Car (South Africa)

Audi A3 Sportback 1,4T FSI S tronic

0 to 100 km/h: 10,11 sec Top speed: 203 km/h Power: 90 kw Torque: 200 N.m CO : 116 g/km CAR fuel index: 6,0 L/100 km 2

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THE Sportback is the most popular derivative in the A3 range, and it’s easy to see why. Four doors plus a semistatio­n-wagon hatchback rear makes for a good-looking and practical all-rounder. Higher-powered cars with front-wheel drive tended to spin their front wheels and understeer, but this 1,4-litre has an output of only 90 kw, so it’s a good match.

This new engine, coded EA211, switched from a timing chain to timing belt, and Audi has stated that this will last for the life of the engine (although some owners have said its prudent to replace it at 160 000 km). This engine is both lighter and more economical than its predecesso­rs and our fuel index returned a very impressive figure of 6,0 L/100 km. The vehicle was available with either a six-speed manual or S tronic transmissi­ons and, while 16inch wheels were standard, many examples will have larger, 17-inch rims.

The Audi’s ride quality is more refined than the other two here and that’s partly because the Benz and BMW are both fitted with run-flat tyres. Audi excels in interior refinement and the seats are the most comfortabl­e among its competitor­s. It has easy-to-understand controls, with no fancy gearlevers on the steering column, no odd windscreen wiper stalk positions, and no Bmw-style one-click indicator action that can often confuse.

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