There is a class of car that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves, especially in our country. There are not as many on our roads and when you do see one, it tends to be a one-off…
Think of the scarcity of the Mercedes Benz CLA, BMW 1-series and our featuring Audi A3 sedan. Perhaps it’s because they fall into the same class as the world’s highest selling car, the Toyota Corolla.
Carmakers have their own interpretation of a subcompact executive car, in this case think of a Toyota Corolla the Audi way.
The Audi A3 is a small family or subcompact car manufactured since 1996.
Currently in its third generation, the A3 sedan is built on VW’s strategy for shared modular design construction, the MQB platform, one that underpins a wide range of cars in the group ranging from the super mini to mid-sized SUVs.
We have featured different variations of the Audi A3 in Top Revs including the S3 cabriolet and the hatchback, and we found them to be awesome small cars, with distinct dynamics and charisma, and we recently got to drive the sedan in Windhoek.
Audi echoes a dark aura with mellow faces and dome shapes. This gets more pronounced on their higher models, sports cars and coupes, however, they are bold and beautiful cars.
The A3 sedan has a detailed design theme of clear lines, with sharp styling in some places, especially in front. Its headlights look like they were inspired by razor-wire, making it appear fierce.
Audi sticks to small changes on the exterior while the revolution takes place under the skin – its build-quality, technology, features, ride and handling.
On the interior, Audi is focused on lightweight build and efficiency, you will notice this from the moment you open the door. From touching its surfaces to driving it. Weighing in at 1 200kg, weight loss hasn’t only come out of the body, but rather a relentless weight saving measure throughout the car, from wiring to seats to suspension and steering, including less metallic finishes in a bid to curb its weight.
Despite its lighter approach, the A3 is loaded to the core. Some features include dual zone AC, ambient lighting, heating bucket front seats with power lumbar support, a sport multi-function steering wheel as well as many other features you can expect to find as standard on a German auto.
A few months ago, we would have said that Audi has the best media interface in the industry, but this is no longer the case, ever since Mercedes introduced its new dazzling one. However, Audi’s interface is about ease of use and certainly can be described as one of the best in the industry.
Audi’s multimedia interface, with handwriting recognition, includes a seven-inch retractable screen, Bluetooth, digital audio broadcasting radio, USB, MP3, auxiliary input, satellite radio and broadband internet. Audi premium sound delivers 625 watts of drums-and-base via a 10-speaker system.
Our test car is driven by a 1 395 cc, 1,4-litre cylinder-on-demand (COD) ultra engine with an output of 110kW or 150hp translating to 200Nm of torque at the front wheels. It is capable of a good 0 to100 km/h sprint in eight seconds as the engine is mated with an S-tronic gearbox.
The lightweight body is at play here as the A3 has a notable faster acceleration on less revs and less inertia when stopping. A class leading consumption of 4,7 litres for every 100km is another result of its weight-saving approach.
The A3 has a refined ride thanks to an active dynamic suspension, electromechanical steering with speed sensitive power assistance, a front stabiliser bar and rear anti-roll bar. These work along with stability and traction control to deliver safety and comfort. Compared to the hatch, it is less agile and more stable.
Talking safety, features include: Adaptive cruise control, active lane-assist, side-assist, pre-sense front and basic radar-guided collision avoidance system, front and side airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, to name a few. Our test car is a mobile fortress with a five-star crash test rating under the world’s strictest safety body, the Euro NCAP.
Its intelligent touch made it an award winner and the best high-tech alternative of its segment. The biggest headache for the A3 sedan at the moment is the new Mercedes CLA class, however, Audi has an ace up their sleeve in a newer model A3 due sometime this year.
