Audi launches A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e

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.