A big proposition

Earlier this year, Audi Australia released the latest iteration of its hugely successful compact luxury A3 range Down Under. First impressions after a spirited drive into the Cairns hinterland were very positive, the A3 which is available as both a Sedan and a Sportback, impressing with its refinement, equipment and engaging drive. Now that the smoke has cleared, so to speak, we’ve had the chance to spend some more quality time with the A3, putting it through its paces in the sort of environments in which it will spend most of its time. For each individual, that day to day use will obviously vary enormously, but one of the many appealing attributes of the A3 – in this case the A3 35 TFSI Sedan – is its versatility. 

A relatively compact design, the A3 Sedan nevertheless offers plenty of interior space to comfortably carry up to five adults with ample room for baggage. At a shade over four and a half metres long (4506mm) and nearly two metres wide (1816mm without counting the wing mirrors) it is not a dissimilar size to previous A4 Sedans (think around the B8 and B9 models). So calling it a ‘small’ or ‘compact’ car is nothing more than an industry classification.

Certainly, with its 2630mm wheelbase there is plenty of leg and shoulder room front and rear as well as 450 litres of storage space in the boot. Riding with just two up in the front seats and the rear seats fold forward to create a cavernous interior space – room for skies or a mountain bike with the front wheel removed.

Of course the mountain bike used for this experiment would have to be clean, because it would be a crime to mess up such a sleek interior with its inlays in dark aluminium spectrum and black headlining. 

Sports front seats are both comfortable and supportive for short trips and extended periods on the road, and with a combination of pulse cloth and leatherette upholstery, the front seats heated and the driver’s seat electronically adjustable with four-way lumbar support, seating is both comfortable and has a premium feel. That premium feel carries over into the extensive list of standard inclusions, with the likes of ambient lighting package, three-zone climate control and leather multi-function steering wheel complete with shift paddles, all standard equipment. Likewise the Audi virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus with the 10.1-inch MMI touch colour display and the high level of connectivity, infotainment and automotive technology you would expect from an Audi. 

That of course means Audi connect plus with Navigation, infotainment, security and assistance is also standard equipment and connects the A3 with the outside world. But on-board the offering is equally as comprehensive. Think Audi smartphone interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi phone box light with wireless charging, DAB+ digital radio and a 180 watt Audi sound system with 10 speakers. It also features Audi music interface with an additional two USB outlets for additional devices to plug in. 

It’s a well designed and executed interior as you would expect and very much continues the high standard set with the original and every subsequent A3 offering.

From the outside too, the A3 Sedan is a good looking vehicle and while beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, the A3 Sedan and indeed the A3 Sportback boast sharp designs which are eye-catching without screaming for attention. The A3 Sedan has a sophistication not normally found in the ‘small car’ ranks and the inclusion of the S line exterior package as standard on this new model only adds to that visual appeal. 

Likewise 18-inch alloys finished in a high-speed graphite grey add to the overall look and in a first for A3, the LED headlights feature selectable digital daytime running light signatures that can be changed via the MMI.

The A3 Sedan has long been a personal favourite and the latest iteration sees a new, more sculptured design that looks right at home in any situation. Its size is also a distinct benefit when it comes to inner city manoeuvring, but not at the cost of passenger accommodation or luggage carrying capacity.

As the entry to the Audi A3 range, the driving experience is impressive. Driving the front wheels via a seven-speed S tronic transmission, the 1.3-litre TFSI engine produces 110kW of power  between 5000 and 6000rpm and a considerable 250Nm of torque from as low as 1500rpm through to 3500rpm. The A3 35 TFSI S tronic hits 100km/h from a standing start in just over eight seconds (8.1 seconds officially), but with judicious use of the accelerator to maximise grip off the line, that figure can be ‘refined’. And while its sportier siblings, the S3 Sedan and Sportback and soon to be released RS 3 models, dial that performance up significantly, the A3 is spirited and engaging on the right piece of road, with plenty of urge to deal with the surge and stop of city traffic.

Indeed the the A3’s four-cylinder TFSI engine with its 48V mild hybrid technology delivers performance that belies its modest 1.3-litre displacement and the work Audi has done on the chassis is such that it feels solid and planted, even when the speed creeps up and the bends get tighter.

In day to day traffic though, fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km is not hard to achieve and around town the A3 Sedan is smooth, quiet and very easy to get used to. Standard inclusions like front and rear parking sensors with rear camera view is one of those things that are constantly a help in city living, as is the hold assist, which came into its own on a number of occasions when attempting to exit tight parking spots on steep gradients. The adaptive cruise assist with adaptive cruise control, stop & go and traffic jam assist likewise becomes part of the every day, while other of the many vehicle systems, like side assist with cross traffic assist rear, exit warning and turn assist are the sorts of things you don’t give a second thought – until they save you from a potentially dangerous situation.

The A3 Sedan 35 TFSI S tronic is an impressive all round package that, in keeping with the A3 philosophy, significantly raises the bar for entry-level vehicles in the small luxury class. It has the perfect blend of sophisticated design with sporty elements and a combination of drive and handling to make easy work of pretty much any situation. Of course if your interests lean more towards the performance side of motoring, you have have other options that cater to that area specifically within the A3 family in the shape of the S3 and coming RS 3.

Outstanding appointment, intuitive operation and an adaptability that becomes more obvious and appreciated with each passing day, the A3 Sedan is a car that delivers on the promise that big things often come in smaller packages.