Audi has launched a new version of its A3, the Audi A3 1.9 TDIe hatch that offers fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions similar to the Toyota Prius hybrid, the world’s most famous environmentally friendly car. A3's 1.9 TDIe is developed to meet Europe's proposed 2012 CO2 emissions target of 120 grams/kilometer, roughly equivalent to 52 mpg on the highway in the U.S. Audi’s first ‘e’ model already beats that target thanks to a number of mechanical and aerodynamic tweaks that reduce the regular A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI model’s fuel consumption (from 4.9 to 4.5L/100km) and emissions (from 128 to 119g/km). That compares favourably with the Toyota Prius’s figures of 4.4L/100km and 104g/100km.
A 5-speed manual transmission, 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque headline the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDIe’s powerplant. It rides on low-friction Michelin tyres for reduced drag and comes with revised engine, better tuned electronics and lengthened third and fifth gear ratios to reach fuel economy of 53 mpg. There’s also a ‘recommended gear’ display on the dash to help the driver choose the most efficient ratio when using the manual gearbox. The new Audi A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e comes with a price tag of $38,900 - making it the third most affordable Audi in Australia where is was launched recently.
Audi is aiming to have an e-model in each of its core model series in the foreseeable future. We at CarNoise wish them good luck.
Source: Audi
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