| ough many of them are now working on hybrids, | | | | diesel takes 8.9 seconds to cover 0 to 62 mph, |
| European automakers’ longstanding response | | | | according to Audi; for comparison, an A3 with the |
| to gasoline-electric vehicleslong championed by | | | | 2.0-liter turbo gasoline-fueled four requires about seven |
| Japanese companieshas been to first scoff and | | | | seconds to reach 62 mph, and we recorded 8.1 |
| then to point to their robust lineups of fuel-efficient | | | | seconds to 60 mph in the Jetta TDI. A more-powerful, |
| diesel powertrains. Of course, diesels represent about | | | | 170-horse version of the 2.0-liter diesel is available in |
| 50 percent of the market in Europe, but they have | | | | Europe as well, and it returns performance closer to |
| never been offered widely in America. Fluctuating fuel | | | | that of its gas counterpart. |
| prices are slowly beginning to change that, and while | | | | Despite smoother operation with common-rail injectors, |
| Euro diesels recently launched in the States have been | | | | a diesel will never sound as sweet as a good gasoline |
| installed in sedans and SUVs, small oil-burners make | | | | engine. The fun in diesels, thenbeyond traveling |
| sense, too. After all, if a premium sedan with the | | | | hundreds of miles farther on a tank of fuel than in a |
| economy of a compact is impressive, let’s see | | | | gasoline-powered caris in the gobs of torque |
| what happens when you drop a diesel in a compact. | | | | available at low- and mid-range rpm. Upshift at 3000 |
| The ritzy 2009 Audi A3 compact hatchback, based on | | | | rpm or so, and you'll be rewarded with ample |
| the VW Golf/Rabbit but with a much more upscale | | | | accelerative power in the higher gear. Equipped as it |
| look and interior, has long been available with diesel | | | | was with Audi’s double-clutch S tronic |
| engines in Europe. Now Ingolstadt is pondering offering | | | | automated manual, passing in the Audi A3 TDI was a |
| such a combo in the U.S., too. The vanguard: two A3 | | | | simple matter of mashing the throttle and letting the |
| TDIs that served as part of the Audi Mileage | | | | engine pull and pull and pull. Max out the TDI’s |
| Marathon, a long haul from New York to Los Angeles | | | | tach, though, and you’ll run out of steam, a |
| that gave scribes a chance to examine diesel | | | | characteristic borne of diesel engines’ typically |
| economy in real-world conditions on American roads. | | | | lower horsepower ratings. |
| (The U.S.-bound Q7 3.0 TDI was the featured vehicle | | | | According to Audi, the 2009 Audi A3 2.0 TDI managed |
| of the event.) | | | | 45 mpg traveling coast to coast in the U.S., with the |
| The 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo-diesel found under the | | | | best daily mileage around 50 mpg. (We saw 23 mpg in |
| hood of the A3 we drove was significantly | | | | the last A3 2.0T we tested, which puts the diesel firmly |
| re-engineered and upgraded earlier this year. It’s | | | | ahead regarding fuel costs, even given diesel |
| essentially the same unit used in the 50-state-compliant | | | | fuel’s current 30-percent price penalty.) All that |
| Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and here it makes the same | | | | whileand we can attest to this personallythe car |
| 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. In the process of the | | | | was driven hard on more than a few occasions. Our |
| upgrade, Audi switched from the previously used | | | | indicated top speed equaled Audi’s 129-mph |
| pump-injectors, one for each cylinder, to common-rail | | | | claim, and it was achieved effortlessly. |
| fuel injection, by which fuel travels through a single | | | | We’re hearing rumblings that Audi is leaning |
| high-pressure rail. The common-rail system allows | | | | toward approving the A3 2.0 TDI for U.S. sale, which |
| several injections per cylinder stroke, making it easier | | | | we’re all for, but we’re concerned about |
| to meet emissions targets, and it has the added | | | | the possible price. The A3 is pricey alreadyit ranges |
| benefit of being quieter, too. | | | | from just under $28,000 with a gas-fired four to |
| The shift to common-rail technology is clearly felt. | | | | almost $38,000 with a V-6and diesels are typically |
| While the old diesel engine virtually jerked the 2009 | | | | among the more expensive powertrain options here. |
| Audi A3 forward, the new engine is more linear in | | | | As such, we’d be surprised if the A3 TDI cost |
| response. Power delivery is generally more smooth, | | | | less than $33,000, which is a lot of money for a |
| and there is noticeably less noise and harshness. On | | | | hatchback, even if you then add in the probable $1300 |
| the other hand, a bit of the "kick" is missing; the old | | | | tax rebate. |
| engine was crude, but it did feel quicker. This latest A3 | | | | |