Future Hybrid Cars: the 2013 Edition

Audi A3 e-tron

Earlier this year, Audi announced that the upcoming 2015 A3 e-tron plug-in will hit the US market. That means the LeMans winning technology will soon be available in an affordable and practical package. Sure, they’re not exactly like the LeMans race cars, but with 204 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, this little Audi will guarantee a good time.

Power comes from a 75 kW electric motor and a 1.4L turbocharged gasoline engine, and helps the little hatchback hit 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. That number might not be impressive to you, but it is when you consider that the A3 e-tron will get 156 mpg. Audi says the car can travel 31 miles in its all electric mode, and when that range is depleted, the fuel-rationing 1.4L engine kicks in. Want to save your electric juice? Drivers can choose when the electric engine or gas engine turn on, or can even choose to drive the two together in a hybrid mode.