Audi’s A3 Sportback family has grown with the introduction of the new 30 g-tron, which starts at €30,705.88 ($36,419) in Germany and will go on sale locally and in other European countries this fall.
Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) or biomethane, it packs a 1.5-liter TFSI engine with upgraded components that pushes out 131 PS (129 HP / 96 kW) and 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) of torque from 1,400 to 4,00 rpm and is hooked up to a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
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In this form, the CNG-powered German hatchback does the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 9.7 seconds and tops out at 211 km/h (131 mph). The average fuel consumption in the NEDC cycle is 3.6-3.5 kg of CNG per 100 km and the CO2 emissions stand at 99-96 g/km. With the petrol tank and two CNG tanks filled, the total NEDC range is 495 km (308 miles), or 445 km (277 miles) WLTP.
Mounted in front of the rear axle, the petrol tank has a 9-liter (2.4 US gal) capacity, whereas the two CNG tanks can hold approximately 7 kg (15 lbs) of gas each and are located beneath the luggage compartment floor. The CNG tanks are made of fiber-composite materials and feature an outer layer of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) that turns milky white if damaged. Before they are mounted, they are pressure tested at 300 bar, 100 bar more than the operating pressure, and the vessels have to withstand a burst pressure of 580 bar, 110 bar more than the legal requirements.
The A3 Sportback 30 g-tron’s standard equipment list features LED headlights, a 10.1-inch infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, lane departure warning, pre-sense front, swerve assist and turn assist. Optional gear includes matrix LED headlights, sports seats, panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate control, head-up display and others.
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