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New ultra economical A3 hits 74mpg

HERE’S an Audi A3 that makes the original fuel-saving A3 TDIe model look positively fuel wasteful.

Where the Audi A3 TDIe had a 62.8mpg capability and emissions of 119g/km CO2, the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI can travel 74.3mpg on a gallon of diesel, and emissions drop to just 99g/km. To put that in perspective, here’s a premium hatchback with the fuel consumption almost identical to the fuel-sipping SEAT Ibiza supermini we featured in the last Business Car Manager e-newsletter (click here for issue 66).

There is a drawback. The latest ultra economical Audi A3 is only available in Standard trim and in three-door bodystyle. But that doesn’t mean it’s a stripped out ‘hairshirt’ version. Standard equipment includes 15-inch 7-arm design alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and a radio/CD player.

The better fuel consumption of the 99g/km A3 has been achieved by a longer fifth gear, low rolling resistance tyres on 15 inch alloys, lowered ride height and modified under-body aid streamlining for optimum efficiency. The model also features start-stop and energy recuperation.

The new A3 extends the availability of low emission Audi three-door and Sportback 1.6 TDI models (which replaced the original 1.9 TDI and TDIe). Versions equipped to SE, Sport and S line specification, and all Sportback models, continue to offer 109g/km CO2 emissions output and 68.9mpg.

The Audi A3 1.6 TDI Standard three-door costs L18,005.

How the ultra economical Audi A3 compares

  • Audi A3 1.6 TDI three-door 105PS, 74.3mpg, 99g/km
  • Rest of Audi A3 1.6 TDI range 105PS, 68.9mpg, 109g/km

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30 November 1999

HERE’S an Audi A3 that makes the original fuel-saving A3 TDIe model look positively fuel wasteful.

Where the Audi A3 TDIe had a 62.8mpg capability and emissions of 119g/km CO2, the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI can travel 74.3mpg on a gallon of diesel, and emissions drop to just 99g/km. To put that in perspective, here’s a premium hatchback with the fuel consumption almost identical to the fuel-sipping SEAT Ibiza supermini we featured in the last Business Car Manager e-newsletter (click here for issue 66).

There is a drawback. The latest ultra economical Audi A3 is only available in Standard trim and in three-door bodystyle. But that doesn’t mean it’s a stripped out ‘hairshirt’ version. Standard equipment includes 15-inch 7-arm design alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and a radio/CD player.

The better fuel consumption of the 99g/km A3 has been achieved by a longer fifth gear, low rolling resistance tyres on 15 inch alloys, lowered ride height and modified under-body aid streamlining for optimum efficiency. The model also features start-stop and energy recuperation.

The new A3 extends the availability of low emission Audi three-door and Sportback 1.6 TDI models (which replaced the original 1.9 TDI and TDIe). Versions equipped to SE, Sport and S line specification, and all Sportback models, continue to offer 109g/km CO2 emissions output and 68.9mpg.

The Audi A3 1.6 TDI Standard three-door costs £18,005.

How the ultra economical Audi A3 compares

  • Audi A3 1.6 TDI three-door 105PS, 74.3mpg, 99g/km
  • Rest of Audi A3 1.6 TDI range 105PS, 68.9mpg, 109g/km
Emissions lowered to 99g/km CO2

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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