hybrids and premium
It can be said that the rivalry between Mercedes and Audi dates back to the 1930s, the era of the Silver Arrows. Now, that rivalry also extends to the field of electrification. Today we analyze two premium compacts with electrified mechanics. Mercedes Class A or Audi A3, who has a better hybrid car offer?
While the electric car continues to have an almost anecdotal weight in sales in Spain (although it is increasing), hybrid cars have long enjoyed very good acceptance.
More and more drivers are betting on hybrid mechanics, whether conventional or plug-in, as is the case at hand.
Premium brands have made a strong commitment to plug-in hybrid technology, a solution that offers the best between two worlds: the traditional car with a combustion engine and the 100% electric car.
A combination that allows you to enjoy powerful mechanics and, at the same time, very efficient, with very low consumption. In addition, thanks to their electric range of over 30 kilometres, they can wear the DGT’s ZERO label, with the benefits that this entails.
At the moment, we can find two interesting compacts in the premium market with plug-in hybrid propulsion systems with more than 60 kilometers of autonomy in both cases. They are the Mercedes Class A and the Audi A3. Let’s see which of them has the best offer.
Mercedes A-Class
The plug-in hybrid variant of Class A is called 250e and is for sale for 42,520.92 euros. It is equipped with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, which deliver a combined power of 218 hp.
It is completed with a lithium-ion battery with a useful capacity of 10.7 kWh, which allows it to homologate between 62 and 72 kilometers.
The price mentioned corresponds to the access version, which includes High Performance LED headlights, automatic climate control, ambient lighting, active hood for pedestrian protection, 17-inch wheels, remote access and cargo Plus services, reversing camera, charging cable for Wallbox and 11 kW public charging station.
The equipment can be completed with numerous options and three available packages:
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Advantage package: it costs 1,228.15 euros and adds the parking package with reversing camera (only on battery), hard disk navigation, mirror package and media display.
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Premium Package: costs €3,000.80 and includes digital instrument panel, ambient lighting in 64 colors, heated front seats, illuminated “Mercedes-Benz”-badged sill slats with interchangeable covers
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Premium Plus Package: It costs 4,464.90 euros and consists of a panoramic sunroof, Multibeam LED headlights and four-way adjustable lumbar support.
Audi A3
As for the Audi A3, you can choose between two plug-in hybrid engines: the A3 40 TFSIe S Tronic and the A3 45 TFSIe S Tronic, with 204 and 245 hp, respectively. Both use the same battery, with a useful capacity of 10.4 kWh.
The 40 TFSIe version has an electric range of 63 kilometers, while the 45 TFSI approves a little less, 59 kilometers.
If we talk about prices, the plug-in hybrid A3 starts at 42,950 euros with the Advanced equipment, which includes LED headlights, 17-inch light alloy wheels, Audi Singleframe grille in titanium black with chrome surround, Audi smartphone interface, Audi parking system, Audi drive select and ECO function, among others.
Then there is the S line finish, which amounts to 44,300 euros and has the S line exterior package, S rear spoiler, quattro air intakes, 18-inch Audi Sport light-alloy wheels, front sports seats with Dynamik fabric and interior lining of the black fabric roof.
The 245 hp 45 TFSIe version is only available with the Black line Competition finish and costs 45,700 euros. It adds red brake calipers, tinted windows, black mirrors, Audi Singleframe Black grille, Audi rings in black, S line exterior package, full LED headlights, multifunction steering wheel, Sport Advanced seats, digital cockpit and Audi drive select.
conclusion
Based on the fact that both are two good, highly equipped and technological compacts, the Audi offers a more varied offer.
Not only can you choose between two power levels, but also the hybrid A3 with 245 hp and Black line Competition finish is almost 2,000 euros cheaper than the A-Class with the Premium Plus package.
In favor of Class A, it must be said that it comes standard with an 11 kW cable for Wallbox and public charging station.