Story: RALPH MORTON
The model in the Audi A3 range that all company car drivers will be waiting for arrives in December: the Audi A3 1.6 TDI with 105PS and CO2 emissions of just 99g/km.
The business model in the new A3 range attracts benefit in kind company car tax of 13% in the 2012/13 tax year, and 14% the tax year thereafter.
More to the point, Audi says that the 99g/km figure sticks whether you opt for SE, Sport or S line trims.
“Our competitors cannot offer that,” commented Rob Morris, A3 product manager, Audi.
“They can offer a sub-100g/km figure on the entry level model, or a stripped out special, but not on higher spec models in the range.”
The new Audi A3 – the first all-new A3 since 1996 – goes on sale on September 15. Launch engines are two petrol models, and one diesel:
- 1.4 TFSI, 122PS, 54.3mpg, 120g/km CO2, company car tax band 14% (12/13)
- 1.8 TFSI, 180PS, 50.4mpg, 130g/km CO2, company car tax band 17% (12/13)
- 2.0 TDI, 105PS, 68.9mpg, 106g/km CO2, company car tax band 15% (12/13)
There are three specification choices: SE, Sport and S line.
“The SE offers a higher spec than its predecessor,” commented Morris, “While the new Sport and S line are offered with range of suspension choices”. (Find out more about Audi’s new ‘menu’ of suspension options at the business car manager blog – Audi drivers dine on new suspension menu.)
“We suspect the majority of business users to go for the Sport trim,” Morris added.
Apart from the 99g/km diesel in December, next year will see a cylinder on-demand petrol unit that will offer a company car alternative to the diesel for low mileage business car drivers.
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More variants will follow in 2013, including a 5-door and a ‘cylinder on-demand’ petrol engine
“It will be a real alternative to the 2.0 TDI. It shuts down two cylinders when load allows and has 115g/km CO2 with petrol refinement and no 3% diesel company car tax penalty,” added Rob.
Next year the new Audi A3 will be joined by the Audi A3 Sportback five-door, which comes on a longer wheelbase for increased interior space, and an A3 Sports Saloon model.
Over 330,000 A3s have been sold since the model’s launch in 1996.
