Audi A3 TDI 2010 Named Green Car of the Year at LA Auto Show

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI has been named Green Car Journal's 2010 Green Car of the Year at the Los Angeles Auto Show 2010. The clean diesel from Audi rose to the top in a stellar field of hybrids and advanced diesel models that all offer exceptional fuel economy and low emissions. This marks the second year in a row that a clean diesel vehicle has taken the top prize.

The 2010 Audi A3 TDI is tops in highway fuel economy in the compact luxury car segment. Audi's 50-state certified A3 TDI is powered by a 2.0-liter turbo direct injection engine with a standard S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. Even better? It comes at a reasonable price tag: an MSRP of $29,950.

The A3 TDI has an EPA highway fuel economy rating of 42 MPG -- a 50% improvement over the gasoline-powered A3.

"The Audi A3 TDI offers it all," says Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal and editor of GreenCar.com. This Audi's quiet, clean diesel engine delivers loads of low-end torque and a fun-to-drive experience, all with the functionality of a 5-passenger hatchback."

The Green Car of the Year jury is made up of six environmental and automotive experts along with Green Car Journal editors. The jury selected the 2010 Audi A3 TDI from a field of five finalists that also included the Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid, Toyota Prius and VW Golf TDI.

The Green Car of the Year program focuses on environmental achievement without regard to a particular technology or fuel. All production models on sale by January 1 of the award year and widely available to consumers are considered as nominees. Fuel efficiency, exhaust emissions, and CO2 reduction achievements are among many primary considerations.