charged using alternating current (AC) at a 400 V socket with an output of 3.6 kW. An empty battery can be recharged in 3 h 45 min using the standard power charging cable in this way. The free myAudi app allows the customer to control the charging, the timer and the pre-entry climate control remotely from their smartphone. Audi customers can choose to supply their house and garage with electricity from Volkswagen natural power supply, which is generated completely from renewable sources. The compact plug-in hybrids require a mode 3 cable for charging at public AC charging terminals. The e-tron Charging Service, which covers the majority of countries in Europe, offers great convenience here: With a single card, the customer gains access to more than 155,000 charging points. 

Sporty and versatile: design and interior

Both new Q3 model** look dynamic and sporty on the roads. The interior is spacious and variable. The front seats give a comfortable, yet sporty seat position. The rear seat row can be moved lengthwise as standard, and the tilt of the triple-split backrests can be adjusted in seven stages. Boot capacity is 380 liters as standard and 1,375 liters with the seat backrests folded down for the Q3 45 TFSI e ** and 1,250 liters for the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e **. An electrically operated tailgate that can be opened with foot movements is also available as an option.

The concept of handling and display is based on two displays: an MMI touch display with a diameter of 10.1" in the centre of the instrument panel, which displays, among other things, the energy processes of the hybrid drive. There is either a digital combined instrumental unit – available in two different sizes, - or the Audi digital cockpit in front of the driver. The system performance, drive status, brake energy recuperation, battery charge status and range are displayed by the Powermeter unit. Many features can be operated by control based natural speech recognition, which can optionally rely on data stored in cloud – as an additional input level.

Full data integration: Audi connect

Together with the state-of-the-art MMI Navigation plus infotainment system as an option, the Audi connect online services can also be accessed on board. These include the Car-to-X services, which use the principle of collective intelligence of various objects: the vehicle receives and transmits Information on roadside parking spaces, hazards, speed limits and traffic light phases by exchanging data with the Audi fleet. The myAudi application enables the connection to the vehicle through several points. The infotainment programme is completed by hardware elements like Audi phone box, Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System creating a virtual 3D surround sound.

The driver assist systems come from the premium class. They include the adaptive driving assistant (optional), which helps the driver with longitudinal and lateral control, which is a significant comfort comfort gain on long journeys in particular. In order to maintain lateral steering, the driver needs to apply just a gentle touch to the capacitive steering wheel, which is part of the system to confirm that he is driving attentively. The Audi pre sense basic, Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning and evasive steering assist are included in the standard equipment.

Prices from EUR 46,000: The plug-in Q3 will be available from January 2021

Presales of the Audi Q3 45 TFSI e and the Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e will begin in the second week of January 2021. The base prices in Germany are EUR 46,000.

* The data on fuel/electric power consumption and CO2 emission of the models mentioned depend on the wheel rim/size and equipment.

** The data on fuel/electric power consumption and CO2 emission of all models named in the document and available on the German market are listed at the end of this media information.

The data on fuel/electric power consumption and CO2 emission of the models mentioned

The data on fuel/electric power consumption and CO2 emission of the models mentioned, respectively economic classification in the given range depend on the selected wheel rim/size.

Audi Q3 45 TFSI e:

Fuel consumption, combined (l/100 km): 1,7 - 1,4;

Electric power consumption, combined(kWh/100 km): 16,0 - 14,4;

CO2 emission, combined, kombinált (g/km): 39 - 32

Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI e:

Fuel consumption, combined (l/100 km): 1,7 - 1,4;

Electric power consumption, combined (kWh/100 km): 15,9 - 14,6;

CO2 emission, combined (g/km): 38 – 33

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