The new Audi A3 Sportback is all athlete. Slick, fast, surefooted and powerful on the open road. Eight different engines are available of which five are petrol and three diesel versions. Among these, six engines are pioneering four–cylinder direct injection units with turbo charge. Their abbreviations – T FSI® and TDI – encapsulate the strength of Audi’s engine technology.

The 1.8T FSI® for example, develops 118 kW, and the 2.0T FSI® develops 147 kW. The 1.9 TDI delivers 77 kW and the 2.0 TDI 103 kW. Both of the two–litre diesel engines have been extensively reengineered and a new common rail injection system now assures ultra–refined running.

With an output of 77kW, the diesel is the power unit of the extremely efficient 1.9 TDI version which, as a result of special fine–tuning measures, can do 100 kilometres on a mere 4.5 litres of diesel. Most of the other engines slash fuel consumption by as much as 15 percent. The 1.8T FSI® and 2.0T FSI® have been frictionally optimised and have new cylinder bores, pistons and oil pumps.

Other innovative technologies that make for even greater driving pleasure include the S tronic dual–clutch transmission with seven speeds, Audi magnetic ride and the suspension control system.