Audi A3 e-tron
Jeff Curry, the head of Audi’s electric vehicle strategy in the U.S., brought one of the 17 A3 e-tron prototypes to Santa Monica this week for a few hours of driving. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
Sneak a look under the hood and you’ll notice the turbocharged four-cylinder gas or diesel motors have been replaced by an electric motor routing about 134 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque to the car’s front wheels. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
As with many electric cars, the A3’s batteries are mounted low for optimal weight distribution. In order to keep the orientation of the traditional A3’s cabin intact, one battery is mounted in the center tunnel between the left and right passengers, and another battery is below the load floor in the trunk area. (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)
