Audi has lowered the CO2 emissions of the A3e to 109g/km CO2 thanks to a new 1.6-litre diesel engine.
The new 105PS engine replaces the 1.9-litre engine that previously powered the greenest A3, and is available in the three- and five-door cars. It is also available in the cabriolet, which offers a CO2 figure of 114g/km. This low CO2 figure means an 8% improvement in fuel economy, with the 1.6 offering 68.9mpg to the 1.9-litre’s 62.9mpg.
Coupled to the new engine, the improvements come as a result of a stop-start system, and braking energy regeneration, which both made their debut on the 1.4-litre petrol version of the A3.
An improvement in efficiency also brings an increase in purchase price for the three- and five-door versions – the 1.6-litre engine is £415 more expensive than the outgoing equivalents at £17,485 and £18,025.
