A3 Sportback 'efficiency' expert

Australians have already seen the Audi A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e in action, ahead of its local launch. The super-frugal diesel model took part in last year's World Solar Challenge (in the Greenfleet section) and returned an overall fuel consumption figure of 3.3L/100km, coming second only to the winning Hyundai i30 on 3.2.

Audi forecasts sales of just five units per month for the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e, which is priced at $38,990 -- barely $1700 higher than the entry-level A3 Sportback 1.6 Attraction variant. According to Audi, the difference in purchase price between the two variants will be amortised after 1.8 years of lower running costs for the diesel model.

"It's all about buying pleasure -- so driving pleasure without regrets, from a social perspective," says Immo Buschmann, Audi's General Manager for Marketing in Australia, clarifying the new variant's potential appeal.

"Also, there's no regrets in regards to the environmental issue. If you drive an Audi, you know that you have the top-of-the-line technology and you know that a lot of investment and a lot of technical research has [gone] into the car and giving you the latest technology in environmental friendliness.

"So 'Progressive Performance' in a nutshell basically means it's given you the ultimate driving performance, but with the maximum fuel efficiency," Buschmann explained, outlining the company's Progressive Performance philosophy.

Developing 77kW of power at 4000rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1900rpm, the engine in the new variant is rated at 4.5L/100km of fuel use in combined cycle testing and emits 119g/km of CO2. Audi has equipped the engine with a diesel particulate filter and recalibrated the engine management electronics for optimal fuel efficiency. Drive to the front wheels is via a five-speed manual transmission which boasts higher ratio gears for 3rd and 5th.

Vehicle dynamics are handled by electrically-assisted rack and pinion steering, MacPherson strut front suspension, a four-link IRS rear end, ventilated disc brakes at front and solid discs at the rear.

From a safety perspective, the 1.9-litre diesel is on a par with the 1.6-litre Attraction model and features ESP, ABS, Brake Assist, traction control, an electronic differential lock, two-stage dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front-seat occupants and curtain airbags for front and rear occupants.

The trim level for the new diesel A3 is largely aligned with that of the 1.6-litre Attraction, but does without the 17-inch alloys of the petrol variant, making do with 16-inch steel wheels and wheel covers instead. These wheels are fitted with 205/55 R16 low-rolling-resistance tyres.

Standard features for the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e include: heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors; dual-zone climate control; electric windows; leather-bound steering wheel and a 10-speaker, MP3-compatible single-disc CD audio system.

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