Audi has added a new, more powerful, 2.0 litre diesel engine to the A3 range offering 181bhp. An LED light package can also be had for £2,000.
The Audi A3 (pictured) gets a new 181bhp TDI and LED headlights
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It still seems astonishing that car makers can match really quite powerful performance with almost parsimonious fuel consumption, but modern turbo diesels and high pressure fuel injection are delivering seemingly silly combinations of performance and economy.
The new 2.0 litre diesel, which is now available on the new A3 and Sportback (with the A3 saloon to follow) – gets a very decent 181bhp and 280lb/ft of torque, which is enough to hit 62mph in just 7.3 seconds.
But if you’re light-footed and drive like your granny, then the official economy figure of 68.9mpg and emissions of 108g/km are theoretically possible.
Even if you take our rule of thumb that the best you’ll achieve if you drive in a reasonably spirited fashion is somewhere around 25 per cent lower than official figures, that would still give you real world economy the right side of 50mpg. Astonishing. And your BIK and VED rates will be similarly frugal too.
The new 2.0 litre diesel is available on FWD and quattro A3s, but only with Sport or S-Line trim, with prices from £24,375 to £30,055.
As well as adding the new 2.0 litre TDI to the A3, Audi has also revealed the availability of LED headlights, which can be optioned on the A3 SE and Sport models for £2k with the LED Lights Package (when you also get LED rear lights, auto lights and wipers and LED ambient lights inside) and on the A3 S Line and S3 the LED headlights are a stand alone option for £795.
And as a final A3 tweak, you can now get a Black Styling Pack for the A3 Sport, S Line and S3 for £395 which adds gloss black for the grill surround, grill, side air intakes and number plate surround as well as a platinum grey diffuser.
All round, a decent set of upgrades for the Audi A3.
Tony says
Love this. It is all about the interior style and little bits of extra refinement throughout. Cannot think of a better commuter car or single family car that can do it all.
Looks wise (yes its bland to some) inside and out I don’t think there is any competition from A class or 1 series. They look very gimmicky and immature to me, like french cars without the low price.