Autoblog

Audi A3 G-Tron offers big range, few emissions

Zach Bowman — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Audi is exploring a variety of sustainable transportation technologies beyond the traditional diesel, hybrid, plug-in and electric options, including the compressed natural gas A3 Sportback G-Tron that debuted today at the Geneva Motor Show.

The most interesting thing about this rather innocuous-looking A3 Sportback is that when run on Audi e-gas, the car becomes completely carbon neutral, emitting no more CO2 than was chemically input in this special fuel's production. Audi has already broken ground on a new plant - powered by renewable energy, of course - that uses electrolysis to produce e-gas, which could then be made available through any natural gas distribution network.

A turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine burns the e-gas, or any garden variety CNG, for 110 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, but the real story lies in the machine's natural gas tanks. The two light-weight composite vessels weigh in at just under 60 pounds each and can store a shave over 30 pounds of fuel combined and 2,900 psi. The tanks are made from a four-layer composite comprised of a gas-impermeable polyamide polymer, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, glass fiber reinforced polymer and a high-strength epoxy resin.

The A3 Sportback G-Tron also features a new gas regulator to keep the fuel at the correct pressure for any given engine speed. If the tank pressure falls below 145 psi, the engine automatically and seamlessly switches over to gasoline operation. With its two on-board fuel sources, the five-door offers a bladder-busting range of approximately 807 miles.

Continue reading Audi A3 G-Tron offers big range, few emissions

Audi A3 G-Tron offers big range, few emissions originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

300-HP 2013 Audi S3 Sportback unwrapped

Seyth Miersma — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:16:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Not content to let Volkswagen have all of the fun with its GTI and Golf R, Audi is rebooting its five-door S3 Sportback with rather monstrous power. Headed for an official unveil at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the new S3 rolls out with a 300-horsepower, 280-pound-feet of torque turbocharged 2.0-liter TFSI engine under the hood. The four-cylinder powerplant is strong enough to shove the Sportback to 62 miles per hour in just 5.0 seconds when connected to the optional S-Tronic gearbox, or 5.5 seconds with the traditional manual transmission. Top speed is said to be an electronically governed 155 mph. Almost as impressive as those performance figures are the fuel economy ratings: the S- S3 is said to average 34 miles per gallon.

All S3 Sportback models offer Quattro all-wheel drive, ride on a sport-tuned suspension tuned to a lower ride height (about one inch) versus the standard Audi A3. 18-inch wheels with 225-section tires are standard equipment, and 13.39-inch front brakes should offer serious stopping ability.

Audi has done a lot of work shedding pounds from this latest MQB-architecture S3, as well. The car has a curb weight of roughly 3,186 pounds, or some 154 pounds less than the outgoing model. 11 of those pounds were cut via weight-saving measures in the 2.0-liter engine.

The last generation S3 was never shipped to the US for sale, and Audi has given us no indication thus far that this one will be. We'll expect to pin down a firm answer to that when we see the S3 Sportback roll onto stage at in Geneva.

Continue reading 300-HP 2013 Audi S3 Sportback unwrapped

300-HP 2013 Audi S3 Sportback unwrapped originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 10:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2014 Audi A3 Sportback

Matt Davis — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Audi, First Drives

Just When It Gets Really Good, We May Not Get It

The (final) final decision on whether or not we will get the second-generation Audi A3 Sportback in the US has yet to be handed down by the juries in Ingolstadt and Herndon (Virginia, corporate seat for Audi USA). But that doesn't mean we can't head to the roads of the Monte Carlo Rally in this car's most powerful and accoutered trim three months before European customers take deliveries in late February. Our ride for the day? The A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI Quattro S-line with the beefy six-speed S-tronic, a car good for 181 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 3,000 rpm. If it came available in the US, we anticipate pricing would begin around $34,500 for this topmost trim.

When we get a shot to drive on these utterly spectacular roads, the assumption would be that our Audi of choice would be an RS trim with a chassis set up for our usual abuses. Such was not the case this time, however, as our tester did not even benefit from the optional Audi Magnetic Ride dampers that are now available on the A3. Audi Drive Select is standard at this engine and trim level (we had the European "Ambition" trim, which equates roughly to Premium Plus in the States), and this does provide for the recalibration of several dynamic bits between Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes. With the six-speed S-tronic gearbox, ADS takes care of shift responses, as well.

Although this A3 Sportback was not like an RS3 by a longshot on our route, we simply toned down our rate to match what might be the driving attitude of a typical owner. Taken as such, this top tune of the 2.0 TDI engine, plus all of our model's premium touches inside, made for a thoroughly satisfying experience on roads any enthusiast would never want to leave. Conditions were ideal, as there was literally zero traffic to disturb our exploration of this latest Sportback.

Continue reading 2014 Audi A3 Sportback

2014 Audi A3 Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2013 Audi A3 Sportback e-Gas Project shows off carbon-neutral fuel

Zach Bowman — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

Audi has revealed its 2013 A3 Sportback in Munich ahead of the model's official debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show later this week, and Autoblog was on hand for the early unveiling. Like its three-door cousin, the third-generation five-door wears subtly evolved styling inside and out as well as a longer wheelbase, more interior room and a commendable weight savings of around 198 pounds over its predecessor. This particular model wears the line's optional LED headlamps and features a bi-fuel powertrain as part of the Audi e-Gas project. The exercise uses electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which is then combined with carbon dioxide to create methane, or natural gas. The result is what Audi is calling a "carbon-neutral" fuel.

Since compressed natural gas stations can be few and far between, however, the A3 also makes use of a 13-gallon gasoline tank to help give the machine an effective range of around 745 miles. The 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine features injectors for both natural gas and gasoline and can seamlessly switch between the two fuels while driving. After perusing our high-res image gallery, you can take a look at the full press release on the 2013 Audi A3 Sportback below.

Continue reading 2013 Audi A3 Sportback e-Gas Project shows off carbon-neutral fuel

2013 Audi A3 Sportback e-Gas Project shows off carbon-neutral fuel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi debuts redesigned five-door A3 Sportback

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Audi

The five-door version of the Audi A3, the A3 Sportback, has been revealed, and as with its three-door sibling, it won't be coming to the U.S. We Americans can look forward to our own sedan version of the same car. The third-generation A3 is only a smidge larger dimensionally than the outgoing Sportback, but has dropped up to 198 pounds compared to the previous hatch thanks to increased use of high- and ultra-strength steel and aluminum parts like the hood and fenders. With the 1.4-liter TFSI engine it weighs just 2,657 pounds. The biggest measurement growth is in the wheelbase: the front axle has been moved forward 1.57 inches and the wheelbase overall has grown by 2.28 inches.

All that extra space gets passengers more head- and legroom, and extra cubic feet for loot. The rear area can hold 13.42 cubic feet of goods with the rear seats up, expanding more than threefold to 43.08 cubic feet with the seats folded down into a flat cargo floor.

The space under the hood will be filled with one of three engines at launch: a 1.6-liter TDI said to return almost 62 U.S. mpg, a 1.4-liter TFSI with 122 horsepower and 148 pound-feet, and a 1.8-liter TFSI with 180 hp and 184 lb-ft. Coming later will be a 1.2-liter TFSI with 105 hp and 129 lb-ft, a more powerful 1.4-liter TSFI with 140 hp and 184 lb-ft and cylinder deactivation, and two 2.0-liter TDIs, one with 150 hp and 236 pound-feet and another 2.0-liter TDI with 184 hp and 280 lb-ft. Also on the way next year are a TCNG engine powered by Audi's proprietary e-gas and an e-tron electric Sportback in 2014. Shifting for all of them is handled by a six-speed manual, with a six- or seven-speed S-tronic optional.

Those who can buy it will be able to choose from four trims: Attraction, Ambition and Ambiente, with the S line sport package available for the Ambition trim, and 13 colors plus a high-gloss exterior package. Check out the press release below for a heap of details, and the high-res gallery above.

Continue reading Audi debuts redesigned five-door A3 Sportback

Audi debuts redesigned five-door A3 Sportback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi A3 sedan still in the cards, but needs a little help

Chris Paukert — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

2010 Audi A3 TDI - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi's A3 has been something of a quiet entry point for the German automaker in the North American market, selling in modest volumes compared to its more upscale A4 and A6 brethren. According to Audi of North America president, Johan de Nysschen, those low volumes have been supply constrained for some time. The A3 has been performing so well in the European market that capacity remains in short supply. The supply constraint is so acute that Audi hasn't been offering any incentives or leasing plans to help boost the model's numbers.

Another reason for the A3's low take-rate, de Nysschen admits, is its five-door hatchback bodystyle, a configuration that is at odds with traditional expectations for premium cars among U.S. consumers. But help may be on the way.

As we first reported back in January, Audi may build a sedan version of the A3 to better appeal to this market's consumer tastes. However, the company is reluctant to undertake the cost of developing a new bodystyle for the North American market alone, and Audi of Europe apparently isn't terribly interested in offering one to its customers. The potential solution de Nysschen is pursuing hinges upon lobbying Audi's other international arms to see if they are interested in offering an A3 sedan. Of those divisions, Audi's Asian outposts would seem to be the most likely candidate, as countries like South Korea and China are very accepting of cars with trucks, and both are seen as strong growth markets.

Interestingly, de Nysschen reminded Autoblog that the A3's sales volume has actually more than doubled in the States this year. That's partly because Audi is earning more consideration from car buyers, and partly because demand for the model has fallen in Europe where it is approaching the end of its lifecycle. With less product needed to keep EU dealers happy, Audi has been able to secure more units to sell in the States. Through August, Audi sold 4,012 A3 five-doors in the States. That represents a whopping 74.8 percent year-over-year increase - a remarkable feat for a car that has been on sale since 2006. By this time last year, Audi had only managed to shift 2,295 units. Just as interesting is word that sales of the TDI diesel A3 account for around 50 percent of the model's sales - a percentage that Audi says holds true for its other TDI offering, the Q7.

The next-generation A3 is expected in 2012, but with plans for a sedan still up in the air, it seems unlikely that a four-door variant will accompany its initial rollout. Either way, the second-generation model is expected to continue sharing quite a bit with its Volkswagen counterparts, including offering a derivative of automaker's ubiquitous 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder and Quattro all-wheel drive.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

Audi A3 sedan still in the cards, but needs a little help originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments