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Audi A3 TDIe is all about better fuel efficiency under most circumstances — and considerably better fuel efficiency if the driver has any real commitment to the cause. Photo Gallery
In a world obsessed by the search for alternate fuel strategies, technological wizardry and ecological magic bullets there is a quiet revolution taking place in morning traffic.
This small — but growing — band of eco-warriors has an armoury not of high-tech gadgets and expensive systems but rather a collection of small ideas and commitments, the sum of which make a powerful argument.
Among this common sense army is a small number of Audi faithful who proudly sport a small letter ‘e’ on the exterior badging of their otherwise unremarkable A3 Sportback rides.
The ethos of the ‘e’ car philosophy — started with the A3 1.9 TDIe — is largely common sense and involves use of design strategies available to any manufacturer. There is no breakthrough technology in the engine, no super-efficient gearbox.
Drivetrain and fuel economy
What allows the A3 1.9 TDIe to post genuine hybrid-challenging fuel efficiency — 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the official government cycle and, quite remarkably, achievable in real-world driving — is a series of rather small tweaks that together result in an 8 per cent improvement in economy and the consequent improvement in emissions.
The road to Audi's greener vision is paved with a couple of in-house adjustments: specific tuning of the electronic control of the ageing 77kW 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine and lengthening of the ratios for third and fifth gear in the five-speed manual box.
The changes mean better fuel efficiency under most circumstances — and considerably better fuel efficiency if the driver has any real commitment to the cause.
And you don't have to have the ear of a piano tuner to pick an optimum change point for the gears — that is all done for you by the engine management system and indicated on a digital dash-mounted display.
The only other changes from a standard A3 are that the "e" car has been lowered to improve efficiency through the air, lightened, fitted with aerodynamic plastic covers for the 16-inch wheels and shod with low-friction Michelin rubber to reduce rolling resistance.
Driving
If you really want to concentrate, give up the little luxuries in life such as air-conditioning and spend as much time as possible on neutral throttle you can get returns of around 4-litres per 100km even in city traffic.
It is not fun and anyone who is not a fully paid-up member of the green movement is going to tire of it pretty quickly.
Still, even the average punter will see benefits from this car. The sum total of the little improvements in aerodynamics and engine mapping are enough to compensate for the occasional heavy right foot.
In many ways it is the 1.9 TDI e's lack of obvious change that makes it more acceptable to the average buyer.
The car boasts most of the nice things you will find in any other Audi. Billet-like build quality, a nice touch of plushness, quality fittings and fitment, the all-round nice drive quality and the growing prestige of the four rings badge.
There are some trade-offs: you can't get an automatic and you don't get cruise control. There is also a slightly harsher ride on the lower suspension and low rolling resistance rubber and the engine — at least from outside — is unmistakeably diesel.
Then there is the little matter of paying to feel good about yourself — the 1.9 TDI e starts at $38,900 before statutory fess and delivery charges. That is not cheap for a manual compact hatch.
The Bottom line
A sensible way to feel good about your fossil fuel use.
