Audi Stop-Start Unavailable in "Hot" Countries

Audi is offering stop-start systems in several regions in the world but drivers in countries rated as "hot" will have to wait a bit more for the technology, officials of the company said. Basically, heat issues that might affect the battery of the stop-start system prevent the German manufacturer from fitting the technology in more markets across the globe.

Australia is one of the examples and Audi says that the company has to re-study the position of the battery as the current configuration might be affected by several problems due to the hot weather in the country.

"Effectively, stop-start [technology] requires a larger battery which creates heat and this is not available for those countries designated 'hot' as the battery would need to be relocated," Anna Burgdorf, Audi spokeswoman, was quoted as saying by drive.com.au. "The layout and position of the battery in the A3 does not allow this technology to be fitted."

Audi announced earlier this month that the A3 model equipped with S-tronic dual-clutch transmission will be fitted with stop-start systems, both the .6 TDI and the 1.4 TFSI engines now returning improved mileages.

The diesel unit now burns up to 4.2l/100 km (56 mpg) and emits 109g of CO2/km, while the petrol version achieves 5.3l/100 km (44.3 mpg) and emits 124g of CO2/km.

The A3 1.6 TDI, powered by a four-cylinder engine, develops 105 hp at 4,400 rpm and 250 Nm of torque in between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm. Mated to the S Tronic transmission, the diesel A3 does 60 in 11.7 seconds and tops at 194 km/h (120 mph).