LA Auto Show - Audi A3 TDI wins Green Car of the Year

It seems the days of green cars as a small niche product category are officially over. The Los Angeles Auto show displayed over 50 fuel efficient models, many of which will be on sale in the coming year. And, as the rest of the world has already discovered, diesel is the new green because the Audi A3 TDI has won Green Car Journal's "Green Car of the Year."

A jury of six environmental and automotive experts selected the Audi over the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, Mercury Milan Hybrid and the clean diesel VW Golf TDI. At a press conference, Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal, touted the Audi's high points and clean diesel's appeal. "This compact luxury car features an impressive EPA-estimated 42mpg on the highway – a 50 per cent fuel efficiency improvement over the standard, gasoline-engined A3. Plus, 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 five-passenger hatchback."

The Green Car of the Year jury includes six environmental and automotive experts plus Green Car Journal editors. Jurors include Dr. Alan Lloyd, president of the International Council on Clean Transportation; Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club; Jean-Michel Cousteau, president of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, president of Global Green USA; automotive expert and television host Jay Leno; and automotive icon Carroll Shelby.

With Jay and Carroll on the jury, a sportier green car was sure to win because what sets the Audi A3 TDI apart from the pack is its impressive 236 pound feet of torque making it a very sporty luxury car that gets the best fuel economy of any luxury vehicle in the US market. One small step for Audi, one major leap for clean diesel.

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