Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

Audi has launched a new version of its A3 hatchback that averages 74.3mpg and emits 99g/km of CO2.

As a result it the cleanest and most economical premium small hatchback on sale.

A start-stop system, smaller 15-inch wheels, improved aerodynamics, reduced ride height and a revised final drive ratio all contribute to the low emissions.

It is powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine, and achieves the same performance figures as the equivalent standard A3: 0-60mph in 11.4sec and a top speed of 121mph.

To keep weight down, the car is only available as a three-door hatchback, with one trim option and a five-speed manual gearbox.

It costs £18,005 - £500 more than the equivalent standard 1.6 TDI model without the economy tweaks. The standard car averages 68.9mpg and emits 109g/km CO2.

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Comments

nbranfor

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

sorry? A FIVE speed gearbox? The stop start kit is clever, but the rest are just small tweaks, and a 6 speed gearbox would have made it considerably better I would imagine. What are the in gear acceleration times for this if all they've done is blunt the final ratio to get some more economy out of it. Poor effort Audi, this is just a marketing exercise.

Harry_Boy

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

Autocar wrote:

that averages 74.3mpg

Oh really...? In the real world? Somehow, I doubt it...

moe360

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

VAG group have done such a good job with both the Golf and A3 its hard to tell the difference they both are the same cars, do the same job, share the same parts, drive the same etc. I doubt even the Audi badge on the A3 still holds the snob value over the new MK6 which is a great car

jimcumming

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

So it costs £500 less and comes with less kit. So where's the advantage? Free road tax? Well the 109gKm will cost you £35. So that £500 extra could buy you 14 years worth of road tax. And bear in mind that pretty soon that 99gKm band is going to start to be chargable as the government are bound to introduce a lower band at some point.

So perhaps there's an adavantage of increased fuel economy? I would imagine that any differences in fuell cosumption in the real world will be negligable. Factor in the lack of a 6 speed box and you migth find the standard model is more economical. You could have more of an impact on economy by altering your driving style that any of these modifications would make.

Still I suppose it grabs some headlines.

moe360

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

Forgot to say in my other post is the headline about 74mpg this will never be achived in normal driving conditions, the only wya you would get the figure of 74mpg is if you drive 60mph on the motorway cruise control on for the whole journey with no start stop, braking or use of any air con or fancy gadgets.

In the real world of kids, traffic, cold winters, rain, heavy shopping, passangers 74 mpg would be very hard to get.

catnip

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

Autocar wrote:

smaller 15-inch wheels

If you are buying a Golf SE Bluemotion you can specify bigger alloys....I wonder if this is the case with the Audi? Most Audis I see around have large alloys on, if so this will do away with one of the 'tweaks' that result in these fantastic fuel figures..

catnip

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

moe360 wrote:

VAG group have done such a good job with both the Golf and A3 its hard to tell the difference they both are the same cars, do the same job, share the same parts, drive the same etc.

I think some would argue that the Golf is now the better car, certainly that it has a better ride/handling combination.

FriendlyFisherman

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

I would say the mpg figures are actually achievable, I have a 1.9tdi VAG unit in my motor and my average on the trip computer is about 51mpg now (sliding a bit now the bad weather is here). If I take car I can easily match the claimed 55.4, I just don't like taking care that often.

The 5 speed box is a bit dissapointing, I'd sooner have a 6 speed with 5 punchy gears and a nice long 6th for the motorway. As said above I don't see why you wouldn't buy a Golf.

Challenger440

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

My old Skoda Fabia VRs (VAG 1.9Tdi, 130hp) consistently returns ~58 Mpg overall (calculated manually by recording distance and fuel use) - admittedly I don't do much in town driving.

I also don't trust the in-car fuel consumtion meter - it suggests I get 65 Mpg overall - I was told they were notorious for over-reading.

The Skoda also goes like muck off a shovel when you want it to - something I expect the 105hp A3 will be less inclined to do?

If only it was more 'fun' down a twisty road...

230SL

Re: Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

3 years 21 weeks ago

This A3 is fine, but why did n't they do it years ago, also makes the smaler Polo and Ibiza look poor with their 112 CO2.

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Audi A3 hits 74mpg and 99g/km

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