Audi A1 1.6 TDI on sale in Australia in November

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By Tim Beissmann | October 17th, 2011

The first Audi A1 1.6 TDI has landed in Australia ahead of the new model’s imminent launch.

The diesel-powered Audi A1 is competing in the 2011 World Solar Challenge, where it aims to cover the 3028km journey from Darwin to Adelaide using an average of just 3.4 litres/100km.

The new model is powered by a 1.6-litre TDI engine that produces 66kW of power and 230Nm of torque. The Audi A1 1.6 TDI will be available with two transmission options: a five-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic.

The manual returns a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of just 3.8 litres/100km and emits just 99g/km CO₂. This makes it more fuel efficient than the Toyota Prius, puts it on par with the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion, and makes it the equal-second-most fuel efficient vehicle in Australia behind the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic (3.7 litres/100km).

The A1 1.6 TDI S tronic variant is a little less efficient – 4.2 litres/100km combined, 110g/km CO₂ – but still promises to be one of the greenest vehicles in Australia.

The drivetrain is the same as the one offered in the Volkswagen Polo 66TDI Comfortline, which achieves 4.6-4.7 litres/100km combined. The more efficient Audi A1 takes advantage of a number of fuel-saving technologies, including start-stop, regenerative braking and measures to reduce internal engine friction.

Audi Australia’s Anna Burgdorf confirmed the A1 1.6 TDI will only be available in the entry-level Attraction spec in Australia, as she said it would be positioned as a “price and weight leader”. Ms Burgdorf said the diesel variants were “unlikely” to carry a price premium over their petrol counterparts, but said final pricing would be confirmed closer to the launch. The petrol-powered Attraction models are priced from $29,900 for the manual and $32,250 for the S tronic.

Like the rest of the Audi A1 line-up, the A1 1.6 TDI will be offered only as a three-door hatch with four seats.

The Audi A1 has quickly established itself as one of Audi Australia’s most popular – and therefore most important – vehicles. After the first nine months of 2011, it has outsold the larger Audi A3 (1301 vs 1292) to become the second-most popular vehicle in the premium small class (behind the Mercedes-Benz B-Class on 1867 units).

It ranks third overall across Audi Australia’s range, behind the A4 (2472) and the Q5 (2108).

Jerrycan

These are very artificial circumstances, no a/c used, windows wound up, professional drivers, etc but since everyone will be doing the same you do get as real on-road comparison between vehicles as is possible to create.

I wonder how they determine whether or not the ECU has been tweeked from standard to optimise economy?

AndyGF

Do you know how almost all motor racers know when the other teams are cheating? And I have this on good authority from a few true race car drivers I have been friends with over the years.

“They know the other guy is cheating, because they are cheating, and he is beating me…”

There is no doubt, all the manufacturers would tweak these vehicles if they have half the chance, but the difference is, they are all tweaking them, which levels the playing field.

AndyGF

“because we are cheating, and he is beating me”

Trump

How are AUDI harnessing the energy generated from “Regenerative braking”?

AndyGF

Good question;

Basically, all cars with electronic fuel injection have regenerative braking to some extent. Because on the overrun (foot off the accelerator, rpm above 1250+- and car is moving) the alternator is running all the ancillaries, and recharging the battery off the forward momentum (kinetic energy) of the car, and the engine is using no fuel.

Where Audi (just like BMW ED) change this is by modifying the voltage regulator to increase battery charging during braking. Furthermore, enhancements in the development of engine stop/start motors are increasing this effect from just a 100/200 watts (alternator capabilities) to a couple KW, further increasing efficiency.

Alexander

A reversible alternator plus a beefed up 12v battery.

Alexander

*in reply to Trump

Car Fanatic

This can’t be more fuel efficient than a Prius, because Frugal One said so and he knows everything.

Good luck with the 3.4 boys.

Alexander

I’ve personally done tanks of 3.6l/100km when hypermiling a Prius, people in America easily do 3.4l100 when they get hardcore about it as the people driving this Audi would.

Car Fanatic

And we’ve seen the Skoda Fabia Diesel do 2006 k’s on 45 litres whilst averaging 82 kilometers an hour. Hybrids still have a way to go to beat that.

Alexander

Do your research, plenty of first gen Honda Insight drivers have driven tanks of around 2l/100km, it’s not unheard of for a gen 2 Prius to get down to 2.4l100km without a plug in conversion.

You’re comparing apples to oranges, most hybrids are not 3 cylinder 50kw city cars like a Skoda Fabia, they’re larger more powerful small family cars – those Fabias take 14 seconds to hit 100km/h, yet a Prius will do it in 10. It’s like saying why buy a diesel BMW X5 that uses 7l/100km when you can buy a Fiesta that does 6l100km.

Mr Gaspo

Hmmmm, I drove a 1.6 Golf TDi in heavy traffic and got around 9 ltrs per 100km… A hybrid would have trounced it in these conditions. If your driving is mostly inner city and heavy traffic a hybrid is more efficient, otherwise a diesel or an efficient petrol would be a better choice.