Enlarge imageAudi is claiming that their revised A3 has much lower CO2 emissions across the range, through improvements to diesel and petrol engines that boost efficiency.
Set to reach customers in July, the latest line-up is equipped with new or revised engines delivering reductions in CO2 emissions of up to 15 per cent, improving the output of models such as the 1.8 TFSI S tronic from 179g/km to 153g/km.
There are also subtle styling revisions inside and out, and new options including Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping.
All four petrol engines powering the revised A3 line-up, the majority of which combine FSI direct injection with turbocharging, have been modified with a view to maximising efficiency.
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The TDI range adopts the all-new 2.0-litre TDI unit with common rail piezo fuel injection first seen in the new A4 Saloon.Available in 140PS and 170PS forms, with the 140PS version expected to be the most popular overall in the range, the new unit replaces the familiar 2.0-litre pump jet injection engine, and brings significant gains in economy and a reduction in CO2 emissions of as much as 15 per cent. As an example, the combined fuel economy figure for the A3 2.0 TDI 140PS climbs from 52.3mpg to 55.4mpg, while its CO2 output falls from 143g/km to 134g/km.
As before the TDI range will also contain the most economical and efficient model in the line-up - the 105PS A3 1.9 TDI e - which in standard trim retains an impressively low CO2 output of 119g/km despite the addition of manual air conditioning as part of the latest range improvements.
A six-speed manual transmission is common to all versions bar the five-speed 1.9 TDI, and in all front-wheel-drive models except the 1.9 TDI can be replaced at extra cost by the S tronic dual clutch transmission (formerly DSG). The quattro four-wheel-drive 2.0 TFSI quattro will be available in S tronic form only, while the 2.0 TDI quattro (170PS) and S3 quattro will continue to be offered only as six-speed manuals.
For the first time the suspension set up can be enhanced at extra cost in selected versions by the high-tech Audi magnetic ride system already used by the TT and R8 sports cars.
The fluid in the Audi magnetic ride system’s sophisticated dampers contains magnetic particles that can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. When a voltage is applied to the system’s electromagnets, the viscosity of the fluid is altered by the affected magnetic particles, so resistance to damper movement can be increased to iron out pitch and roll when necessary, or reduced when ride comfort takes precedence.
The quattro four-wheel-drive system, offered in conjunction with 2.0-litre TFSI petrol 200PS and 265PS engines and for the 2.0-litre TDI 170PS unit, has also evolved in this latest generation model. Its central hydraulic multi-plate clutch now responds even faster when the engine's power needs to be redistributed between the front and rear wheels to maximize stability and traction.
As before, the new generation A3 range model structure begins with standard specification, and is followed by the comfort-oriented SE and performance-focused Sport and S line trim options.
The revised Audi A3 is now open for UK orders priced from £14,995 with first deliveries scheduled for July.
