Driving Sports

Last fall, I went on a week-long road trip to drive Audi's new diesel-engined cars and SUVs - and I came back a believer. These cars drive like high performance gas engined vehicles, but pollute about 20% less than a comparable gas engine - and they get 40+ miles to the gallon while they're doing it! If you have bad memories of sluggish, dirty diesel engines in years past, put them away. It's a whole new day for diesel.

Audi today announced pricing for the 2010 A3 TDI, its second U.S. clean diesel offering launched this a year. Expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in late November 2009, the 50-state certified A3 TDI delivers the highest highway fuel economy in the luxury car category - 42 mpg, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

You will be able to buy an Audi A3 TDI clean diesel with S tronic front wheel drive for $29,950 - but you'll probably have to get in line. The Quattro all wheel drive version will be more, but worth it in the winter.

Audi launched its first TDI clean diesel model, the Q7 TDI SUV, earlier this year. The Audi Q7 TDI built awareness with American luxury car consumers that modern clean diesel technology is markedly improved in emissions, quietness, ride comfort and overall performance. Both the A3 TDI and Q7 TDI clean diesel vehicles share several common attributes that include 50-state clean diesel technology, 30% better fuel economy and a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas than gasoline engines of comparable size.

In fact, the EPA calculated that if only one-third of the vehicles on American roads ran on clean diesel, the U.S. would use 1.5 million fewer barrels of oil each day.

Standard amenities on the A3 TDI include lighted vanity mirrors for drivers and front passengers within the sun visors, leather seating surfaces, cargo nets behind front seats, spit folding 40/60 rear seats, rear seat arm rest with dual cup holders. Premium options include Audi Navigation plus with RDS traffic, Bluetooth hands-free phone preparation, Audi music interface (integration for iPod and related technology), BOSE premium sound, the Titanium package with dark grey wheels and black grille, leather/alcantara seating, wood trim, rain/light sensors, auto-dimming exterior and interior rear-view mirror with integrated compass, and LED daytime running lights.

The pulling power of torque is the signature performance feature in all diesel models, and the A3 TDI is no different. Offering 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 130 MPH, this model performs briskly and efficiently with unmatched performance with its EPA-estimated 30/42 city/highway fuel efficiency.