Audi A3 and S3 2016 Review

Audi A3 and S3 2016 Review
Australian Launch
Yarra Ranges, Victoria

At the half-way point of its current model life cycle the updated A3 has arrived in Australia, along with its high-performance S3 counterpart. Since the current A3 migrated to the modular MQB platform – supporting new body styles and performance variants – local sales have gone through the roof. And new looks, colours, driver-assistance systems and a new drivetrain selection all promise to keep the A3's sales running in front of its obvious prestige rivals.

Motoring journalists from all across the country arrived in Victoria's Yarra Valley last week to sample Audi's updated A3 and S3 models. And while the two cars are not new from the ground up, they do represent a significant advance over the models they replace.

Gone is the base 1.4-litre model, in its place the new 1.0-litre three-cylinder variant that's just 5kW down on power (85 versus 90kW), but maintaining the same 200Nm torque peak. Although it's unlikely to be the volume seller in the range, the entry-level three-cylinder model is an interesting and convincing variant for aspiring A3 owners on a budget.

Audi had just the one example available to drive on the day, with the turbocharged triple coupled to the new seven-speed S-tronic (dual-clutch transmission). Over the course of the drive program – a country loop that mostly varied between speeds of 60 and 80km/h – the 1.0 proved itself a willing performer in a real-world scenario, and was adept at overtaking slower vehicles using about half throttle only. Yet it was also easy to drive and fuel consumption finished up at 6.9L/100km, according to the car's trip computer.

While all A3 variants impressed with their drivetrain refinement, the 1.0 in particular stood out for being so subdued under load, compared with other three-cylinder models driven recently. About the only fault to pick with the small engine was the slightly rough-and-tumble (idle-stop) auto starting.

The next step up in the range, the 1.4-litre COD model, was no slacker when it came to performance, despite its penny-pinching parsimony at the pump. Fuel consumption on the same test loop was 7.8L/100km with the seven-speed S-tronic transmission.

On the overrun there was slight resonance at around 100km/h from the 1.4-litre engine. Since there was no other evidence of the engine's COD facility, we assume this higher-pitched noise was somehow related to the cylinder deactivation. It has to be said, however, the engine made the transition to two-cylinder operation quite smoothly, as we've found with this drivetrain set-up in the past.

Also sampled were a 2.0-litre front-wheel drive A3, a 2.0-litre quattro model, and the S3 Sportback, which undertook the journey back to Melbourne Airport in evening peak.

As the strongest performing A3, the 2.0-litre quattro delivered impressive engine output in the mid range and higher. On the run out from the city (Saint Kilda) to Coldstream, the all-wheel drive A3 posted a fuel consumption figure of 7.5L/100km. That was a fairly indicative number for what owners can expect, given Punt Road was congested as usual, but traffic flowed better once on the freeway.

For the return journey to the airport there was unfortunately little opportunity to let rip in the S3, but the engine did deliver some serious punch (213kW), accompanied by a sporty timbre recalling Audi's rallying days.

The manual S3 Sportback posted a figure of 9.0L/100km, which was respectable in the heavy peak hour traffic that prolonged the trip by an extra half hour. A delight to use, the S3's six-speed manual box was light and precise – one of the nicest manual transmissions money can buy in an east/west-engined car.

All the A3s tested were powered by engines coupled to Audi's seven-speed S-tronic transmission. In all four applications the S-tronic – a dual-clutch transmission – performed admirably, providing a balance of smooth-but-responsive shifting, used manually or automatically. The smaller engines stay with dry-plate clutches, but the 2.0-litre variants – front-wheel drive and quattro – both get wet-plate clutches.

All variants provided quick steering response, with enough feedback to place precisely in corners and hold on track at the straight-ahead. There were some variations between the different cars, of course, based on wheel and tyre combinations, suspension calibration, weight distribution and the availability of Audi's Drive Select system.

The 2.0-litre front-wheel drive A3 on the drive loop offered a composed ride and more weight in the steering than the quattro version. While ride and handling favoured the quattro, the steering of the front-wheel drive was lighter, even in Dynamic mode.

If the 2.0-litre front-wheel drive's steering was lighter than the quattro's it was heavier than the 1.4 COD's. Without the Drive Select system, the 1.4's steering was less responsive, but the ride comfort was suppler than the 2.0-litre (front-wheel drive) A3 – albeit without the same ultimate body control as the quattro model. Over typical country-road corrugations and similar irregularities of a longer amplitude the 1.4 felt slightly underdamped at times.

In terms of cornering, the 1.0-litre A3 felt lighter in the nose than the 1.4, and roadholding appeared to benefit from that.

The S3 rode well, given its more focused driving dynamics, and both the all-wheel drive models were nimble and responsive in corners without conceding ride comfort to any great degree.

Brake pedal feel was progressive and tactile for all variants, also delivering strong, consistent retardation for the twisty roads and hilly terrain north of Healesville. While all the cars driven were quiet in varying degrees, the tyres were prone to rumble on coarse-chip bitumen.

Of the vehicles tested, the S3 was alone in starting with the push of a button. All the other variants were fired up with the twist of a key in the ignition barrel on the steering column. While that's understandable in the entry-level 1.0 TFSI model, it's probably not going to meet with the approval of buyers forking out nearly $25,000 more (as tested) for the range-topping A3 with 2.0-litre engine and quattro all-wheel drive.

With the exception of the 1.0-litre A3, every vehicle driven featured the Virtual Cockpit (which was optionally fitted as part of the $2900 Technik pack in all cases other than the S3). As on other occasions in the past, the clever, comprehensive infotainment interface was pleasing to look at and easy to use. It was highly versatile, allowing the driver to select the small or large format of major instruments, plus a sat-nav map dead ahead, or in the centre fascia, with audio, or phone or music settings/preferences displayed in either alternative location.

Other than the Virtual Cockpit interface, the A3's control placement and operation remains conventional Audi design. The satellite navigation system posted the prevailing speed limit in the lower right corner of the screen, but we found the system was not always accurate.

The seats in the 2.0 quattro were the sportiest tested, with firmer side bolstering, but the 2.0-litre front-wheel drive model's light-grey leather seats were cushier and more comfortable, without giving much away in side support. Both the 1.0- and 1.4-litre models came with seats that were flatter and less comfortable than either of the other cars' or the S3's.

Manual seat and steering column adjustment for the A3 will come as a surprise for some buyers, but the driving position is easily set up, and the A3's principal competitors don't offer electric adjustment either – not until buyers are looking fair and square at paying luxury car tax.

In length, the A3 sedan approaches the A4 model of 20 years ago, and is wider with it. So rear-seat accommodation is naturally fine for adults of average size. And boot space was quite handy in the sedan, at 425 litres (380 litres for the Sportback hatch).

So, smarter looking and better value, the A3 is set to raise the stakes even higher for BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class, the Audi already outselling those two competitors in year-to-date sales.

Price: $37,300 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 85kW/200Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 4.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 111g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Audi A3 1.4 TFSI COD Sportback pricing and specifications:
Price: $46,850 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 117g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI sedan pricing and specifications:
Price: $55,040 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan pricing and specifications:
Price: $62,650 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 141g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Audi S3 2.0 TFSI quattro sedan pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,040 (as tested, plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 213kW/380Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 7.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 165g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> BMW 1 Series (from $36,900 plus ORCs)
>> Infiniti Q30 (from $38,900 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz A-Class (from $38,400 plus ORCs)