Audi A3 e-tron First Details and Photos

When it presented the e-tron as its first electric vehicle concept, German auto maker Audi had no idea that the impact it will have, combined with the world's craving for electric vehicles, will launch the e-tron into a standalone brand.

Since the first e-tron, two other versions emerged, including the electric variant of the smallest Audi in history, the A1. Now, word is that the Germans are working on an e-tron version of one of their most popular cars ever, the A3.

According to autoblog.it, the e-tron will become the first commercially available electric vehicle wearing the four rings as a badge. To be made available sometime in 2013, the appearance on the market of the model has been somewhat confirmed by Audi, who said last year that it is preparing the Hungarian Gyor plant for the production of an A3 derivative at about the same time.

The details of the A3 have not officially been announced, but word is the model will pack a battery-electric motor combination which would give it 130 horsepower and 199 lb.-ft. of torque.

Performance wise, the A3 e-tron will likely not disappoint, being said to be capable of a top speed of 90 mph (144 km/h) and a naught to sixty acceleration of 11 seconds. The most important figure that relates to an EV, that of range, is said to stand at around 90 miles (144 km).

On the soon-to-be European EV market, the A3 e-tron will battle long time rival BMW and the ActiveE, a model that has been confirmed for production for a few years now.

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