Audi A3 TFSI e

FIRST DRIVE Latest Audi hatchback shows why a well sorted PHEV still has its place in the market

- Jordan Katsianis [e-mail]

LAST year, Audi revised its popular A3 with a set of styling and interior changes, but the biggest upgrade has arguably only just arrived via a new, much improved, plug-in hybrid powertrain.

We'll start with the key figures, because the firm is quoting a phenomenal electric range of 88 miles on the WLTP cycle. This has been achieved through the new e-motor and a battery pack which, at 25.4kWh, has twice the capacity of the previous one. It also now features DC fast charging at up to 50kW, on top of its peak 11kW AC rate.

This is the same set-up as on the new Volkswagen Golf eHybrid, and it and the A3 beat most rivals for electric range, including Peugeot's recently renewed 308 PHEV, which tops out at 55 miles. If you're wondering how the Mercedes A 250 e compares, that'll do around 52 miles, but it's becoming less relevant by the day given that Merc is set to guillotine the A-Class entirely in the next few months. A PHEV BMW 1 Series? Forget it.

Of course, the electric bit of a plug-in hybrid is only half the story, and in the case of the petrol engine, Audi has renewed that, too. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder unit is cutting-edge, with high-end elements such as a variable-geometry turbo, and runs on a Miller combustion cycle, unlocking impressive low-down torque and efficiency.