Audi has revealed that its fourth generation A3 will be equipped with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission. The new gearbox will feature in combination with the brand’s 2-liter TDI and 1.5-liter gasoline as standard.
Covering a torque range from 200-340Nm, the transmission was design with efficiency in mind, saving up to 5g of CO2 per 100km compared with its predecessor transmission. The first gear usually has a short ratio to enable a powerful start-off and the highest gear has a long ratio to lower the rotational speed and consumption.
The A3 2-liter diesel 30 TDI will output 116ps and deliver 300Nm of torque between 1,600rpm and 2,500rpm. The entry-level model will hit 100km/h from a standstill in 10.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 206km/h.
The 1.5 four-cylinder gasoline in the A3 Sportback 35 TFSI has an output 150ps and delivers 250Nm of torque between 1,500rpm and 3,500rpm. The sprint from zero to 100km/h takes the 35 8.4 seconds, and the car has a top speed of 224km/h.
Audi’s 1.5 TFSI also features cylinder on demand (COD) tech, which temporarily deactivates the second and third cylinders at low and medium loads. The engine is light thanks to its aluminum crankcase, while the cylinder linings have an iron coating that reduces friction significantly.