Audi launches A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e
29 May, 2008
17 Comments 
Audi has launched its first ever ‘e’ model in Australia.
The new Audi A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e is part of the latest iteration of highly fuel efficient models from Audi. The idea behind the technology is backed by the brand’s desire to obtain the best efficiency for every day driving conditions.
After its debut in October, 2007 at the AIMS (Australian International Motor Show), Audi’s A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e then partook in the Panasonic Solar Challenge later that month in GreenFleet’s fuel economy class. The drive from Darwin to Adelaide in its inaugural World Solar Challenge voyage saw the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e achieve a impressive fuel economy figure of 3.3l/100km – according to results published by the organisers.
Travelling a total of 3,543 km from point to point, at times fuel consumption dropped as low as 2.6l/100km on the journey. Average C02 emissions were just 98g/km.
The new A3 Sportback ‘e’ model is now on sale in Australia and priced from $38,900.
A 5-speed manual transmission, 77kW of power and 250Nm of torque headline the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e’s powerplant, while official fuel consumption sits at 4.5-litres/100km. According to Audi, it can travel more than 1,200km on a single 55-litre tank of fuel.
Audi will have an e-model in each of its core model series in the foreseeable future.
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May 29th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Looks good & should be a good car to drive.
Cheers !
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Here we go again. No argument that it’s an economical car, but what was the average speed to achieve 3.3L/100km?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Impressive, although what the hell is wrong with the wheels? which century are they from?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
man, those wheels are horrible.. looks like a hybrid wanna be wheel. maybe they serve an aerodynamic purpose?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
The “new” Audi Sportback?
Vote:If you said that 10 years ago, I wouldn’t have been suprised.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
What a ripoff! Just buy a Golf instead.
At least with the BMW 1 series even though its expensive for what it is, you are getting a rear wheel drive car so you get some driving enjoyment. What makes an A3 so much better than a Golf?
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
This is awesome economy at any speed!
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
think thats the same engine as Golfies one. Who needs a prius after that. I once drove a Skoda Octavis with that engine, on a short country trip it did 4.6′/100. That was 5 years ago so more fine tuning has produced better results.
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
The eighties called, they want their wheels back!
Vote:May 29th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
It’s the same base engine as Golf, but the “e” designation is what’s new – they have tweaked the engine for substantially better economy, optimised gear ratios, and used low rolling resistance tyres.
The car is more economical than a Prius under ALL driving conditions, and can enter London central without the pollution levy.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 1:17 am
The wheels are plastic covers, boys. Were you expecting alloys at that price?
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Golfschwein Says:
May 30th, 2008 at 1:17 am
The wheels are plastic covers, boys. Were you expecting alloys at that price?
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Well………of course you would expect alloy wheels on a small car at that price. Even BMW with their identically priced 118i offer alloy weels as standard even though its their base model.
I think Audi have a few screws loose in heir head, and they really need to adjust their pricing for the A3. I don’t think the A3 is selling that great in the first place.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
read the results from green fleet and note the asterix besides the scores the audi gets. it got those results, but unlike everyone else that had 2 people in car with luggage and AC running and car doing the speed limits, Audi had 1 driver, no luggage, no AC and a support vehicle (to carry drivers luggage, spare wheel and other stuff). kinda makes a farce out of green fleet which is a shame and completely destroys their creditability. Hyundai did the same thing.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Good work Audi. Not quite as good as the 308 but still awesome.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I saw one of these in London the other day and with black paint and dark tinted windows the wheels actually make it look quite classy! They look much better in real life than in Pictures too. Not bad Co2 considering that the 1.2 Fiat 500 puts out the same and is two classes smaller.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
LOL, nice wheels.
Vote:May 30th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Non alloy wheels on a 40k+ car, laughable!
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