greenwad
greenwad
View My AgentPage

Print this Page | Digg It | del.icio.us

Tags: a3, audi, audi a3, audi a3 line quattro, audi a3 review, hatchback

Tag Links: a3, audi, audi a3, audi a3 line quattro, audi a3 review, hatchback

Audi A3 2.0t S Line Review
Thirty years ago, luxury was sold by the pound. The bigger the car, the pricier the bill - and the higher the prestige. Thus, small sedans were exclusively aimed at low-income customers. But who would have thought, back when the Chevrolet Citation was popular, that a compact hatchback could one day retail for the same price as a big Cadillac?

Nowadays, luxury can be found in small packages, too. The Audi A3 is a great example. Barely larger than a Volkswagen City Golf (a not-so-distant cousin from a technical standpoint), it’s twice as expensive… and much more highly regarded.

Like the A4
A foot shorter than the A4 sedan, the Audi A3 sits on a 7-centimeter shorter wheelbase. Yet, cargo capacity is almost identical (370 liters vs 380).

What makes the trunk of A3 more interesting is the fact that folding the 60/40 split rear seatback triples the available cargo room (1,100 liters). Of course, you can find better (1,530 liters for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and 1,257 for the Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door), but it’s still a major upgrade from the A4.

The rear hatch of the A3, however, is pretty short and does not open very high. On the plus side, you can park close to another vehicle or a wall and still manage to open it safely. This is perfect for underground parking lots, for example.

Familiar interior
Inside, you don’t need to look far to find Audi family ties. The dashboard is decidedly modern and the controls are all accessible. The sport seats included in the S line Package (as tested) are snugly and provide high levels of comfort. On the other hand, headroom is tight. It’s a good thing, though, that Audi offers heated seats as part of the standard equipment.

While the front buckets are exemplary, it’s a whole different story in the back. The door opening is narrow, the step is high and limited legroom awaits you. Just to be perfectly clear: the rear seats are better suited for children. In fact, the A3 almost feels like a “2+2?.

The Open Sky dual-panel glass roof system ($1,500), featuring a power sunroof over the front row, somewhat makes up for the tight feel inside by flooding the interior with sunlight and creating an airy environment.

Mechanical twin of the A4
The A3 is the mechanical twin of the A4. My tester, a base 2.0T model, was powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine (also used by the Volkswagen Eos, GTI and Passat). Producing 200 horsepower, it propelled the smallest Audi from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds — only 8 tenths of a second slower than the high-end A3 3.2 quattro with 250-hp V6.

The 6-speed manual transmission of the A3 2.0T offers well-calibrated gear ratios and a particularly precise shifter. A sophisticated, 6-speed S tronic autobox is optionally available with this model (and standard with the V6). Read Article
Audi A3 2.0t S Line Review



Comments:

Images hosted in your AgentSpace can now be posted in the comments section using the following syntax (case matters):
[img]IMAGE URL[/img]
Example: [img]http://agent004.myautospies.com/users/150/Sample-Gallery/sample1.JPG[/img]
StarStar - 7/23/2008 12:28:21 PM
+5 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
This VW engine won more awards than all the engines made by GM in their entire history. Is truly one of the best.

reply to this comment
mattman953mattman953 - 7/23/2008 6:56:18 PM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You probably like to VW Routan too huh?

reply to this comment
MadibaPMadibaP - 7/24/2008 5:18:21 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Crapman GM engines are not compareable to European engines, unless of course you are comparing them communist era eastern block technology.

reply to this comment
caixa2caixa2 - 7/23/2008 12:34:35 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Are you talking about the 2.0 TFSI that won all these awards for fuel efficiency, technology and performance??? Not really familiar with the GM's version of the 2 liter engine, but how could it be better than the one they're using now?

reply to this comment
BMW995BMW995 - 7/23/2008 1:42:31 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Last year I test drove the A3 w/ FWD, S-tronic, S-line pkg, and 2.0 turbo. The car was a blast to drive; FWD is not noticeable - the handling was as good as most RWD sports cars I've driven.
I had a headache when I started the test drive, and it was worse when I ended which I thought was due to the very firm suspension. The tires were set at 38 psi which may have contributed to the stiff ride. Also, many new cars rides suffer before the shocks get 1000 miles on them.
The paddle shifters were great fun to operate and react instantaneously. Who needs a manual with this trans?
Overall, I'd highly recommend this car for enthusiasts who also want real good gas mileage.

reply to this comment
MadibaPMadibaP - 7/24/2008 5:21:14 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
You forgot to mention its interior, for both quality and space. Something BMW is not even in the ball park with in term of what the A3 offers!


WhattheWhatthe - 7/24/2008 10:49:12 AM
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
"FWD is not noticeable" because it is over weight and underpowered!
vw vw vw vw vw vw vw vw vw vw!


MadibaPMadibaP - 7/24/2008 5:14:57 AM
+1 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Well if you have no brain the BMW is better than the Golf. If someone were to commission a study into poor interior space use they would come up with a 1 series! this car is the size of a Polo inside, for more money than a Golf.

Now try compare it to the A3 and it becomes a joke!

reply to this comment
jpighettijpighetti - 7/23/2008 7:44:40 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
Says the reject that agrees with the token resident douchebag amazinbimmer. I suppose that means you "owned" yourself?

VW's 2.0T has a laundry list of awards behind it. Do a little homework before you shoot your mouth off and look like a dunce. Unless of course that doesn't matter to you, as it doesn't your amazinBoyfriend.

And amazinBeanbag, indulge us, what BMW does this particular car compete with? For example, if I was to come to you for advice and say that I'm looking for a small hatchback that gets 30mpg, what BMW would you have me look at? I don't want a wagon.

And finally, for any REAL car people, the A3 is a blast to drive if you're shopping in that category. Zero torque steer, fast and sharp handling, and the S-Tronic is awesome.

reply to this comment
To post a comment for this story, you must first Login.

If you do not have an account, you will need to Register (It's Free!).

Most Recent Stories
German Company Offers GM $1.3 Billion To Buy Opel And Turn It GreenDetroit Three Beg For Money From Congress After Arriving In Corporate Jets2009 Porsche Cayman and Boxster facelift unveiled in Los AngelesJaguar Leads The Pack In Latest Sales Satisfaction Index 2010 Ford Mustang Live Reveal at Santa Monica Airport (Video)LA AUTO SHOW EXCLUSIVE STUD OR DUD? Did Infiniti One Up BMW's 3 Series Cabrio With The G37 Convertible?2010 Nissan Cube Revealed: Coming to U.S. in spring 20092010 Mercury Milan & Mercury Milan Hybrid Launched in L.A.2010 Ford Fusion Facelift Breaks Cover2010 Toyota Prius US production in danger?Ford Fiesta Sedan makes debut, coming to U.S.2009 Toyota VenzaLA AUTO SHOW: Spies Add More Photos And A Close Up Look At The Next E-Class Coupe Interior And NavLA AUTO SHOW: Spies Get You Inside Show ONE DAY EARLY With EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!!!LA AUTO SHOW: BMW Releases Mini E Electric VehicleChrysler Blames Financial Meltdown For Woes, But It Needs $22 Billion For Health Care And RetireesHyundai's Genesis Ranks In NADA Top 5 Luxury CarsBMWNA acknowledges N54 engine turbo lag issueChrysler Woes Bankrupt Getrag Dual Clutch Transmission PlantSOUND OFF: Has Detroit Just Become Another Dirty Word?Cutaway Shows The True Nuts And Bolts Of Acura's New NSXUAW Says It Will Rather Tax Payers Foot The Bill Than Accept Cuts To Keep Detroit AfloatRumor Mill: Are The Chinese Carmakers Quietly Planning To Buy GM and Chrysler?2009 Nissan GT-R Series II: New details leakedGM Delays Dealer Payments To Conserve CashNext-gen Audi S5 getting V6 engineLA AUTO SHOW: Pontiac Releases 2009.5 G6 DetailsNissan GT-R named 2009 Motor Trend Car of the YearSenator Wants Difficult 2020 Mileage Standards DoubledFord Follows GM's Lead And Sells Off Mazda Shares For Needed CashLA AUTO SHOW: Ford Takes the Wraps Off Of The 2010 MustangNEW 2010 Ford Mustang LEAKED-63 PICTURESLA AUTO SHOW: Is The Infiniti G37 Coupe BETTER Looking AND Worth More Than The New 370z?2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS by JE Design2009 Audi S3 and S3 Sportback receive new S Tronic transmission2010 Ford Mustang revealedLA AUTO SHOW: Going Green Will Mean A Whole Different Thing At The Show On Nov. 23rdProduction Volt Interior Further Refined: Center Screen, Center Stack Buttons, and VentsF1: New Aero Era Begins in SpainDaimler employees sabotaged own carsNissan's 370Z Details Spring A LeakReport: Chrysler and Chery small cars may never happenDiesel Mercedes-Benz AMG model coming by 2012Refreshed S-Class Delayed Until April 2009?Toyota Demands Payment For Fan Created WallpapersIs This Video From The Auto Industry Painting An Accurate Picture Or Just Spreading Fear?Washington Says US Automakers Should Not Dip Into $700B Bailout Funds2010 Ford Mustang: Prices and details leakedIs The House Of Cards Falling? 100 Auto Suppliers Now Want Access To $700B BailoutGM Dumps Suzuki Shares In Effort To Conserve Cash