The 2012 Audi A3 TDI offers a good blend of sporting driving fun going to the ski slopes on the weekends, and economical commuting in the slice-and-dice of Denver traffic during the week. But the real benefit of driving the A3 TDI is the fuel economy.
If it’s fuel economy that you are after, you will want to look at the 2.0-liter TDI turbocharged clean diesel. The A3 TDI diesel gets an EPA-estimated 42 mpg Highway and has a fuel tank capacity of slightly over 14 gallons, which works out to be a maximum cruising distance of about 600 miles.
The 2.0-liter diesel delivers a level of torque that is remarkable for a car in this category. Audi claims it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 9 seconds. In the real world, it feels much faster than the 140 horsepower would suggest, but that’s because of all that torque the engine produces.
Diesel engines may have less horsepower, but they produce massive amounts of torque which translates to very effective power from a standing start and for pulling hills. And the turbo takes Denver’s thin air and makes it feel like sea level.
And don’t worry about black smoke and noise from this diesel. In this new technology of diesels, the tailpipes are cleaner than the gas-engine cars, and you notice the noise only slightly at idle.
Audi's industry-leading technology in transmissions translates into transforming engine torque into rolling power. The the paddle/lever-shifted S tronic automatic won’t leave you disappointed. The swiftness of choosing the correct gear with the S tronic is lighting fast and leaves anyone feeling like a race car driver.
The A3 feels sure-footed even with only the front wheels driving the car. The A3 benefits from having a four-link rear suspension, a low center of gravity, and a compact stance. The suspension offers crisper handling and a comfortable ride. Overall, the A3 TDI offers a sporty and fun driving experience.
Click here and we’ll give a full report on the 2012 Audi A3 TDI S-Tronic.
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