Audi gives A3 Sportback PHEV range a boost with S line Competition model

New Launches 

If you're looking for an excuse to upgrade your car when your lease renewal comes around then we've got exactly what you're looking for via those good people at Audi. Not content with the recently introduced A3 Sportback 40 TFSI e, the powers that be at Audi have decided it needs to be turned up a little bit.

Hence the arrival of the more powerful Audi A3 Sportback 45 TFSI e to supplement the plug-in hybrid line-up. For the first time you have two hybrid options to choose from in the same car, just like the good old days of different engine choices.

On the surface the 45 TFSI e is the same as the 40. It's an Audi A3 hatchback. Basically that means it will be brilliantly engineered, reliable, well equipped, very good looking, boast one of those beautiful Audi interiors, and be an absolute joy to drive. In that respect it really doesn't matter which one you would choose to lease.




But look at the standard features of the A3 Sportback 45 TFSI e include navigation and web-based Audi connect services , dual-zone electronic climate control, front sport seats, twin leather upholstery and the assistance systems Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning, turn assist and swerve assist. That's on top of the MMI Touch infotainment system and the brilliant Audi Virtual Cockpit.

On the outside you get loads of little extra touches too: Privacy glass; a black styling package that darkens elements such as the grille surround, window cappings and door mirror housings; 18-inch alloy wheels in graphite grey; bigger brakes with red callipers; and LED technology as standard with an option to upgrade to Matrix LED headlamp units that illuminate with even more depth and precision and feature dynamic cornering lights.

Audi says the new version will broaden the appeal of the hybrid A3 by adding stronger performance without compromising the efficiency and tax benefits of driving a hybrid. They had us at “stronger performance”.




Like its sister model, the A3 Sportback 45 TFSI e is fitted with a 150bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine complemented by a “permanently excited synchronous electric motor”. We have no idea why the motor is permanently excited but given the fact it boosts the power to around 245bhp it should definitely excite the driver. That's an extra 40bhp over the 40 TFSI e and the result is a 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 144mph. Those numbers put the A3 firmly in the hot hatch category and explains why this version is called the S line Competition.

It's not just power though.

You still get some of that efficiency everyone is looking for these days. The electric motor is built into the six-speed S tronic auto transmission, which drives the front wheels. It is driven by a 13kWh lithium-ion battery that can power the A3 45 TFSI e for 37 emission free miles and even hit 87mph without needing the petrol engine. WLTP tests also show that the hybrid system can deliver up to 235.4mpg with CO2 output of as little as 29g/km so don't expect massive tax or fuel bills. An empty battery can be recharged in around five hours using a domestic AC wallbox charger so it will always be ready to go each morning.

See. Didn't we tell you Audi has exactly what you're looking for? All you need to do is call and tell us which colour you'd like for your new A3 Sportback 45 TFSI e S line Competition - or any other of our fantastic Audi A3 Sportback leasing deals .

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