Audi’s fleet of oil-burning rides has clocked a good 1,000 miles on the odometer so far, with another 3,800 to go. We’ve already mentioned that a few teams on the cross-country trips have already managed 30 mpg-plus out of the mammoth Q7 SUV, and today we learn that the guys in the smaller A3 hatch have been able to get a combined 45 mpg. Dang! Sounds like the VeeDub Jetta TDI, no? Now those are some impressive numbers. Audi’s marching across the land of the free, home of the desperate to escape sky-high gas prices to show off its high-MPG diesel tech. The company has racked up numerous motorsports wins with their TDI technology (including this year’s Le Mans) thanks to diesel’s high power potential and extended range over other race fuels. We’ll be joining the company as it rides from Denver to Las Vegas, starting this Sunday. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.