Currently reading: Frankfurt motor show 2013: Audi A3 Ultra

Audi has unveiled its A3 Ultra - the most efficient version of the A3 yet - at the Frankfurt motor show

Audi has unveiled its most efficient version of the A3 ever at the Frankfurt motor show – but there’s no confirmation yet on whether or not the model will be sold in the UK.

Called the Audi A3 Ultra, the model uses a 108bhp 1.6 TDI engine for impressive claimed combined economy of 88.3mpg and CO2 emissions rated at 85g/km. The A3 Ultra is effectively Audi’s version of the Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion.

An Audi spokesman told Autocar that the model would not be sold in the UK in its present specification as the standard equipment levels – including steel wheels – of the model fell below the standard Audi presently offers in the UK.

However, should the model be homologated on different wheels more in line with what Audi UK currently offers, then the model would be sold here, even if the CO2 emissions figure was increased slightly.

Ultra is the name Audi has given its lightweight construction programme, but its appearance on a model indicates it could be used as a catch-all term for its fuel-saving technologies in showrooms. 

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.