Audi A3 1.6 TDI shines during opening stages of efficiency challenge, scores 78.4 mpg (U.S.)!
Audi has kicked off its latest efficiency marathon in northern Norway this week with a fleet of A3, A4, A5, Q7 and TT models to demonstrate what they can do in the real world. Leading the pack in terms of minimal fuel consumption is the new A3 1.6 TDI. On the road in Norway in the opening stage, the drivers managed to squeeze out an astounding 78.4 mpg average from the 1.6-liter diesel engine. Next up was the A4 2.0 TDI e sedan, which went an average of 60.3 miles on every gallon (U.S.) of diesel.
In addition to the high efficiency models, Audi also opted to include several high performance models this time around to show that even they can get very good fuel efficiency when driven sedately. The 340-horsepower TT-RS averaged 32.22 mpg, while the utterly absurd Q7 V12 TDI with its 500 horsepower diesel V12 managed a startling 27.03 mpg. That's nearly as good as what we achieved with the V6-powered Q7 TDI on last year's U.S. Mileage Marathon, so it's not too shabby for a big SUV that would probably pull a house off of its foundation
Gallery: Audi Efficiency Marathon A to B
[Source: Audi]
PRESS RELEASE
Ingolstadt, 2009-09-25 Efficiency Challenge A to B: Audi demonstrates outstanding efficiency
- New Audi A3 1.6 TDI with consumption figures around three litres
- Impressive results from high-performance models, too
- Long-distance tour through Europe with 20 models from the Audi range
On its very first outing under real-life traffic conditions, the Audi A3 1.6 TDI is already turning in impressive consumption figures. With a top mark of 3.0 litres per 100 kilometres, the latest version of the successful model came in well below its already excellent nominal consumption of 3.8 litres, equating to CO2 emissions of 99 g/km. The other models of the Audi range also shone on the first three days of the "Efficiency Challenge A to B", which covers 4,182 kilometres from A on the Norwegian Lofoten Islands to Bée in northern Italy.
A total of 120 journalists and brand customers are taking part in the tour in 20 cars from across 5 model ranges. The interim results after the first three days offer clear evidence of the outstanding efficiency of the entire Audi product range. Alongside the new Audi A3 1.6 TDI, the Audi A4 2.0 TDI e turned in an exceptional best-of-day result of 3.9 litres. A further new model, the Audi A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI, also covered the route through Norway with a best consumption figure of 4.9 litres.
Efficiency is standard fit in every Audi – which is why the sporty top-of-the-range models are also taking part in the Efficiency Challenge – with similarly impressive results. The powerful 245 kW (333 hp) Audi S4 achieved a best figure of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres, and even the top model from the TDI range, the 368 kW (500 hp) Audi Q7 V12 TDI, sipped only 8.7 litres.
The best-of-day results from the individual models on the first wave:
A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI - 3.0 l S3 Sportback - 7.0 l
A4 2.0 TDI e – 3.9 l S4 – 7.7 l
A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI – 4.9 l A5 Sportback 3.2 FSI quattro – 7.5 l
Q7 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro – 7.9 l Q7 V12 TDI – 8.7 l
TT 2.0 TDI – 4.9 l TT RS – 7.3 l
On tour under everyday traffic conditions
The phrase "driving from A to B" also stands for everyday mobility – for that multiplicity of individual transportation that everyone takes for granted. In recent days, Audi has been taking this quite literally – with the "Audi Efficiency Challenge A to B". The journey began in northern Europe, in the Norwegian village of Å on the Lofoten Islands and travels through eight countries all the way to northern Italy, to Bée on Lago Maggiore.
The tour has been split into three waves of three days each – the first runs from Å to Trondheim in Norway, the second to the German capital of Berlin and the third ends at the ultimate destination, the village of Bée above Lago Maggiore. Along the way, the tour offers a diverse range of roads and landscapes; it wends its way along the coastal roads of Norway, as well as the autobahns of Germany. Impressive cities like Oslo, Copenhagen and Prague are also on the itinerary, as are the heights of the Alps. The Audi Efficiency Challenge ends on 30 September 2009.
Leading role in efficiency
When it comes to efficiency, Audi holds the leading role among the premium car makers – right now, 32 models emit less than 140 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The latest version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI, with only 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre, is celebrating its world premiere on the "A to B" and can now demonstrate its efficiency under real-life traffic conditions. The A4 2.0 TDI e with its 100 kW (136 hp) 2.0 TDI emits only 119 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This excellent performance is in no small part due to Audi's modular efficiency platform, which brings together a broad portfolio of highly effective technologies. Audi is applying these new solutions, such as the recuperation, in a variety of ways across its entire model range.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Robert K. 6:34PM (9/25/2009)
If Audi can do this, and get that kind of mileage in US gallons, then why the hell does the VW Jetta TDI and the upcoming Golf TDI only get about 40 mpg?? Why the disparity?
Reply
DKB_SATX 6:41PM (9/25/2009)
The difference between hypermilers driving a 1.6l engine and EPA testers running a 2.0l engine through a standardized test regime...
ropeburn 6:44PM (9/25/2009)
I think that many TDI owners are seeing nearly 50mpg
the REAL world numbers are impressive
i think it's nice that Diesel is getting some good press.
I wonder what it's like to drive the 1.6 TDI.. probably not that
bad of a daily driver..... and the A3 is a really nice way to get to work.
Franz 7:07PM (9/25/2009)
Yeah, real world numbers are usually way better than EPA numbers. My cousin has a BMW 320d Touring in the UK and if you adjust to reflect US mpg figures, he gets over 50mpg in every day driving.
Rich 7:10PM (9/25/2009)
Well, I'd be here to confirm what you say if my 1999 MkIII Jetta TDI was in better shape. Currently I'm only getting 42-44 mpg on B100. I have work lined up though, and by the end of the year, should top 50 mpg.
Kitko 5:36AM (9/26/2009)
Ropeburn is right with his remark about the REAL world mpg. The problem is that a great majority of normal drivers would never ever drive these cars in the manner they were driven during the Norway or any other economy-drives.
For that matter, you can achieve an average 8.7 l/100 km (27 mpg) from the Lexus IS-F when you drive it in the same manner as Audis were driven an obey speed limits (several European tests can testify to that (http://magazin.auto.cz/testy/lexus-is-f-pratelsky-supersedan.html , the largest Central European car magazine).
And BTW, in Europe, VW's TDI engines play sort of a third fiddle to Japanese (Mazda and Honda) diesels and French oil-burners.
gefinley 6:35PM (9/25/2009)
Now if only they'd offer more diesels here.
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zamafir 9:34PM (9/25/2009)
go buy one and they will.
br4nd0nh347 11:33PM (9/25/2009)
Why buy a crappy one when they are making good ones.
I'm sorry but the look of the VW diesels aren't good at all.
At least Audi's look decent.
Fox 11:48PM (9/25/2009)
I agree, fuel prices are still very high - and with the correct marketing then Audi and VW could make huge gains in the American marketplace.
It's all about first educating the public that modern diesels are clean, not noisy, offer very good performance and fuel efficient...
The A3 in the US will not be a good seller, but it was easy to certify due to the Jetta being the same engine and platform.
Unfortunately it looks like Audi will be sticking with their expensive premium diesels for the US market, with the new v6 TDi destined for the A4. It will be an expensive car to buy. Having diesel for the Q5 and 7 is a must and are soon to come here(Q7 already on offer)...
The ideal car for most family would be the 2.0TDi engine in the A4 Avant (longitudinal engine layout on this chassis) with Quattro and manual trans...I'd buy one if they sold it here...
IOMTT 10:33AM (9/26/2009)
@ Zamafir...it is rather difficult to go buy one when there are none to be found. At least where I live. I would love to give diesel a whirl especially packaged as the VW GTD. I am hoping diesels will catch on as I am not a fan of hybrids or electrics.
Turall 6:37PM (9/25/2009)
Prius lolwhat?
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Jake 6:40PM (9/25/2009)
So, was this hyper-milers or what? It did say "driven sedately".
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dal20402 6:41PM (9/25/2009)
If they were getting 27 mpg out of a Q7 TDI V12, I think they were driving pretty "sedately." I expect a real-world rating on the A3 1.6 TDI would be more like 45-50 mpg -- not shabby at all, but not a quantum leap from the 2.0 TDI cars sold here already.
RMN 6:47PM (9/25/2009)
This is just going slow on a straight road. Still great though.
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Mr stol 4:51PM (9/26/2009)
Nope, Berlin and Copenhagen always have lots of traffic, the autobahn has a minimum speed of 60 to 80kmph and to get from Praque to Italy you'd have to go over the freaking Alps and a lot of B-roads. Blown Audi engines are pretty hi-tech, both TDI and TFSI. I'm still hoping for a RS3 with that TT RS engine and polycarbonate rear windows (dream on :)
bob hough 6:55PM (9/25/2009)
Yeah, it would help if there was more information than "driving sedately."
It would also help if this wasn't something that reads like a press release, is followed by a long press release. Keep up the a**-kissing; hope it gets you invites to Audi events.
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Soanoni 7:45PM (9/25/2009)
BS, Pure marketing, this is why VAG is doing so well. Don't buy Audis they are made in China, buy Cadillac, support american job.
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Adam 7:48PM (9/25/2009)
There should be an IQ test before you're allowed to post.
chconline 7:51PM (9/25/2009)
I lol'ed.
That and because I am at a loss of words.
:|