Why put a boot on the A3? It's both an
obvious and very pertinent question. Glance at the sedan sales figures in both
the US and burgeoning Chinese car markets, as well as the steady growth of the
Audi brand in each of those massively important hubs, and you have your answer.
Simply put, the decision to extend the A3 range with a booted version was
inevitable. That Audi South Africa will have a decidedly simpler job of selling
it to a historically saloon-loving public is bound to have comforted the firm's
local marketing department even further.
The
A3 is a visual standout from every angle, inside and out
There is another pair of equally obvious
and pertinent questions to answer: where exactly does this niche model fit in;
and from which current Audi range will this new car cannibalise sales as
interest in the new A3 Sedan grows? Because interest will undoubtedly grow.
While the Sedan is based on the five-door
A3 Sport-back, it's interesting to note that the two cars share no body panels.
There's no mistaking the family resemblance up front, but the new car's
bevelled wheel-arches, a more pronounced swage line and lowered roof line make
the installation of a luggage compartment onto the rear of the A3's profile
appear a lot more evolutionary than some of the more forced three-box shapes in
the market. The addition of a boot adds 146 mm to the overall length of the
newest A3. This figure is offset by an 11 mm expansion in width and
corresponding 20 mm increase in front and rear tracks over the Sportback.
The
reshaped headlights, with LED �eyebrow� running lights, echoes the look of
Audi�s bigger models
With no distinction between the cabin
treatment of the Sedan and its hatch siblings, occupants are greeted by the
same neat, minimalist and classy interior that has drawn so much universal
praise. It was, however, noted that the otherwise sleek display screen on our
test unit had developed an unwelcome squeak. We also wondered whether the
omission of a button with which to pop the trunk from the driver's seat was an
oversight in the design process.
The
impressively large luggage area is complemented by 60:40-split and folding rear
seats
Considering its relatively compact exterior
dimensions, we were surprised to discover a (360 dm3) luggage compartment that
rivalled (and bettered) some the best-selling models competing in the segment
above. A standard 60:40 split rear backrest adds further convenience.
Sharing its wheelbase with the A3 Sport-back,
rear legroom is adequate rather than generous, while the tapered roofline is
the most obvious compromise in terms of rear-passenger comfort compared with
the wagon-shaped option.
Dual
exhaust pipes give the car a sportier appearance
Three engine options (mated with either
manual or S tronic transmissions) are currently available. A 2.0 TDI option
makes its first appearance in the current A3 range, while the impressive 1.4T
FSI offers excellent refinement and efficiency. Until the arrival of the S3
Sedan later this year, the 132 kW 1.8T FSI powertrain tested here remains the
most powerful option.
