Audi has put the broom through its popular small fry, the A3 and S3, with a revamped exterior and boosted interior, as well as upgrades to performance and dynamics for the latter.
Available in Sportback and Sedan guise, Audi Director, Jeff Mannering, says the advancements in design, performance and customer value showcase the company’s dedication to progress and reinforce the pair as leaders in the premium compact segment.
Opening the A3 account is the Sportback 35 TFSI S line at $54,800, plus on-road costs. The Sedan variant (the test car) is $57,800, while the S3 Sedan tops off the range at $81,800.
A splash of Metallic paint adds $1350, Leather $1100, while a Style package (18-inch Sport wheels, black exterior styling, including mirror housings, privacy glass and colour interior ambient lighting $2000) tops up the total for the car as tested to $62,250.
With the existing four-cylinder 35 TFSI engine with cylinder on demand and 48V mild hybrid electric technology, the A3, in Sportback and Sedan variants, makes use of 110kW of power and 250Nm or torque, while the S3 boasts 17kW (245kW) and 20Nm (420Nm) more than its 2-litre predecessor, enabling a sprint from a standing start to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 250km/h.
A3 owners can take advantage of Audi’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, plus 12 years bodywork corrosion perforation warranty.
STYLING
Endowed with the S line grade exterior, with ‘feet astride, hands on hips’ styling, from the front, the A3 stands its ground proudly. The hexagonal, frameless single-frame radiator has put on weight, is flatter and wider in appearance and is home to the Audi rings at the top of the grille.
In combination with larger angular side air intakes, connection with the front spoiler makes the Audi A3 appear lower. The same is true of the rear, with a new bumper and distinctive diffuser making the vehicle appear more striking.
The lighting design is significantly thinner, emphasising the vehicle’s width. The 24-pixel elements that make up the digital daytime running lights feature special digital daytime running light signatures selectable via the MMI, a first for the Audi A3, with the lights performing unique coming-home-and-leaving displays.
Exterior changes also include the new corporate identity with the Audi rings now in 2D, and the model’s name etched into the B-pillar for easy identification. Standard are 18-inch five-Y-spoke, graphite grey gloss turned wheels.
INTERIOR
Following the sharper exterior, the cabin also takes on the S line standard, which includes Sport front seats with integrated headrests and four-way lumbar support, plus heating for the front occupants and electric seat adjustment for the driver. A three-zone climate-control system services the surroundings.
Headlining in black, aluminium inlays and elements, stainless steel pedals, and a multifunction wheel with ‘S’ emblem and perforated leather with contrast stitching are joined by fully integrated shifter design and air vents, and new interior lighting. Cargo in the Sedan is taken care of in a 425-litre capacity boot. That’s it, no seat backs to fold for extra space.
INFOTAINMENT
Audi apps are a welcome introduction: with a bigger 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus, as well as MMI navigation plus and Audi connect plus, the A3 sets a high standard in automotive electronic connectivity in the segment.
Add to this an Audi phone box light for wireless charging, and an Audi sound system comprising 10 speakers with a total output of 180 watts, there’s plenty to appeal to the tech savvy customer.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
In the A3, the powertrain is unchanged, the 1.5-litre four delivering 110kW between 5000 and 6000rpm and a handy 250Nm between 1500 and 3500 revs.
The mild-hybrid system stumps up extra punch through the belt alternator starter system (9kW/50Nm) and supports high-speed coasting and earlier cut-off points for the stop/start system.
It’s not a genuine hybrid and is unable to take over on its own but is mainly for limiting fuel consumption.
SAFETY
The new Audi A3 has earned a top five-star ANCAP rating led by the latest advanced driver support systems including autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), plus Audi pre-sense basic of blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and safe exit warning.
Other standard features include lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, active lane assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, semi-autonomous parking assist, reversing camera, plus front, rear parking sensors. The car has seven airbags.
DRIVING
Don’t take too much notice of the word ‘compact’ when referring to the A3 Sedan. The 2630mm wheelbase allows for generous front and rear seat leg room. However, head room out back is limited by the sedan styling.
With a relatively relaxed ride on the open road, there was little noise intrusion, the engine shutting down for the car to coast, thus saving fuel. Combined urban/highway fuel consumption is claimed by the maker to be 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres. The test sedan recorded 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway and 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres around town.
Here the A3 adapted to the crowded conditions smoothly, with light steering firming up with build-up of speed and changes of direction. The Sport drive mode is worth living with.
New to the driver is the sliding automatic transmission shifter on the centre console – ambivalence reigns here. Gearstick or rotary controller are the go.
SUMMARY
Over the last decade, the Audi A3 premium compact has built up quite a following in Australia and the latest upgrades should please the fans and go some way to introducing new customers to the brand.
RATINGS
Looks: 8
Performance: 7
Safety: 8
Thirst: 7
Practicality: 7
Comfort: 8
Tech: 7
Value: 8
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Audi A3 Sportback 35 TFSI S line $54,800
Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI S line $57,800
Audi S3 Sedan $81,800
Options: Metallic paint $1350, Leather appointed upholstery $1100, Style package $1100
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your Audi local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi A3 Sedan 35 TFSI 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cyl in-line petrol, 48V mild hybrid, 7sp S tronic FWD
ENGINE
Configuration: Four cylinders in-line
Maximum power 110kW @ 5000-6000rpm
Maximum torque: 250Nm @ 1500-3500rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95 RON
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 6.5L to 4.5L/100km (6.3 combined)
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
DRIVELINE: Seven-speed S tronic automatic, FWD
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4506mm
Width: 1984mm
Height: 1433mm
Wheelbase: 2630mm:
Turning circle: 15m
Gross vehicle mass: 1880kg
Fuel tank: 50L
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
