Audi A3: low-tax, low-emission hatch
Audi A3 Sportback test
Review: Sam Hardy
Date Posted: 04/02/2008
Review: Sam Hardy
Date Posted: 04/02/2008
Road Tests RSS FeedTax-breaking Audi A3: reduced company car tax
Audi A3 1.9 TDI e 109 Sportback
What is it?
Audi’s greenest A3 yet. New Audi A3 1.9 diesel model gets a number of CO2-reducing measures, including a tweaked engine management control unit, higher gear ratios, economy tyres and a minor drag-reducing bodykit. Changes likely to be implemented across the range.
What's hot?
- Super-low CO2 emissions of 119g/km…
- …and a road tax penalty of just £35 per year
- Qualifies for new low-emission company car tax band
- Economy is miserly at almost 63mpg
- Longer gearing results in quiet motorway cruising…
- …and while the engine might not be as responsive, it’s still punchy
- Interior quality impresses even now
- Supple ride
What's not?
- Not exactly fun to drive in any respect
- TDI engine is as coarse as ever
- No exterior badging to mark out the fact this is a special model
- Not much equipment as standard. You get air-con and that’s about it
- Expensive
What you need to Know
| P11D Value: | £17,075 |
| Monthly Rental*: | £271 |
| Tax Band when posted: | 13% |
| Monthly BiK: | 37 (20%)/£74 (40%) |
| Engine: | 1.9-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel |
| CO2 Emissions: | 119g/km |
| Power/torque: | 109PS/184lb ft |
| Economy: | 62.7mpg |
Business Car Manager Road Test Rating
It’s a shame Audi has made no attempt to mark this very eco-friendly model out, but with low emissions and running costs plus relaxed performance, this A3 has plenty of appeal for business drivers.
TAGS: Audi A3 1.9 TDI e 109 Sportback, Audi A3 eco, low-emission Audi, low tax Audi A3, Audi A3 Sportback, Audi A3 5dr
