LA AUTO SHOW: Green Car Of The Year Goes To A DIESEL?!

Uh, what? The 2010 Green Car of the Year award from Green Car went to a diesel; the Audi A3 TDI. Talk about being blindsided!

With cars out there like the praised Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota's all-new-for-2010 Prius and the Honda Insight, I am pretty shocked.

What say you, Spies?

Press release follows:

Audi A3 TDI Named 2010 Green Car of the Year

- EPA-estimated 42 MPG highway is highest of any luxury car sold in the U.S.
- Audi TDI clean diesel 2.0 engine delivers optimal power with uniquely low emissions
- The Green Car of the Year® award is the industry measure of environmental innovation

HERNDON, Va., Dec 3, 2009  -  Green and performance luxury needn’t be mutually exclusive concepts. That’s a core belief at Audi. Today, that philosophy paid off with the all-new A3 TDI earning the prestigious title of 2010 Green Car of the Year®.

The announcement came this morning during the Los Angeles Auto Show as Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com presented the award to Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen. The Audi A3 TDI was among five model finalists nominated for the award, which began in 2005.

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI arrived at U.S. dealerships last month and initial sales have been promising. The A3 TDI is the latest example of the fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions benefits provided by the critically acclaimed TDI clean diesel product line, following the wildly popular Q7 TDI, which launched in June 2009. TDI clean diesel technology was first developed by Audi 20 years ago and has come to signify the brand’s commitment to trailblazing automotive performance executed in an environmentally responsible way.

The groundbreaking TDI 2.0 engine available in the A3 delivers 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, yet achieves an EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway fuel economy that is the best of any luxury car sold in America. That means the Audi A3 TDI achieve 50% better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.

“We consider the Green Car of the Year® title one of the most important industry accolades,“ said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “It is of paramount importance for us to develop vehicles that achieve the very touchstones this award stands for – fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Rather than novelty features, we consider these attributes imperative to the future of automobile design. We are honored with this recognition for the Audi A3 TDI.”

In addition to setting the new industry standard in fuel efficiency, the 2010 A3 TDI remains a stylistic pacesetter as well. All new A3 models now come standard with S line exterior equipment. In addition the wheels have been upgraded and standard Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights are available on Premium Plus models.

“The Audi A3 TDI really defines what a ‘green’ car should be,” said Cogan. “At 42 mpg, it sets the bar for highway fuel efficiency in the luxury car segment. Its 50-state certified clean diesel engine is quiet, responsive, and achieves its mission without the need for exotic technologies. Plus, it’s sporty and just plain fun to drive.”

Indeed, the TDI technology in the A3 has a strong performance heritage. Audi was the first automaker to find success with diesel engines in motorsports, winning several times at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring, among other competitions. That same fundamental technology is found in the A3 TDI, meaning motorists do not have to sacrifice performance for efficiency.

For more information on the Audi A3 TDI, please visit www.audiusanews.com.


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theoptimisticpessimist - 12/3/2009 12:36:13 PM

+5 Boost

Diesel vs. Hybrid wars start in 1.2.3.....

jeffy210 - 12/3/2009 2:00:31 PM

+4 Boost

Each has its advantages and drawbacks, but one thing is certain, this "war" only fares better for the consumer.

enthusiastx11 - 12/3/2009 3:31:35 PM

+1 Boost

actually, one just has more advantages....the diesel (simpler technology, no toxic 150lbs battery, great driving dynamics and good looks).

ThierryHenry14 - 12/4/2009 9:07:17 AM

+2 Boost

and I'm sure its an advantage for the companies too, because it pushes them into competition, which usually spurs the best ideas...

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/3/2009 2:02:16 PM

+5 Boost

Good Vehicle

Deserves the Award.

Agent00R - 12/3/2009 3:37:31 PM

+1 Boost

Valid points but this year was extraordinary with the Fusion Hybrid, Insight and Prius.

enthusiastx11 - 12/3/2009 3:30:05 PM

-2 Boost

that's a winning combination...good looking car, strong driving dynamics AND incredible gas mileage.

if you want all three of these characteristics, is there another car to buy?

XYZZ - 12/4/2009 8:53:10 PM

+2 Boost

key point, as there is more chemical ENERGY in diesel fuel to start with. and it costs more, environmentally to produce, as well as at the pump.

in a test on Motorweek, diesels also DID NOT get better mileage than hybrids. at least when driven by media car testers. (on certain test cycles, they CAN get high highway mpg figures.)

freeagent - 12/3/2009 3:34:09 PM

+7 Boost

if the democrates want to get serious about our consumption of oil it will tax gas higher than diesel, as is done in europe. as it stands the diesel efficiency advantage still does not pay a return to most users in the US, whereas it does in europe. hybrids are hopeless from an economic viability standpoint.

investor27 - 12/3/2009 4:51:14 PM

+2 Boost

Aaaaaaagreed!!! I'm happy that a diesel won. I was hoping that the Jetta TDI, which starts at $22,000 instead of the $30,000 A3, would win. They both have the exact engine. And since the basic idea behind a clean, modern diesel is of economic values, fun-to-drive characteristics and efficiency the Jetta should have won hands down.

thetruth01 - 12/3/2009 8:29:57 PM

+1 Boost

I like A3's, but this is ridiculous. First, it's not even a new car, just a new engine choice.

More importantly, it pales in comparison to the new Prius.
A3 combined MPG 34
Prius combined MPG 50

A3 energy impact score 11.6 barrels
Prius energy impact score 6.9 barrels

A3 carbon footprint 6.2
Prius carbon footprint 3.7

The Prius combines all this with a larger package, and arguably as many luxury features, at a lower price.

Willis - 12/3/2009 9:58:25 PM

-1 Boost

And the Prius looks like a turd, is slower, less fun to drive and targets a completely different market than an A3.

2ndbimmer - 12/4/2009 10:58:53 AM

-3 Boost

and the Prius is ugly, boring to drive and you bury the battery in a dead zone in canada and the diesel will last a lot longer and if something goes wrong on the diesel, it will be less expensive to fix.
I dont know why anyone would buy a prius, unless you are just as boring.

2ndbimmer - 12/4/2009 11:07:31 AM

-2 Boost

and the Prius is ugly, boring to drive and you bury the battery in a dead zone in canada and the diesel will last a lot longer and if something goes wrong on the diesel, it will be less expensive to fix.
I dont know why anyone would buy a prius, unless you are just as boring.

800over - 12/7/2009 11:58:40 AM

+2 Boost

Yeah those diesels are real cheap to fix....real cheap. I've got a couple of used jettas on my lot that I'm sure you'd love.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/4/2009 9:15:06 AM

+1 Boost

when was the last time a production car lasts 5 years? just curious...

XYZZ - 12/4/2009 9:01:35 PM

+1 Boost

huu is overstating. but if he meant period of TOTAL reliability, including all the components of any car besides the engine, he is correct.

look at the black dots (representing 'problem areas') on any CR publication that rates used cars. ALL of the euro brands have black dots within 5 years. some as soon as just 2 or 3 years.

in contrast, most toyota models have just about NONE even after 8 years.

XYZZ - 12/4/2009 9:08:08 PM

+1 Boost

for anyone unfamiliar with these CR records, of OWNER REPORTED problems, black is bad. blank circles are neutral (only AVERAGE repair rate). and red dots are good (slightly above) and great (FAR above average).

any car is decent, if mostly blank with a few red dots.

just about all toyota and lexus products have charts FULL of red dots, with even the blanks being few. AND this is on charts covering up to eight years.

XYZZ - 12/4/2009 9:13:03 PM

+1 Boost

the comment about fixing a diesel being less than fixing a hybrid is the MOST RIDICULOUS assumption ever!

everyone knows what it costs to SERVICE german cars, say nothing of FIXING busted parts.

few know what it'd cost to fix a hybrid, 'cuz they just about NEVER break. the Prius has a record even better than other toyotas!

TECHGEEK - 12/4/2009 2:53:50 AM

-1 Boost

I like hybrids as they get good mileage at low speeds due to the battery running and regeneration etc. However, I do not driving like an old man and like to ring the engine out, where the diesel gets far better mileage. Hybrids do not get good mileage when pushed and do not have the Jumbo Jet Pulling Torque (Literally - Audi Q7, check). Some diesels nowadays sound good esp. the Turbocharger Whoosh and the Intercooler. Hybrids hardly have any sound, which is a bit boring. I say GO DIESELS, or even better - DIESEL HYBRIDS!!!

XYZZ - 12/11/2009 12:25:31 AM

+1 Boost

good that you like hybrids for their 'low speed economy' but you should be aware they are NOT inefficient even at highway speeds. neither are they slow. with the governor removed, a Gen I prius had been clocked at 137 mph at bonneville.

as for torque, diesels have that mainly due to high compression ratios and TURBOCHARGING. put a turbo on a gas engine of the same size, and you'd get a big boost in torque too. PLUS horsepower, where diesels always lag gas engines. so much so, that no one even sells non-turbo'd diesels anymore.

TECHGEEK - 12/4/2009 2:54:27 AM

-3 Boost

Cannot wait for the Germans to come out with the Diesel Hybrids.
Best of Both Worlds!!!

TECHGEEK - 12/4/2009 3:09:35 AM

-1 Boost

Also, Huu made me laugh hard when he made the comment about Diesel Engines lasting 15yrs and the cars lasting 5. Does not make sense especially when Diesel Cars are mostly more solid and heavy duty due to the way the engine is designed and weight cuz of the turbos/intercoolers (sure, petrol engines have them too but Diesels are just more durable and therefore made of thick and heavy duty solid metal due to the high compression ratios). If you go to Africa, South America, West Indies and see the solid Nissans/Toyotas etc. which run on Diesel you will be amazed, and I forgot to mentioned those Diesel Cars from Germany(esp. the old solid rectangle light Mercs) which are from Last Century but run and run and run....

XYZZ - 12/11/2009 12:12:28 AM

+1 Boost

LOL!