Audi A3 TDI 2010
January 2nd, 2010 | by rarzi |
latimes
2010 Green Car of the Year
Audi started its big push for clean diesel here in the U.S. market this spring when its big Q7 TDI finally went on sale. While the Q7 TDI is one of the most fuel efficient seven-passenger SUVs available anywhere, it’s only the beginning for Audi. Assuming that Americans start taking a shine to diesel, Audi is likely to introduce a whole series of Rudi D’s disciples here. So far, however, only one has been announced in addition to the Q7, the compact A3 hatchback.
The A3 TDI (which stands for turbo direct injection) has an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 42 mpg — a 50% improvement over the gasoline-powered A3.
The A3 is the entry-level model for the four-ringed brand here in the U.S. Until now, it has only been sold with a choice of a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or 3.2-liter V6 engines running on gasoline. At the Detroit Auto Show, Audi announced that the A3 TDI would go on sale late this year. While the A3 TDI isn’t yet available, one was made available to us for five days during a recent trip to Southern California. Find out what it was like after the jump.
The other finalists were the 2010 Honda Insight hybrid, Toyota Prius hybrid, Volkswagen Golf TDI and Mercury Milan hybrid, the only nominee from an American automaker.
