New Audi A3: the most interesting TFSI engines arrive

Little by little, Audi is completing the offer of the new generation of the Audi A3. The new A3 Sportback has already been joined by the three-box body, the A3 Sedan. And now the Sportback adds two new engines to the three launch units.

These are not just any two engines; they are two of the most interesting mechanical options in the range.

The cheapest Audi A3: 3-cylinder engine with 110 CV from 27,770 euros

The first of them is the well-known 1.0 TFSI petrol with 3 cylinders, which is used in many models of the Volkswagen Group. This version, called 30 TFSI, positions itself as the entry point to the A3 Sportback range by price: it is available from 27,770 euros.

Equipped as standard with a 6-speed manual gearbox, the 1.0 TFSI stands out for its ease of use and pleasant response, without the need for balancer shafts. With 110 CV and a maximum torque of 200 Nm available between 2,000 and 3,000 rpm, it moves the A3 Sportback with ease. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 10.6 seconds, and it exceeds a top speed of 200 km/h.

The homologated WLTP combined-cycle consumption starts at 5.6 l/100 km. It is a highly recommendable engine for its balance between performance and consumption. Its main “drawback” may be that, except for occasional discounts, only 1,300 euros separate it from the 35 TFSI with the 4-cylinder 150 CV engine, which is clearly quicker, can use practically the same fuel when driven smoothly, and has a more sophisticated rear suspension.

However, compared with the 116 CV 30 TDI, the 1.0 TFSI’s trump card is its price, costing 2,240 euros less.

Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic: with ECO label

In the case of the A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic, this is the 1.5 four-cylinder engine that is also offered with a manual gearbox, but which, combined with the S tronic gearbox, includes Mild Hybrid micro-hybrid technology.

This means two things. First, the homologated consumption is even 0.2 l/100 km lower than that of the manual version, at 5.6 l/100 km in combined cycle. Second, and even more importantly, it benefits from the advantages granted by the DGT ECO label.

With 150 CV and a maximum torque of 250 Nm available from as low as 1,500 rpm, the A3 35 TFSI S tronic accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 224 km/h. In addition to Mild Hybrid technology, this engine features the selective cylinder deactivation system, which shuts down two of the four cylinders when driving under low power demand.

And the price? It starts from 31,250 euros. That is about 2,200 euros more than the 35 TFSI with manual gearbox, which has no ECO label. And it costs around 2,240 euros less than the 35 TDI S tronic, also with 150 CV and dual-clutch gearbox, but without MHEV technology and therefore without the ECO label.

Both engines can be combined with all trim levels: Advanced, S line and Black Line. They are also offered with the Genuine Edition launch special edition, which costs 1,000 euros more than the S line on which it is based, but saves around 65% compared with the price of separately fitting all the equipment it includes as standard.

Technical specifications of this car

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