The hybrid A3 will use a 105bhp 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine with a 30kW electric motor to drive the front wheels, and two 30kW in-wheel motors powering the rear wheels. This essentially gives the car four-wheel drive, albeit for short distances only.

Alongside the development of the Volkswagen Golf hybrid, Audi will also create its own version of the TwinDrive on the new A3. The A3 hybrid will be equipped with a 1.6 litre TDI engine at 105 hp, with three smaller electric units: one at 40 hp placed at the front, and two rear electric units jointly capable of another 40 hp. The A3 hybrid will therefore have all wheel drive with the hybrid function on.

ccording to Autocar, Audi is readying a hybrid version of its A3 alongside Volkswagen’s program to develop a hybrid version of the Golf hatch. The Audi version will even adopt VW’s naming scheme, dawning the name A3 TwinDrive.