Audi A3 Reviews

So determined are Audi to inform us that they are improving the efficiency of their new vehicles, they have started adding a reminder to their model names.They tell us that an ‘e’ version – a super efficient variant distinguishable by the letter ‘e’ tacked onto the end of the model badge - will be available in all core model lines by the end of 2008.There are a number of engine and transmission choices for the A3 Sportback range – we tested the 1.9 TDIe.Drivetrain The TDIe is powered by an in-line four-cylinder, OHC diesel engine with a VTG turbocharger. It produces 77kW and 250Nm of torque, with a five-speed manual transmission – with synchromesh on all gears - getting power to the wheels. This set-up will reach a top speed of 194km/h and if pushed will hit the 100km/h mark in 11.7 seconds.Exhaust emission is managed by a maintenance-free particulate filter and controlled exhaust-gas recirculation. Put simply, the TDIe releases a paltry 119g/kg of CO2 and only uses 4.5 litres of diesel every 100km.Electro-mechanical speed-sensitive steering combined with the A3’s dynamic chassis makes for a well-balanced ride that allows for a punchy sportiness without sacrificing comfort.Exterior With a high shoulder line, striking front and distinctive rear, the five-door A3 Sportback aims to combine the sportiness of a classic coupe with the practicality of a roomy hatchback. On the outside the major difference between the 1.9 TDIe and the rest of the range is its 16-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, rather than the 17-inch alloys on the other models. Low roll-resistant – and therefore fuel efficient – 205/55 R16 rubber also contributes to the green direction Audi are steering towards with the ‘e’ version.InteriorOn the inside, the A3 Sportback is what we have come to expect from Audi – simple, intuitive controls with comfortable, attractive seats and trim – put together with quality materials and workmanship that reflects the attention to detail the big German marque is famous for.EquipmentRemote central locking, security engine immobiliser and electric, body-coloured exterior mirrors, automatic air conditioning with dual climate control, power windows, a Driver Information System (DIS) and leather steering wheel are standard, with numerous options including sun roof, xenon headlights and a rear parking system also available.Split fold rear seats and an mp3-compatible concert sound system – also standard – ensure that longer trips and cargo placement are fairly pain free.However, cruise control and automatic headlights were a surprising omission from the standard list for what is positioned as a premium vehicle.SafetyA substantial airbag package plus ESP – which incorporates ABS with brake-assist, Electronic Differential Lock and Anti Slip Regulation – heads up the impressive line of standard safety features in the A3 range.You also get head restraints and three point seatbelts for all five seats, the Audi backguard that holds your upper body in place in the event of rear-end collision, and a safety steering column with tilt and telescopic adjustment.PricingThe Audi A3 Sportback range starts at $37,200 and tops out at $65,800 for the 3.2 Quattro with a sports pack. The TDI e starts at $38,900.Driving Without the benefit of the more advanced technology found in other Audi diesel engines, such as direct injection, even with the turbocharger the little oilburner struggles a lot of the time.It sounds a bit agricultural, especially at idle and at the start of trips, although it doesn’t intrude badly into the cabin. And most of the time you don’t feel any benefit from the turbo.There was quite a bit of wind rush around the pillars when you manage to reach higher speeds, and it’s joined by a considerable choir from the fuel-efficient rubber.And while it was set and forget on the highway, around town the five-speed manual transmission became tedious – as did the nanny alert on the info display that suggests you change up a gear (for better economy).But economy is certainly not a problem with the 1.9 TDIe’s. It gave an overall consumption of 5.2L/100km after a week of driving, with highway running dropping as low as 4L/100km. Cost-wise, this is good enough to pit against some of the hybrid technology out there. The Audi A3 1.9 TDie sportback was awarded Carguide Best Green car for 2008 

It wasn't a promising start. The temperature was toying with single figures; the rain was sheeting down; the wind was gusting to 50km/h and there was a convertible to drive.Fast forward two hours and a flight north. The temperature was in the mid 20s; there wasn't a cloud in the sky; the wind was a mere zephyr (not the Ford kind) . . . and the Audi A3 Cabriolet was mine for the rest of the day.What was there to do but to drop the soft top — the optional fully automatic roof stowing in around nine seconds flush to the body (no tonneau needed) — folding to leave exactly the same boot space as when it is up, 260 litres, and thanks to 50:50 split-fold rear seats, swelling to 674 litres with both rear seats folded down — the largest luggage area in its class.There is also a semi-automatic version with a centrally placed handle unlocked by hand before the automatic release rapidly opens the lid.There was little cabin turbulence in the four-seater — even less with an optional wind deflector in place.However, positioned immediately behind the driver and front seat passenger this does take out the rear seats.With the double insulated rag top — a good weight saving here — up, the `wind' may have dropped but there was more road noise.As launched, the A3 Cabriolet range features two sporty, yet economical engines — the tried-and-tested 118kW 1.8 TFSI and 147kW 2.0 TFSI, both taking advantage of Audi's direct injection engine technology combined with turbocharging.Both engines, says the maker, return a fuel consumption figure of 7.6 litres per 100km (37 miles per gallon). The turbo motor responds extremely quickly at 2000rpm, the 1.8 TFSI producing maximum torque of 250Nm in just 1.2 seconds, firing the car to 100km/h in just eight seconds when mated with the standard six-speed dual clutch S tronic transmission.The 2 litre TFSI engine, named Engine of the Year in its class for four consecutive years from 2005, at 1800rpm produces 280Nm of torque on the crankshaft with its peak at 5000rpm.It is available with a choice of two transmissions, including a six-speed manual or the S tronic which can accelerate the A3 Cabriolet to 100km/h in just 7.3 seconds. In manual mode 7.4 seconds.I can vouch for the slickness and smoothness of the 2 litre with both S tronic and six-speed manual transmissions, and assume there's not much lost in either with the fractionally smaller motor.Airbags for driver and front passenger, plus head and thorax side airbags, are all fitted as standard. All four seats feature head restraints.An electronic stability program with anti-lock braking, electronic brake force distribution, electronic differential lock and brake assist also is fitted as standard across both models. Prices start at $49,990 for the 1.8 TFSI Attraction (S tronic), the 2.0 TFSI Ambition (six-speed manual) is from $54,900, while the 2.0 TFSI Ambition (S tronic) is from $57,500. Prices have been calculated with 25 per cent luxury car tax. Audi Australia will cover the extra 8 per cent LCT on behalf of its customers until August 26, when the outcome of a Senate Economics Committee inquiry on the tax is expected to become known.Audi is letting us have 300 A3 Cabriolets this year, half of which have already been sold. 

A soft spot for tradition is the basis for Audi's A3 cabriolet.At a time when most carmakers are turning to folding metal roofs, Audi insists on providing a soft-top alternative.“I have always believed that a small segment of customers are true believers — those who want their soft-top car to be a soft-top,” Audi Australia's general manager for marketing, Immo Buschmann, says.“They are the people who believe that part of the joy of open-top motoring is the attraction of a cloth roof.”Buschmann was speaking at the launch of Audi's baby soft-top last week. The A3 is the latest in Audi's line-up of `original' soft-top convertibles.“The A3 cabriolet is a logical extension for the brand,” he says.“We are one of the oldest brands in the world and from the very start cabriolets were at the heart of the brand. In 1910, when we first started, all Audi cars were cabriolets, roadsters or phaetons.“Mass production and wider market demand led to sedans becoming the cars of choice, but we always recognised that segments of the premium market still wanted cabriolets.” ENGINESTo satisfy that `small' segment of true believers, Audi is launching the A3 with two engines and a pair of gearboxes. It expects to move 300 examples this year and 400 in a full sales year.The 1.8-litre TFSI (118kW, 250Nm) will be available at $49,900 with the single gearbox choice of the six-speed S tronic, Audi's version of the double-clutch automatic.For the more powerful (147kW and 280Nm) 2.0-litre TFSI, shared with the VW Golf, the S tronic is $57,500 and the six-speed manual is $54,900. Audi has not shut the door on a possible diesel variant, but it is not in immediate plans. EQUIPMENTStandard equipment levels are reasonably high. The 1.8-litre has four airbags, electronic stability control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, 16-inch alloy wheels, speed-sensitive power steering, two-layer semi-automatic cloth roof, engine immobiliser, cruise control, dual climate-control airconditioning, trip computer, eight-speaker sound system with single-disc CD, split-fold rear seats and a cloth trim interior.The 2.0-litre adds 17-inch alloys, sports suspension, rear parking sensors, front fog lights, sports steering wheel and seats, leather trim and upgraded sound with six-disc CD.But the devil is in the options list. Metallic paint is $1300, a three-layer fully automatic roof also $1300, Xenon headlights $1900 and adaptive corning technology $800.Lumbar adjustment for the front seats is $600 and heating $750.A Bose sound system adds another $1350, mobile phone Bluetooth preparation $950 and navigation from $4400.There is more if you start off with the entry-level car. BOOT SPACEWhat the A3 cabriolet does offer, whether it's with the standard roof or the fully automatic, is reasonable boot space that can be expanded to impressive by folding the rear seats.The compact fold of the roof means boot space does not alter whether the roof is deployed or stored away. DRIVINGThe launch drive of several hundred kilometres through far north Queensland highlighted several things about the A3 cabriolet, none of which were unexpected.The 2.0-litre with its sports suspension and 17-inch wheels was a less fussy drive than the smaller sibling.It rode well over some compromised surfaces and the engine — well proven in VW guise — could rarely be faulted.The coupling with the S tronic gearbox is a treat and after some early fascination there is little need to play around with the wheel-mounted shift paddles. The box's Sports mode will happily take care of most enthusiastic demands.The 1.8-litre — and the suspicion is that it was down to the more compliant suspension and smaller wheels — was less settled, with more vibration back through the steering wheel.Road noise with the roof down was again a slightly better proposition in the top-end car, with less tyre roar in particular.All the test vehicles were fitted with the more heavily sound-insulated, three-layer option roof and though that was very effective when deployed, judgment on the standard roof is going to have to wait.No matter how fervently the company may wish it, the rear seats in 2x2 convertibles are always going to be best suited to kids or the vertically challenged.In the case of the A3, the area is more comfortable with the roof off.But the real issue is knee room, particularly behind a driver of even average height. PRICE From $49,900 to $57,500ENGINE 1.8 litre/four-cylinder TFSI (118kW/250Nm); 2.0 litre/4-cylinder TFSI (147kW/280Nm)TRANSMISSION Six-speed S tronic auto; six-speed manualECONOMY 7.6 litres/100km (all engine/gearbox combinations) 

 It is only a small “e” in the nomenclature but it represents a huge corporate watershed for Audi as the “other” German brand steps up to show the world that efficiency can be had without a magic bullet. With the launch of the A3 1.9 TDI e Audi Australia has started an internal reformation that is going to rumble across every model line in the four rings' showroom and provide a real-world argument for intelligent design over rampant technology.“This is the start of Audi's 'progressive performance' message,” Audi Australia's Anna Burgdorf said at the launch of the new A3 derivative.The ethos of the “e” car philosophy is largely common sense and involves use of design strategies available to any car manufacturer. There is no breakthrough technology in the engine, no super-efficient gearbox.What gives the A3 1.9 TDI e its remarkable hybrid-challenging fuel efficiency — 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the official government cycle — is a series of rather small tweaks that together result in an 8 per cent improvement in economy and the consequent improvement in emissions. Audi engineers have tuned the electronics of the 77kW 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine — the same unit found in the standard A3 and the VW Golf — while lengthening ratios for third and fifth gear in the five-speed manual box, resulting in optimised fuel efficiency, particularly when the driver follows the recommended gear selection as displayed on the dash.The car has also been lowered to improve efficiency through the air, lightened, fitted with aerodynamic plastic covers for the 16-inch wheels and shod with low-friction Michelin rubber to reduce rolling resistance.From there it is down to the desire, determination and concentration of the driver as to how much lower the fuel efficiency can be driven.While it is unlikely that any day-to-day driver will consistently return the 3.8L/100km figures achieved on the 366km launch drive from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island — driving purely for efficiency with windows up, airconditioning off, wing mirrors folded in and as much throttle-off time as possible — impressive real-world figures will be possible. The control car, driven to the speed limits, returned 4.3L/100km for the 366km drive. There is little noticeable difference to the 1.9 TDI stablemate.“The 1.9 e is the most efficient car in the Audi fleet and it shows that hybrid is not the only solution ,” Burgdorf says.“We know the car is not going to be a huge seller, about 60 a year, but there will be an `e' version in all core model lines by the end of the year.”Audi Australia's marketing manager, Immo Buschmann, says the popularity of the “e” cars will grow with the arrival of the A4 and A8 models later this year when the cars will carry badge proof of their green credentials — which is something that the A3 cars currently don't sport.“As a premium brand we have been telling the story of progressive performance for some time,” Buschmann says. “What we haven't been talking about is safety and environmental impact ... it has just been a given that it is there.”Buschmann says the design of the badging is a work in progress but will emphasise the green characteristics.While the strategy is easily implemented there is much more to come from Audi as the philosophy is rolled out across the company and expanded to include more — and more complex — technology.“There are already significant advantages in efficiency over hybrid technology,” Audi Australia's technical manager John Roberts says.“There is the advantage of weight. You don't have to carry batteries.“And there is the packaging advantage — you don't have to give up boot space to store the batteries.”He says 30 per cent of consumption is dictated by driving style.It is this area that the “e” future will target, Roberts says. SNAPSHOT Audi A3 1.9 TDIePrice: from $38,900Engine: 1.9L/4-cylinder turbodiesel 77kW/250NmTransmission: 5-speed manualEconomy: 4.5L/100km (claimed); 3.8L/100km (tested) 

Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf said it would arrive around July 2008, but there are no prices or no specifications yet."The engines are not yet agreed but we will look into a mix of petrol and TDI," she said.There are four engines to choose from, including two diesel.All are direct injection units with turbocharging. The performance range extends from 77kW to 147kW. The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox will be offered as an option.Audi has stayed with the classic fabric top for its light weight and tight fit.The hydraulically operated top will open in lightning fast time – nine seconds – and can also be opened and closed at speeds of up to 30km/h. It will fold away to take up little space and be flush with the body.Between the outer skin and the inner lining there is a synthetic fibre mat that improves thermal insulation and soundproofing – at a speed of 140 km/h it is only 1dB (A) louder inside the Audi A3 Cabriolet than in the A3.If only the front seats are occupied, a wind deflector can be erected above the rear bench seat in a few simple steps from one side of the vehicle.The hood is available in semi-automatic and fully automatic versions, in the latter instance as a specially soundproofed acoustic hood.The four-seater's body structure has a high proportion of high-strength, ultra-high-strength and hot-formed steels, as well as a large number of reinforcing measures to retain rigidity and crash safety.The rear seat backs can be folded down, increasing the luggage capacity from 260 to 674 litres whether the hood is up or down.It comes with responsive electromechanical power steering, four-link rear suspension and an optional sports suspension.

The Audi A3 brought more choice in prestige small cars when it arrived here in 1997. BMW's 3-Series Compact was on the market, and the A3 added another choice.At first there was only a three-door hatch on offer but that was replaced by a five-door hatch in 1999, which certainly added to the appeal of the small Audi.Audi offered a choice of three engines in the front-wheel drive A3 hatch. The entry engine was a 1.6-litre, 12-valve single overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder unit that put out 74kW at 5600 revs and 145Nm at 3800 revs for brisk performance.There was a fuel-injected 16-valve double overhead camshaft 1.8-litre engine, which delivered 92kW at 6000 revs and 173Nm at 4100 revs and boosted performance to be the pick of the bunch. For zip, Audi offered a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine that pumped out 110kW at 5700 revs and 210Nm at 4600 revs.A3 buyers had the choice of a four-speed auto transmission or a sporty five-speed manual. All that rode on a nimble front-wheel drive chassis with power steering, four-wheel anti-skid disc brakes and alloy wheels. As would be expected given its prestige tag, the A3 came with plenty of fruit, from central locking, immobilisers, power windows, tinted glass and four-speaker sound.After the 1999 update, the five-door hatch came with airconditioning, CD player, power windows, remote central locking, leather steering wheel and a tilt adjustable column. The turbo had sports suspension and seats, steering wheel and shift knob and cloth trim.While Audi quality has improved markedly in recent years there was a time when it wasn't up to the standard BMW and Benz set, so inspect early A3s carefully. Look for collision damage on the body, particularly doors or hatches that don't open or close properly. Paint-over spray and mismatching colours can also give away crash repairs.Audi engines are known to guzzle the oil, which isn't a problem if owners dip the engines regularly. Many owners who bought Audis simply didn't bother to check the oil between services and only discovered their engine's thirst for oil when they developed the death rattles.Early A3s came with dual front airbags and later A3s also had side airbags for front-seat occupants, that provided decent secondary crash protection. Anti-skid brakes and decent handling were also provided with the intention of assisting drivers in having a better chance of avoiding crashes altogether.Paul Skaraiev was looking to downsize from his Holden Berlina V8 when he bought his 2000 Audi A3 Turbo in 2001, but he still wanted a prestige model. The A3 had done 56,000km when he bought it; it has now done 105,000km without any significant problem. Skaraiev says he loves its looks and performance, reckons the 7.9l/100km fuel consumption is great and is happy with reliability. But he isn't so enamoured of the cost of servicing and parts.

The two-litre diesel in the A3 which is shared with the VW Golf is one of the sweetest performers around, while the three-litre diesel in the A6 is a robust weapon that has helped lift the diesel A6 share to more than a third of sales.In danger of being overtaken by its German adversaries, Audi is hitting back with a two-litre A4 TDI, a three-litre A4 TDI, two six-cylinder (2.7 and three litres) in the Allroad, and a 4.2-litre V8 TDI A8 in the next few months.But Audi should be careful not to get carried away with trying to lead the field in luxury diesels.The quality of diesel product is starting to make itself known in the car-buying public, but a couple of under-performers could set back the rise of oil-burners.While the 103kW 1968cc diesel is a gem in the A3, it seems a little underpowered and overworked in the bigger A4.The engine feels coarse under foot, it sounds noisy and there is an annoying lag between idle at 900rpm and about 1800rpm.If you could feed it some revs before dropping the clutch, it would launch just fine, but married to the standard-fit continuously variable multitronic gearbox, it is a bit of a traffic light slug.It actually responds better to a gentle squeeze of the accelerator, rather than burying your foot in the firewall.Thanks to that ponderous nature, the characteristic heavy Audi steering feels even heavier as you apply throttle from the apex of a corner.Once past 1800rpm, there is immediate and strong urge in the engine with plenty of acceleration for safe highway passing.Off idle, the coarseness filters out and the engine quietens down. It only comes back a little on full song.Peak power is listed as 103kW, but the four-cylinder turbocharged diesel produces its peak torque of 320Nm from 1750rpm to 2500rpm.The continuously variable multitronic transmission feels smooth, but is a little slow to kick down when in normal drive. Again, for best results, you have to squeeze rather than floor the throttle.Otherwise, pull the lever down to "S" for sport changes. Here it responds quickly, although it does to tend to hold on to gears a little long, bringing the coarseness of the engine back into the cabin. You can also flick the lever to the left for sequential changes which are even faster than the sport shift mode.And the flick left and down feels just like a manual selection of third to second to attack a rapidly approaching corner.While sport mode is responsive, it cannot interpret that you want to drop a gear or two as you rush up to a corner.So you need to push it up to drive (at which point it might even go up a gear and gain momentum), then flick it across to sequential, then tug it back once or twice to select the correct cog.This all takes precious milliseconds.I would prefer to have sequential accessible directly from sport mode than from drive.But diesel buyers aren't just after torquey driving performance. They also want good fuel economy and low C02 emissions.I can't vouch for the emission figures, but my rough estimate on fuel economy was a little over 6l/100km which included mainly city driving.Inside, it is all business in the usual A4 style with comfortable seats, plenty of legroom and no-nonsense black leather trim and brushed aluminium, plus one of the nicest red-light instruments displays on wheels.The sound system is a delight.Standard safety features include electronic stability program incorporating ABS, eight airbags, active front head restraints, electronic differential lock, anti-slip regulation, a brake-disc wiping system and brake assist.The A4 oil-burner will cost $56,990, which is less that the Mercedes-Benz C220 CDi which starts at $68,400.

The turbo Sportback is also available in front-wheel drive bringing it even closer to the Golf but Quattro is not available with automatic transmission.The Audi is a step up on the Golf in quality as well as price and really is a beautiful little car. Engine performance from the turbo-charged, direct injection, four pot is excellent as well as being economical and "clean".The turbo Sportback (a flash name for a five-door hatch) rates as one of the classiest small hatchbacks we have driven but costs a bit ? $50,550.Engine is the model of sophistication ? uses common rail technology as well as variable cam timing, balance shafts and is force fed by a turbo. Output is a healthy 147kW/280Nm.This is the most affordable entry into the all-wheel drive Audi quattro world.Engine passes stringent Euro 4 emissions regulations and runs on 98 octane petrol. Has a high compression ratio for a turbo for gains in response.All dynamics have sports setting meaning firmish ride, quick steering, differential lock and powerful brakes with grippy tyres. Electronic stability program part of the package and boosts safety.Six-speed manual a treat to use, short throws, closely spaced ratios but reverse in the wrong place.Sprints from 0-100kmh is 7.1 seconds, gets about 9.0 litres/ 100km fuel economy.Weighty little beast at 1470kg which explains why it's not as quick as the Golf GTi.Interior is relatively spacious as long as there are no large passengers in the rear seats. Load area expandable with folding rear pew.Looks fantastic, screams class and quality and shape is attractive. Front treatment is distinctive and profile is cheeky. Interior difficult to criticise on any score.Has impressive audio system and wide array of standard equipment, particularly like leather wheel with multiple control buttons.Sports seats need lumbar support adjustment but offer good cornering support.Leather upholstery and flash metallic-look trim is optional as is striking glass roof ? its all glass incorporating a front opening section and is called "Open Sky".Love the 17in alloys.Protected by DataDot and contains a high level of safety equipment including six air bags, ABS and other features.

The newbies include BMW's 1-Series, the second-generation A-Class from Mercedes-Benz, the born-again Volkswagen Golf and something just a little different from Audi.It's not really different, but a change from the two-door A3 hatch that has been carrying its colours.It still looks like an A3, but there are four doors and enough other changes to convince Audi to name the car its Sportback and present it as a fresh approach to the class.The whole thing is a stretch, for the car and the sales team, but it allows the latest development of the A3 to line up nicely against the new-age Euro rivals.If Audi is right with what it says, its Sportback combines "the versatility of a four-door hatch, sophisticated technology and well-defined driving dynamics" and will do something special for the car and the brand.Even if it's wrong, or not completely right, it will still be a solid addition to the range.Audi is already doing plenty of good stuff this year with new value pricing across its line-up, extra sales and significantly more buzz around the brand.It seems to have something happening every month, including adding the punchy S4 Cabriolet to its S-badged performance range.The extra length has been added in the tail, which Audi says makes the car ideal for young families or active singles who want to carry something like a bicycle, two golf bags or ski gear.The six models in the Sportback line-up start with the 1.6-litre Attraction model with a Tiptronic auto, moving through the hi-tech 2.0-litre FSI engine with the classy double-shift gearbox, to the flagship 3.2-litre V6 Quattro Ambition with DSG.Power runs from 75 to 184kW and prices start below $40,000, but run to $73,990 for the flagship car.The Sportback with the most potential is the 2.0-litre turbo, the A3 2.0 TFSI, at $49,950.All models are well equipped with the expected collection of airbags, CD sound and airconditioning, as well as electric assists, but the Sportback has sports suspension, active head restraints, and electronic stability control.But all this won't make life easy for the Sportback.Competition has never been tougher and it comes most obviously from the Volkswagen Golf.The German people's car has been impressively renewed and the GTI hero car is one of the standouts of the year.But the 1-Series is hard up against the new Audi with the advantage of a BMW badge, the A-Class is a Benz that's a lot better than the original, and there are even surprising Japanese contenders, including the Mazda3.Audi Australia responds to the questions by pointing out the Sportback's "exceptional build quality", its styling, the standard and optional equipment, the availability of the DSG gearbox, and the appeal of an Audi badge.ON THE ROADThe Sportback is a nice car. And a nice drive. But we had the fully loaded flagship and cannot see many people paying $73,990 for it. That's right, Audi wants $74,000 for the car and won't accept it is over-priced – or that the Golf is better value, or the BMW is a sportier drive, or that singles might prefer a Mini.The reason for the high price was the 3.2 litre V6 Quattro with DSG transmission.It ticks all the boxes, even if the basic body – complete with the slightly sloping roofline that Audi says is more coupe-like than a regular four-door hatchback – is still the same as the starter car.So it's probably not fair to be making comparisons with cars that are $20,000 and more below its bottom line, but that is what customers will be doing when they see what Audi wants.And, no matter whether Audi likes it or not, a lot of shoppers will compare the A3 with the Golf, particularly the GTI, which is our favourite among all the classy new compacts of '05.When you look at the Sportback on its own, the cabin space is impressive, it is well designed and well finished – with some clear cabin quality wins over the Golf – and it drives nicely.The ride can be choppy at low speeds and over broken city surfaces, but it picks up nicely from about 80km/h. It has a fluid feel on country corners and absorbs bumps nicely.Our Quattro V6 had plenty of zip and impressive grip, but wasn't nearly as responsive as the GTI. And here we go again.The DSG manual seemed to be programmed to be gentler, softer, and we wondered a few times if it was actually just an automatic and not the hi-tech six-speed manual we loved in the GTI.It didn't feel nearly as responsive, but that could have been partially down to the need to harness a full 184kW.The Sportback is practical, light on (premium) fuel, has good headlamps and is easy to park.Perhaps if we had driven one of the more-mundane models in the line-up, though Audi would argue that none of its cars is remotely mundane, we would have come away with more nice things to say.Then again, it probably would have been the same story, because the latest A3 is a solid performer at a time when customers are looking for – and finding – genuine standouts.At the end of the day, even if the Sportback star has the advantages of a V6 engine and Quattro drive and back doors, we would still prefer a Golf GTI. With cash in the bank.THE BOTTOM LINEIt is a nice car and it will do a nice job for nice people. But we don't think the basics are any better than a BMW and a lot of people will place more importance on the badge fitted to the A-Class.

Re, these two A3s: German engineering and quality – check; understatedly classy interior – check; reassuring thunk of closing doors – check; badge desirability – check; bewildering array of acronyms – check; weepingly expensive – checkmate.The cliches apply in equal measure to the A3 3.2 V6 quattro DSG and its A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI Ambition DSG. Try saying that in one breath.Audi's still-newish three-door A3 range has been joined by the five-door "Sportback" range. Translating as "hatchback", it is one of the euphemisms that so endear Audi to one.There's also "quattro" (all-wheel-drive), "open sky" (a big sunroof) and "Audi Symphony" (with, er, cassette deck). An Audi-made spade would be a "manually deployed excavation implement".Equally amusing is the emphatic nature of Audi's demographic statements:"The A3 Sportback will appeal predominantly to performance-oriented, active people aged between 25 and 39."Being four months off 40 and my wife being ever so slightly north of that (whoops – sorry, honey), this car is plainly not meant for us.It is, however, of no small interest given the salivating with which one of us (ie, me) awaits the arrival of Volkswagen's Golf GTI next month.VW, of course, owns Audi and its equivalent models are on average $10,000 cheaper. Despite this, or more likely because of it, both marques decry any attempt at comparison.So decry me, already.Both GTI and the A3 are built on the same VeeWee platform. The GTI and A3 TFSI share the delicious 2.0-litre turbo-charged direct injection engine, drive through the front wheels, and have identical DSG transmissions.The TFSI is good for 147kW and 280Nm from 1800 to 5000rpm. With its six-speed DSG, it gets to 100km/h from standing in 6.9 seconds – fractionally faster than a three-pedal manual. The GTI will also offer a conventional six-speed self-shifter. Audi Australia doesn't.There will, no doubt, be differences in ride and roll. Judging by the word of colleagues and images supplied, the Audi is the plusher and less lairy within.The A3 has by far the sweeter silhouette. It's also sweet to drive, and only those of carnival sideshow proportions could not find the ideal driving position.The blown version of the FSI provides genuine hot hatch (sorry, Sportback) performance. The A3 is by no means a WRX-like racer; it's far too civilised and well-rounded for that.Excellent road-holding from the 17-inch 225/45 tyres enables you to go where you're pointed – it's just that you won't have much sensation of doing so. The electrically assisted steering is too smooth – uncommunicatively so.Going backwards is the biggest problem, hopeless rear-visibility making optional parking sensors essential.One need hardly enter the realms of speculation to wonder what the A3's $49,950 gets you over GTI DSG's $42,290 – especially as this VW has more iconic status than its "prestige" cousin – beyond a nicer shape and four "O's" on the badge instead of two consonants, that is.An A3 that doesn't (yet) have a pesky VW to undercut it is the 3.2 V6 quattro.Its instant engine response extends to the DSG, which is just as well, because you can't get a conventional manual in this A3, either.Despite the DSG's practice, when in manual mode, of changing up automatically when redline is reached, it is happily married to the 184kW V6.Removing the joy of "proper" manual gear-changing seems to defeat the purpose of an ultra-hot hatch, though changing via steering wheel-mounted paddles or the gear lever is seamless. Sticking the stick into rorty Sports mode is almost redundant with this engine.Also coming as standard is quattro permanent all-wheel-drive. Fanging through the twisties there is turn-in understeer, but loads of muscle and poise to power out.The exhaust note is the result of Audi boffins tuning with the sort of precision employed by Pavarotti's throat surgeon. The importance of the potential purchaser's ears cannot be overstated, because the aural quality is one of the few points of difference between this halo model and cheaper A3s.The V6-equipped A3 gets you from standing to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds – that's 0.3 seconds quicker than the 2-litre TFSI. These are Audi's figures.Despite its discreet but discernible hyper hatch trimmings, the six-potter is, if anything, a compact tourer or cruiser.So, $25,000 more than the TSFI for all-wheel-drive, two fewer doors and a negligible speed edge? At $75K, you'd want to really, really like Audis and have an all-consuming desire to own what will be the rarest of niche models.Or you could think of it as a cheaper, better sorted and infinitely less impractical TT Coupe. At least the newer Audi isn't built on the old Golf platform.