Powerful: the 1.6 TDI
The 1.6 TDI with 1,598 cm3 displacement delivers 81 kW (110 hp) and between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm a torque of 250 Nm (184.4 lb-ft). For the standard sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) the new A3 requires 10.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h (124.3 mph).
The compact diesel achieves outstanding fuel economy: Fuel consumption is just 3.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (61.9 US mpg) on average, which corresponds to 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer (159.3 g/mi) (with S tronic).
The 1.6 TDI is distinguished by consistently minimized internal friction. This concerns, among other things, the oil pump, the piston rings, the honing process of the cylinder barrels, the toothed belt and the carbon-coated pins of the cast aluminum pistons. Per operating cycle the piezo injectors of the common rail system carry out up to six individual injections.
In the intake manifold, a tangential duct channel puts the incoming air into a selective swirl motion. In the neighboring spiral duct, an adjustable valve dispenses the intake quantity depending on the load and engine speed. When the valve closes, the intake proceeds only via the tangential duct. A charger with adjustable turbine geometry completes the overall concept.
Supreme: the 2.0 TDI
Audi offers two performance levels of the four-cylinder TDI with 1,968 cm3 displacement. The 2.0 TDI in the new Audi A3 optionally comes with 110 kW (150 hp) and 340 Nm (250.8 lb-ft) at 1,750 to 3,000 rpm or 135 kW (184 hp) and 380 Nm (280.3 lb-ft) at 1,750 to 3,250 rpm.
The 2.0 TDI boasts sophisticated solutions, with separate coolant loops, two balance shafts in the crankcase, a cylinder pressure sensor, greatly reduced internal friction and a common rail injection system that maintains the fuel at a maximum pressure of 2,000 bar. High- and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation as well as elaborate exhaust aftertreatment ensures low pollutant emissions.
Even the 110 kW version delivers a superior performance: The new Audi A3 with S tronic and front-wheel drive attains the 100 km/h (62.1 mph) mark from rest in 8.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 218 km/h (135.5 mph). In combination with the manual six-speed transmission, it consumes 4.0 liters of fuel per kilometers (58.8 US mpg) on average, or 105 grams CO2 per kilometer (169.0 g/mi).
The version with 135 kW (184 hp) combines high efficiency with even greater performance: Here the new Audi A3 with S tronic and quattro drive sprints to 100 km/h (62.1 mph)in 6.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 230 km/h (142.9 mph). It consumes only 4.7 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (50.0 US mpg) in the NEDC cycle and emits 124 grams CO2 per kilometer (199.6 g/mi).