Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept with 221Hp Diesel Engine

Set to be make its public debut at this month’s 27th annual Lake Wörther Tour in Austria, the “A3 TDI clubsport quattro” is a one-off race car powered by the most powerful incarnation of Audi’s 2.0-liter common-rail turbo diesel engine delivering 221 Hp and 331.0 lbs-ft of torque. Power is channeled to A3’s 20-inch wheels through a 6-speed transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The German manufacture says the A3 TDI clubsport quattro can go from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 240 km/h or 149mph.

Honoring its racing pedigree, the concept is equipped with six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs up front along with Audi’s driving dynamic system that allows the driver to change the throttle response, exhaust sound, the level of power assistance for the steering, ESP settings and the operating mode of the dampers that deploy Audi’s magnetic ride technology. -Continued

Since it wouldn’t have been much of a race car without any exterior mods, Audi has adorned the bi-colored A3 TDI clubsport quattro with a large DTM-styled roof spoiler, bolt-on wheel arch extensions that house 20-inch alloy wheels in 265/30 R20 tires, a different grille, new front and rear bumpers along with a rear diffuser that incorporates two large diameter exhaust pipes.

Inside the concept’s highlights include a pair of racing bucket seats, an open gear lever gate in aluminium form and Audi’s characteristic flat-bottom steering wheel.

The Audi A3 TDI clubsport quattro

Engine
- Four-cylinder TDI with common-rail injection system
- Displacement of 1968 cc, output of 165 kW (224 hp) and torque of 450 Nm
(331.90 lb-ft)
- Optimized exhaust system
- 0 – 62mph in 6.6 seconds, top speed 149mph

Power transmission
- High-efficiency six-speed manual transmission with a lightweight casing, open gear lever gate made of aluminium
- quattro all-wheel drive with extremely fast-action multi-plate clutch

Chassis
- Four-link rear suspension for dynamic handling and good comfort
- Power steering with highly efficient electric drive
- Wheels measuring 9 J x 20, tyre size 265/30
- Six-piston brake calipers and ceramic discs at the front wheels
- Audi drive select driving dynamics system with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control

Body and interior
- Length 4,254 millimeters (167.48 inches), width 1,825 millimetres (71.85
inches), height 1,385 millimetres (54.53 inches)
- Motorsport-look design, large rear spoiler
- Racing bucket seats and extra aluminium components in interior

2010 Audi A3 Rendering Hits the Spot

This computer generated image depicting the next generation Audi A3 comes from a Greek car site named “Autotriti”. The artist has done quite a nice job with the rendering giving us a good indication to as what Audi is preparing for us with the 2010 A3 that will most probably be heavily inspired from the latest A4 and A5 Coupe models. Like the current generation A3, Audi's new premium subcompact is expected to come in three flavors: 3door and 5door hatchback, and a 2door convertible version.

Via: Autotriti

Video Comparison: Audi A3 2.0TFSI Convertible vs BMW 125i Cabrio

These two German convertibles are the first premium compact soft-tops to drop into the European market and Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe takes them for a ride on the winding roads of the South of France to find out which one is the best. The A3 Convertible gets a 200Hp 2.0-liter TFSI unit while the BMW 125i, a 218Hp 3.0-liter straight six. See which one wins this compare in the video after the jump. -Continued

Facelift Audi A3 & A3 Sportback Plus All-New 265Hp S3 Sportback

It’s facelift time for Audi’s A3 premium hatch that received a series of cosmetic and mechanical enhancements for the 2009 MY along with the addition of the S3 Sportback in the car’s line-up. Up until now, the S3 was only available in three-door form, but from this summer, buyers will be able to opt for the 5door Sportback version equipped with the same 265 Hp turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that’s combined with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The range-topping member of the A3 Sportback family can go from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.8 seconds (3d S3: 5.7 sec) while its top speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h (155 mph). The S3 Sportback's average fuel consumption is 8.5 lt per 100 km or 27.67 mpg.

All variants of the A3 feature a revised front-end inspired from the new A3 Cabriolet. The most notable differences include the daytime running lights along with a more pronounced and concave hood, a new bumper and a modified single frame grille. At the back, both models get a revised bumper while the 3door A3 also features a redesigned tailgate with a new light edge. -Continued

Inside the car, the 2009 A3 and A3 Sportback have been enhanced with new centre-console switch-gear and a slightly revised instrument panel.

In terms of mechanical upgrades, the most significant new technologies are the availability of the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission on the 1.6, the 1.4 TFSI and the 1.8 TFSI models and for the first time, the adaptive-action shock absorber control system by the name of Audi magnetic ride which allows the driver to choose between normal and sport-mode options. Audi can supply the electronic damping control system as an option for the gasoline versions from 160 hp (1.8TFSI) upwards, as well as for both two-liter TDI versions.

Apart from the addition of the S3 Sportback, the rest of the line-up remains the same and it includes 5 gasoline units: the 1.6 102Hp, the 1.4 TFSI 125 hp, the 1.8 TFSI 160Hp and the 2.0 TFSI 200Hp, while the 3.2 quattro with its V6 musters 250Hp. The diesel range consists of the 1.9 TDI 105Hp and the 2.0 TDI with 140Hp or 170Hp. Prices in Europe will start from 20,350 Euros.

Audi Builds 1 Millionth 2nd-Generation A3

About five years after the current-generation A3 entered the market in 2003, and Audi announced that the 1,000,000th model rolled off the production line at its factory in Ingolstadt. The anniversary car is a Brilliant Red, 140 hp 2.0 TDI Audi A3 Sportback intended for a customer in Franconia, Germany.

Since the market launch of the first-generation A3 in 1996, more than 1.9 million units of Audi’s premium model have been manufactured and delivered to customers. The second generation A3 model has been in production since June 2003, with the five-door A3 Sportback being added in 2004 and the A3 Cabriolet in 2008.

2008 Audi A3 Facelift Caught Red-Handed

Spy photographers have managed to capture the forthcoming 2008 Audi A3 completely undisguised in a parking lot in Germany. Compared to the current A3 (see image after the jump), the facelifted version gets a slightly redesigned front end inspired from the new A4 and A5 models, featuring a new bumper, a larger grille and reworked headlights. We can’t see any other differences in these pictures provided by Swedish magazine Automotorsport, but there may be minor styling changes in the A3’s rear end and in particular to the tail lamps. -Continued after the jump

Though this is something that we haven’t confirmed yet, it is rumored that the A3 facelift will debut alongside the all-new A3 Cabriolet either at the Detroit Show in January ’08 or at the Geneva Show in March ’08.

Via: Automotorsport.se

2008 Audi A3 Cabriolet Scoop Pics

BMW's forthcoming 1-Series Convertible (images here) won’t be the only compact prestige drop-top to come into the market next year as Audi’s also planning to introduce a cabriolet version of the A3. However, that’s something we already knew –see here. Thanks to the guys at the Italian forum, “Autopareri” though, we now have a visual encounter of the A3 Cabriolet. Can’t say that we’re exactly thrilled with the A3 Convertible’s appearance from these scoop pictures, but better wait to see the finished product before we make any conclusions. -Continued after the jump

Like its Bavarian counterpart, the A3 will be equipped with an electric folding canvas roof and not a metal rooftop like its VW cousin, the EOS. As for the running gear, the Cabriolet will be powered from the same FSI petrol and TDI diesel engines used in the A3 hatch. The petrol line-up will include the new 125 Hp 1.4 TSI, 160 Hp 1.8 TSI and the range-topping 265Hp 2.0 TFSI. The latter will equip the S3 Convertible. Finally, the diesel range will consist of two 2.0 TDI engines, delivering 140 and 170 Hp.

Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Autopareri

Audi A3 1.4 TFSI: New 125Hp Turbocharged 1.4-litre Petrol Unit

As predicted, VW Group is quietly substituting the 115 Hp 1.6-litre FSI petrol unit with its new version of the 125 Hp1.4-litre TFSI engine in every model. Following the VW Golf / Jetta and the Seat Altea / Leon models, time’s up for the Audi A3. Available from September 2007, the turbocharged A3 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.6 sec while it boasts a top speed of 203 km/h (126mph). According to Audi, its average fuel consumption is just 6.5-liters per 100 km (36.2 mpg).

Kinda off subject but since we’re talking about turbocharged petrol units, we thought this would fit in. See, while U.S. consumers and car makers alike are still questioning the feasibility of diesel engines in the States, in Europe, they’re getting ready for the next solution that is none other than turbocharged petrol engines like the 1.4 TFSI. As many analysts have noted, diesel-powered cars will account for as much as 65 percent of European new-car sales by 2010, but fall below 40 percent after 2015.

The reason for this drop will be due to the stricter emission rules applied by the EU which will significantly raise the already expensive, manufacturing and development costs of diesel units, making them totally unattractive to automakers and consequently to car buyers. And that’s were small-capacity turbocharged petrol engines show up since they're cheaper to develop and manufacture. Moreover, don’t forget that petrol engines can also burn alternative fuels like natural gas or hydrogen, something that even the most advanced diesel cannot. -Audi A3 1.4TSI Press Release after the jump

Efficiency and performance: New 1.4 TFSI engine in the Audi A3

A new, ultra-modern four-cylinder TFSI engine with a displacement of 1.4 litres and turbocharger can now be ordered for the Audi A3 and A3 Sportback. The 1.4 TFSI engine delivers 92 kW (125 bhp) at 5,000 rpm. Its maximum torque of 200 Nm is available across an unusually wide speed range of 1,500 to 4,000 rpm.

Audi’s engineers have long been demonstrating the effectiveness of FSI technology in combination with turbocharging both on the world’s racetracks and on the road. The prime example of this is the “Engine of the Year” award with which a jury of experts crowned the 2.0 TFSI in 2007 for the third time in succession.

This concept is being consistently used once again for the new 1.4 TFSI in order to combine optimal levels of efficiency and performance. Six-hole injectors guarantee highly homogeneous mixture preparation and extremely efficient combustion. The reduction of pollutants is also aided effectively in this way.

The integrated turbocharger and modified exhaust valve timing ensure optimised responsiveness and help torque to build up even more smoothly. 80 percent of the maximum torque of 200 Nm is available from 1,250 rpm, just above idle speed. The 1.4 TFSI at the same time sets new standards in its class in terms of acoustics. The new high-tech unit from Audi can be ordered for the A3 and A3 Sportback in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox.

With a top speed of 203 km/h and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds for the three-door A3, the 1.4 TFSI ensures supreme performance. Its average fuel consumption is just 6.5 litres of premium-grade fuel per 100 km.

The basic price of the A3 1.4 TFSI Attraction is 21,350 euros. The first vehicles will be available in September 2007.