Autoblog

VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Recalls, Safety, Hatchback, Audi, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen has officially announced a recall of 168,275 Jetta TDI and Golf TDI models as well as certain Audi A3 TDI vehicles after a recent stop sale. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem stems from the fuel line that feeds injector number two. Over time, the resonance from the injector could cause the line to fail, potentially leading to an engine fire. Volkswagen will replace the line with an improved piece and fit each injector with a vibration damper to prevent the failure from occurring in the future free of charge.

The recall covers certain 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf TDI and Audi A3 TDI models as well as certain 2009-2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Jetta Sporwagen TDI models. Volkswagen will notify owners affected by the issue and work is expected to begin in November. Hit the jump for a look at the recall notice.

Continue reading VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models

VW and Audi recall nearly 170,000 TDI diesel models originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: All Audi models to be available with diesel engines by 2015

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Audi, Luxury

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

Diesel is slowly making an impression here in the United States and Audi has been paying attention. Parent company Volkswagen has been selling a steady stream of diesels for many years, and the enthusiasm for the oil-burners has filtered up into the luxury segment. By 2015, Audi plans to have a diesel variant available for every volume product in its lineup.

This means we still won't see a production R8 V12 TDI, but it does mean we can look forward to seeing the A4, A6, A8 and Q5 with TDI variants. Currently, the A3 and Q7 are the only US Audis available with diesel engines. You've no doubt seen A3 TDIs rolling past you as you stop for gas, since the diesel version now accounts for nearly half of all A3 sales. 40 percent of Q7s have the diesel engine under the hood, and Audi is having trouble keeping either model in stock.

Automakers face stricter fuel economy targets in the coming years, and one way to improve their lineups' mile-per-gallon figures is by adding diesel versions across the entire range. Audi believes that by 2015, diesels will make up 20 percent of the U.S. sales volume - a vast improvement over the current 5.5 percent.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: All Audi models to be available with diesel engines by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel, Luxury

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

For the third year in a row, Audi will be running an add during the Superbowl. First there was the Godfather parody where the "Old Luxury" dude was put on notice about the R8 (which is a sports car, but who cares). Then last year's really excellent Jason Statham spot called, "Chase." This year things are going to be a bit, well, more rocking.

Ditching the notion of parodying films, Audi is instead employing the talents of the ageless (though quite well aged) rockers in Cheap Trick to promote the A3 TDI. The ad will focus on the diesel A3 being named Green Car Journal's Car of the Year. In it, Cheap Trick will be reinterpreting one of their classics and the spot should sport a, "fun, tongue-in-cheek environmental theme." Any guesses as to which song? We're thinking "He's a Whore." Make the jump to read the press release.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick

Audi A3 TDI getting 4th quarter Super Bowl ad featuring Cheap Trick originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

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

At the LA Auto Show this morning, the Audi A3 TDI was crowned the 2010 Green Car of the Year, wresting the title away from last year's winner, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. Even though three hybrids made this year's list of finalists, the A3's win marks the second year in a row that a TDI diesel car took top honors in the Green Car Journal competition.

The judges selection kind of meshes with AutoblogGreen readers, who overwhelmingly picked the VW Golf TDI from the list of five finalists. The other contenders were the Honda Insight, the Mercury Milan Hybrid (we still don't get why this car beat out the better-selling and nearly identical Ford Fusion Hybrid) and the Toyota Prius.

Each year, Green Car Journal picks the five finalists and then hands over selection duties to celebrity jurors (Jay Leno, Carroll Shelby, and the Sierra Club's Carl Pope, to name a few). During the award ceremony, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan said that the five finalists are notable because they are all mainstream vehicles that are available today. They exist because that's what the market is asking for. Whaddya think? Is the A3 TDI this year's rightful Green Car of the Year?

Gallery: Audi A3 TDI - 2010 Green Car of the Year

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat

LA 2009: Audi A3 TDI named 2010 Green Car of the Year in diesel repeat originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950*

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Audi, Diesel

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

Audi has finally announced pricing for its long-awaited 2010 A3 TDI, and it's just about what we have been expecting. Base price for a standard front-wheel drive model comes in at $29,950 (*plus $825 destination) when equipped with the S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox. Naturally, we expect a fully stocked options list that can dramatically raise that starting price rather quickly.

The new A3 TDI will be available in all 50 states from late November carrying a window sticker promoting EPA estimated mileage of 30 mpg city and 42 mpg highway. For the sake of comparison, the Lexus HS 250h - which Audi singles out as the only real competitor to its diesel-powered hatchback - starts at $34,200 and scores 35 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway. Want to know more? Click here to read our review of the 2010 Audi A3 TDI and hit the jump for Audi's official press release.

Gallery: Review: Audi A3 TDI

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950*

Audi hatches diesel in America, sets price on 2010 A3 TDI at $29,950* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Hybrid, Green, Hatchback, Audi, New Car Reviews, Diesel

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

Audi started its big push for clean diesel here in the U.S. market this spring when its big Q7 TDI finally went on sale. While the Q7 TDI is one of the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUVs available anywhere, it's only the beginning for Audi. Assuming that Americans start taking a shine to hot oil, Audi is likely to introduce a whole series of Rudi D's disciples here. So far, however, only one has been announced in addition to the Q7, the compact A3 hatchback.

The A3 is the entry-level model for the four-ringed brand here in the U.S. Until now, it has only been sold with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or 3.2-liter V6 engines running on gasoline. At the Detroit Auto Show, Audi announced that the A3 TDI would go on sale late this year. While the A3 TDI isn't yet available, one was made available to us for five days during a recent trip to Southern California. Find out what it was like after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI

Continue reading Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport

Review: 2010 Audi A3 TDI, diesel with a healthy dash of sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments