To address concerns over pollution from vehicles, electric cars are considered as the best alternative. Carmakers the world over are working towards adding electric cars to their portfolio.
Reports suggest that German luxury automobile manufacturer Audi is planning to enter India's electric vehicle market. Joe King, head of Audi India was quoted saying that in the coming years, one will see a refresh of the entire portfolio of the company.
Audi’s focus on the Indian hybrid/electric vehicle market will help address any fuel-related issue in India like the diesel ban in Delhi.
Though there's no confirmation on whether Audi's electric or hybrid cars are coming to India, sources say that the company's first plug-in hybrid 'A3 Sportback e-tron' is likely to make its debut in the country.
The model is Audi’s first attempt to make a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The A3 Sportback e-tron combines a 1.4-litre TFSI engine that outputs 147.5bhp and delivers 250 Nm of torque, with an electric motor that produces 100.5bhp and 330 Nm.
The system output of 201bhp is transferred to the front wheels via a newly-developed six-speed S-tronic transmission. The A3 Sportback e-tron accelerates to 100 kmph in 7.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 222kmph. The model offers 150 kW (206.83hp) of system power and a purely electric range of 50 km.
The EV market in the country is yet to catch up. Currently, a few products such as the E2o and the e-Verito from Mahindra, the Prius and the Camry from Toyota and the i8 from BMW are the only hybrid vehicles the Indian automobile market has to offer.
Source : BS Motoring