Alongside the development of the Volkswagen Golf hybrid, Audi will also create its own version of the TwinDrive on the new A3. The A3 hybrid will be equipped with a 1.6 litre TDI engine at 105 hp, with three smaller electric units: one at 40 hp placed at the front, and two rear electric units jointly capable of another 40 hp. The A3 hybrid will therefore have all wheel drive with the hybrid function on.

The electric units will have lithium ion batteries and will work of the energy rigenerated during braking. Looking at the TwinDrive system on the Golf, the A3 in theory could be used with only the electric motor running, with a range of 50 km and a top speed of 120 km/hr. In hybrid function, the car could run off a truly surprising figure of only one litre for 45 kilometres. The Audi A3 TwinDrive won’t be available before 2012.

Source | Autocar

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