Audi A3 e tron Electric Hatchback with Audi s Sporty Heritage

Audi to release fully electric A3

According to media reports, Audi will only offer its compact A3 model in pure electric form for the next generation due in 2027, as part of its accelerated electric vehicle course.

As reported by Auto Motor und Sport, the new A3 e-tron will be based on the Volkswagen Groups Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) with unit battery cells. There will probably not be an e-model in the classic compact car layout based on the MEB from the Ingolstadt manufacturers.

In August last year, Audi boss Markus Duesmann presented the Vorsprung 2030 strategy. This stated once again that from 2026 onwards new models would only be launched with electric drive and that the production of combustion engines would be phased out gradually by 2033. Accordingly, it is only logical that the 2027 generation of the Audi A3 will only be available as an electric car.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the electric A3 will be based on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). VW presented this last year as part of its New Auto strategy. VW gave only few key data on the SSP. As Audi boss Markus Duesmann, who also heads group research, stated, an 800 Volt Flex system is to become standard for the mechatronic platform. The first vehicle based on the SSP is to come onto the market in 2026. From then on, all important future models are to be based on this platform with outputs from 85 to 850 kW and for all brands and models.

auto-motor-und-sport.de

Please note that the A3 TFSI e is subject to stock availability, please contact your local Audi Centre for more information.

Trim

The A3 Sportback TFSI e is available in different versions, known as trim levels. These allow you to choose a version that reflects your preferred styling, driving experience and equipment level. For more information on each trim, select the 'i' button below.

Sport

Price from35,570.00 GBP

• 35,570.00 GBP

S line

Price from37,850.00 GBP

• S line 40 TFSI e

  S tronic

  37,850.00 GBP

S line competition

Price from39,600.00 GBP

• S line Competition 45 TFSI e

  S tronic

  39,600.00 GBP

Exterior

Certain equipment and features may be dependent on the purchase of additional options at additional cost. Select item for details.

Body paint finishes

Alloys

Interior

Seat upholstery

Material combination

Cloth

Equipment

Packages & Options

Certain equipment and features may be dependent on the purchase of additional options at additional cost. Select item for details.

1,395.00 GBP

• Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System
• Phonebox light with wireless charging
• Park assist with parking system plus
• Reversing camera
• Heated front seats

4,495.00 GBP

• Matrix LED headlights with LED rear lights
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• 360 camera
• Electric front seats
• Advanced key

625.00 GBP

• Parking assist with parking system plus
• Adaptive cruise control

100.00 GBP

175.00 GBP

• Storage nets on the backs of the front seat backrests
• Glove compartment, lockable
• Luggage securing net
• LED luggage compartment light(left side)

770.00 GBP

Standard

290.00 GBP

340.00 GBP

0.00 GBP

295.00 GBP

630.00 GBP

Accessories

Our range of genuine accessories allows you to customise your new Audi down to the last detail.

Sport & design()

Interior Design

Entry LED e-tron, for vehicles with LED entry lights

Entry LED, S logo, for vehicles with LED entry lights

Key cover in carbon, with Audi rings

Key cover in carbon, with e-tron logo

Key cover in carbon, with S logo

Key cover myth black, with Audi rings (various colours available speak to your local retailer for more details)

LED Audi rings for entry area, for vehicles with LED entry lights (standard equipment on Black Edition and Vorsprung trim levels)

Exterior style products

Audi rings, front, black (standard equipment for black edition and above)

Audi rings, rear, black (standard equipment for black edition and above)

Model name, rear, black, "A3" (standard equipment on black edition & above)

Transport()

Roof transport

Carrier unit, for vehicles without roof rails

Kayak rack, with a tilt function

Roof box bag, size Medium (also available in small and large)

Ski and luggage box, brilliant black, 250 l

Ski and luggage box, brilliant black, 310 l

Ski and luggage box, brilliant black, 430 l

Ski and snowboard rack, for a maximum of 4 pairs of skis or 2 snowboards, without pull-out function

Rear transport

Bicycle carrier for the trailer towing hitch, for right-hand drive vehicles

Extension kit for a third bicycle , for the bicycle carrier for the trailer towing hitch

Trailer towing hitch, removable, incl. electrics set, for vehicles with the preparation for the trailer towing hitch (price includes fitting)

Trailer towing hitch, removable, incl. electrics set, for vehicles without the preparation for the trailer towing hitch (price includes fitting)

Family()

Child seats

Audi junior seat i-Size, blue grey

Comfort & protection()

Floor mats

All-weather floor mats, for the front, black

All-weather floor mats, for the rear, black

Luggage compartment

Cool and hot box, thermoelectric, 20 l

Luggage compartment box, foldable

Luggage compartment shell

Interior

Audi singleframe fragrance dispenser, black, oriental. Also available in red and yellow. Refills also available

Display cleaner and interior fragrance set

Refill pack for Audi singleframe fragrance dispenser, black, oriental. Refills also available for red and yellow fragrance dispensers

Exterior

Mud flaps, for the front, for vehicles with or without S line exterior package

Mud flaps, for the rear, for vehicles with S line exterior package

Care products

Care products bag, for Great Britain

Ready-mixed windscreen washer fluid, summer, 3 l

Assist Systems

Dash cam (universal traffic recorder 2.0), front and rear camera

Dash cam (universal traffic recorder 2.0), front camera

Wiring set for the universal traffic recorder (includes fitting cost, speak to local retailer for more details)

Lifestyle

Espresso mobile, for coffee capsules

E-mobility()

Charging equipment

Storage bag for e-tron charging cable, with cleaning cloth and gloves

Audi A3 to get electric successor on MEB platform by 2027

Audi will continue to use the VW Group's MEB platform for entry-level EVs, including an electric replacement for the Audi A3 by 2027.

The only Audi currently based on MEB is the mid-sized Audi Q4 E-tron crossover, and questions hung over whether the firm would continue to use the platform, given the new Audi Q6 E-tron spearheads a range of cars based on the new PPE structure, and the VW Group's new SSP platform will be in production by 2028.

But speaking to Autocar at the Munich motor show, Audi's technical development boss Oliver Hoffman revealed that Audi will use MEB "in the coming years, especially for 'A-segment' cars."

'A-segment', for Audi, refers to cars the size of the A3 hatchback and Q2 crossover.

No doubt the electric A3 equivalent will use the heavily updated version of MEB, dubbed MEB-EVO, which is envisaged to serve as a bridging architecture to SSP.

This is set to support charging speeds of between 175kW and 200kW, but retain today's 400V hardware in a reflection of its entry-level billing, though further details remain under wraps at this stage.

Pressed for details on what Audi considers an entry-level EV, Hoffman said: "In the ICE world, our A-segment is A3, Q3 and Q2, and our Q4 E-tron is our so-called 'high-end' A-segment car in terms of its size. We have a clear view for our A-segment based on the MEB."

The firm has already confirmed it will not directly replace the A1 supermini and closely related Q2, so the electric A3 equivalent will be its smallest electric car. Under Audi's new naming strategy, whereby EVs are given even number designations and combustion cars given odd numbers, it could possibly be badged A2 E-tron, reviving a nameplate that hasn't been used for nearly two decades.

Asked how Audi can remain a premium brand while extending its electric line-up downwards, Hoffman said: "We have a clear strategy regarding this. We are in the decade of transformation; we have decided on a completely new generation of ICE and PHEV cars, and we will launch our last ICE/PHEV car in 2026.

"Starting in 2026, we will only launch BEV cars worldwide, and that means we will bring in all our core segments A-segment up to D-segment [A8 and Q8] battery-electric vehicles."

"But in parallel," he added, "especially in this decade of transformation, we will have ICE and PHEV cars in parallel" - suggesting the combustion-fuelled A3 can remain on sale in some form, alongside an electric equivalent, as is the plan for the A4, A6 and Q5.

Hoffman stopped short of giving a launch date, but emphasised that the next two years are the busiest period for new product launches in Audi's history, with nearly 20 new cars due in dealerships by this time in 2025.

Next-gen Audi A3 to be Electric-only Audi A2 e-tron model: Report [Update]

Update: Specifications and Audi A3 sales sections updated.

Audi plans to exclusively launch pure-electric models from 2026. Some of the brands next-generation cars will be electric-only to cater to the adoption of zero-emissions vehicles in key markets like the USA, Europe, and China.

While Volkswagen will introduce the next generation Golf with an internal combustion engine, its sister model, the Audi A3, is going entirely electric. A report Automobilwoche published on June 18, 2021, states that the Audi A3 will no longer have a successor as a combustion engine. As Audi did for the combustion-engined A3, it will leverage Volkswagen Groups extensive pool of resources for the cars electric successor.

According to a report Autocar published on September 4, 2023, the next-gen Audi A3 would be an electric-only model. Following the brands new nomenclature, where models with internal combustion engines have odd-numbered names, and electric models have even-numbered names, the A3s successor could be introduced as the Audi A2 or Audi A2 e-tron.

Audi A3 electric successor confirmation

During Audis 2023 Annual Media Conference on March 16, 2023, CEO Markus Duesmann said that the company plans to offer an EV in all the segments in which it is present. Further, Duesmann confirmed the launch of an electric car positioned below the Q4 e-tron.

By 2027, we seek to offer an all-electric vehicle in each core segment in our portfolio. According to the current product planning, we will then have a line-up of over 20 electric models. So, within the next five years, we will be significantly expanding our e-portfolio. As part of these efforts, we recently decided to launch an additional electric entry-level model below the Audi Q4 e-tron as well.

Markus Duesmann, CEO, Audi (2023 Annual Media Conference on March 16, 2023)

Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council of Audi, revealed during an interview with Augsburger Allgemeine on December 17, 2021, that an electric Audi A3 is in the pipeline, according to Der Spiegel. Mosch added that the company would begin manufacturing the electric successors to the current A3 and A4 at the Ingolstadt factory in Germany by 2029. The Ingolstadt plant would start EV operations with the Audi Q6 e-tron this year, followed by the Audi E6 (Audi A6 e-tron).

Next-gen Audi A3 e-tron/first-ever Audi A2 e-tron to be the entry-point to the range

At the start of 2022, Audi announced that the A1 would be discontinued and the current generation of the Q2 would be its last, hinting that more premium Audi models would be the entry point to the brand. During the 2022 Audi Annual Media Conference, Auto Express asked Duesmann about the A3s electric successor and the future entry-point to the Audi range. Heres what Duesmann said:

Let me say that we are many brands in the corporate group. We are four brands that represent the volume segment in an excellent way. Audi will strengthen the upper range. When it comes to the entry level, I can commit that the A3 or its successor will probably be the entry level.

Markus Duesmann, CEO, Audi (Audi Annual Media Conference in March 2022)

Design

Audi hasnt revealed details about the A2s design and we havent seen prototypes on test yet. However, some design elements can be expected from recent Audi concepts. As previewed in our rendering, the Audi A2 e-tron could have split headlights, a feature thats trending particularly in China, which could be a crucial market for the model. Expect wedge-shaped positioning lights on the top and the low and high beams to be in a separate, rectangular housing above the side air intakes.

The Singleframe grille may not be necessary, but given that its an unmistakable signature of the four-ringed brand, theres no doubt it would dominate the face of all future Audi EVs, with adaptations. On the A2 e-tron, we have shown a white octagonal piece with concave hexagonal inserts. A deep air intake below cools the drivetrain, brakes, and battery pack, and it features e-tron inscription in the center. On the sides, our render features camera-based virtual mirrors and large aero wheels.

The future model will have different proportions. Expect an extended wheelbase providing improved cabin space and shorter overhangs, a lower and shorter hood line, and larger wheelhouses paving the way for sporty styling.

Specifications

MEB+ Platform

Audi R&D chief Oliver Hoffmann told Autocar at IAA 2023 that the company will use Volkswagen Groups MEB platform in A-segment models. Based on his statement, we think the A3 electric successor could sit on the MEB+ platform, an updated version of the MEB. In the current line-up, the MEB underpins the Audi Q4 e-tron.

Range & Performance

According to the Autocar report, the Audi A3 electric successor will be available in single-motor RWD and dual-motor AWD variants. Its power outputs could range from 147 hp to 389 hp. The dual-motor powertrains could be exclusive to a performance-oriented S variant and an even sportier RS variant. The RS variant could have a sub-3.8-second 0-62 mph acceleration time, as per the Autocar report.

Charging from 10-80% using a DC fast-charger could be a matter of just around 20 minutes. The most range-focused configuration could travel around 400 miles (WLTP) on a full charge.

Body styles

The next-gen A3 e-tron will come in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions, but we only expect the latter in the U.S. market. The Autocar report says that the next-gen A3 will be bigger than the current A3 in both versions.

For reference, the U.S.-spec current A3 Sedan measures 176.9 inches in length, 71.5 inches in width, and 56.2 inches in height. The current S3 Sedan has the same width, but its length and height are 177.3 inches and 55.7 inches, respectively. The current RS 3 Sedan has the same width, too, but is even longer and lower, measuring 178.8 inches in length and 55.6 inches in height. The standard cars wheelbase measures 103.5 inches, while the performance cars share a slightly longer, 103.6-inch wheelbase.

Production & Release Date

According to the Autocar report, the Audi A3 electric successor will arrive by 2027.

Sales

Demand for the Audi A3 is growing globally. In 2022, Audi delivered 201,119 units of the A3 worldwide, 12.1% higher than in 2021 (179,399 units). The compact car ranked fourth on its sales chart for the calendar year.

In the U.S., with only 9,788 units delivered in 2022, the A3 was far behind core Audi models, including its SUV alternative, the Audi Q3 (25,066 units). However, there is potential to grow. In the first half of 2023, the compact car recorded 9,788 units in sales, marking a growth of 309% over the same period in 2022 (January-June 2022: 2,390 units).

TopElectricSUV says

When it arrives eventually, the Audi A2 e-tron/Audi A3 Electric should be one of the most affordable electric luxury cars from the old continent. While it might be a bit more expensive to buy/lease than the gasoline-powered A3, the the low running costs should make it a sensible choice in its segment. Being available in Sportback (hatchback) and Sedan versions, our experience tells us that it will suit customers in all hemispheres!

Audi A3 Electric/Audi A2 e-tron FAQs

When will Audi launch the next-gen A3?

The next-gen Audi A3 will reportedly be launched as an electric vehicle line-up by 2027.

Which models will the Audi A2 e-tron compete with?

What is the expected Audi A3 Electric price?

Audi could price the all-electric A3 at well under USD 40,000.

Featured image: TopElectricSUVs render of the Audi A3 Electric (A2 e-tron).

Im an automotive journalist with 4 years of experience in magazine and digital publishing, content creation, social media management and YouTube. A car enthusiast who converted my passion into a profession!