Audi’s diesel-powered R10 has captured the hearts of many enthusiasts whose veins may pump fuel but their minds think green. Even better, the wait for the first modern diesel Audis to hit the American market is almost over so long as you’re looking for a large SUV with consumption in the mid-twenties. If you want something more frugal than that, say some of our Audi contacts, your wait may not be as long as some fear. Enter the A3 2.0 TDI.
No, this won’t be the most potent 2.0 TDI sold in Europe, which even powered this year’s Worthersee-inspired A3 Clubsport quattro TDI show car. That engine would necessitate the added cost and weight of the A3’s Haldex-based quattro system and federalization of a whole new drivetrain, which would price the car out of the market. Instead, say senior German sources, Audi of America is considering the use of the same new commonrail 2.0 TDI drivetrain that’s currently hitting the market in the Volkswagen Jetta.
This North American 2.0 TDI drivetrain is produces 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and, in the Jetta TDI, provides and estimated EPA fuel economy of 29 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. The EPA figure only tells part of the story though as Volkswagen contracted a third party certifier AMCI to test the Jetta and the study netted real world figures 24 percent better…. Figure 38 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. Given similar size and weight, don’t expect an A3 2.0 TDI to deviate far from these numbers.
The 2.0 TDI has already been certified with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed S-tronic (also known as DSG at VW). Just which powertrain will be made available remains unclear, though Audi may choose to simplify and sell only the S-tronic. While manual gearbox loyalists may grouse, we find S-tronic to be well suited for use with this particular engine. The low red line and immediate torque make the fast-shifting dual-clutch setup ideal.
Even better, Volkswagen is making headlines pointing out that their 2.0 TDI offerings are eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit that was recently announced. In the case of the Jetta and Jetta SportWagen, the only two cars in which the 2.0 TDI are currently offered, the Internal Revenue Service recently issued a certification letter that confirmed both Volkswagens qualify for the Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle income tax credit. There’s no reason to believe an A3 sharing the same drivetrain would be any different.
As near as we can tell, the decision hasn’t been completely finalized. The car is up in the air, but prospects are likely. Even better, once the nod has been given from Ingolstadt, production of the A3 2.0 TDI could begin immediately and mean cars in market within a year. For Audi, this would be a welcome draw of attention to their diesel market and a much more luxurious competitor to the wedge-like Toyota Prius – the perfect runabout for green-focused, higher income earners and TDI enthusiasts alike.
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