The new Audi A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e has achieved an outstanding fuel consumption result of just 3.3l/100km following its maiden Panasonic World Solar Challenge voyage from Darwin, NT to Adelaide, SA.

Travelling a total of 3,543 km from Darwin to Adelaide, the official results published by the organisers saw the new A3 1.9 TDI e achieve an average result of 3.3l/100km. At times, fuel consumption dropped as low as 2.6l/100km on the journey. Average C02 emissions were just 98g/km.
Official fuel stops along the route recorded how efficiently all participants travelled. The final results were presented last night (Sunday 28 October 2007) at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Olympic swimming legend and Audi Ambassador, Ian Thorpe, completed the drive for Team Audi, coming into Adelaide on Saturday 27 October for the event finish.
Port Adelaide Power football legend, Warren Tredrea, also an Audi Ambassador, took the wheel of the A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e earlier in the week, demonstrating his keen driving style and interest in fuel economical performance. Both sportsmen were expertly guided in their driving technique during their time with Team Audi by head driver, motoring scribe and gentleman racer, Peter McKay.

Team Audi departed Darwin on Sunday 21 October as first-time participants in the Greenfleet technology division of the Panasonic World Solar Challenge with the new A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e. The indicated fuel consumption of the car yielded outstanding results during the journey with consumption falling as low as 2.6L/100km.

The Audi A3 e model is one of four new Audi models developed to demonstrate how seriously the company takes the issue of reducing fuel consumption and saving resources.
Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann says that for Audi the issue of fuel consumption has long been a focus of technical development.
“As a result of the brand’s innovations, Audi has used advanced technological solutions to achieve a lasting increase in efficiency. Our performance in this 3,500km challenge is proof of this success.”
“The Audi A3 1.9 TDI e model is a clear demonstration of our commitment to reducing fuel consumption and systematically achieving lower emissions than previous generations of Audi vehicles,” Mr Hofmann continued.

The A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI e was presented to the public in Australia for the first time at the Australian International Motor Show on 11 October 2007. It will go on sale in Australia later this year.
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Very impressive.

Who needs Hybrid? It looks like the diesel is still a great competitor!

You have to drive the car like you drive on thin ice or if you have an egg under your foot while driving. Noone will drive car like that. 3.3L is a dream but for regular basis, its not going to happen.

You're right, that's for sure! But last weekend I drove around Usedom etc. and I only need 6.1 litres (!) with our E-Class! And it was still fun to drive...

They are all smoking weed.

On a side note, my university solar car team, Sunswift 3, co-driven by my friend finished the World Solar Challenge 4th in the adventure class of solar cars.