For those of you who have been coming from Instagram with this tempting teaser, I have some bad news: I lost. The goal was not to get there first, but to consume as little as possible. Anyway, this Audi A3 35 TDI is just phenomenal. So that you understand the story, when Audi asked me to take part in a “Challenge Conso” I immediately answered YES. First of all, because being a fervent defender of electro mobility, I am sure that the combustion engine has not said its last word. Secondly, the opportunity was perfect to try out the new A3. Back on a journey of more than 770 km without any stop at the petrol station.
Ah yes for the purposes of the article, this time I will speak in kilometres and not miles.
24 years of skilful renewal
Real success for the brand with the rings since 1996. The Audi A3 is already in its fourth generation and has sold more than five million units. Real success for the brand with the rings since 1996. The Audi A3 is already in its fourth generation and has sold more than five million units.
This 4th generation evolves and, for example, in comparison with the previous A3, the front bumper with its very aggressive appearance and hook-shaped optics further underlines this new model. The brand’s design team once again manages to preserve its DNA. The A3 audio remains the A3.
The new features are also visible inside with a complete update of the dashboard. Completely redesigned, but still within easy reach, the physical controls and shortcuts are still there to access the digital screen menus: virtual cockpit of 10,25″ as standard (12,3″ as an option) – screen of 10″ in the centre console. The presence of two ventilators at driver level will delight fans of the brand. Hyper-modern, this interior is a real success thanks also to the choice of materials and their assembly. The A3 is also a car for long distances and even for family travel. Because the new Audi A3 is comfortable in the rear seats with enough space for two adults. The boot volume varies between 380 and 1200 litres.
The Call of the road
The departure is from Marseille with a sealed tank to Paris and the use of cruise control is prohibited throughout the journey. The rules are set, it’s time to hit the road. I think that it is at this very moment that I lose the thread of the challenge. Yes absolutely, at the beginning…We are flying, I forget to switch to “Eco” mode to put all the chances on my side. Waking up in the morning, I avoid the traffic jams in Marseille and even if I find myself quickly on the motorway, my consumption is over 8 l/100 km. Anxiety!
All the same, traffic is becoming less and less dense. After a few hundred kilometres, I’m in the right-hand lane, where trucks and other uninteresting vehicles are waiting. As I use this flat road kilometre by kilometre, I realise that the electro sound coming out of the speakers is out of sync with my speed, that is to say that at this moment I am driving between 90 and 110 km/h, my BPM is much higher. While deciding to turn off the air conditioning much too late (I know I had also skipped it), I accelerate in order to drive at 130 km / h max. After more than 200 km at this rate the tank meter doesn’t move much. It’s time to stop for lunch. I’m half way through. Of course, I arrive first. Proud and still convinced that history will remember the first and not the last, I check the meter, I am at 4,8 / 100 km, the tank is still at 600 km. Decidedly, this new Audi A3 is the car that swallows the road the best.
That’s precisely where I lose the challenge…
Can you imagine driving for 8 hours at 100 km/h? Can you imagine yourself taking a bit of a run-up on slopes, avoiding hitting the engine too hard and then letting the car go uphill at the legal minimum, i.e. 80 km/h on the motorway? On a descent, imagine “letting go” of everything in order to have a rev counter flirting with 0 rpm. Imagine arriving at the toll booth and taking the utmost precautions to choose the right lane and pass, badge in hand, under the sensor at 30 km/h.
Impossible, I confess, I didn’t succeed.
At that very moment, I slightly change the rules involuntarily, of course.
I’ve come to my senses, the consumer challenge being lost. I quickly get back in the car and get back on the road.This time, I leave with another idea in mind: I arrived in Paris first with an average speed of 110 to 130 km/h, but above all with a maximum of petrol in the tank when I arrived.
The next few lines are for the challenge team that was waiting for me in Paris. They were surprised to see me almost 2 hours ahead of the last one. My apologies, I know you were not ready. Sorry again for the inconvenience.
With my false victory in my pocket, it’s time to make an observation
This Audi A3 is definitely made for long journeys. It consumes almost nothing, which is impressive. When I arrived in Paris, I still had 250 km left in the tank with a consumption of 4.8 L / 100 km.
As a good loser, the winners are the editorial team of les voitures.com with an impressive consumption of 3.4 L / 100 km with a similar engine. That is to say a Diesel.
Apparently, they are still on their way…