Audi A3 sedan
The car that kicked off the German premium ‘A’ segment 20 years ago has just been given a major makeover with a refreshed design, revised engine range, new technology and safety assistance systems, standard MMI satellite navigation and higher levels of equipment across the board.
Available as a Sportback, sedan or cabriolet, in four new paint colours, powertrains on offer are a new 1.0-litre TFSI three-cylinder S-tronic and 2.0-litre four-cylinder S-tronic automatic, 2.0-litre TFSI manual and quattro, and the 1.4-litre four-cylinder-on-demand S-tronic.
The breadth of models is impressive, with the A3 1.0 TFSI 85 kW Sportback kicking off the pricing at $35,900, while the range is topped off with the S3 2.0 TFSI quattro 213 kW at $72,000.
Depending on the model, the refreshed third-generation Audi A3 / S3 offers up to $7000 in additional value over the outgoing car, which was voted World Car of the Year in 2014.
Audi A3 sedan
We had sampled a wide range of the Audi best seller in a 60 kilometre loop around the Yarra Valley in Victoria. There was plenty to play with, from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder eco-friendly fuel sipper to a rip-snorting 213 kW/380 Nm 2.0 TFSI engine, pushing the new S3 Sportback and Sedan to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds.
The quattro all-wheel drive has been retuned by Audi engineers to deliver even more dynamic handling, actively distributing more torque to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option in the S3 models.
There’s further help for the driver with the new A3 bringing a host of advanced driver assistance systems adding up to a new standard for the premium compact segment.
Leading the way are Matrix LED headlights, autonomous emergency braking up to 65 km/h, the latter including pedestrian detection. Then there’s side assist, active lane assist and rear cross-traffic assist, in some models.
Audi A3 convertible
Infotainment and connectivity are excellent, with MMI Navigation now standard across the range, along with the rollout of Audi Connect into next year, also as a standard item.
The innovative Audi virtual cockpit, standard on S3, is now offered in the A3, along with smartphone interface for Apple Carplay and Android Auto, both of which is standard on 2.0 TFSI and up.
The virtual cockpit features a 12.3-inch TFT screen displaying important driving information in animated 3-D graphics. The driver can switch between two views by pressing a button on the steering wheel. In Infotainment mode, a central window dominates the view with space for the navigation map or phone, radio and media lists. The tacho and speedo are displayed as small-dial instruments on the right and left.
In the classic view, the instruments are as big as the analogue instruments and the centre display is smaller.
The new MMI system has been redesigned, based on contemporary smartphones, with menus and frequently used functions reached in just a few clicks. The main control features a knob and touchpad for entering letters, numbers and, with single or multi-finger gestures, allowing the driver to zoom in on the map.
Audi S3 Sportback
There is always a friendly voice on hand to help with information. The newly-developed voice control system understands a large number of everyday expressions and allows for dictation of text messages.
The Audi A3 has not been left behind on the safety front, winning a five-star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
The A3 / S3 sedan carries itself with an elegance often only found in larger luxury vehicles and moves with grace to match. The Sportback lives up to its title with performance and distinguishing features worthy of a hot hatch, while the cabriolet, top up or down, is a worthy cruiser for those who like that sort of thing.
The cabriolet, with the cloth roof in place, makes for a cabin ambience of quiet cosiness. With the top stowed neatly behind the rear seats, there is a sleek uninterrupted line from bonnet to boot.
Audi A3 sedan
The single-frame radiator grille is more sharply contoured and wider than in the previous model; the headlights are flatter with a distinctive outside edge. The rear plays on the width of the new A3 with a horizontal lighting set-up and edge above the restyled diffuser.
An S line sports package, at $4200, adds to the A3 with Alcantara / leather upholstery, sports suspension with 18-inch alloy wheels, plus leather bound sport multi-function, flat bottom steering wheel with shift paddles.
The optional sport suspension lowers the body by 15 mm, the electromechanical power steering gains sensitivity and efficiency. Some models can be further optioned with progressive steering, also electrically assisted, and standard in the S3.
Optional is the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, integrating accelerator, power steering, S tronic and, if available, the Audi magnetic ride. The driver can decide at the press of a button whether to call up auto, dynamic, individual or efficiency mode.
The 1.4 TFSI COD comes with cylinder-on-demand shutting off two pots when their power is not required. The engine develops 110 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque, with an average fuel consumption of 5 litres per 100 kilometres for the A3 Sportback.
Audi A3 convertible
The newly developed 2.0 TFSI, with its innovative combustion method, generates 140 kW and 320 Nm, the latter between 1500 and 4200 rpm.
The A3 Sportback, with its new seven-speed S tronic transmission sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 244 km/h. Fuel consumption is put at 5.9 litre per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.
On launch there was only one example of the 1.0-litre powered Sportback so getting to drive it was a lottery. My ‘ticket’ did not come up. Neither did I get my hands on a six-speed manual, so they are for another day.
According to colleagues who fluked a drive, it was hard to tell under the 1.0 bonnet there were only three cylinders at work, the 85 kW and 200 Nm on tap being used efficiently and without stress or strain. Audi claims fuel consumption as low as 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the combined urban / highway cycle.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
Sportback
A3 1.0 TFSI 85 kW: $35,900 (automatic)
A3 1.4 TFSI COD 110 kW: $39,900 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI Sport 140 kW: $45,900 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI quattro S line 140 kW: $49,500 (automatic)
S3 2.0 TFSI quattro 213 kW: $62,900 (manual or automatic)
Sedan
A3 1.4 TFSI COD 110 kW: $41,500 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI Sport 140 kW: $47,500 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI quattro S line 140 kW: $51,100 (automatic)
S3 2.0 TFSI quattro 213 kW: $64,500 (manual or automatic)
Cabriolet
A3 1.4 TFSI COD 110 kW: $49,000 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI Sport 140 kW: $55,000 (automatic)
A3 2.0 TFSI quattro S line 140 kW: $58,600 (automatic)
S3 2.0 TFSI quattro 213 kW: $72,000 (manual or automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive-away prices.
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