Audi’s first plug-in hybrid to go on sale in Australia, the A3 Sportback e-tron may be overdue but it’s brilliantly executed. And barely distinguishable from a petrol A3 from behind the wheel.

WHAT IS IT? The first of many e-tron models expected from Audi, the A3 Sportback e-tron is a plug-in hybrid. It begins with the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol car and adds a battery pack and an electric motor, to give a range of 920km and an official Euro fuel figure of 1.6L/100km. It’s the most efficient A3 on sale.

AUDI-A3-Etron -side

THE WHEELS VERDICT The A3 Sportback e-tron is a brilliantly executed plug-in hybrid. But given the pace at which electrification is progressing – even from Audi itself – it seems obsolete already. That’s not to take away from its excellent dynamics, miserly economy and superb fit and finish.

PLUS: Seamless transition between electric and petrol; loaded with equipment; drives almost identically to a non-hybrid A3; includes charger install MINUS: Price; lack of green fanfare; extra heft; quickly out-dated

THE WHEELS REVIEW AUDI is talking about electrified models with better batteries and Tesla-beating 500km-plus ranges. That’s serious progress from when this car, the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron, was rolled out at Geneva in 2012. So is the first e-tron still relevant when the EV is on the rise?

AUDI-A3-Etron -charging

The fuel saving, on paper, is huge. The e-tron’s 1.6L/100km compares to the regular 1.4 TFSI CoD’s (Cylinder on Demand) 4.7L/100km. Even the most economical of A3s, the 1.6 TDI, manages only 3.9L/100km.

If you’re wondering why the e-tron’s claim doesn’t match the 1.5L/100km figure quoted for Euro models, that’s because the Aussie version runs one-inch bigger 17-inch alloys. These also reduce its range by 20km, but that’s still a capital-to-capital 920km. Those ‘Turbine’ alloys, chrome front grille and hidden exhaust tips are all that will tell your neighbours that you paid more than $60K for a C-segment hatch, $24K on top of the price of a 1.4 TFSI CoD A3 Sportback.

AUDI-A3-Etron -rear

An EV Mode button allows you to choose pure electric propulsion for up to 50km and 130km/h, ‘hold’ to save what’s left in the battery, or Auto, which choses the most efficient mode. You’ll also gain range from the regenerative braking, offered in the Charge mode to top up the battery pack.

In EV, the cabin refinement is brilliant and the only qualm is road noise from those larger tyres. This is a genuine premium hatch, with the change to the petrol engine absolutely seamless, and that cabin remaining library quiet with a comfortable, if firm, ride.

AUDI-A3-Etron -interior

Charging takes around 2.5 hours with a fast charger, or up to five hours using a standard 10-amp household socket. Yet even here, Audi will cover the cost of the charger install in most circumstances, provided you use its mob to ensure a proper job.

In a world of pure EVs such as the BMW i3, and with 500km+ e-trons on the way, it’s hard to see the A3 making a serious impact, as the game it’s playing is moving rapidly. Yet, despite the fact that it’s expensive and somewhat overdue, the A3 e-tron is the most convincing plug-in hybrid yet.

SPECS Model: 2015 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron Engine: 1395cc 4cyl, dohc, 16v, turbo/electric motor Max power (total): 150kW @ 5000rpm Max torque (combined): 350Nm @ 1600-3500rpm Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1533kg 0-100km/h: 7.6sec (claimed) Fuel Economy: 1.6L/100km Price: $62,490 (est.) On sale: Now

Click here to read the full range review of the Audi A3 and S3.