John Challen gets behind the wheel of Audi’s latest plug-in hybrid in coupé-like Sportback form.

Audi Q3 TFSI e Sportback

SECTOR Coupé SUV   PRICE £42,410-£50,300  FUEL 141.2mpg   CO2 44g/km

Audi’s new Q3 TFSi e Sportback offers a plug-in hybrid with up to 141mpg on the combined cycle, around 30 miles on electric power alone from its 13.0kWh battery (which cannot be rapid-charged) and 44g/km CO2 emissions.

These figures are the same, in fleet-friendly S-Line trim, for both the Q3 45 TFSi e and the Q3 45 TFSi Sportback, as is the 11% Benefit-in-Kind tax rating, with the latter, more svelte coupé silhouette, commanding a £1,200 premium over the standard Q3 45 TFSi e. It’s worth noting also that the non-Sportback Q3 offers an entry-level Technik model which starts at £37,810 vs £41,260 for S-Line variants.

Audi says that the Sportback will likely account for around 25% of sales of Q3 TFSi e and this sounds quite logical. It’s purely subjective as to whether it looks better, and there’s no denying that the Q3 is already an attractive car. So when you factor in slightly less rear headroom, less family-friendly cubic capacity in the boot (already reduced by the hybrid system) and the effect of the price premium on BiK, it’s not hard to see why 75% opt for the more familiar sight on UK roads. Audi has also invested heavily in its online car configurator to simplify the specifying process for fleet drivers.

The Sportback will be available from October and behind the wheel, it’s familiar Audi ergonomics… that is to say beautifully appointed, comfortable seats and – occasionally frustrating sat-nav aside – intuitive controls.

In Q3 and Q3 Sportback form, the Audi is a direct competitor for our FW Fleet Cupra Formentor ­– both offer a spirited 245hp with similar driving characteristics, an 11% BiK rating (although the Cupra weighs 100kg less) and both are excellent. So the real winner here is the fleet driver getting to choose.

FW Verdict: 4/5