Audi boss Rupert Stadler confirmed the Audi A3 will be offered with a plug-in hybrid version in 2014, furthering the company’s plans to offer electric vehicles in every segment. Audi’s CEO, in his annual address to the company, indicated the A4 and Q7 crossover would also have electric motors paired to traditional gasoline engines.
Stadler believes the company can deliver plug-in hybrids that fit the Audi brand, that deliver the characteristics of an Audi, while still offering increased fuel economy. The move is part of a widespread plan to eventually add an electronic option to all segments in hopes of making Audi the top seller of electrified cars among luxury brands.
The Audi A3, A4, and Q7 are natural choices to begin Audi’s electrification. The A3 and Q7 are already offered with diesel engines here in America (about half of all A3′s sold are diesel), and the A4 is Audi’s top seller. Next year Audi plans to offer its first fully electric car for sale, with the Audi R8 e-tron. Apparently when Audi says it wants every segment to be electrified, it’s not kidding.
Source: Audi
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