The A3 is an important model for Audi both internationally and here in New Zealand where it has accounted for around 20 percent of Audi sales each year since its launch in 1997.
Audi pretty much invented the “Premium Hatch” segment with the A3 and dominated it for some time, but now BMW and Mercedes have well and truly caught up. So it should come as no surprise that Audi has played it relatively safe with the new A3.
We spend a day with a couple of variants to see just how safe they have played it.
What is it?
Audi’s Golf!
Okay, so they don’t really like you saying that, but it is true on several levels; firstly, it is a small five-door hatch that makes up a large percentage of Audi’s yearly sales, and secondly, it is literally on the Golf platform.
The MQB platform is the VW Group’s transverse, front-engined, front wheel drive platform that will be the foundation of many more cars in the future, but for now continues to tie the A3 and Golf together as relations.
The A3 debuts on these shores as a five-door hatch – or “Sportback” as Audi like to call it – but within the next six months we will see the addition of a cabriolet and a new sedan version.
The A3 Sportback gets a range of engines – some shared with the Golf as well – starting with the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol four-cylinder that puts out 90kW of power and 200Nm of torque, while sipping on fuel at the rate of 5.0L/100km.
The 1.4 petrol appears in the base model that kicks off the range at $48,400 and a Sport variant that drops in at $51,900.
The base model gets 16-inch alloy wheels, an automatic stop/start function, hill hold assist, automatic headlights, rain sensing wipers, heated external mirrors, rear parking sensors, dual zone climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, iPod integration, a multi-function steering wheel and Audi’s MMI control system and a 5.8-inch retractable screen.
The 1.4 Sport adds 17-inch alloys, sports suspension, a sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, sports seats and Audi Drive Select to alter the throttle, steering and transmission responses.
The 2.0 TDI Sport boasts the same equipment, but adds a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that pumps out 110kW of power and a healthy 320Nm of torque, with a frugal average fuel consumption figure of 4.5L/100km. It is priced at $55,400.
The 1.8 TFSI Sport again mirrors the equipment levels of the other Sport models, but adds the 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol turbo engine that has a muscular 132kW and 250Nm, with a consumption figure of 5.6L/100km and is the same price – $55,400 – as the diesel.
All petrol cars come standard with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, while the diesel gets the six-speed version.
What’s it like?
Audi probably won’t exactly like this, but it is very much like a Golf.
Okay, so it boasts a more premium interior and sexier exterior looks, but the driving experience across the majority of the range is very similar.
The engine the Golf doesn’t get – the 1.8 petrol – is the star of the power-plants, being smooth, strong and flexible, but the diesel isn’t far off.
Saying that a car handles and rides like a Golf wouldn’t normally be an insult, and it certainly isn’t meant as a slight on the A3 – it has a surprisingly compliant ride on the sports suspension of the Sport models, while retaining a commendably sharp handling attitude.
Turn-in is sharp and eager, while steering feels is good, with decent feedback present as well. All of which is a massive improvement for Audi – all the latest Audi’s now posses impressive ride quality and relatively involving steering, which is not something that could be said of them in the very recent past.
Interior quality is high, but the dark colours and sober design keep it from ever approaching exciting. The seats are comfortable and supportive, while the MMI system is still ever-so-slightly un-intuitive and obtuse.
What’s good about it?
Good-looking, high quality and good to drive, there is a lot to like about the A3 Sportback. The ride is impressive and the handling satisfying.
The dash air vents are particularly attractive (yes, really!) and the whole feel of the cabin is of high quality, both in materials used and build quality.
What’s not so good?
It really does look like a facelift, as opposed to an all-new model. You have to spend quite a bit more money to get the good kit (like sat nav).
Like virtually every other car in this class the Golf makes it look a bit sick in terms of bang-for-your-buck. But by being so closely related, it makes the A3 look a wee bit cynical as well.
First impressions?
An impressive small car that both benefits immensely from and is seriously ham-strung by its close relationship with the equally impressive VW Golf.
The top-level 1.8 TFSI is great piece of machinery that has no direct Golf equivalent, making it stand above the others, but other than that all the others suffer in the comparison to their better-specced, far cheaper VW equivalents.
That said, the A3 Sportback is still a fine car in its own regard, and it all comes down to how much a premium badge and a better interior mean to you. The cachet of having an Audi parked up the driveway will always mean more than a VW and is a perfectly acceptable reason to buy the Audi. But it is hard to shake the feeling that this is exactly what Audi are counting on with the A3 Sportback.
Specifications
Models/prices
1.4 TFSI – $48,400
1.4 TFSI Sport – $51,900
1.8 TFSI SPort – $55,400
2.0 TDI Sport – $55,400
Powertrain
1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol producing 90kW/200Nm; seven-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive, 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol producing 132kW/250Nm; seven-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel producing 110kW/320Nm; six-speed manual transmission; front-wheel drive
Fuel consumption: 5.0L/100km (1.4 TFSI), 5.6L/100km (1.8 TFSI), 4.5L/100km (2.0 TDI)
CO2 emissions: 116g/km (1.4 TFSI), 130g/km (1.8 TFSI), 119g/km (2.0 TDI)
Safety
ANCAP/EuroNCAP rating: 5 star
Air bags: 6
Stability control: yes
Lap/diagonal belts: 5
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