Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 2013 review

Australians are moving away from large cars into smaller ones, but many are refusing to accept any loss of comfort or performance. And if possible they would like a solid dash of prestige at the same time.

Audi invented the premium small-car category way back in 1996 and has worked hard over the intervening years to maintain its position at the head of the upmarket German field. The introduction of the third generation Audi A3 lifts the game significantly.

DESIGN

The company’s designers have come up with a sleek, sporting stance that works beautifully. The shape of the famed Audi single-frame grille provide a focal point that carries back to create a continuous theme over the headlights then onto the distinctive highlights on the doors. The rear hatch is aimed at visually emphasising the horizontal shape.

At this stage only the five-door hatchback is on sale. A four-door sedan will come downunder before the end of the year as will the full-on S3 variant. Quattro S3, powered by big grunt turbo-petrol engines, is something we can’t wait to sample when they arrive in the first few months of 2014. Other models are on their way, with an interesting plug-in hybrid due here in 2015.

New A3 Sportback has a body and wheelbase that are greater than the outgoing model to improve cabin and luggage space. Yet a clever ‘back to the drawing board‘ redesign means its lighter and stronger.

About 85 kilograms has been taken out of the A3, chiefly by the use of an all-new design of platform, tagged as the MQB. This minimises the use of materials, without the need for expensive metals. Aluminium is used in the bonnet and front guards, important crash safety areas use ultra-high strength steels.

Despite the relatively steep slope of the rear, new Audi A3 Sportback has good headroom in the back seat. While aimed at the family unit of two adults and three children, it’s possible to fit three adults in the rear provided they aren’t into their large-teenage years.

A3 is sold in two levels of trim, Attraction and Ambition and with several options packages to further let you customise them.

TECHNOLOGY

Prices begin at a handy $35,600 plus on-road costs for an Attraction with a 1.4-turbo-petrol and range up to $42,500 for the topline models with either a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol or 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.

We drove a range of petrols and the diesel on a course chosen by Audi Australia in far north Queensland and found them to be impressively tractable at low engine revs. At the other end of the scale the petrol powerplants were more than happy to rev right up to the top of the tacho.

Even the diesels can stretch out to 5000 revs, a higher than usual number for this type of powerplant, giving them a sportier feel than most others of their type.

DRIVING

Nimble handling shows the new Audi A3 is so well balanced it’s hard to realise it’s being driven by the front wheels. Comfort remains very high, despite the strong sporting dynamics tuned into the car.

Noise and vibration levels are very low and more like those of much larger, more expensive luxury cars. Australia’s notorious coarse-chip surfaces did increase noise levels, but seldom to an irritating stage.

VERDICT

The all-new Audi A3 Sportback provides an impressive combination of luxury and sportiness and seems likely to remain in a strong position in the premium small-car sales race in Australia.

Audi A3 Sportback 

Explore the 2013 Audi A3 range

• Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI 2013 review
• Audi A3 Sportback 2013 review
• Audi A3 2013 review
• Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI 2013 review
• Audi A3 1.8 TFSi 2013 review
• Audi A3 sedan 2013 review
• Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Quattro 2013 review
• Audi A3 Sportback 1.4TFSI 2013 review
• Audi A3 Sportback Quattro 2013 review
• Audi A3 Sportback 1.8 2013 review
• Audi A3 Cabriolet 2013 review

Price: from $42,500 
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Service interval: 12 months/15,000km
Safety:5 stars
Engine: 1.4 and 1.8 4-cyl turbo-petrol or 2-litre turbo-diesel; 103kW/250Nm and 132kW/250Nm or 100kW/320Nm
Transmission: 6 or 7-spd dual-clutch auto or 6-spd manual; front drive or AWD
Thirst: 4.7L/100km/5.6L/100km or 4.2L/100km; 95RON; 110/130 or 108g/km CO2
Dimensions: 4.3m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.4m (H)
Weight: from 1205kg
Spare: Space-saver