Audi: New 1.6 TDI Engines for A3 and A3 Sportback

Audi has announced a pair of new common-rail diesel engines that will join the A3 and A3 Sportback lineups. The most powerful variant of the 1.6-liter TDi produces 105HP and 230 Nm (170 lb-ft) of torque, and is combined with Audi's new start and stop, and energy recovery systems. With this engine the A3 sprints from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 194 km/h (121mph) while consuming on average 4.1 liters of diesel per 100km (57.37 US mpg). This equates to 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

There's also a 90HP version of the 1.6-liter TDi that propels the A3 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 12.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 180km/h (112 mph). This model, which does not feature the start/stop system or energy recovery, has a higher average consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (52.27 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 118 grams per kilometer .

The A3 1.6 TDI is available for order in Europe with the basic price for the 90HP version set at €22,550 and for the 105HP model at €23,550. Those who opt for the 5-door Sportback model will be charged an extra €900.

VIDEO: New Audi RS3 Sportback 340HP

Earlier this week, we brought you a first look at Audi's second proposal in the hot hatchback segment after the 265HP S3, the new RS3 Sportback that borrows the TT RS' 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with 340 ponies. Now we have the first video that takes us up close and personal with the RS3. Unfortunately, the clip does not include any running footage of the car. The European market order books for the RS3 Sportback open in December with prices in Germany starting from €49,900.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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New Audi RS3 Breaks Cover, gets 340HP Turbocharged Five-Cylinder

It's official; Audi has finally lifted the wraps off the all-new RS3 Sportback that will be if not the, one of the most powerful and fastest hatchbacks in the market when it goes on sale in Europe in early 2011. It adopts the TT RS' 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine producing 340-horsepower and 450 Nm (331.90 lb-ft) of torque available between 1,600 rpm and 5,300 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the road through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with two auto and one manual modes, and the Ingolstadt firm's quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.

Weighing in at 1,575 kg (3,472.28 pounds), the RS3 completes the standard 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in a mere 4.6 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Audi adds that the RS3 returns an average fuel consumption of 9.1 liters per 100 km (25.9 US mpg) and emits 212 g CO2 per km (341.18 g/mile).

So what else will RS3 buyers get aside from the five-pot and quattro all-wheel drive? Starting with the chassis, Audi's RS division widened the car's front and rear tracks, and added new coil springs and redesigned shock absorbers. The RS3 sits 25 millimeters (0.98 inch) closer to the ground compared with the A3, while it rides on new 19-inch cast aluminum wheels fitted with 235/35 series tires at the front and 225/35 at the rear. The wheels come standard with machine-polished titanium-look styling, but are optionally available in black with a red rim flange.

To improve stopping power, the RS3 is fitted with internally ventilated disks measuring 370 millimeters (14.57 inches) in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters (12.20 inches) at the rear.

Furthermore, the electronic stabilization program (ESP) features a Sport mode and can be switched off entirely.

The top off the line A3 also features some styling changes but not as much as you'd expect from an RS model. On the outside, the new rims are joined by bulgier wheel arches and a bodykit comprising of a new front bumper with massive air vents, side skirts and a rear apron housing a diffuser and the twin-tailpipes. The matt aluminium mirrors and roof spoiler round off the exterior look.

Inside, the cabin has been upgraded with a flat bottom steering wheel, a pair of body hugging bucket seats up front in Fine Nappa leather with contrasting stitching, and sportier trim throughout.

For the time being at least, the RS3 will be available exclusively as a five-door Sportback model as Audi did not say if there will be a three-door model down the line. European deliveries of the RS 3 Sportback will begin in early 2011 with the base price in Germany set at €49,900 (US$68,300). No word yet if or when the RS3 Sportback will be sold in the States.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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Audi A3 named 'green' car of the year

Audi A3



Audi A3



Audi A3



Audi A3

Audi's latest environmentally-friendly sedan, launched in the United States just last month, took top honors ahead of the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, VW Golf TDI and Ford's Mercury Milan hybrid.

The A3 TDI gets 42 miles (67 kilometers) to the gallon (3.75 liters) on the highway, following in the footsteps, or should we say tire tracks of the Volkswagen Jetta, which won last year.

Ron Cogan, editor of Green Car Journal, said jurors were impressed with Audi's direct injection turbo diesel technology which "achieved 50 percent better fuel efficiency than the gasoline engine A3 model without sacrificing anything."

Consumers warming to climate-friendly cars

Audi sold just over 500 A3 diesels in the US in November, its first month on the market, a figure that pales in comparison to the runner-up Toyota Prius, which sold 128,000 units this year.

But Consumer Reports magazine's senior automotive engineer, Jake Fisher, said he was confident that the car would sell. "There is demand for this type of vehicle, and I think it will do well", he said, despite the traditional aversion to diesel-powered automobiles in the US.

Green car winners are chosen by a panel of Green Car magazine editors, and invited jurors, who this year included car collector and comic Jay Leno, environmental activist, Jean-Michel Cousteau, legendary muscle car designer Carroll Shelby and the head of the Sierra Club environment group, Carl Pope.