The
Audi A3 Sport back G-tron, running on climate-friendly Audi e-gas as well as
conventional natural gas and petrol, is a shot in the arm for sustainable
mobility.
It
does not take much to raise the hackles of environmentalists these days, with
automobiles being a much-favoured target of potshots by the green brigade.
Among other manufacturers, Audi have striven hard to assuage these concerns,
and the newly launched A3 Sport back G-tron represents a huge step towards
sustainable future mobility.
Audi is
taking a large step towards sustainable future mobility with the A3 Sport back G-tron. It innovatively combines
ecological balance, economy and high-tech solutions.
The
first natural gas car from Audi that has gone into production, the A3 Sport back
G-tron is a revelation of the company’s extensive technological expertise. It
represents a showcase of ultra-lightweight technology, state-of-the- art CNG
technology, and fuel storage technology.
The
gas is stored at a pressure of 200 bar in two tanks located below the trunk
floor, with a capacity of about seven kg (15.43 lb) each; positioning these in
the spare wheel well has minimised the reduction of load capacity. The tanks
themselves are ultra-lightweight, undercutting equivalent steel bottles by 70
per cent (27 kg each).
The Audi
A3 Sport back G-tron‘s
engine is a modified 1.4 TFSI; the cylinder head, turbocharger, injection
system and catalytic converter are specifically designed to run on gas
The
compact and lightweight electronic gas pressure regulator works to bring down
the pressure of the gas to five to nine bar. It maintains the right pressure
according to the driving conditions and requirements – low pressure for high
efficiency at low speeds, and higher pressure when more power and torque are
required.
The
power plant is a modified 1.4 TFSI, with the cylinder-head, turbocharger,
injection system and catalytic converter specifically designed to run on gas.
110 PS and 200 Nm power this five-door compact to a 0-100 km/h time of under 11
seconds and a top speed of over 190 km/h. Immediately after refuelling or when
it is very cold, the car starts up with petrol and then switches over to
e-gas/natural gas as soon as possible.
The Audi
A3 Sport back G-tron,
the brand’s first natural gas car to go into production, reveals the sheer
depth of the technological expertise of Audi – from ultra-lightweight technology
through the highly advanced infotainment to the driver assistance systems
The
biggest USP of the A3 Sportback G-tron remains the claimed class-best emission
and economy statistics. New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) results indicate CO2
emission under 95 g/km, and fuel expenses of $ 5.52/100 km. Over 100-km
distance, the car uses less than 3.5 kg of natural gas or Audi e-gas, which is
produced at Audi’s Werlte e-gas plant from CO2 and water using renewable power.
The
Audi A3 Sport back G-tron is all set to hit the roads, with advance sales in
Germany having commenced from 13 February 2014 onwards, at a base price of $ 35,742.
It could be an expensive proposition for Indian buyers; besides, there is no
supply of the completely-emission-neutral Audi e-gas here. If these barriers
could be surmounted, we could have ourselves a car from the four-ringed marque
that appeals to our green hearts like no other.
