2010 Audi A3 2.0 TDI rated at 30mpg in city driving! Is the Lexus HS250h in danger?

The HS is not in danger because the A3 lacks that "green car" aura. I feel like many Prius and hybrid owners buy hybrids simply to make a green statement.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 1:06:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

are they bringing this to the USA? That would be nice.

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 1:37:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Yes, they are bringing it over and will be sold at the dealer in Fall-Winter 2009-2010. Check out the Audi website and you will read about it.

— mobilian (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 1:59:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

This doesnt compete at all with the HS, good lords. The 2 have nothing in common.

— thetruth01 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 2:23:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

1. Lexus HS is a midsize car. Audi A3 is a compact car.

Length:
Length 4,690 mm (184.8 in)
Audi A3: 4,285 mm (168.7 in)

Wheelbase:
Lexus HS: 106.3 in (2,700 mm)
Audi A3: 101.5 in (2,578 mm)


2. Despite one class larger size, the Lexus HS is more efficient (also because gasoline requires significantly less crude oil to make than diesel) and also faster (0-60 in 8.6 seconds, when compared with ~9 seconds for the Audi A3).


3. Lexus HS burns fuel cleanly by design, it only needs a single catalyst. The Audi A3 with its dirty diesel engine, requires an oxidation catalyst, a particulate filter and a NOx reduction catalyst. This increases likehood of failures which will be very expensive to maintain.


4. Audi automated transmission is very complex and fragile too. The DSG issues thread on VW forum becomes more and more swollen, with 600+ posts already in place:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3968936

Owners also consider filing a lawsuit against Volkswagen of America:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4465016

This is one of the reasons while Volkswagen is at the rock bottom of dependability studies:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4515573

Unreliable and fragile actuators of the wearable double clutch and gear cogs mechatronics makes user bleed money on repairs and feel uncomfortable with their vehicles. This will badly affect residuals in the future.

Audi A3 shares the exactly the same DSG transmission as any front wheel drive Volkswagen.


At the same time, the Lexus HS features one of the simplest and most reliable transmission in the world. It needs no clutches, no actuators, no electronics, no sensors, just lubrication. It's a single set of permanently coupled gear, blending power from the engines and electric motors. It's very similar to a differential gear and equally durable.


5. To improve over ordinary gasoline cars, Audi A3 needs a very complex engine with a turbocharger (with variable vanes), heavier engine block, very expensive and precise high pressure fuel pump and injectors with similar characteristics. Replacement cost of any of these parts will be very high.

At the same time, the Lexus HS hybrid needs one of the simplest and most durable (due to little overload and stress) Atkinson cycle gasoline engines.


6. The NiMH battery in the Lexus is very light, at just 90 pounds (41 kg).

— downtoearth (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:05:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Call me when they actually bring it over.

And Euro ratings are usually higher.

HS250 can probably get 40MPG rating there.

— monkeyrun (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:13:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The HS is disgusting. Should have never been badged a Lexus. It looks like trash and brings the Lexus name down imo. Audi FTW.

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:45:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

HSh still wins in mileage (barely), requires 2 barrels less of imported oil and is cleaner.

Both are FWD which sort of sucks, both are slow, HSh is actually faster. Not sure how an Avensis compares to a Camry but the A3 has not trunk so if you plan on carrying anything, tell your friends in the back to get out and walk.

Probably will come down to price and utility. A3 also has the image of "I really can't afford to drive an Audi." while the HSh isn't meant to be the base Lexus.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:51:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Here we go again another flamer headline, what next;

Which is better Lexus or BMW?

Who makes a better sports car Ferrari of Lexus?

Which is Better the ZR1 or GTR?

If you lived in Kurdistan is a diesel of hybrid better.

Really this form are full of the same protester and fanboy’s reciting their stale spin.

God I can’t wait till September 15th when the Frankfurt auto show starts and we have real news.

— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:54:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

Nice thing though is that I can actually chip the A3 and make it go faster.. the HS will still sound like wind is blowing...
I can assure you that the A3 will be a whole lot more fun to ride and the A3 is a whole lot more practical!
And the A3 will get even better mileage than that.
Look at the Audi TDi marathon.. the A3 constantly got more than 50 mpg..

— AlexTx (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 3:58:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Holy crap!? Am I stupid or what?

0-100 km/h times:

HS250h = 8.6 seconds
A3 2.0 TDI = 9 seconds

WOW! WHAT AN AMAZINGLY HUGE DIFFERENCE!!!

NOT.


Are those factory claims? Because in general German marques tend to underrate their performance figures which means the A3 is faster than 9 seconds and probably just as fast at the HS250h. By the way...WHO CARES!? Measuring how long a car takes to reach 100 km/h from a standstill is a poor way of finding out which car is better or isn't. Only silly little kids (aka 99% of Autolies) think in those primitive caveman terms).

Jesus friggin Christ. *Facepalm*

— Wimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 5:59:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HS250h is a Toyota with Lexus Badge! LOL, Pure and simple.

— mobilian (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 9:44:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

AlexTX,
Is the Audi Marathan the same as the Audi Cup edition which is probably a one of a kind car priced at $300,000?

Wimmer,
Actually, the Prius's 0-60 time is nearly the same as the A3 TDI but the A3 manages to be twice as dirty while failing big time in mileage.
Makes you wonder why you'd buy an A3 when the Prius has tons more technology in it for less. Atleast the HSh offers tons of technology for the premium they charge. There must be a $500 premium for each ring on the A3 and an additional premium for the cheaper to manufacture diesel engine.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/the-verdict-audi-a3-20-tdi-757060.html

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/12/2009 10:27:45 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The headlines on AutoSpies are getting ridiculous...

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2009 9:07:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

well for all those who like to bring up old reviews of the a3 2.0 tdi, the one that is coming out here in the US is not the same as the old one you people point to in reviews. you can try reading something current like this car and driver entry:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/08q4/2009_audi_a3_2.0_tdi-first_drive_review

the old one used Pumpe-Düse aka pump injector while the new one coming out here is using common rail injection. it supposed to make for a smoother ride but "feels" slower, no surge of power. the reason why a person pays more for an audi a3 vs a vw golf would be because of the options that are available on the audi, the service from the manufacturer, and the quality control as well. granted its on the same frame but it is not the same car. the audi a3 suspension is tuned different from the golf, it is also quieter (might not be the case with the mark vi never been in it yet) suspension noises do not travel into the car as much and the interior of the a3 is quite a step up from a golf (i hate the cd player) as for the criticism of the dsg tranny for being complicated vs the hybrid synergy powertrain, i think you gotta do some homework on whats more complicated LOL.

— NeoReaper (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2009 11:09:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

So what's so different in your article. 0-60 in 8.9sec, tons of never to be used torque, according to Audi gets 50mpg highway driving but no mention of city driving. Prius gets 50mpg in both places.

I think your article is either clueless or bias. The very last line seems to think that EPA ratings for hybrids are unattainable when every single hybrid review for Toyota matches or exceeds EPA estimates. While they take Audi's word that 50mpg highway is a piece of cake when the Jetta TDI which uses the same engine falls 8mpg short at 42mpg on the highway.

Don't forget the Prius is considered a midsized car, as is the HS250h. Diesel or gas, last time I saw an A3 it looked pretty small on the inside.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2009 12:33:15 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Make mine the HS250h.

— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 8/15/2009 3:27:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1