In this episode of The Smoking Tire, we decide to test Audi’s version of an economy car to its limits, by attempting to drive to the Grand Canyon from Redondo Beach, CA, 550 miles, on a single 14.6 gallon tank of diesel fuel. We then take the Audi to Adams Motorsports Park for a timed lap to see if it’s a sporty economy car or an economical sports car. Video after the jump.
Matt says it's the same size as the Golf TDI… but as I pointed out in the comments of the last A3 post, the A3 is slightly larger (20 vs 15 cu ft.). Not a huge difference, but enough that my labrador could be fairly comfortable in the back of the A3, as opposed to being kind of squished in the back of the Golf.
http://www.thesmokingtire.com/2010/what-do-you-wa…
I agree that lack of a Quattro option sucks, but lack of a manual 6-speed option sucks just as badly. You failed to mention it. What was Audi thinking??
If we had left in everything I had to say about the car, the episode would have pushed 16 minutes, and we had to cut some things out to make it more punchy. Yes, the trunk is slightly bigger in the Audi. If you plan on putting live animals back there, I'd recommend folding the seats down flat in either car.
You can get a golf tdi with the manual as well. I rather like the DSG transmission, as long as the car has paddles with it.
I usually have too many passengers to have the seats down so I have to consider the dog space available with the seats up. Plus it's just safer for the dog and the people.
The DSG can shift faster than me but I'd still rather do it myself. I hate giving up the feedback and control I get from operating the clutch. Obviously most Americans prefer an automatic and that's fine but I'd like the option to have a manual on this designed and made in Europe car where its standard transmission is a 6-speed manual.
Anyway, my irritation is with Audi. I do like your videos. Keep up the good work.
I am a manual A3 driver. Love the car and wouldn't trade it for anything. I easily get 32-34 mpg on the highway so long as I use premium gas, keep the tires properly inflated, and drive at 65 (city mileage is 20, but still much better than a BMW 3 series). Not sure that I'd jump for the diesel, even if it were available in a manual, when it is a full $8,000 more.
Incidentally, the thing that sucks bigger is that Quattro has also never been offered in a six speed on the A3 in the US.
Hey Matt thanks for letting me know about the review being posted this week. I have a Subaru Legacy GTL with a ton of miles and it is starting to show its age. I was thinking the A3 would be a nice car and the TDI would be great for the highway. I did not like the lack of AWD and hearing the HP rating I really didn't like that. Have you driven the standard 2.0T model with a little more HP? My guess is you can add AWD to the typical fuel A3, but you will be increasing the price by a good bit.
Thanks for the review and you hit each thing I was concerned with when deciding on a new car.
Talk to you more on FB
You can get the AWD with the gas-powered A3, it's the top of the line model and in base trim costs about $1,000 less than our diesel test car. I have driven the 2.0T gas car, and it's got a bit more on the top end, and a bit less off the line. Fuel mileage is definitely worse than this by at least 6-7 mpg though.
Don't forget the 2.0T gasoline engine demands premium fuel, as Matt mentioned in the video. I have driven the 2.0T as well. It's a fun car and it really takes off as the rev's climb but personally I find the TDI's abundance of low end torque more satisfying. YMMV.
There's actually a 170 hp variant of the 2.0L TDI available in the European A3 and in the new VW Golf GTD, but naturally we're unlikely to get that engine in the states. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hatchbacks/11…
What you're all forgetting is the possible upgrades for either engine.I have a 2.0t a4 and its pushing 290hp and 317lbs for an extra 1200 bones over sticker. I'm not sure what is available for the diesel in this generation of engine, but I am sure that if there arn't parts available, there will be shortly. I've been smoked by a diesel Jetta before and it still got amazing gas mileage.
not much available for the current generation, just mild software upgrades. I think the new emissions system and DSG transmission limit what certain parts of the engine can handle with power upgrades. In general, yes, all turbo engines, diesel or gas, have lots more potential from the aftermarket.
That's cool and all but damn I wouldn't drop $30,000 on a economical diesel.. Lol. But that's just me.. I'd much rather get a new V6 Mustang.
p.s. Nice scene at the canyon, made me want to go on a road trip.
I am with Joe….nice review though. Hey have fun in the Bull run and do a burnout at each checkpoint!
Why can't I see it and the two previous episodes on Garage419?
Please repair it if possible!
we aren't using that feed any more. Watch them on The Smoking Tire's channel. Besides, on the TST channel, they are in HD.
Both last two Youtube videos, the S3 review and the Honda Fit cannot be watched outside the US, the videos on Streetfire are fine, is that intended?
Great show BTW
It has nothing to do with us, it's up to whatever government you happen to pay taxes to. We can't control it at all, and we suspect that it has something to do with royalty-free music that's not permitted in some countries. But when we choose the music, we have no way of knowing what countries will permit what songs, other than what's allowed in the US.