Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Audi
Audi adds low CO2 "e" series to the A3
Audi has followed their Volkswagen stablemates and added some special "e" series models to the their lineup in recent months. The "e" models are similar to VW's Bluemotion models in that they are specifically optimized for ultra-low CO2 emissions. Currently, the smallest such vehicle is the A3 TDI e equipped with a 1.9L diesel. The TDI e has modified gear ratios and engine calibrations along with the low rolling resistance tires. The A3 is rated at 52mpg (U.S.) on the EU combined cycle with CO2 emissions of just 120g/km, low enough to avoid London's congestion charge. Motor Trend had a chance to put some miles on a A3 TDI e over in the UK and managed to achieve 44.3 mpg in a mix of fairly quick driving over 500 miles. They managed 50.5mpg over 50 miles on a very congested M25 motorway around London, topping the best they ever achieved with a Prius (47mpg). They also found the little German far more entertaining to drive than the Prius.
[Source: Motor Trend, via GermanCarBlog, thanks to Christian for the tip]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rgseidl 12:12PM (2/18/2008)
It might be useful to compare base price tags and fuel cost as well. For example, those in the UK and those in Austria (the Prius isn't sold in Germany). Compared to the US, fuel taxes are high all over Europe but vary substantially by country.
UK (MRSP incl. dest. charge & 17.5% VAT):
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GBP 16,660 Audi A3 1.9L TDi(DPF) 3 door
168.7" long, RHD
0-62mph 11.4s
62.8 MPGuk @ GBP 1.10/L = GBP 0.080/mile
GBP 17,777 Toyota Prius eco 5 door
175" long, RHD
0-62mph 10.9s
65.0 MPGuk @ GBP 1.11/L = GBP 0.078/mile
Austria (MSRP incl. dest. charge, 20% tax & NoVA):
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EUR 24,170 Audi A3 1.9L TDi(DPF) e 3 door
4285mm long, LHD
105hp, 0-100kph 11.4s
4.5L/100km @ EUR 1.10/L = EUR 0.050/km
EUR 26,700 Toyota Prius eco 5 door
4445mm long, LHD
112hp combined, 0-100kph 10.9s
4.3L/100km @ EUR 1.20/L = EUR 0.052/km
Bottom line: the Prius is a little bit larger car with more doors, produces fewer toxic emissions (esp. NOx) and 16g less CO2/km. The Audi offers similar performance, though the extra torque at low engine RPM makes it a little more fun to drive. It also costs less to own (esp. in Austria).
In the US, the high cost of meeting T2B5 emissions regs with a diesel plus the equal or higher cost per gallon of diesel fuel would give the Prius an advantage if the A3 TDi e were on offer.
Note, however, that all T2B5 diesel models will enjoy a US federal tax credit worth up to $3400 subject to the same terms as gasoline hybrids, i.e. only up to Dec. 31, 2010 or until 60,000 have been sold (whichever comes first) and only if AMT does not apply to your personal income tax situation.
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Eric 2:07PM (2/18/2008)
why o why can't we get these in the US?!?
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Throwback 3:27PM (2/18/2008)
Haven driven a Prius and a A3, the Audi is light years more fun to drive, if you value great handling. Imagine this engine in a Polo? Now that would be a blast. I hope VW does bring over the next Polo.
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bidas 5:28PM (2/18/2008)
The Prius isn't sold in Germany ?!?!
http://www.toyota.de/cars/new_cars/prius/pricelist.aspx
And there is a 5 door version called: A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e FPD.
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 7:25PM (2/18/2008)
The POLO is already available in a Bluemotion model.
However, starting at around 18000 euros in the UK for a car of this segment, I don't think it has much future. It would seem VW think so too, as the target for 2007 was 900 vehicles.....
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/211479/volkswagen_polo_bluemotion_vs_rivals.html
The lowest ranked Clio still had better extraurban fuel economy than the Polo (though it was worse than the top vehicles...)
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eddy 5:27AM (2/19/2008)
Why such high prices for the Polo in the UK. Here in Aachen there is a Polo Bluemotion at the VW Dealership for 15.000 Euro.
I think the main problem could be the old Pumpe-Düse-engine. If i buy a Volkswagen it would be one with the new CR-Engines or a 1.4 TSI engine .In Germany the new CR-Engines are now being used for cars like the new A4 (176 hp 2.0 TDI) and have quite impressive Torque/Rpm-features and low emissions. At the moment the new A4 has remarkably lower consumption and CO2 ratings than other cars of its size. 140g CO2/km aren't bad for a nearly 4,8 meter long car. With the next Golf(June 2008 in Germany) and the Sirocco the ECO-Racer's 160 hp 1,4 CR-TDI engine will launch in Germany. There are rumors that in August 2008 the Q5 Hybrid would have a gasoline-engine and a diesel-engine.
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nagmashot 12:28PM (2/19/2008)
Prius problems in real world they do not reach factory claim consuptions. Means higher consutpion = higher emission = Audi won..
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Karl-Uwe Strunzen 8:12PM (2/19/2008)
Both these sources quote 13500 pounds as a starting price for the POLO bluemotion, which is just under 18000 euros (perhaps UK buyers should buy their cars in Aachen).
http://www.autocar.co.uk/SpecsPrices/SpecsAndPricesEdition/Volkswagen-Polo-1.4-TDI-80-BlueMotion-2/52842/
according to this site,
"Never a huge seller in the UK because of its pricing.."
and according to
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/211482/vw_polo_bluemotion.html
"..technology doesn't justify premium price"..." (they were ranked 4th out of 6 cars in this comparison...)
While the price came as no real surprise to me, the two-star EURONCAP rating does. I didn't think there were any cars on the European market anymore with such poor EURONCAP ratings. Nowadays even the tiniest cars have 5 stars....
Audi "beef up" their figures just as much (if not more) as the other manufacturers.....Lame argument...
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