Detroit 2009: Audi confirms A3 TDI for US launch in late 2009
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 11th 2009 at 4:23PM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 A3 TDI
Audi has finally confirmed what's been rumored since last fall's cross-country mileage marathon. The A3 TDI is indeed coming to America later this year. A pair of A3s were included in the marathon group and achieved mileage figures that regularly topped 50 mpg. The A3 will use the same 140 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel current motivating the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Getting 40 mpg or more with the A3 TDI shouldn't be difficult in normal driving, and adding the powerful and efficient diesel should help the slow-selling A3 get more of a foothold in the US market. Hit the jump for all the details.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi A3 TDI
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI clean diesel: Quick Reference: USA Data
INFO IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Key Summary Points
• The freshened Audi A3 launched in September 2008 (2009 MY).
• The 2009 model year freshening expanded the A3 lineup with quattro all-wheel drive on the efficient 2.0 TFSI engine (200 hp / 207 lb-ft torque).
• Audi A3 moves into a market space presently unoccupied in the luxury segment, that of a highly efficient diesel small luxury car.
• Audi's TDI clean diesel technology expands the A3 lineup in the direction of efficiency, providing over 40 mpg highway.
• A3 holds a unique position in the Audi family, targeting buyers who need a small but versatile package without sacrificing luxury and sportiness.
• A3 2.0 TDI is Audi's second U.S. TDI clean diesel announcement. Audi Q7 TDI is expected to be on sale at U.S. dealers around April 2009.
• A3 is already rated a "Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS for top frontal/side/rear crashes (source iihs.org).
Market
• Key competitors are BMW 1-series, Mini Cooper S, Volvo C30 and S40, and now Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.
Design
• Audi signature LED daytime running lights with optional xenon lights.
• Unique tail lights with LED light guides
• Enhanced exterior and interior design, new wheel program.
• Versatile interior design, providing unmatched utility for urban environments.
Dynamics
• Sporty McPherson front suspension and multilink independent rear suspension for high lateral rigidity.
• Speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering
• High rigidity due to the use of tailored blanks for adapting steel grade and thickness to the material stresses.
Powertrain
• 2.0 TDI clean diesel engine with S tronic (dual clutch) and front-wheel drive
o Specifications: 140 hp, 236 lb-ft torque, in-line 4 cylinder turbocharged clean diesel with common rail direct injection and piezoelectric injectors
o 50-state legal, with no after-treatment system required
o Exclusively with S tronic (dual clutch) transmission with front-wheel drive
Standard Equipment Features
• Hill-hold assist (already standard on S tronic models)
• Sirius satellite radio - standard on all
• Leather seating surfaces - standard on all
• Leather steering wheel - standard
• Aux audio input – standard
• Dual-zone climate control
• 17" alloy wheels
Launch Timing and Pricing
• USA Audi A3 2.0 TDI clean diesel goes on sale by the first quarter of 2010 as a 2010 model year vehicle. Pricing is expected to be released close to the time of the U.S. launch.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Michael 4:32PM (1/11/2009)
Awesome!
Reply
Goob 4:35PM (1/11/2009)
Still waiting for the VW Rabbit TDI, the one the dealer said would be here in 08, along with the Jetta
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zamafir 6:11PM (1/11/2009)
Dealer was wrong, it'll be here in late 09 like the A3, sept-oct ish
Kumail 4:37PM (1/11/2009)
lol, the last pic in the gallery is the hs250.
glad to see this happen for audi, i like the car too.
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MAAD 4:40PM (1/11/2009)
Nice A3..
But whats up with the HS 250h?
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Travis 4:43PM (1/11/2009)
A1? Scirocco? The A3 is nice, but it's hard enough to justify the $5k over a GTI, and I'm assuming that this diesel isn't going to come cheap, either... I'm more interested in the two mentioned above coming to the US as opposed to a $30k diesel hatchback.
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PJ 1:12AM (1/12/2009)
Is it really a $5K difference (IDK)? If I were buying new, I'd be willing to shell out $2-3K more for the A3's lower cowl, brighter interior, (marginally) firmer steering feel, (barely) shorter clutch travel, and better dealer service vs. the GTI. But I'm also a lunatic.
Dunno if a TDI option is going to improve A3 sales much--the concept of entry-level diesel hatchback luxury will take Americans some getting used to--but it's a neat dash of variety in the market.
Mirko 3:10AM (1/12/2009)
At least in Europe, the 2.0 TDI DSG is 2,350€ cheaper than the 2.0 TFSI DSG.
So unless Audi USA wants it to fail, there is no reason why it should be more expensive.
garlinski 4:53PM (1/11/2009)
hmmm... Jetta Sportwagon TDI or A3 TDI.... good food for thought!
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groovyone 12:06PM (1/12/2009)
I went with the Jetta, but I'd be curious to check out the Audi and see if it justifies the price difference.
Fox 6:00PM (1/11/2009)
Incredible news, wow this may bring me back to the brand...
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P.V. 6:19PM (1/11/2009)
Interesting, but VW/Audi should drop larger diesel engines into larger models. I think those would sell better (given the BMW diesels and the Mercedes-Benz BlueTecs in their larger cars) in the A4 and A6, especially as the A3 probably isn't selling very well as it is (I rarely see these things on the road, while I see A4s and A6s fairly often).
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zamafir 8:32PM (1/11/2009)
Pssst... Audi's already certified the 3.0TDI for the A4/A6/Q7, it'll hit the Q7 first, then the A4/A5, and so on, it's been the game plan for a while now.
zamafir 6:19PM (1/11/2009)
Very cool. I saw one in black recently, didn't recognize the leds in the shape audi has them on the A3, very attention grabbing and a nice update to what is easily the most sophisticated hatch in NA. 40-50mpg will only make it that much more appealing... Though I'm curious how audi's choice to bring the 140hp and not the 170hp 2.0TDI (with a less then shocking 9.4 second naught to sixty ) will affect potential sales.
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Will 6:19PM (1/11/2009)
I can't wait for this. The diesel torque added to the awesome quattro system would be killer for crappy midwestern winters. I could have my own German snowplow!
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Mirko 3:20AM (1/12/2009)
From the press release, the quattro will be absent from the American-market A4 TDI, as well as the manual transmissions.
In Europe, they have 105, 140 and 170 hp TDIs, with 5- speed (105hp) or 6-speed manuals or DSGs, front-wheel-drive or quattro, or as tall-geared, aerodynamically fine-tuned TDI-e models, 3-door, 5-door or convertible, so there's something for everybody.
Kumar 9:32AM (1/12/2009)
Yep, kind of a deal killer for me. I guess I'll be waiting for Subaru to bring it's 2.0 diesel.
Now *maybe* if the price were right, as in only a $500 premium for the diesel, I might be interested, as the magno shocks and other treats are pretty enticing.
sjd 6:46PM (1/11/2009)
Yes but there is no Quattro with the diesel option. I can live with out a proper 6-speed manual since I like the DSG but FWD up here in Canada in the winter is not an option for me.
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ckm 9:21PM (1/11/2009)
Erm, we don't have any Skodas or Seats in the US..... Americans are buying what is offered to them, we don't have the same choices as Europeans.
ckm 9:21PM (1/11/2009)
Whoops, replied to the wrong comment.... Sorry.