AUDI has launched start-stop automatic versions of its A3 hatchback model.
It is the first such application of the economy saving start-stop technology with an auto in the premium sector.
Start-stop helps preserve fuel and reduce CO2 emissions in urban driving conditions when the car is at a standstill. But until now the technology was almost exclusively been used for manual cars.
Audi offers fuel-saving tech on automatic A3 hatchback
Now Audi, in a pioneering move, has introduced it with its twin-clutch S tronic auto transmission. S tronic can deliver lightning fast automatic or manual shifts via the gear lever or steering wheel-mounted paddle controls.
It will be available on the A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic petrol model and the A3 1.6 TDI S tronic in both A3 (3dr) and A3 Sportback (5dr) bodystyles.
The 1.4 TFSI S tronic model is actually more fuel-efficient than the standard manual model, recording 53.3mpg to the manual’s 49.6mpg.
The new Audi A3 start-stop auto models will be on sale from December.
Audi A3 1.4 TFSI S tronic with start-stop
- 0-62mph 9.3 seconds
- Economy 53.3mpg
- CO2 emissions 124g/km
- Cost £18,300
Audi A3 1.6 TDI S tronic with start-stop
- 0-62mph 11.7 seconds
- Economy 67.3mpg
- CO2 emissions 109g/km
- Cost £18,905
