How dangerous is it for the VW Golf? How does the new A3 Sportback compare to the one-BMW and the A-Class from Mercedes? We had the opportunity to test the compact wonder box briefly.
- The million-seller Audi A3 * Sportback is now in its fourth generation.
- Visually, it is reminiscent of the original Quattro and some even of a Lamborghini.
- Speed limit, traffic light duration, curves - the A3 is already driving so independently.
There is hardly a segment in the automotive industry that is as competitive as that of compact cars . It is teeming with top dogs like the VW Golf, Seat is poaching with the Leon and premium manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes are also big on the ones or the A-Class because there are huge sales figures and a lot of money to be made. Audi has been running the A3 as a sedan and sportback since 1996. Millions of times! And now the Ingolstadt-based company is bringing the fourth generation under the traveling people. Test drives in times of the corona virus: Hardly any traffic, mostly trucks on the road - that's what it looks like in the Audi region around Ingolstadt. It is all the more astonishing that the few passers-by who are on the move still notice the new A3 Sportback.
Out and about in the hop country: Even in times of Corona, you stand out with the new Audi A3 Sportback.
© Bögel
Audi A3: The look makes a lot
No wonder, because the tin dress has become quite exciting . While other designers, such as those from Mercedes-Benz, are almost missionarily dedicated to ironing out all corners and edges, the team led by Marc Lichte did a lot with the A3 Sportback. The front looks more rugged than the predecessor . The original Quattro was the inspiration for the buttocks. They are plump like a hamster before the onset of winter. And so many discover parallels to the extroverted design language of a Lamborghini . But let's leave the church in the village. The new A3 is striking. Strikingly characteristic in all cases. Whether strikingly beautiful - that is always in the eye of the beholder.
Thick buttocks like a standing picture of a man are reminiscent of the original Quattro from Audi.
© Bögel
Interior and operation of the Audi A3 Sportback
In the interior, the dashboard has been more consistently geared towards the driver. Visually, the two air outlets dominate, which sit on the right and left of the cockpit cover. In fact, similar to a Lamborghini.
Air vents like the Lamborghini give the interior of the A3 a sporty, striking note.
© Audi
Always fresh air directly for the driver - this signals how sweaty and responsible such a pilot job can be. The engineers also kept an eye on the driver during operation. Everything works simply and logically. The developers have found a good mix between digital and analog. With the 10.1-inch touch-sensitive screen , everything can be controlled as easily as on a modern cell phone. The menu with its pleasantly puristic tiles is so clear that you don't have to go through the manual laboriously.
The digital cockpit in the new A3 Sportback can be customized.
© Bögel
And there are actually switches and buttons outside of the touchscreen that you can use to operate the air conditioning system quickly and easily. A special feature is the volume control, which is housed as a round keypad in the center console. With wiping rotary movements you can turn loud and quiet. But be careful: if you press too hard, you can also switch off the system or fast forward to the next music track. This is not only tricky for gross motorists.
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The Audi A3 Sportback offers these assistance systems
As far as digital assistance systems are concerned, the Ingolstadt-based company has pretty much upgraded the A3 Sportback. For example with the Car-to-X function. The car not only communicates with other road users via WLAN - but also with traffic lights. Of course, only if they are equipped accordingly. This is the case in Ingolstadt and so a small traffic light symbol occasionally appears in the virtual Audi cockpit. It reveals how long the red phase will last or how fast you should drive individually to have green at the next intersection.
The Audi A3 Sportback talks to the traffic lights and informs the driver how long the red phase will last.
© Audi
Semi-automated predictive driving is also fun. The Audi * not only maintains the legally prescribed distance from the vehicle in front, but also adjusts its speed accordingly before cornering. Without the driver's intervention. And the Sportback now also offers something else: It regulates the vehicle speed according to the prescribed limits. That means: he reads the traffic signs and then reacts accordingly. With this function you can save Flensburg points and high fines. The computer reduces and increases the speed so comfortably and automatically that you have the feeling that the car is driving all by itself.
Audi A3: How much space does the Sportback offer?
In addition to digital comfort, the A3 also comes with the exceptionally good and generous seating comfort . It is probably not too tight for the driver and front passenger. But of course we couldn't try that in times of the corona virus. A safety distance of 1.5 meters between the driver and front passenger - this is not even the case in the large limousines. On the other hand - as the personal seating test showed - it gets tight. With a height of just under 1.80 meters, there is not much room left for the knees . Only disciplined and above all sitting upright helps here. Even if it felt like there is not much air left upwards.
I used to be a PET bottle: seat covers and parts of the inner lining are made from recycled material.
© Audi
Parents in front, children in back - that's what the A3 Sportback is made for. Also in terms of payload. If there are four of you, you have to be satisfied with a volume of 380 liters . When folded, the trunk grows to 1,200 liters. The triple divisible back seat is practical. The loading edge, over which one has to laboriously lift each object, is impractical.
Up to 1200 liters fit into the A3 Sportback when the (three-way divisible) rear seat bench is folded down.
© Audi
Consumption and driving experience in the Audi A3
As always, Audi offers a high fun factor when driving. Compared to the VW Golf, the A3 Sportback is certainly a little crisper . The four-link rear axle is only available for large engines from 150 hp. This means that the compact is sporty and precise on the road, rushing around corners like a weasel. And it even challenges the renowned competition such as the new BMW One or the A-Class from Mercedes in terms of driving feel.
Seat test and everyday test: author Rudolf Bögel checked how good the new A3 Sportback is.
© Audi
At this point we can break the lance for the diesel. The diesel engines are now clean. We were on the road in the Bavarian hop country with the 150 PS unit and come to the conclusion that you don't need more engine. Together with the 7-speed automatic , the A3 35 TDI develops crisp dynamics that are close to the sports car. The torque is powerful between 1,600 and 2,750 rpm - and it goes from 0 to 100 in just under eight and a half seconds .
Stub handle now also on the Audi: How to control the 7-speed automatic transmission.
© Audi
Predicted average consumption of less than four liters is of course not possible in this way. If you want to be satisfied with less horsepower, you can only order the 2-0 liter diesel with 116 hp. If it can be a gasoline engine - the Ingolstadt-based company will offer the third unit at the market launch (first deliveries in May) with the 1.5 TFSI, also with 150 hp. In the basic version, it costs 28,900 euros. The small diesel wants to see a thousand more, the large diesel igniter costs from 34,900 euros. Further engines followed.
Our conclusion on the Audi A3 Sportback
More exciting than a Golf, high quality like a Mercedes, dynamic like a BMW - the Audi A3 Sportback can easily hold its own in the pack of compact cars. In terms of design, it even stands out positively from the crowd.
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Data sheet for the Audi A3 Sportback
Displacement: | 1968 cc |
|---|---|
Power: | 150 hp at 3000 - 4200 rpm |
Torque: | 360 Nm at 1600 - 2700 rpm |
Transmission: | 7-speed S tronic |
Drive: | front |
Length / W / H: | 4.34 / 1.98 / 1.45 m |
Empty weight (perm): | 1410 kg / 550 kg |
Trunk: | 380 - 1200 l |
0 to 100: | 8.4 seconds |
Top speed: | 224 km / h |
Standard consumption: | 3.9 liters |
Co2: | 103 g / km |
Price from): | 28,900 euros |
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Rudolf Bögel
Warning lights in the car and what they mean
To the photo gallery
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