2013 Audi A3 Reviews

Audi A3 has been a winner since its introduction when it changed the way people thought about small cars. Prior to the A3 the prestigious German marques were only selling cars built on medium to large bodies with high prices to match.Audi showed it didn’t have to be like that and the company’s arch rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW have since joined the (relatively) affordable small-car brigade.Audi A3 Sportback will begin its life in Australia in April or May 2013. Only five-door models are being imported as Audi Australia believes buyers looking for three-door will opt for the smaller A1 instead.VALUEPrice is yet to be confirmed though they are expected to remain about the same. Adding to the desirability of this small-medium car is a full range of information and audio systems. The topline versions of the Audi A3 will come close to the big Audi A8 in sophistication.The most expensive A3 variants will have radar cruise control, automatic correction if the car wanders out of its lane and crash anticipation and passenger injury reduction.TECHNOLOGYPetrol and diesel engines are available with capacities ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 litres for the former, and 1.6 to 2.0 litres for the diesels. An LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) engine and a plug-in hybrid will be offered in years to come.Australian specs for engines have yet to be announced, but it’s likely we will get the larger petrol and diesel units, with the hybrid being an outside possibility. Manual and automatic transmissions will be fitted, with a strong emphasis being on the the autos in Australia.The latest engine design from Audi sees its engines using as little as 3.8 litres per hundred kilometres, with even the sportiest powerplants only consuming about 5.6 litres per hundred when measured on the combined European driving cycle.DESIGNThe latest five-door A3 takes a new direction in styling to previous models; while those leant in the direction of practicality and common sense the new model takes a strong sporting stance in the styling field. It has a lean and low look, with a wheelbase longer than in the three-door A3 in order to minimise front and rear overhangs.The lines from the now-traditional ‘single-frame’ grille back through the dual sweeping highlights on the doors give it a low appearance, and the shape of the rear hatch is aimed at visually emphasising the horizontal shape.In an interesting move, there’s an adornment package that adds chromed strips around the side windows. It will be interesting to see if this blast from the automotive styling past is picked up by other makers. As someone who grew up with chromed cars in the 1960s and ‘70s we must admit to being suckers for this brightwork.Cleverly, though the third generation Audi A3 is larger, more spacious and much better equipped than the original 1999 model it weighs virtually the same as that car. The engineers have managed to trim about 90 kilograms out of the body on the gen-two A3 by clever design that minimises the use of materials, without the need for expensive metals.Despite the relatively steep slope of the hatchback the Audi A3 Sportback has decent headroom in the rear seat. The A3 is typical of this class of car in being aimed at the family unit of two adults and three children, but it’s possible to fit three adults in the rear provided they aren’t of the hulking variety. Indeed cars such as the Audi A3 are often used to carry four adults in their home markets in Europe.SAFETYThe A3 will have a full range of crash avoidance features and if a crash becomes inevitable the car will attempt to have it occur at the lowest possible speed.DRIVINGWe have driven both petrol and diesel engines and manual and automatic A3s during the event in Monaco and found them to be tractable at low engine revs with the petrol powerplants happy to rev high into the scale. The turbo-diesels aren’t particularly willing to rev much over 4000 rpm, but that’s not their lot in life so that’s no big deal.Ride comfort is very good and the nimble handling is so well balanced that it’s hard to realise this car is driven by the front wheels with all that means in the way of forward weight bias. Quattro models will be introduced shortly and be powered by big grunt turbo-petrol engines.Noise levels are very low and more like those you would expect in the larger A4 and A6 Audi models. This will further enhance the willingness of Australian buyers to trade down from large cars into prestigious Audis and the like.VERDICTOur preview of the latest generation Audi A3 five-door Sportback at its global launch in Monaco leaves little doubt that the success story will continue in Australia and globally.Audi A3 SportbackAvailable: April, 2013Price: est. from $42,000Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC CRASHEngine: 1.4 and 1.8 4-cyl turbo-petrol or 2-litre turbo-diesel; 103kW/250Nm and 132kW/250Nm or 100kW/320NmTransmission: 6 or 7-spd dual-clutch auto or 6-spd manual; front drive or AWDThirst: 4.7L/100km/5.6L/100km or 4.2L/100km; 95RON; 110/130 or 108g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: from 1205kgSpare: Space-saver  

Expect the unexpected as Audi unrolls its budget A3 that gets more technological sophistication than its $250,000-plus siblings. But it’s not only the breadth of in-cabin equipment that puts the A3 Sportback - here in April in a single, five-door body style - a step ahead of its A6 and A8 siblings, but a healthy stride away from its German rivals. The A3 will be the first of the Volkswagen Group’s models to have the single-design platform dubbed MQB or, in normal speak, transverse-engine platform. The Volkswagen Golf will be the second MQB model before others - the Audi Q3 and Volkswagen Tiguan among them - join it.The single-design platform potentially saves billions of dollars in design and production over the expected life of numerous models. That equates to cheaper cars. But though it costs less to make, the unexpected by-product is a car that drives with the confidence, safety and roadholding grip far beyond its price tag.Even without a three-door variant - blinkered buyers will be ushered to the A1 range - the next A3 will become an extremely important sales cog in Audi Australia’s sales growth. Spokesman Shaun Cleary says there will be “substantial’‘ improvements on the current 100-odd monthly A3 sales. “We’re not talking numbers.The A4 is still our most important model in terms of sales, but the A3 will become a very popular car and we expect it to quickly narrow the gap,’’ he says. Australia’s final specification isn’t confirmed though the A3 will be a three-engine lineup. Mr Cleary says Audi Australia is looking at either the 90kW/200Nm or 103kW/250Nm versions of the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine.There will also be a sportier 132kW/250Nm 1.8-litre turbo-petrol and a 110kW/320Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel. “But the 103kW version of the 1.4 is more sophisticated and so will likely be a bit more expensive,’’ he says. “We’re still making a decision on which one of these engines we will get.’’ But the 103kW engine is the one that Audi Australia wants - and for good reason.This is the latest development in petrol-fuelled four-cylinders with a cylinder deactivation system that stops the movement of two pistons and turns off their fuel supply when coasting. It will also be available in the Volkswagen range. Like the other engines, the 1.4-litre, in either power output, is a new design for Audi. It weighs 21kg less than the outgoing engine of the same capacity - the aluminium crankcase alone shaves 15kg - and gets 5.3 litres/100km in its 90kW guise.But the more powerful version with the ability to switch off fuel to the two middle cylinders, gets consumption down to 4.7 L/100km. Transmissions will be a six and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and a six-speed manual. Mr Cleary says the manual gearbox will be offered though admitted take-up on this box in the previous A3 was “low’’.“The manual may become a special order for those buyers who really want it,’’ he says. “But we’ll make a judgement on that after the car has been in the market.’’  Audi buyers will also be in for a treat with the car’s infotainment and telephone links.But not as pampered as European A3 owners who get an enviable list of internet-based systems that introduce Facebook and Twitter as a verbal accompaniment to SMS dictation; a three-map overlay of Google Earth, Google streetview and traffic maps; voice command access to petrol stations and fuel prices, concerts, plane and train timetables, travel information and online news from your favourite feeder services.Mr Cleary says it will eventually come and that it’s not Audi’s fault. “We don’t yet have a provider in Australia that can give us what Europe gets,’ he says.VALUEPrice is yet to be confirmed though history says it will remain about the same. Even trim levels - Europe offers three - hasn’t been confirmed. If the model is successful, Australia could get the three trim levels and could even expand the drivetrain lineup. Value for money is a moot point.Audi’s spokesmen say the company is aggressively winning a war on European soil with Mercedes and believes the A3 is superior to BMW’s 1-Series. Audi’s intuitive MMI driver information system becomes standard on all A3s and the level of features is good even on the entry-level Attraction. But Ambition and the top-line Ambiente win in the looks and equipment stakes.The fact that Audi Australia won’t take the three-door A3 - preferring to send such buyers to the A1 line - indicates it could also neglect the base Attraction. The cars are front drive with the exception being the 1.8TFSI that is a quattro all-wheel drive.DESIGNGlance across a shopping centre carpark and it’s an Audi. A closer look and trainspotters will tell you it’s an A3. So though this is a third generation and Audiphiles will talk at length about a lower waist created by a new body crease, it’s externally an evolution of the previous model. But thanks to a 58mm longer wheelbase, it has more room on the inside and therefore a longer boot that ranges in capacity from 380 to 1220 litres.There’s a new dashboard which is actually quite pretty - and the MMI knurled rotary dial now is less obtrusive. The knob actually does more work than before - the top is a write-on surface - so there’s less ancillary buttons cluttering up the console. The park brake is electric so there’s also additional room created by deleting the manual handbrake lever. The A3 will also be optional with LED headlights.TECHNOLOGYDespite sharing the style with the old A3, the new A3 is completely new. It sits on the Volkswagen Group MQB platform - same as the next Golf - which is considerably lighter, stronger and ultimately cheaper to make than the outgoing platform. Then there’s the engines.The capacities are similar but there’s no common component. The 1.4-litre comes with cylinder deactivation - it stops the two centre pistons when the car is coasting on on light accelerator load - and is entirely made of aluminum.Audi even shaved kilos off the turbocharger. All up, the new and longer A3 1.4 is 90kg lighter than the outgoing version. Then there’s the MMI system with a range of infotainment and internet-related features. Many won’t be available in Australia at launch until a network supplier can be found.SAFETYThe car will be rated as a five-star and Audi says it’s now close to finalising complying with 2015 safety standards that include roll-over protection. There are seven airbags and the high level of chassis and brake-assist technology, but there is also an exhaustive list of safety-related options including pre-collision with autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control and automatic parking.DRIVINGThe concept of the MQB platform is to have one basic chassis design and then modify it only by length and width to suit a myriad of models. Because so many millions of cars and SUVs will be based on this one platform, production costs dwindle. I don’t have a problem with that. Unexpectedly, this budget-driven concept has given rise to a brilliant driver-related chassis.The A3, even in its 1.6-litre turbo-diesel version, is snug, so poised, very nimble and so precise through the corners - yes, even with the excellent electric steering box - that you’d think you’re in a very expensive sports car. Even that engine - not coming to Australia - is a gem, Better is the 103kW 1.4-litre with its cylinder deactivation.No, you can’t feel the pistons stop then restart. It’s a very powerful little engine that is fitted to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. Like the other cars, there’s a ‘’driver select’’ button on the dash that changes steering feel, transmission shift points and some engine management functions. It just sharpens up the car.I also drove the 132kW 1.8 which has all the ability of a GT car let down only by a dual-clutch auto that never felt happy in the marriage. It wasn’t as smooth as, for example, the 1.4 with the six-speed auto.The 2-litre turbo-diesel feels more perky than the current equivalent engine, probably because it was driven only attached to a six-speed manual. Ride comfort is very good, Audi balancing the need for a firm, sporty ride - its major point of difference with the Golf - and occupant comfort.VERDICTTop-notch small car with a broad appeal. Wonderful quality and low fuel use are to be expected but chassis control and ride comfort are bonuses.Audi A3 SportbackAvailable: April, 2013Price: est. from $42,000Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmService interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 6 airbags, ABS, EBD, EBA, TC CRASHEngine: 1.4 and 1.8 4-cyl turbo-petrol or 2-litre turbo-diesel; 103kW/250Nm and 132kW/250Nm or 100kW/320NmTransmission: 6 or 7-spd dual-clutch auto or 6-spd manual; front drive or AWDThirst: 4.7L/100km/5.6L/100km or 4.2L/100km; 95RON; 110/130 or 108g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: from 1205kgSpare: Space-saver