The Audi Q3 Sportback TFSIe Plug-In Hybrid: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The Audi Q3 Sportback TFSIe PHEV

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Audi AG, a Bavaria (Germany) based luxury automotive manufacturer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group. Volkswagen AG is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years.

With the launch of its electric vehicle ID. Family, VW is fast cementing a dominant position is to become the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer by 2028, with the automotive behemoth planning to manufacturer 22 million electric vehicles.  Audi also offers plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), to include:

• A3 Sportback TFSIe
• A6 TFSIe
• A6 Avant TFSIe
• A7 Sportback TFSIe
• A8 TFSIe
• A8 L TFSIe
• Q3 TFSIe
• Q3 Sportback TFSIe
• Q5 TFSIe
• Q5 Sportback TFSIe
• Q7 TFSIe
• Q8 TFSIe

The Audi Q3 is a compact premium crossover SUV. The Q3 has been manufactured since 2011. The SUV is now in its second generation and uses the Volkswagen Group MQB platform. The Audi Q3 is available as a standard SUV or Sportback body style. The Q3 Sportback is available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Its compact, stylish, high quality and can save you money while driving on e-mode. The front-wheel drive Audi Q3 PHEV is a good entry-level option to consider in the higher-priced upmarket segment. For those seeking a sportier looking, but environmentally-friendly premium-badged compact EV, the Q3 plug-in hybrid should be on the list.

The Audi plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has a 13 kWh onboard EV battery, with a quoted WLTP pure electric range up to 50 km. Though the emission-free electric range is not as impressive as some alternative PHEVs, for shorter distances, in particular, in towns and cities, an emission-free electric range over 40 km is more than sufficient.

Despite the quoted manufacturers electric range, expect the real world range to be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: the way the electric vehicle (EV) is driven, the conditions of the road, the passenger load, the regenerative braking profile in use, weather condition, wheel size, etc. A real-world range will be closer to 44 km.

We at e-zoomed recommend (when appropriate), to always choose the maximum available regen braking profile in the EV. This will help recuperate more energy and increase the overall fuel-economy of the electric car. Audi claims a fuel economy up to 2 l/100km.

The real-world fuel economy will vary based on the amount the EV is driven on electric mode. We also suggest to keep the EV battery ‘topped up’, as the more the EV can be driven on electric mode, the more improved the efficiency of the vehicle and higher the financial savings.

The Q3 EV has a 7.2 kW onboard charger, sufficient for charging the 13 kWh EV battery relatively quickly at home or at public AC charging. The EV can be fully charged in 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Though an EV can be charged using a 3-PIN domestic socket, we would encourage EV drivers to charge using a dedicated residential EV charger like Easee: faster and safer in charging operation, compared to a domestic 3-PIN plug! The EV does not offer DC charging compatibility.

The Audi Q3 PHEV pairs the electric motor, with the 1.4-litre petrol internal combustion engine (ICE), offering a combined system power of 245 PS and 400 Nm torque. The PHEV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.

Of course, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will be a little heavier than the internal combustion engine variant, given the additional weight of the onboard EV battery. However, a PHEV does gain from the availability of instant torque.

In terms of practicality, the rear seats are impacted by the sloping roofline i.e. lower headroom for rear seat passengers. However, the front seats have ample headroom and legroom. Also impacted by the roofline, is the rear visibility. Despite the boot reduced in size due to the placement of the EV battery, the EV still offers 380 L.

As for interior quality, the Audi plug-in hybrid does not disappoint. The interior is completed to a high finish and is technology-filled, to include: hill descent control, pre-Sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection, camera-based traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, Audi virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch display, Audi Smartphone Interface and a lot more.

The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 45g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional combustion engine variant. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The Audi electric car is not available in India.

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PROS	CONS
High quality interior and standard specifications	Limited electric range
Attractive exterior styling	All-wheel drive (AWD) not available
Practical for small families	High tailpipe emissions (45g) compare to more recent PHEVs

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The Audi Q3 Sportback TFSIe PHEV (credit: Audi)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:	Hatchback
Engine:	Petrol-Electric
Available In India:	No

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Variants (1 Option)
Audi Q3 Sportback (from ₹ N/A)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 13.0 kWh
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs and 45 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	45 – 43g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1567
Width (mm):	2022
Length (mm):	4500
Wheelbase (mm):	2680
Turning Circle (m):	11.8
Boot capacity (L):	380

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45 TFSIe S tronic
EV Battery Capacity:	13.0 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	46 – 50 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	17.1 – 17.3
Fuel Consumption (l/100km):	1.7 – 2.0
Charging:	DC charging not available. On-board charger 7.2 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs and 45 mins)
Top Speed:	210 km/h
0-100 km/h:	7.3 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):	N/A
Max Power (PS):	245
Torque (Nm):	400
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	5
Doors:	5
Unladen Weight (kg):	1,740
Colours:	10
NCAP Safety Rating:	Five-Star

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Electric Car Charging: A Snapshot

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Charging an electric vehicle (EV), is really quite as simple as charging your smart mobile phone i.e. plug and play! Both, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are charged in the same manner. Below is a brief guide to charging an electric car:

• Just like a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle is filled with fuel, similarly, an electric car is filled with ‘fuel’, the only difference being that the fuel is electricity and not petrol or diesel. In a petrol or diesel car the fuel is stored in a fuel tank, while in an electric vehicle, like the Tesla Model Y, the electricity is stored in an EV battery, usually a lithium-ion battery.

• Electric cars can be charged at home or at public charging points. Most EV charging is done at home overnight via a dedicated EV charging station. However, some households still use a 3-PIN domestic plug to charge an EV. We strongly discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug and instead encourage the installation of a high quality home EV charging station, like Webasto or EVBox.

• Pure electric cars take longer to charge than plug-in hybrid electric cars, as pure EVs have a larger EV battery. In most cases a pure electric car will have an EV battery between 30 kWh and 100 kWh, while a plug-in hybrid electric car will usually have an EV battery between 8 kWh and 15 kWh. Charging an EV at home can take between 3 to 15 hours, depending on the size of the EV battery and the type of charge point or 3-PIN plug engaged for charging. Home charging is AC charging, and in most cases up to 7.4 kW, as most homes, to include, India, are singe-phase.

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

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• Public charging, to include workplace charging, is quite similar to home charging, except, the charging stations are faster and sometimes more expensive to charge per kWh. Public charging stations are both AC and DC charging, however, the AC charging is at a much faster rate (22 kW). DC charging, is the fastest way to charge an EV and depending on the EV battery size, DC charging can fully charge an EV battery in less than 40 minutes. In general, plug-in hybrid cars do not use DC charging i.e. DC charging is mostly used by pure electric cars. DC charging stations can range between 50 kW to 300 kW.

• We always encourage EV owners to carry an EV cable in the car, as not all public charging points are tethered (attached cable). We recommend the use of a 5m EV charging cable, and preferably a high visibility colour. Of course, you can buy high quality EV charging cables and EV charging stations via e-zoomed.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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