Audi A3 S-tronic auto gets stop-start

Audi is introducing stop-start on the A3 with auto 'box.

Audi has extended its Stop-Start technology on A3 models to incorporate models fitted with an S-tronic auto ‘box in addition to those with a manual.

Just like every other car maker, Audi is on a quest to trim their CO2 emissions. It makes sound commercial sense to do so with governments around the world legislating on average emissions and penalising companies which fail to reach certain emissions levels. All a bit pointless – at least the CO2 bit – but that’s the world we live in and car makers have to comply.

And stop-start technology is a good way to get more mpg and lower emissi0ns from a car that is used in urban situations for any amount of time. Makes perfect sense – switch off the engine when the car is stationary and you save fuel. And in busy traffic that can be quite a significant saving.

Audi has been adding stop-start to many of their cars recently and has now announced that the A3 with S-tronic will also be able to benefit from the savings stop-start offers. Which is good news if you drive in town and like an auto. It does work. It feels odd at first, but so long as you keep your foot on the brake when the car isn’t moving the engine switches off. And as soon as you take your foot off the brake it starts again – in 2/10ths of a second.

Stop-start with the S-tronic ‘box is going to be available on A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic and the A3 1.6 TDI S tronic. Audi are also throwing in kinetic energy recuperation, which recovers energy lost during braking and stores it in the battery. This in turn reduces load drain on the engine and improves economy.

None of these things offer earth-shattering improvements in economy or reduction in emissions. But added together they make a difference. And when there’s no down-side in terms of the car’s performance you’re getting something for nothing.

When we first reported on the A3 S-tronic Stop-Start a couple of weeks ago we didn’t have UK prices, but now we do. The A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic with start-stop will start at £18,300 and the A3 1.6 TDI S tronic with start-stop will start at £18,095. The prices include the S-tronic transmission and deliveries kick-off in the UK in December.