Audi say the new A3 Ultra does 83mpg. Of course it does.

The latest Audi A3 Ultra has been revealed with Audi proclaiming its 83mpg and 89g/km, and more A3 models get quattro drivetrain options.

Audi’s big shout in their press release for the latest A3 ultra is that the new version delivers 83.1mpg and emissions of just 89g/km. Which it does, but only in the official economy tests; in the real world the numbers – for both economy and emissions – will be significantly less impressive.

Of course, Audi are not doing anything other car makers don’t do – and the numbers are clearly meant to challenge BMW’s new 116d EfficientDynamics – but it’s all getting very silly when the main selling point is something no one can achieve in the real world.

Audi has managed to game the figures by lowering the suspension, fitting low rolling resistance tyres, only offering a six-speed manual ‘box and lengthening the final drive, to make for a car that has impressive headlines but is probably a pain to drive, especially on motorways where the longer final drive will see you changing down every time you get slightly baulked.

In news that is actually important, Audi also reveals wider availability for quattro drivetrains on the A3, with the non-ultra version with the 1.6 TDI enjoy now being available with quattro (from £22,195), as is the 148bhp version of the 2.0 litre TDI.

All the new versions of the A3 are now available to order from Audi’s UK dealers, with first customer cars due in August.