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Driver takes a back seat as hi-tech gizmos rule
AFTER everything that’s happened in the world, I’m amazed people still buy diesels. But clearly they do. The new and updated Audi A3 is offered with three diesel engines and three petrol. On the petrol side there’s a 1.4 TFSI with on-demand cylinder technology (like the Golf), a new 1.0 3-cylinder and a revised 2.0 TFSI with nifty variable valve lift and duration.
It’s also presented in a bewildering range of bodystyles: cabriolet, fivedoor Sportback, saloon, three-door and, if you opt for petrol power, there’s also the possibility of Quattro fourwheel drive.
Gearboxes? There’s the choice of a six-speed manual or a newly-developed S tronic seven-speed auto that features twin clutches that run in oil, as opposed to the dry system it replaces.
The styling of this new car is only a slight shift from the old model. You’d have to be a bit of a spotter to notice.
Flatter headlights (now available with Matrix LED) a broader grille and different rear lights are the visual clues. Five new colours are also available to signal the difference. Most of what’s new is unseen. The new A3 inherits a lot of tech from the updated A4.
Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you about it…
The dash is the first thing you’ll notice when you clamber in. It’s full LED and first appeared in the TT.
I thought it was one of the best things about the new TT. I’ve been harping on (to anyone who’ll listen) for yonks about how dangerous it is to put a display in the centre of the dash where you have to take your eyes off the road ahead to adjust the heating, watch Sat Nav commands or fiddle with music options.
Audi’s LED “virtual cockpit” display solves that problem instantly – it’s all there, right in front of you. Simply use the toggle switch to scroll through the viewing options. Genius. Worth buying an A3 just for that. And in a sort of creepy preview of our autonomous future, the new A3 also features the A4’s traffic jam assist system.
When coupled with the adaptive cruise control and S tronic auto gearbox, the car will automatically set off on its own when stopstart traffic allows.
The really odd bit is that the car will automatically steer into another clear lane (by itself) at speeds up to 40mph by using its active lane assist radars.
It goes without saying that this is a first in this segment.
You can hook up two phones simultaneously to the MMI infotainment system wirelessly. The optional extra Audi Phonebox system, located in the centre console, allows inductive charging and links the phone wirelessly to the car’s antenna for better reception. Audi Connect (a pre-installed SIM) gives web connectivity allowing use of Google Maps and instant news updates, so you can see who’s resigned from the shadow cabinet in the past few minutes. It’s all a bit mind boggling. And likely to cost several thousands of pounds if you get carried away at your local dealer’s. The car I drove was a full-fat ten grand more than list price. Exercise caution, buyers! Audi bang on a lot about the A3’s premium status and in this new version it’s hard to argue against that oftenused claim.
There’s an air of TT (and many bigger Audi models) about the interior of the new A3.
From the knurled aluminium, quarter-turn heater vents to the LED virtual cockpit and the feel of all the materials, the whole car just exudes quality.
The driving experience, when it’s fitted with the 1.4 TFSI petrol engine and seven-speed S tronic gearbox is also premium.
Even on 19-inch wheels and low-pro Pirellis, it rides bumps and imperfections like a more grown up car.
My only criticism of this power unit is that it doesn’t sound very nice when you have to rev it harder to overtake.
But in normal use it’s responsive, unobtrusive and economical thanks to the nifty cylinder-on-demand tech that debuted in the latest Golf.