Who can forget the brand-new segment that Audi India introduced in the form of a compact luxury sedan when it introduced the A3, in 2014? Back then, the Audi A3 had won the title of the prestigious World Car of the Year 2014 Award where international automotive journalists, from 22 countries voted for it, making it a winner. Now, Audi India is getting ready to launch the new A3, the car range that the world has loved for almost two decades, but has not exactly set the cash registers ringing in India.
The car’s coupe-like contour will make most die-hard auto enthusiasts go weak in the knees and a longer wheelbase, short overhangs and sharper lines add a dash of sportiness to the new A3’s looks. There have been quite a few design tweaks on the new A3. For instance, it now gets a diamond-inspired single frame grille and the headlights get a new undercut headlight design with LED DRLs. The rear lights, which are 3D, now come with dynamic indicators. Even the front and rear bumpers are brand new. The rear spoiler is integrated in the tailgate.
The interiors of the Audi A3 come with onyx-coloured Milano leather upholstery. Infotainment is via a sleek, seven-inch retractable MMI screen on the dash which pops out and slides back when the ignition is turned on and off. The dual zone air-conditioning with beautifully designed air conditioner vents is now replaced by circular vents in jet-engine design. The four-spoke multifunction steering wheel has now been replaced by a three-spoke steering wheel but it continues to be precise and a sheer joy to maneuver just as reported in 2014. At the rear, you have 425 litres of boot space, so that you can carry your world with you.
Audi’s new A3 comes with two engine options, the 1.4 TFSI (1395cc) with COD (Cylinder on Demand) which is great for light to medium weights and operates on the two-cylinder mode, whereas when you need more acceleration it operates on the four-cylinder mode. The car also comes with a seven-speed S Tronic transmission and it’s max power is 150 hp@5000-6000 rpm with a max torque of 250 Nm @ 1500-3500 rpm. 0-100 happens in 8.2 seconds with the car’s top speed being 224 kmh. One big thing to cheer about is that it's fuel efficiency is up by 16 per cent as claimed by Audi India and is now 19.20 kmpl.
The other engine option is the Audi A3 35TDI, a two litre engine (1968cc) with a maximum output of 143 hp@3500-4000 rpm and a max torque of 320 Nm @1750-3000 rpm. This diesel car is mated with a six-speed S-Tronic transmission and goes from 0-100 in 8.7 seconds. With a top speed of 224 kmh, same as its petrol sibling, Audi India, is claiming fuel efficiency of 20.38 kmpl on this car.
The petrol engine was good, no complaints, but we were truly impressed with the diesel engine, which is what you should seriously be considering, if you’re in the market for a compact diesel luxury car.
The lightweight construction is what adds to the brilliant handling and performance of the new Audi A3 making it a sheer delight to drive especially when you are doing so on miles of tarmac at breakneck speed. One thing that really stands out is how firmly planted the new Audi A3 feels. A special mention has to be made about its braking prowess because I got a taste of it on a road full of gravel and this car did not let me down.
Not ostentatious or too mini, the new Audi A3 is bound to get the nod of approval from true-blue car fanatics who know their cars and with seven airbags, remarkable fuel efficiency and 16-inch alloy wheels, the new A3 has a lot going for it.
Specifications
Length: 4,456mm
Width: 1,796mm (Excluding mirrors)
Height: 1,416mm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 50 litres
Boot Space: 425 litres
Gross Weight: 1,865kg
