X

2016 Audi A3 e-tron is the Four Rings' first plug-in US offering (pictures)

Audi's 2016 A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid is coming to America in October. It's the German automaker's first plug-in production car.

Chris Paukert
Following stints in TV news production and as a record company publicist, Chris spent most of his career in automotive publishing. Mentored by Automobile Magazine founder David E. Davis Jr., Paukert succeeded Davis as editor-in-chief of Winding Road, a pioneering e-mag, before serving as Autoblog's executive editor from 2008 to 2015. Chris is a Webby and Telly award-winning video producer and has served on the jury of the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards. He joined the CNET team in 2015, bringing a small cache of odd, underappreciated cars with him.
Chris Paukert
news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior.jpg
1 of 10 Audi

Don't worry, the e-tron graphic isn't on production models.

The 2016 Audi A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid, which will start at $37,900 before incentives and government tax credits, is set to arrive at US dealerships this October. The e-tron joins Audi's burgeoning A3 small car lineup, which consists of the A3 sedan, A3 Cabriolet, and S3 sport sedan.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior-010.jpg
2 of 10 Audi

From the front, the A3 e-tron looks quite ordinary.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior-07.jpg
3 of 10 Audi

A formal roofline hints at good space inside.

news-audi-a3-sportback-e-tron-interior-02.jpg
4 of 10 Audi

The A3 e-tron's interior is minimalist, with limited switchgear and clean lines.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior-08.jpg
5 of 10 Audi

Audi's A3 e-tron is likely to be most at home in an urban environment.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior-02.jpg
6 of 10 Audi

Dead-on, the e-tron is particularly hard to distinguish from other A3-family models.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-exterior-05.jpg
7 of 10 Audi

Audi's four-ring logo cleverly swings aside to reveal the battery's charge port.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-engine-011.jpg
8 of 10 Audi

The turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder under hood is tidily packaged.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-interior-04.jpg
9 of 10 Audi

It's somewhat surprising to see Audi use analog gauges in this high-tech e-tron application.

news-2016-audi-a3-etron-interior-012.jpg
10 of 10 Audi

The e-tron's seven-inch retractable MMI infotainment screen is optional.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos