The Audi A3 range was expanded to include a four-door sedan early in 2014. A sub-$40,000 starting price is attractive though on-road costs will push it over that physiological barrier but it does put this prestige German marque within the budget of many who had previously only considered less prestigious cars.
The A3 sedan joins hatchbacks and the recently introduced convertible to really give a wide spread of choice.
STYLING
Audi designers have done an excellent job with their new A3 sedan giving it a semi-coupe appearance. Mercedes has taken the same coupe tack with its new A-Class sedan, it will be interesting to see what BMW does with its 1 Series. The big three German marques are certainly making life interesting with their continued push into lower cost models, often at the expense of top-end models from more affordable marques.
The Audi sedan’s front is dominated by the single-frame grille that Audi pioneered more than a decade ago and which quickly became the company’s design signature.
The interior is very Audi in having not only a neat and functional design, but also being fitted with high quality materials.
INFOTAINMENT
Audi A3 sedan has an eight-speaker radio system and Bluetooth phone and audio streaming with information displayed on a retractable 5.8-inch colour monitor mounted on the top of the dashboard. A 7.0-inch screen is part of the Technik option package.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The entry level A3 Attraction we reviewed was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that generates up to 103 kW of power. There’s 250 Nm of torque between 1500 and 3500 rpm. It shuts down two of the four cylinders when minimum power and torque are required such as when the car is cruising on flat country roads and motorways.
There are other powertrain combinations: Audi A3 Ambition 1.8-litre TFSI petrol lifts power to 132 kW but with the same torque figure (250 Nm) as the 1.4 but with a wider spread (1250 to 5000 rpm). When linked with the Audi quattro all-wheel drive system torque increases to 280 Nm from 1350 to 4500 revs. The 2.0-litre diesel TDI Ambition makes 110 kW, and 320 Nm from 1750 to 3000 rpm.
All engines are mated to Audi’s S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmissions, six-speed in 1.8 TFSI Ambition quattro and 2.0 TDI Ambition; seven-speed in the 1.4 TFSI and front-wheel drive 1.8 TFSI. Steering wheel paddle shifts are standard in all models.
SAFETY
It comes as no surprise that the Audi A3 sedan achieves the maximum five-star ANCAP rating, it has seven airbags, including a knee-bag for the driver.
Crash prevention and/or minimisation features include Electronic Stabilisation Control; Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR); ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD); Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) and rear parking sensors.
The optional $1800 Assistance Package fitted to our test car added adaptive cruise control with Emergency City Braking that automatically brakes the car if it detects an obstacle ahead to either prevent or reduce the impact of a collision. There’s lane departure warning and high beam assist.
DRIVING
While the Audi A3 sedan is longer than the hatch, its coupe styling means it’s marginally lower. There’s sufficient rear seat width and headroom to fit three moderately sized adults if they don’t mind a bit of squeezing.
At 425 litres, boot capacity is 45 litres larger than the hatchback’s and has the convenience of a lower loading lip.
Handling is safe and secure and it pushes through corners with no sign of understeer until you really push it at speeds that are unlikely to be attempted by most owners.
Ride comfort is very good and, thanks to an all-new platform, noise and vibration levels are low. Indeed the levels of quietness and comfort are more like those of much larger, more expensive luxury cars.
There is some coarse-chip surface tyre noise on Australian backroads but we feel it isn’t to annoying levels. Nevertheless, if you do a lot of country driving it might be wise to try out that sort of roads for yourself during your pre-purchase test drive.
Official combined fuel usage is 4.7 litres per hundred kilometres. In real life driving we found it sitting in the mid fives to low sixes during motorways and in country driving, rising to seven to eight litres per hundred around town.
SUMMING UP
This is the first time Audi has offered a sedan in its A3 range. The convenience of a fair-sized boot and an eye-catching price tag should attract many who have previously felt priced-out of the luxury car market.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL RANGE
A3 Attraction sedan 1.4 TFSI COD: $39,800 (automatic)
A3 Ambition sedan 1.8 TFSI: $44,800 (automatic)
A3 Ambition sedan 2.0 TDI: $44,800 (automatic)
A3 Ambition sedan 1.8 TFSI quattro: $47,800 (automatic)
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive away prices.
FEATURES
Audi parking system: rear
Leather-appointed upholstery
Dual-zone automatic climate control with digital display and rear-seat vents
Audi Music Interface
Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
MMI radio system – electrically retractable, slimline 5.8in colour display monitor with 8 passive speakers
Cruise control
Driver information system
Dynamic suspension
Exterior electric mirrors
Light and rain sensor
Multi-function leather-wrapped four-spoke steering wheel with paddle-shift
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi A3 1.4 TFSI petrol engine))
Capacity: 1.395 litres
Configuration: Four-cylinder petrol with FSI injection, turbocharging and Audi cylinder on demand technology, four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshafts (DOHC)
Bore x Stroke: 74.5 mm x 80.0 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Maximum Power: 103 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 250 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Seven-speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4456 mm
Width: 1796 mm
Height: 1416 mm
Wheelbase: 2637 mm
Kerb weight: 1250 kg
Gross weight limit: 1800 kg
Roof load limit: 75 kg
Boot capacity: 425 litres (880 litres with rear seatbacks folded)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Towing capacity: 660 kg (1700 with braked trailer)
Turning circle: 11.0 metres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: McPherson struts, lower wishbones, aluminium subframe, anti-roll bar Rear: Four-link, spring/shock absorber arrangement, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Solid disc
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h: 8.4 sec
Top speed: 217 km/h
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Fuel type: 95 RON unleaded
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 4.7 litres per 100 km.
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 8.5 / 10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5 / 10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited kilometres
