Audi redesigns the A3 to run free under new London congestion charges
I suppose you could argue that any car that will be exempt from the recently proposed London congestion charge has, for people who drive regularly in the city, a big minus sign under the price tag. The number following that minus sign differs depending on the way the car will be used, but that there is an effective discount for these cars is not escaping automakers. The latest example comes from Audi, which is making it clear that the new A3 will be exempt from the updated congestion charges should they go into effect. The exempt, green version of the A3 emits 119g/km of CO2 from a 1.9 TDI and gets 62.7mpg (combined). Not bad for a large hatchback, don't you think?
This A3 was designed specifically to break through the 120 g/km of CO2 limit in the proposed changes and is more economical than the 1.4L TFSI A3 that was introduced earlier this year (proof that greener legislation works). Audi engineers used reduced rolling resistance tires and a modified 105PS diesel with friction-minimizing components and a manual gearbox that offers the driver a dashboard indicator about when to make the most economical gear shifts. Audi says these changes will drift into future models.
Starting in October, Audi will offer three- and five-door versions of the A3, starting at £16,660 OTR. Read more after the jump. If you're in London, check with the dealer to gauge what your personal minus sign might be.
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[Source: Audi]
NEW AUDI A3 WILL BE FREE TO CHARGE INTO LONDON
New 'green' version of Audi hatchback with 119g/km CO2 output will be exempt from proposed congestion charge
- A3 1.9 TDI with engine, transmission and aerodynamics optimized to reduce CO2 output to 119g/km and increase fuel economy to 62.7mpg (combined)
- Open for order in late August at £16,660 OTR in three-door form or £17,160 OTR for the five-door Sportback – first deliveries in early October
- A3 1.9 TDI with five-speed manual transmission – 105PS @ 4,000rpm, 250Nm @ 1,900rpm, 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds, 120mph, 62.7mpg, CO2 119g/km
Following closely behind the swift yet sparing A3 1.4 TFSI that also opens for order this month, the even more acutely economy and efficiency-focused TDI model has been developed on the foundations of the existing A3 1.9 TDI. It benefits from a specially modified version of the already frugal 105PS diesel with new friction minimizing components and redeveloped ancillary units, combined with a manual gearbox with remapped, economy-biased ratios and an in-dash indicator informing the driver of the most effective gear change points for optimum economy.
Helped externally by tyres with reduced rolling resistance, and by additional modifications to further increase aerodynamic efficiency, the A3 1.9 TDI combines 62mpg-plus fuel economy with CO2 output of just 119g/km. Acceleration from rest to 62mph in the three-door model with five-speed manual transmission takes 11.4 seconds, and a top speed of 120mph is possible where conditions allow.
The measures taken to increase economy and minimise emissions in the A3 will also be employed in the creation of more efficient versions of other models in the Audi range in the near future.
These more environmentally considerate models will be engineered with the benefit of experience gained during the development of the pioneering, aluminium-bodied A2 compact hatchback of 1999, which offered 81g/km CO2 output and 94-plus mpg capability and is widely regarded as a car born well ahead of its time.
Improved availability
Although the very timely arrival of the new A3 1.9 TDI is likely to give a further boost to the popularity of the already sought-after premium compact hatchback, delivery lead times for UK customers will actually be shortened. A significant proportion of left-hand-drive A3 production has now been absorbed by the Audi production facility in Brussels, freeing up additional right-hand-drive A3 range capacity within the Bavarian Ingolstadt plant.
Picture caption
Audi drives down emissions – Specially developed A3 1.9 TDI models with extensive engine, transmission and aerodynamic revisions permitting exemption from the congestion charge join the Audi range this month. Prices start from £16,660 OTR.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 11:15AM (8/21/2007)
When does the U.S. get one?
Forgot, it will interfere with the U.S. Oil Industry KickBack program. Sorry.
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shmuupy 12:37PM (8/21/2007)
what the hell is wrong with America that we can't have these cars??? I am so sick of this.
if they get 62.7 mpg in an A3, they could do even better with a Rabbit. Damn VW only sends us one with a huge 2.5 l engine. I f-ing hate these companies for the way they are screwing us.
We should start a boycott of any brand that does not offer its most efficient versions to the USA.
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rgseidl 1:18PM (8/21/2007)
Once again, Autobloggreen fails to mention that MPG imperial is not the same as MPG US.
119 gCO2/km in the NEDC implies 52.4MPG US. However, actual mileage in the US would be different because both the vehicle and drive cycle would be different, so use the above number as a ballpark figure only.
@ shmuupy -
simply put, US T2B5 emissions are very difficult and expensive to meet. Moreover, in the US, diesel fuel does not enjoy the price advantage over gasoline it does in Europe so the addressable market is much smaller. Add to that the Euro's strength relative to the US dollar while Japan and China keep buying dollars to boost their exports, including those of cars. Selling European-made compact cars at prices that are competitive with Japanese imports yields negative margins (cp. Saturn Astra).
European car makers are not screwing you, they are simply running for-profit businesses.
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Karkus 2:11PM (8/21/2007)
Well said, rgseidl.
Since he addresses 2 of the most common issues on this board, let me repeat them again:
1) LABEL your MPGs as UK or US, or better yet, use CO2 emissions (which is what matters most for global warming and future European regulations).
We've complained about this again and again, yet the posters seem to be unable to label this consistently.
2) It's our OWN fault that European car companies only bring the big gas engine version of their cars to the US. We can yell about it all we want (or blame CARB or the gov't), but it won't matter until everyone speaks with their pocketbooks to show them we are changing the American "bigger is better" mentality. Sure, maybe most of us here drive fuel efficient cars, but think about you extended family, neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc. Instead of complaining, we can start by convincing those people they should get the 4 cylinder instead of the V6, or get the hybrid or TDI instead of gasoline, or a hatchback instead of an SUV.
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Paul 2:53PM (8/21/2007)
rgseidl, I hear you, but their current strategies ain't working all that well. Take VW...they aren't even sure they are sticking around. I looked at my VW dealership a while back and basically all they have are a ton of 2.5l Jettas and a spattering of 2.5l Rabbits and 2.5l New Beetles (presumably the most economically viable since they are assembled in Mexico). The Jetta may be a viable compact sedan in the marketplace, but completely unremarkable in most all respects (the Civic and Corolla are almost as refined with far better economy and lower prices). The Beetle is at least cute (if a bit tired), but the Rabbit is a joke (I mean who would buy an economy car to get worse mileage than a midsize Camry--21/29 vs. 21/31). Aside from just getting a European ride, there's just nothing there. If these are the only cars that they can sell at a profit, why not make them stand out in fuel economy by bringing over their super high efficiency engines? Tack on an extra two grand, but at least now you can tell people why they are buying your cars (European refinement with stingy fuel economy). Right now, Fahrvergnugen means European refinement but competitively trounced.
Note that I own an A3 and have owned German cars for 12 years now so I'm in no way anti-German car. I don't think I could bring myself to buy a Japanese car (I tried to buy the Mazda3 when I "went economy" and got my A3, but I just couldn't). I just hate to see them floundering aimlessly here in the states.
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Ian 7:27PM (8/21/2007)
I would also like to see more 0-60 mph acceleration figures so I can evaluate the usefulness/power of the unit in comparision to the Co2 and mileage figures.
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