A3 saloon

The snags are that VW's claims on fuel economy are wildly optimistic and should be ignored.

The official tests are the official tests. It must have achieved those figures in the tests. Sure, they bear no resemblance to real-world achievable figures. Sure, they're utterly gamed. Sure, they're about as useful as a turd in a swimming pool as a result...

But it's not really either VAG's fault or exclusively VAG.

As for the A3-wivva-boot. Merc CLA.

Yeah but, how about Audi's? ;-)

Tim

No, you're right. But VAG are one of the worst offenders - the TSI engines are no more economical than an olde worlde 2.0 8v 4-pot. (My Alfa 75 was only 10bhp down on my Golf TSI, but the Alfa could deliver pretty much the same MPG!)

Not really, no. The CLA is aimed at a different buyer - it's a shrunken CLS.

But the A3 saloon does look very good - it's pretty much the same size as the original A4 saloon. I can see me ordering one in a couple of years.

It's an A/B-class wivva boot.

Anyone knows how this "2 or 4 cylinders on demand" works? Is it reliable? Are there snags? Are the two idle cylinders still rotating?

But expensive. Now u need at least 20 grind to buy a small'ish car...doh!

Well, no, you don't _need_ to.

It cuts the fuel and spark to those cylinders when the engine management's various criteria for "low demand" are met.

As reliable as automotive electronics ever are. The concept's been around since at least the '80s.

Other than spending £20k+ to save a fraction of a penny per mile on fuel, y'mean?

Of course. The crankshaft is still one piece.

Audi A3 Saloon 1.4 TFSI as tested: £28,330 shuuuuuuuush!

(and playing with the configurator on Audi's website can get a 1.4 A3 saloon to FORTY ONE GRAND...)

F*ck. Me. Backwards.

But, I repeat, nobody _needs_ to.

So - 60mpg book. Real world guesstimate, what, 45mpg average? Not bad for a petrol, right? Except that's what we've measured over the last 10k miles out of our '90 Pug 205 1.1, complete with manual choke and 4spd box. Advance? What advance?

Oh, wait... The Pug cost us over £28k less than that Audi "as tested" price... four-five years ago.

New car prices have gone crazy.

I see your point. But it's not aimed at the 3 box saloon buyer. It's aimed at someone who would be considering a 1 series coupe (or the new 2 series when it arrives) or similar.

Predicted residuals are bloody awful, though - which is why I didn't order one.

Oh well, you expect us to believe that this was the reason :)

Lol.

Why not? That would be the most efficient way. Just make the four as two modular units in the same block. No pumping losses from the idle engine.

" "

It's more coupe than saloon - the rear seat space is very tight, and there's only 2 of them.

I think they've identified that many fleet user-choosers with a 3-series sized budget would love a coupe, but are restricted to a minimum of 4 doors.

If you're in the market for a compact saloon - you wouldn't choose a CLA over a Jetta / A3 saloon / 3-series.

A) cylinders don't rotate. Pistons reciprocate but the cylinders are stationary.

B) have you any idea how much extra it would cost the decouple the crankshaft or how much bigger/longer/heavier such an engine would be?

I'm willing to be that the absence of such a system in cars these days isn't a careless oversight but based on engineering and economic decisions by people who can do the sums.

Tim