Audi A3 loses some backbone
the 2.0-litre A3. Previously $56,900, it now costs $61,500 but has stepped up in specification considerably.
In addition to the extra equipment on the 1.4 Design model, the new 2.0 Sport gets keyless entry/start, 18-inch alloys, lane-change assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Buyers can also choose from a range of option packages, including Technology (parking assistance, lane assist, high beam assist, Virtual Cockpit and an upgraded navigation system with touchpad control) and Leather (Milano leather, power and heated front seats). Both cost $4500.
The Sport also wears an ‘S line’
exterior kit as standard, which has been redesigned to look more aggressive – and even closer to the exterior styling of the hot S3 model. But for $2000 buyers can also upgrade to the full S line package, which adds 18-inch wheels, sports suspension, cloth/ leather upholstery, stainless steel pedals, brushed aluminium cabin inlays and black cloth headlining.
The Sport is powered by an allnew 2.0-litre four making 140kW/ 320Nm.
And that’s job done for futureproofing the Audi small-car range: at a stroke, Audi NZ has cleared out that $50-60k space in preparation for the Q2.
(Much) further up the range, the high-performance S3 model has also been upgraded, with everything from the Sport plus the high-end navigation system, LED headlights, high-beam assist, lane change assist and heated front seats.
You can also add a $4500 Sports Package with 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, magnetic ride control dampers and the Virtual Cockpit dashboard (a standalone option of $1300 on other models, or part of the Technology Package).
The $79,900 S3 has gained 7kW/ 20Nm to make 228kW/400Nm from its turbocharged engine. It can hit 100kmh in 4.5 seconds.
The RS 3, A3 e-tron and A3 sedan/cabrio are exempt from the facelift changes at the moment. We’ll see upgraded versions of those next year, along with a sedan version of the RS 3.
We’ll delve more deeply into the driving character of the new models at a later date, but after a brief preview run in the Design, Sport and S3 variants, it’s clear the fundamental character of the A3 hasn’t changed. It’s still uncomfortably close to Golf in its basic engineering and platform configuration – closer to the equivalent VW product than any other Audi model, in fact – but also clearly a cut above in terms of refinement and especially interior design and quality.
The A3 is very much the premium small-car and the facelift model’s upgraded equipment levels make it even more so. Virtual Cockpit (admittedly an option), that excellent adaptive cruise control – it’s pretty swish stuff.
The S3 still has a whole lot of sizzle, as it should for nearly $80k. The Design and Sport versions are quiet achievers that don’t rock your socks with a whole lot of character, but that’s not their job.
There’s a new SUV coming for that.