Audi pulls the plug on A3 e-tron
Audi A3 e-tron dropped from Audi’s UK lineup
According to UK publication Autocar, the Audi A3 e-tron has now been dropped from Audi’s UK lineup. The A3 e-tron joins the recently discontinued Q7 e-tron.
Strict new WLTP emissions regulations leads to another plug-in hybrid Audi being removed.
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) was introduced in 2018 in an attempt to bring manufacturer consumption claims and real-world results closer together. The far stricter testing procedures have highlighted large discrepancies between these two figures in a number of vehicles. The Audi’s e-tron range has now suffered its second casualty of these visible differences in the UK.
An Audi spokesperson told Autocar that: “We will introduce new engine models during changes of generation or product upgrades. Introducing them at this stage in the product life-cycle is not constructive in economic terms.” The new A3 is due in a year and a half so re-engineering the current car does seem a bit pointless. However this does mean that there are now no Audi plug-in hybrids available to UK customers.
A number of other plug-in hybrids from rival manufacturers have also been discontinued due to the new WLTP regulations. The recent removal of the UK Government grant for plug-in hybrids has not helped the situation either.
The all-electric e-tron SUV will be launched in the UK in early 2019 followed by a number of other upcoming Audi EVs.
Audi has planned 12 all-electric models by 2025, including an estimated 8 plug-in variants. However these are a stopgap on the way to full electrification.
