Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro: High Performance Diesel
Motoring Channel Staff - 19/May/2008
|
Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro
Audi has managed to extract 165kW and
450Nm from a small 4-cylinder diesel engine
Is Diesel The Answer?With the price of
petrol rising dramatically in the last few months in Australia and
North America - far faster than in almost any period in the past decade
- drivers are starting to feel the pinch. This is being reflected
in a number of areas, not just new car sales. The price of second hand
compact cars with small engines are on the increase as demand for them
intensifies, while the Toyota Prius celebrated its one millionth sale
recently. In the coming years we will see more fuel saving
features on a wider spectrum of vehicle types, such as cylinder
deactivation, and also more advancements in diesel technology. As
petrol prices keep rising, changing demands will cause some car markets
to suffer, while others prosper. -
Feann Torr, Editor
|
The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro is powered by
this shiny-looking engine, a direct injection diesel
With an AWD powertrain, the A3 TDI Clubsport
Quattro accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.6 secs
The interior is suitably sporty, with deep bucket seats,
flat bottomed steering wheel and a sporty gear shifter
|
Ingolstadt, Germany —
When Audi initially switched it's Le Mans race cars to diesel power in
2006, there were a lot of strange looks passing between spectators. However, the turbo diesel R10 race
car ended up winning it's first Le Mans race in France in '06, a
grueling 24-hour race, and also became the first diesel vehicle in the
history of the event to claim victory. Since then, Audi has
forged ahead with the development of performance diesel engines for its
road cars, which can be clearly seen in a new concept car that looks
destined for production - theA3 TDI Clubsport Quattro. Based on
the humble Audi A3, this model features a range of improvements,
including a high performance chassis with ceramic disc brakes, and the
debut of what could be the most powerful 2.0-litre diesel engine on the
market. With it's small 2.0-litre size, the A3 TDI Clubsport
Quattro concept car's engine is expected to return low fuel usage
figures, but it's also a remarkably powerful engine. Outputting
165kW of power (224hp), a figure that has until now been the exclusive
domain of turbo petrol engines, the 4-cylinder turbo engine gives the
A3 model plenty of heart. Torque output is huge, 450Nm in total.
This is more torque than Audi's wildly popular R8 mid-engined super
car's 430Nm, which is an interesting figure considering the new
2.0-litre diesel engine is less than half the size of the R8's highly
strung 4.2-litre V8. It's clear that Audi's Le Mans racing diesel
technology is now finding it's way into road cars, and this concept
signifies that the high-performance, small displacement diesel engines
are not far off. While European buyers have had a love affair
with diesel engines for decades now, where they account for more than
50% of all new passenger car sales, Australian and American buyers
still favour petrol cars, with diesels accounting for less than 10% of
new car sales in these countries. But engines like this one from
Audi could be true blue game changers. Power and performance, yet with
minimal emissions and low fuel consumption, will be highly sought after. Like
any self-respecting sports car, Audi's new A3 concept transfers power
to the wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, and will accelerate from
zero to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. With an AWD quattro setup, the vehicle also has an impressive top speed: 240km/h (149mph). As well as a blisteringly powerful turbo diesel engine, the A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept also features other go-fast components, including a full sports chassis. Measuring
4.25 metres long, the stocky concept rides on 20-inch ally wheels with
large 265/30 tyres, and uses independent suspension coupled with Audi's
magnetic ride control to improve cornering response. The German
car maker has also added 'Audi drive select driving dynamics'
which allow the driver to fine tune a number of inputs. Changes
can be made to the steering response, throttle response and even the
ESP activation levels without having to get out of the car, giving
drives the ability to tailor the car to different situations, such as
busy wet roads or even a dry racetrack. The front disc brakes are
made from ceramic composite materials for improved thermal efficiency,
and feature large 6-piston calipers for strong stopping power. Completing the package is an outgoing exterior design, including a bright paint scheme in red and white. Up
front, Audi's designers have crafted an aggressive front apron with
huge lateral air intakes that ensure the 450Nm diesel engine gets all
the air flow it needs. The car is wider than the standard A3 and even the sports S3 models, which we have road tested. The Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro concept features bolt-on wheel arch extenders to communicate its performance aspirations, as well as a large roof-mounted aero wing. Changes to the rear apron have also been made, including a quasi-diffuser and large stainless steel exhaust outlets. Expect a production version of this vehicle and/or the powerful new 2.0-litre performance diesel engine later in the year.
Related
Articles:
- Audi S3 Sportback, Audi S4 (2009)
- Audi Q5 (2009)
- Audi S3 (Road Test)
- Audi A4 (2008)
- Audi TT 1.8 TFSI (2008)
- Audi A3 Cabriolet (2008)
- Audi TT Coupe (Road Test)
- Audi RS 6 (2008)
- Audi Metroproject quattro Concept (2009)
- Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro Concept (2007)
- Audi A4 (2008)
- Audi
RS 4 (Road Test)
- Audi S8 (Road Test)
|
