What they said when the Audi A3 was new… (Jun 2 2003)
MOTORISTS looking for a prestige, compact hatchback in 1996 welcomed the new Audi A3 with open arms.
Until then there was nothing around that was relatively small but had a quality, up-market image.
Now there is plenty of competition - but now also there is a new A3, all set to go on sale on June 12.
The new model is longer and wider, offering more internal leg and shoulder space and with a far more stylish exterior, while at the same time retaining the basic A3 image.
Glance at the newcomer in fact and you will not be 100 per cent sure of what is different about it. Put it alongside the outgoing car and you will wonder how you could have had any doubts.
Audi has been very clever with the new design. It is evolutionary rather revolutionary, probably because the design of the original model was such that even now it does not look dated.
The changes give the new model a far more sporty, aggressive look with much more road presence.
Inside, the cabin has been completely redesigned, taking styling cues from the Audi TT. The square air vents, for example, have been replaced by aluminium fringed round ones, similar to those in the TT, and there are centre console struts copied from the German company's popular sports car.
But it's not just about looks. A lot of thought has gone into the cabin to ensure that everything feels right too.
The seating position is lower - although the head room remains the same - the steering wheel has 20 per cent more adjustment and both the accelerator pedal and gear lever have been optimally positioned for the perfect driving position.
The traditional style handbrake has been replaced with a z-shaped one so now you can use the centre armrest and still use the handbrake.
A family of A3s is planned, but from next week you will just be able to buy the new two-litre FSI petrol model (from £16,970 on-the-road) and the two-litre TDI (from £17,180 on-the-road). Both are front-wheel-drive models.
In November this year the 3.2-litre V6 model will be in showrooms from £23,665 on-the-road.
Until now A3s have been available with 1.9-litre TDI engines and these will remain alongside the newly launched 2.0-TDI units to give more choice. For while they differ little in size they are dramatically different in power output, the two-valves-per-cylinder smaller unit having maximum power of 105 PS against the four-valves per-cylinder, two-litre's 140.
That equates to a 13 miles per hour difference in top speed (the two-litre achieving 129 mph) and almost two seconds in acceleration (achieving 0-62 mph in 9.5 seconds). On the road the two-litre diesel is impressively punchy with plenty of power on tap in all six gears.
This certainly is a diesel with a sporty attitude. You might buy it for the impressive average fuel consumption of more than 51 miles per gallon, but you will be more than impressed by its gutsy, sporting prowess.
Performance wise there is not a lot in it between the first two models to go on sale. Both have similar top speeds and both have similar acceleration. It just comes down to whether you prefer petrol or diesel.
The frugal FSI is also impressive when it comes to fuel consumption, averaging 41 miles per gallon, but not coming close to its diesel sibling.
Whichever engine you choose, the A3 has a big car feel to it from behind the steering wheel and the ride is excellent with a suspension that is firm enough to be sporty yet soft enough for comfort.
Road holding too is excellent, thanks partly to the new four-arm independent suspension at the rear.
The cars come with new, speed sensitive electro-mechanical power steering, which not only takes less energy than conventional power steering, but also has more resistance to vibration and kickback from road surfaces.
The A3 is currently one of the company's best selling cars accounting for a third of all sales and coming second only to the A4.
Audi sold some 875,000 of the old style A3 and anticipates the new one will sell around 1.2 million in its lifetime. Having driven the first two models I think its confidence is well placed.
Words: Edward Stephens
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