Review of the new Audi A3 2.0 TDI 170

Some ideas are so good you have to wonder why they never appeared sooner. Audi already make a Range of diesel engines that use 'pump jet' direct diesel injection. It's nothing particularly new, just a technology that the company have finessed over the years and which has now matured in tandem with other high tech solutions. Some of their more expensive cars also use Piezo injection technology. Combining the two systems has resulted in a diesel engine that offers a serious amount of shove and when plumbed into the pretty A3, results in an extremely covetable package indeed.

As the shampoo ads proclaim, here's the science bit. Direct injection is, basically, a system intended to make better use of every drop of diesel. The injectors on all four cylinders are controlled by a single powerful electronic control unit (ECU) which carefully controls the amount and mixture of fuel passing through into each cylinder. For engineers, the obvious next step is for each cylinder to have its own ECU unit; the fuel amount and mixture can then be even more carefully monitored and even greater efficiency achieved. This is the basic concept behind the new 'second generation' of 'common rail' diesels - engines that Volkswagen says it's developing in its own time. The big bonus of Volkswagen's TDI system is that it's relatively easy to liberate big power outputs.

So what do the Piezo injectors do? In short, they precisely meter fuel delivery to provide more power and even stronger performance. Featuring a high-pressure pump and rail for the four cylinder engine, the Piezo system permits up to five separate amounts of fuel to be injected on each working stroke at an injection pressure of 1,600 bar - 250 bar more than with previous common rail systems. This helps to achieve the best possible fuel/air mixture and an even more efficient combustion process. Environmental impact is also minimised by a diesel particulate filter, which is fitted as standard and works in conjunction with the twin catalytic converters to maximise exhaust gas cleansing. The system needs no additives, and so will need no servicing throughout the lifespan of the car.

"The 170bhp TDI engine and the A3 make a very beguiling combination"

This may all be a little too Open University for some but the net result is a car that anybody can enjoy, just as long as they can stump up at least £19,165. With 170bhp under the bonnet, it certainly doesn't hang around. The headline figure with this model isn't the power output but the maximum torque output of 258lb/ft. The BMW 330i, the Ford Focus ST, the Mercedes SL350, the Porsche Cayman S, and the Subaru Impreza WRX all fail to top this figure. Torque is simply defined as rotational force and it's best to think of it as the engine's muscularity. With this sort of torque on tap, you can rest assured that this Audi isn't going to get sand kicked in its face. Acceleration figures from rest never do a diesel car justice and the 0-60 figure of 7.9 seconds sounds brisk rather than concussive. A more indicative test is the 30-70mph time through the gears and here the A3 is quick enough to give many of the cars listed above a real scare.

With a top speed of 137mph, the A3 TDI 170 will have no issues about cruising at British motorway speeds and even on the cut and thrust of a two lane derestricted autobahn it has more than enough mumbo to jet up to speed after dispatching a dawdling artic. The great thing about this powerplant is that the torque is almost omnipresent. That maximum figure is available from just 1,750rpm, little more than tickover. Running costs are kept on the manageable side with a fuel economy figure of 48.7mpg while a 157g/km emissions figure will mean this car will figure on the wanted lists of many business users with a £20k budget. The 750-mile effective Range is also very attractive to those who want to get from A to B without having to stop off to pump fuel. The quattro models harness all that torque superbly, rarely troubling the traction control system even on the greasiest surfaces. Opt for one of these all-wheel drive variants and the price starts at £22,355.

Trim levels run from entry level through SE, Sport and plush S line versions and there's also the option of the five-door Sportback variant. Quattro versions are only offered with the Sport and S line designations. Bulletproof build quality, intricate detailing and a prestigious badge once only came with a stratospheric price ticket. These days, such highway snobbery is arriving in smaller and smaller packages and the latest Audi A3 line-up makes downsizing look positively attractive. As well as a meaner look, this second generation version boasts a larger body, a clever rear suspension system, smart electromechanical power steering and a revolutionary S Tronic semi-automatic gearbox that comes as an option on the 2.0 TDI model featured here.

Audi have once again produced a cabin which, despite the all-pervading blackness of the trim (do the Germans recognise any other interior colour?) feels less of a coal hole than in the past. And this despite the fact that you sit lower in the car (necessary to preserve headroom since the sleeker roofline is also lower). A few simple ergonomic tweaks help in the overall feeling of space and well-being. The steering wheel height adjustment Range has been increased by 20% and the reach by 5%. Moreover, the gear lever and accelerator pedal have been repositioned and there's a clever 'Z-shaped' shortened handbrake, which frees up space on the centre console for two additional cupholders that are also accessible to those at the rear. Best of all, the cabin is built to even higher standards than before. Nothing you can buy in this sector feels as solid. We particularly liked the aluminium-fringed round air vents, the rotary ventilation knobs and the struts between the transmission tunnel and centre console, all of which are reminiscent of the Audi TT sportscar.

The Audi A3 TDI 170 is a car that makes a lot of sense. While it may not stack up in pure financial terms, drive it and see why it's set for success. This is a diesel car you'll prefer to a petrol and be willing to pay a premium for. How often have we been able to say that?

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