Audi A3 hybrid coming in 2012

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Efficiency for the combo will be very high, with estimates placing the car's combined electric and regular operating at more than 113mpg.

Alex Kaufmann - MotorAuthority - May 6, 2009

Exciting tech! --Ed.

Hybrid versions of all sorts of cars - even sports cars like the Nissan 370Z - are in the works or on their way, and now Audi is adding to the list with reports of an A3 hybrid confirmed for production. The hybrid hatch is expected to use an Audi-adapted version of Volkswagen's TwinDrive hybrid powertrain.

The TwinDrive project will be at the heart of a future hybrid Golf, and is also being trialled in a Seat Leon plug-in as well. The TwinDrive system produces about 40hp (30kW) - half the power of the TwinDrive system in the concept Golf revealed last year, and meager by U.S. standards, but the system, once depleted, is backed up by either small petrol or diesel four-cylinders rated at a more typical 105hp (78kW) or more, according to Autocar. Top speed will reach about 105mph (168km/h).

Inside the TwinDrive system lies a 12kWh battery pack of lithium-ion batteries that should be enough to give the car a 30mi (48km) electric-only range. That's enough to rival the Volt plug-in hybrid, and at the Audi's higher market point, hints at a price closer to... [Read More]

[WriConsult]

This sounds like a nice modestly-powered system (by Audi standards, anyway), unlike a lot of the hybrids coming our way. If I remember right, this proposed system uses electric for primary drive around town, and has a single-speed transmission (equivalent to a normal top gear) that allows the ICE to move the car at highway speeds. If the batteries run down, the ICE can operate in series-hybrid mode so the car can still be driven in town. That's not the most efficient mode of course, but at least allows the car to continue to be driven if you exceed the EV range.

Brilliant design, really, with less complexity than the HSD or IMA/CVT systems. This, in an A3 wagon? Want.

[PaleMelanesian]

^ what he said. Except for the price.

[WriConsult]

Word. I'm sure it will stay in the "want" column given what Audi will charge for it. But fortunately for me as a used car buyer, given how European cars tend to depreciate I'll become seriously interested around 2019.