What's the news?
Audi is expanding its Ultra range of super-efficient TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines, with the A3 range benefitting from the new technology.
In total, there will be 10 new models because the 150hp 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine will be available in all four body styles (three-door hatchback, five-door Sportback, four-door Saloon and two-door Cabriolet) and with two transmissions (manual six-speed or S tronic seven-speed automatic), making eight variants. The impending 1.6-litre TDI Saloon with the gearbox options will offer the final two new Ultras - this 110hp engine is already in the hatch and Sportback A3s.
The TFSI model is quick, with a 137mph top speed and 0-62mph capability of 8.1 seconds, but in three-door guise it can return 60.1mpg combined with CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. It achieves these figures using Cylinder-on-Demand technology, which shuts off cylinders two and three under light engine load scenarios to leave you with a two-cylinder Audi.
The TDI Saloon Ultra will be capable of 85.6mpg with emissions of just 88g/km when it goes on sale later this year.
Anything else?
Audi will have 22 Ultra models throughout its product range by the time this new wave of cars has come on-stream, with the e-tron plug-in hybrid due out later this year as well.
Matt Robinson - 10 Jun 2014
