The new Audi A3 has improved its interior dramatically, introduced a quieter engine and incorporated a more responsive performance, but the exterior has remained pretty much the same. At top speeds, the engine is a little too noisy, however, and the fuel efficiency figures are Ok but not particularly earth-shattering.
The old adage that tells you not to fix something that isn’t broken could easily have been applied to the Audi A3. A favourite with a large and dedicated army of owners, the bigwigs at Audi must have thought long and hard about making improvements, purely because too many changes could have changed the core values, and therefore the character of the car.
Superior handling has always been a feature of the Audi A3, but the new lighter version takes this crucial factor onto a whole new level. Many of the changes that have been incorporated won’t be immediately apparent to the casual observer, purely because the exterior design remains pretty much the same, so a test drive is highly recommended.
As you might expect from an Audi, the performance stats add up satisfactorily. The 2-litre diesel engine manages a creditable 8.6 seconds to reach 62mph, although the 1.6 can only attain that speed in a slightly disappointing 10.7 seconds. This is no street racer, of course, but the boy racers of the world were never likely to be the target market for the A3.
First-time users, especially those who have previously owned an A3, are generally surprised to find how quiet the engine is. It gets louder at the very top speeds, of course, but in general driving situations, including on motorways, it purrs nicely like a contented cat on a velvet cushion. This aspect is a definite and noticeable improvement on previous incarnations.
Not the greenest
Although the full Audi A3 range doesn’t exactly contain a large number of variations on a car theme, the fuel efficiency figures across the spectrum vary greatly. These days, the average driver is far more environmentally aware, and will often need to think about the cost of the annual road tax disc, so a little homework before buying should be the order of the day.
MPG figures range from a disappointingly low 42.8 to an impressively high 74.3, although it should be noted that even with the lower figures the Audi A3 still compares favourably with its rivals. Established A3 owners who have always been loyal to the brand will undoubtedly continue to do so even if the major competitors were substantially better in this category.
Among the negatives of the new version would undoubtedly be the driving comfort on rough roads. If you tend to carry out plenty of journeys on uneven surfaces, you should expect to feel the discomfort each time. On truer highways, however, you will be unlikely to notice any inferiority, so as always you pay your money and take your choice.
