The Audi as a manufacturer has made audience’s minds up for waiting to get new and unique designs after a frequent interval by evolution rather than revolution. It is the finest way to settle things. In the form of Audi A3, no doubt that Audi has presented an elegant car of its class to justify the patience of clients all over the world.
The VW group that owns Audi has the opinion not to make radical changes to known winners, but you can feel the subtle changes in dominating A3 since its launch. Though A3 is well-praised car for its look and high-quality interior but still faces shoulder to shoulder competition with its rivals such as Mercedes A Class, BMW 1Series, VW Golf and Seat Leon.
A3 starts its petrol engine lineup with a respectable fuel economy version, the entry-level 1.0 litre TFSi three cylinder engines. It produces 113bhp, handsome amount of torque and manages good sprint from0-62m/h in 10 seconds. It is a very smooth engine for both, high and low revs.
In comparison with any other engine of this class A3 gives a quieter driving experience. The 1.4 litre TFSi turbocharged petrol engine with 148bhp is a smart choice and its Cylinder Deactivation Technology (CDT) gives performance with efficient fuel economy and gets the car from 0-62m/h in just 8.2 seconds.
The new turbocharged 2.0 litre TFSi unit is a good move by A3 which is faster than its predecessors with efficient fuel economy of 51m/g and reaches from 0-62 m/h sprint just in 8.2seconds. It can be specified with four-wheel drive (as can the 2.0 litre diesels) making it very grippy on UK’s often wet and slippery roads.
All engines in the Audi A3 turbocharged four cylinders, with the exception of the superb 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine in the RS3 model which produces a huge amount of power of 296bhp. While the S3’s four cylinder sounds good, the RS3 has the edge for aural appeal which is produced by the tricky exhausts and that fabled five-cylinder warble.
The A3‘s diesel engines are well refined with thrilling performance and excellent fuel economy. Diesel lineup starts with 1.6litre TDi engines, produce 109bhp and reaches from0-62 m/h in a respectable amount of 10.7 seconds. The 2.0-litre diesel engine with two versions is in the market with 148bhp and 181bhp carries the car from0-62 m/h in 8.6 seconds and with the automatic gearbox gets the sprint of 0-62m/h in 8.3 seconds. Most of the buyers have their opinion for 1.6-litre engines because of its affordable price and efficient fuel economy 72m/g.
The Audi A3 e-Tron is a plug-in hybrid engine with 249bhp combined power, 148bhp of 1.4-litre TFSi petrol and 101bhp from electric motor.
This engine pulls the vehicle from 0-62 m/h in just 7.6 seconds. The e-Tron comes with a smooth six-speed automatic gearbox. Careful use of the accelerator and a strict battery charging give you a pleasant drive overall.
