New Audi Q3 may go all-electric

Audi’s offering in the compact crossover segment, the Q3, is about to receive an update sometime this year. It is speculated that after the new Q3 is revealed and goes on sale in 2018, it will be followed by an all-electric or a plug-in hybrid variant, or both.

The compact crossover will make use of the new Volkswagen e-Golf’s platform when it comes in all-electric guise. That will provide the electric Q3 with an electric powertrain of 115bhp and 290 Nm of torque from a 35.8kWh battery pack. It is expected that Audi would plonk a larger battery pack to give the Q3 a larger range compared to the e-Golf. The plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, can come with Audi’s ‘e-tron’ moniker and have a 1.4-litre TFSI engine working in conjunction with an electric motor.

The push towards electrification is a part of Volkswagen’s plan to introduce 30 or more electric vehicles by 2025. Audi has also disclosed its intentions to bring a new electric vehicle every year starting 2018. This would help the German giant to move away from the infamous diesel gate and bury its emissions scandal for good. Volkswagen also anticipates selling around one million (10 lakh) electric vehicles by the year 2025.