Unsung Hero of Fuel Efficiency: Audi A3

Continuing our journey of highlighting the Unsung Heroes of Fuel Efficiency, today we have the Audi A3. While talking with a few friends last night, I mentioned including the Audi A3 in this series and received a few surprised looks. But yes it is true, in its class the Audi A3 is a contender as a fuel efficient vehicle.

The 2008 Audi A3 delivers the performance of a sports car in the body of a compact luxury hatchback. Since its introduction in 2006, the A3 has gathered its fair share of accolades, including the Wards Auto World Best 10 Engines award for the third consecutive year (the engine on the A3 really is special, but more that a little later). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also recognized the A3 for its abundance of safety features and dubbed it as a Top Safety Pick. Eric Davis, a client adviser at Checkered Flag Audi (pictured with the Audi A3) considers the Audi A3 as the safest car on the roads.

Both performance and safety are obviously packaged into the Audi A3, and to add to its appeal it is fuel efficient too. In keeping with our criteria for the Unsung Hero series, the 14.5 gallon tank on the A3 can get you 420 miles. The EPA rates it at 29 mpg on the highway and city is 21. So, you are wondering how all of this is possible? Well, in speaking with DonPaul Ivers, sales consultant at Checkered Flag Audi, the answer is three letters: FSI. They stand for fuel stratified injection. The FSI is the heart of the A3 2.0-liter engine. This technology allows for gasoline to be directly injected into the cylinders instead of being combined in the intake system, which is what happens in most engines. Simply put, the FSI results in lower emissions and better fuel economy. The A3 engine is turbocharged as well, so paired with the FSI you are able to produce six-cylinder power with four-cylinder fuel economy.

The Audi A3 is offered in three different trims: 2.0 TS Tronic, 2.0 T 6 Speed, and 3.2 Quattro. Starting price for the A3 is $25,930. The standard features on the 2.0 T include dual-zone air conditioning with climate control, 17-inch Five-Arm cast alloy wheels, power adjustable mirrors, remote locking system, and power rear windows. On the Quattro, the Audi 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) is an option. The DSG allows for quick transmission gear-shifting. The amenities included on the Quattro include remote locking system, BOSE® premium sound system with AudioPilot® noise-compensation, leather seating surfaces, power rear window wiper, and tire pressure monitoring system.

I got to see the A3 in person and I was surprised with the amount of space it offers as a hatchback. And in true Audi fashion, the interior was fitted with top-of-the-line materials. Like I mentioned earlier, the safety features on the A3 are an important part of the vehicle. Front-seat and full-length side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, and stability control come standard. Rear side airbags are an option as well. 

No one ever said that great fuel economy has to come at the cost of luxury. So if you are looking for a car that delivers with performance, safety, luxury and fuel efficiency, check out the Audi A3. Visit DonPaul, Eric, and the rest of the Checkered Flag Audi sales team at 2865 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach or call (757) 490-1111.