Reason Automobile was in Munich to test the renewed Audi A3. Three years after its launch in 2013, the third generation of the family's compact family of rings brand receives a facelift, with new engines and equipment.
From the images I've shared on our Instagram, if I hadn't brought some boots and a raincoat, I'd probably be writing you with the flu. It is with this winter setting that we are welcomed in Munich, Germany. As such, it couldn't be more appropriate to start by steering the new Audi S3 Cabriolet, in an exhibitionist “Vegas Yellow”, one of the five new colors that joins the palette of the new A3: “the weather is terrible, but those 310 hp deserve to be explored with the help of the quattro system. The top stays closed, I'm sorry.”But before we get behind the wheel (don't leave now…) I'll answer 4 questions about the Audi A3 facelift , revealing what changes and what are the main news, be patient, it's customary. You'll read this faster than a bullet, I promise!
1 – Exterior and interior: what has changed?
The new Audi A3 is available in versions three-door, Sportback, Limousine and Cabriolet . The e-tron plug-in hybrid proposal is also renewed for another season, as is the “softcore” S3.
Abroad we find a more aggressive and refined A3. The headlamp design is completely new, the rear diffuser has been redesigned and there is five new colors.
In terms of equipment, there are also new features and it is one of the areas in which this facelift stands out the most. The Audi A3 receives standard xenon plus and is the 6th model in the Audi range to receive the Virtual Cockpit (2500€ with navigation system included), a 12.3-inch screen that replaces the traditional quadrant.
New in the segment are technologies that we only found in higher segment models like the traffic jam assist , which works together with adaptive cruise control and is another step towards autonomous driving (who doesn't like having a “virtual driver” to face the traffic?). You Matrix LED headlamps are also new on the Audi A3 and on the segment.
Audi also offers a new steering wheel 3-spoke heated and the driver can now choose to sit on a seat with a massage system.
The electronically folding 7-inch screen is standard and when combined with the MMI Navigation plus system with MMI Touch, it is an ally for those who can't do without a car connected to the outside. Through the Audi MMI Connect App, we can use Google Earth, Google Street View or even get real-time traffic information. Everything works at high speed (4G) and free of charge, thanks to a SIM card that is placed at the factory.
THE Audi Smartphone Interface allows iOS and Android smartphone integration and a wireless induction charging station is also available.
2 – Are there new engines?
Yes, in the gasoline offer there is two news . The 1.0 TFSI 3-cylinder engine with 115 hp and 200 Nm available at 2000 rpm, which does not disappoint in terms of performance (9.7 seconds from 0-100 km/h and 206 km/h of top speed). It is the most wallet-friendly proposal and represents the debut of the 3-cylinder in the Audi A3 . The result is a smooth and quiet engine, contrary to what you might think. A real alternative to diesel that promises to hit the Portuguese market.
The consumptions announced are 4.5 liters per 100 km in a mixed cycle, in this first contact we managed to obtain values slightly above 5 l/100 km.
The other novelty is the 2.0 TFSI 4-cylinder engine, capable of delivering 190 hp of power and 320 Nm of maximum torque at 1500 rpm. In the field of benefits, we enter a more interesting territory for those looking for a little excitement: 6.2 sec. from 0-100 km/h and 238 km/h top speed. The advertised average consumption is 5.6 l/100 km for the Sportback version.
3 – What are the prices?
In gasoline proposals prices start at 27,500 euros for the Audi A3 1.0 TFSI and below 30 thousand euros for the Diesel proposals, with the 1.6 TDI engine with 110 hp at the head. For the 2.0 TDI (150 and 184 hp) prices do not change significantly. The new Audi A3 hits the domestic market in July.4 – Is it a proposal to consider?
If you're looking for a compact family member with a sporty identity, the Audi A3 has an answer to match. This update makes it the best C-segment proposition, with innovative technology and general benchmark quality. Like the car, the price is “premium”, of course.
Now… behind the wheel.
In this first contact, we had the opportunity to drive the new Audi A3 with a 3-cylinder petrol engine, as well as the S3 version , the most radical proposal so far for this “facelift”. In this “eight or eighty” we find a mature, predictable product with the best that Audi has to offer in terms of equipment and driving aids.
The new (and excellent!) 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (2500€), combined with the 115hp 1.0 TFSI engine, makes the Audi A3 a pleasant car to drive, with more than enough power for the normal everyday challenges. Naturally, it is behind the wheel of the Audi S3 that we found the reasons to opt for that special road, after all, there are 310 hp at the service of the right foot.
THE general quality it is worthy of a premium and the feeling that we are driving an above average car is constant regardless of the engine. All the commands are intuitive and easy to operate and the Virtual Cockpit it continues to impress us, even though it has been some time since we tested it for the first time on the Audi TT.
RS3 at the end of the year with 400 hp
The hardcore version of the Audi A3 is scheduled to be presented at the Paris Motor Show, which takes place in September. The Audi RS3 gets a power upgrade and starts to deliver 400 hp, while the 2.5 TFSI 5-cylinder engine remains under the bonnet. A engine that has received several awards, including International Engine of the Year. uses the Audi Valve Lift System , which optimizes fuel consumption through intelligent valve opening management.
