Audi A3 TFSI Ultra : Australia keen on cleaner, more powerful petrol variant

The A3 TFSI Ultra’s 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine produces 110kW of power and 250Nm – up 7kW on the existing cylinder-on-demand-equipped variant.

Despite the power boost, combined cycle fuel consumption is unchanged at 4.7 litres per 100km, while average CO₂ emissions fall one gram per kilometre to 109g/km.

Audi also claims 0-100km/h acceleration of as low as 8.1 seconds, making it 0.3sec quicker than the five-door Sportback variant currently offered in Australia.

Internationally, the Audi A3 TFSI Ultra will be available with six-speed manual and seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and in all four body styles: three-door hatch, five-door Sportback, sedan and Cabriolet.

Audi Australia says it is looking closely at the A3 TFSI Ultra variant for a potential launch in 2015. While not confirmed for our market at this stage, it looks likely to replace the 103kW variant currently offered in the Sportback and sedan ranges, and set to launch in the Cabriolet line-up next month.

Audi Australia has no plans to offer the diesel-powered A3 TDI Ultra, however, despite it claiming combined cycle fuel consumption as low as 3.2L/100km, because it is available only with a manual transmission.

The local division of the German manufacturer confirmed earlier this year the Audi A6 Ultra was headed for our shores in 2015. Available in sedan and Avant wagon body styles, the A6 Ultra produces 120kW and 400Nm from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine and uses 4.4-4.6L/100km combined.