Audi's Prius-rivalling A3 1.9 TDIe Diesel Hatchback

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
Read More On: Audi A3
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2008 Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro : The New Diesel Concept

Audi has revealed the intial details and pictures of its latest concept car, the 2008 Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept. It will make its debut later this month at the 27th annual Lake Worther Tour in Austria. The 2.0-liter TDI unit under the bonnet of the new Audi A3 diesel makes 165 kW (224 hp) of horsepower and musters up 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque – the sort of pulling power normally associated with a sports car.

According to Audi, its A3 TDI clubsport quattro can race from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 6.6 seconds and attains a top speed of 240 km/h (149.13 mph). Exterior components such as the large DTM-look rear spoiler and the bolt-on wheel arch extensions give the car a dynamic air, while the racing bucket seats, the open gear lever gate in aluminum and and Audi’s characteristic flat-bottom steering wheel form the highlights of the interior.

The show car is a true high-tech sports car. Already lowered by 1.3 inches, the Clubsport Quattro concept has a mean stance thanks to a widened track (1.3 inches in front; 1.8 inches out back), bolt-on fender flares and 20-inch alloy wheels. Audi has packed the car with a six-speed transmission and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. At the front wheels, stopping power is provided by six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs.

The Audi drive select driving dynamics system allows the driver to vary at will the throttle response characteristic, the exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, the cut-in thresholds for the ESP stabilization system, as well as the operating mode of the dampers that deploy Audi magnetic ride technology.

08 Model Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept Photos & Pictures


The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro.

Engine
- Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system
- Displacement of 1968 cc, output of 165 kW (224 hp) and torque of 450 Nm
(331.90 lb-ft)
- Optimized exhaust system, sonorous soundtrack
- 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 6.6 seconds, top speed 240 km/h (149.13 mph)

Power transmission- High-efficiency six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight casing, open gear lever gate made of aluminum
- quattro all-wheel drive with extremely fast-action multi-plate clutch

Chassis
- Four-link rear suspension for dynamic handling and good comfort
- Power steering with highly efficient electric drive
- Wheels measuring 9 J x 20, tire size 265/30
- Six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs at the front wheels
- Audi drive select driving dynamics system with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control

Body and interior
- Length 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches), width 1,825 millimeters (71.85
inches), height 1,385 millimeters (54.53 inches)
- Motorsport-look design, large rear spoiler
- Racing bucket seats and extra aluminum components in interior

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