Minor Tweaks for 2011 Audi A3 Hatch, Sportback, Cabriolet and S3

Along with the updated 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster, and Q7 SUV, Audi also announced model year changes for its A3 range that includes the three door hatchback, five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and the sporty S3 hot hatch.

You'll probably have a hard time noticing the differences, but Audi says that on the 2011 A3s, the single-frame grille element and trims on the B-columns are painted in high-gloss black, the lower air inlets have chrome struts, the exterior mirrors are revised and there are chrome strips in the door handles (except on the S3).

A new rear diffuser insert, the tinted tail lamps on the three-door version, an updated line of alloy wheel designs and the addition of four new paint finishes (Volcano Red, Dakota Gray, Amethyst Gray and Scuba Blue) complete the exterior upgrades.

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Audi Enhances A3 Cabriolet's Range with 1.2-liter Turbo TFSI

The smallest capacity petrol engine in Audi's range has made its way under the hood of the European-market A3 soft-top convertible. Featuring turbocharging and direct injection technology, the 1.2 TFSI produces the same 105HP output as the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated unit it replaces, along with 175Nm of peak torque - a 27Nm increase over its predecessor.

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Nurburgring-Spotting: BMW M3 Coupe and Audi S3 in Police Wrap

You never know what you'll stumble upon in and around the famous Nurburgring circuit in Germany. It may be a heavily camouflaged prototype model performing test runs like the ones we often post here on Carscoop, or in this case, a pair of privately owned cars dressed in a eye-catching police uniform (okay, most likely a vinyl wrap). The M3 Coupe and Audi S3 faux police cars appear to belong to a group called 'Ring-Police' details of which remain unknown for the time being. More photos after the jump.

Via: Autogespot

Audi UK Prices A3 with S-Tronic and Start-Stop System

German automaker Audi has revealed UK pricing for its updated A3 1.4 TFSI petrol and 1.6 TDI diesel models with the S tronic dual-clutch transmission that benefit from the introduction of the fuel saving start-stop function which was previously reserved for four-cylinder manual gearbox models. Priced from £18,300 (OTR), the A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic with start-stop sprints from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 126mph (203 km/h), while returning a combined 53.3 mpg UK (44.4 mpg US) with 124g/km of CO2.

The A3 1.6 TDI diesel S tronic with start-stop is priced from £18,905 OTR. According to Audi, it accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 11.7 seconds, has a top speed of 121mph or 195 km/h and achieves a combined fuel economy of 67.3 mpg UK (56.0 mpg US) with 109g/km of CO2.

Both models are available for order now with first deliveries expected in early December.

Audi Mates Start-Stop System to S-Tronic Dual-Clutch Transmission on A3 Models

Starting from this November, Audi will begin fitting certain European-spec A3 models equipped with the firm's S tronic dual-clutch transmission with a start and stop system. Available on the A3 three-door and five-door SportBack models with the 105HP 1.6-liter TDI diesel and the 125HP 1.4-liter TFSI petrol engine, the start and stop system improves fuel economy by turning the engine off as soon as the vehicle comes to a halt and automatically starts the engine as soon as the driver removes his or her foot from the brake pedal.

Both A3 models also feature an on-board energy-recovery system that converts mechanical braking energy into electrical power that is temporarily stored in the battery and is then fed back into the electrical system during acceleration, thus reducing the load on the alternator and saving fuel.

The German maker claims that the A3 1.6 TDI S-Tronic consumes on average 4.2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (56 US mpg) and emits 109g/km of CO2 while the 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic, 5.3 liters of premium unleaded for every 100 kilometers (44.4 US mpg) with 124 g/km of CO2.

Performance-wise, the 1.6 TDI propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 194 km/h (121 mph) while the A3 1.4 TFSI goes from standstill to 100km/h in 9.3 seconds and tops out at 203 km/h (126 mph).

Prices for the A3 1.4 TFSI with the S-Tronic and start-stop system in Germany will remain unchanged at €23,700 for3-door and €24,600 for the Sportback. The new 1.6 TDI with S-Tronic and Start-Stop will sell at a base price of €25,500 for the 3-door and €26,400 for the Sportback.

Audi A3 and A3 Sportback get Revised 1.6 TDI with Even Better Fuel Economy and Lower Emissions

It's only been three months since Audi began offering the VW Group's new 1.6-liter common rail diesel engine on the A3 range, but the German firm has already announced a newer version of the 105HP 1.6 TDI with lower fuel consumption and improved CO2 emissions. In particular, the four-cylinder TDI continues to deliver the same output as before at 105HP but peak torque has been increased from 230Nm to 250 Nm (184.39 lb-ft). Audi claims that fuel consumption on the combined cycle has been reduced from 4.1lt/100km (57.4 mpg US) to 3.8lt/100 km (61.9 US mpg) with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, down from 109g/km.

The reworked TDI engine that uses Audi's start and stop technology is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox featuring a final drive ratio longer by some seven percent.

The German firm says that the diesel engine propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 190 km/h (118 mph) while the A3 Sportback reaches 100 km/h in 11.7 seconds. The corresponding figures for the current A3 1.6 TDI 105HP 3-door are 11.4 seconds and 194km/h.

Audi will begin selling the A3 1.6 TDI and the A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI in Europe in the first half of 2010 with prices said to be similar to those models already offered on the market.

Audi Brings 2010 A3 Sportback TDI diesel to the States, Priced from $29,950

The second diesel offering from Audi to be launched in the US this year after the Q7 TDI is the 2010 A3 Sportback TDI and it will begin arriving at the company's dealers in late November 2009. The base price for the front-wheel drive model with Audi's S tronic dual-clutch transmission is $29,950, but you'll have to add another $825 to that for destination charge, taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbo diesel that makes 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque offering the five-door hatch a top speed of 130mph.

According to Audi the A3 TDI returns an EPA-estimated of 30mpg in the city and 42mpg on the highway. For some reason, Audi thought it would be a good idea to compare the diesel-powered A3 hatchback to the Lexus HS 250h four-door sedan in its press release saying that the Japanese model "offers similar combined fuel economy with hybrid technology, but not superlative highway mileage range."

For what it matters, the 187HP HS 250h, which starts from $34,200 in the States, received EPA-estimated ratings of 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg.

VW and Audi Models Recalled Over Two Separate DSG Problems

Volkswagen Group of America has issued two separate recall for numerous Audi and VW models equipped with its DSG dual-clutch transmission. The first recall involves 16,000 2009-2010MY cars manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009. The models affected are Audi's A3, TT Coupe and Roadster, plus VW's Eos and Jetta Sedan and SportWagen. In this case, a faulty temperature sensor could cause the DSG transmission to shift into neutral while the vehicle is being driven.

The company said that it will contact owners of the affected models so they can take the cars to local dealers for any necessary repairs free of charge.

The second recall affects approximately 43,000 Volkswagens and 10,300 Audis of the 2007-2009 model years including the VW R32, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, Eos, as well as the Audi A3 and TT.

According to the German automaker, some customers reported transmission performance issues under certain driving conditions. Volkswagen claims that the problem was caused by a faulty component inside the Mechatronic unit. The company will repair or replace the components in the transmissions of the affected models free of charge.

Furthermore, VW said that it will extend its New Vehicle Limited Warranty to cover the DSG transmissions affected by the customer service program and the voluntary safety recall. According to the company, the extended warranty is for 10-years/100,000-miles and can be transferred to subsequent owners of the cars.

"Safety, customer satisfaction, quality and long-term reliability are top priorities at Volkswagen and Audi. We have been studying the symptoms customers have reported, and are working closely with the NHTSA," said Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO, VWGoA. "We listened to our customers' concerns, and are taking action to address them. We are focused on taking all the appropriate actions to ensure the complete satisfaction of our existing customers."

New Audi A3 with 1.2-liter TSI and A4 3.0 TDI Clean Diesel to Premiere in Frankfurt

Along with the supercharged S5 Sportback, Audi's Frankfurt motorshow stand will also host the world premiere of two more new models, the A3 with a new 1.2 TFSI and the Euro-6 compliant A4 3.0 TDI clean diesel quattro. Starting off with the A3, the 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection produces an output of 105 HP and 175Nm (129lb.-ft.) of torque between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.

Initially paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission, the small displacement engine propels the three-door A3 from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 11.1 seconds and the five-door Sportback, in 11.3 seconds. Both versions reach a top speed of 190 km/h or 118 mph) and, on average, consume 5.5 lt of fuel per 100 km which is the U.S. equivalent of 42.77 mpg.

European sales of the A3 and A3 Sportback 1.2 TFSI will begin in the first quarter of 2010.

Moving on the A4, Audi is introducing to the range a 3.l0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine with a new common-rail injection system that generates up to 2,000 bars of pressure. It also comes with a new eNOX catalytic converter, integrated within the end of the exhaust system that reduces residual nitrogen oxides.

The new diesel that complies with the emission limits of the EU's Euro 6 standard, expected to become law in 2014, allows the A4 sedan to return a combined fuel economy of 6.7 lt /100km and the Avant, 6.8 lt/00km (35.1 and 34.6 mpg U.S).

Power is transferred to all wheels through a six-speed tiptronic with the A4 sedan needing only 6.2 seconds for the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint and the A4 Avant, 6.3 seconds. In both models top speed is electronically governed to 250 km/h or 155mph.

*The cars shown in the article are not the A3 1.2 TSI and A4 3.0 TDI quattro as Audi has yet to release photos of the specific models