Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI quattro 2014 Review

There’s no doubting the new A3 Sedan cuts a svelte figure. It could be argued that, in standard form at least, the styling is almost a little too plain to be noticed. But in the flesh, its taut proportions and fine finishes exhibit the quality we’ve come to expect from Ingolstadt. Yet it shares not a single metal panel with its Sportback counterpart.

We’ve already sampled the sparkling entry-level A3 Sedan Attraction, with its cylinder-on-demand technology and sharp price. This time, we’ve headed for the top of the A3 Sedan chart, in the form of the 1.8 TFSI quattro priced from $47,800 plus on-road costs.

The top-grade A3 Sedan gains a 1.8-litre turbo-petrol motor, producing 132kW/280Nm while slurping 6.6L/100km on the combined cycle. It also features Audi’s familiar Haldex-based quattro all-wheel drive system.

Curiously, the engine is also available in a front-wheel drive variant, where it retains a seven-speed dual-clutch system, despite the quattro dropping a cog; presumably the six-speed is still the stronger unit, also being found behind the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel variant.

Also like the diesel version, the 1.8-litre petrol A3 Sedans come in ‘Ambition’ trim, rather than the Attraction specification offered in the entry model.

Attraction’s key features, including 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, leather-appointed upholstery, dual-zone climate control with rear seat vents, Bluetooth streaming capability, 5.8-inch MMI interface with eight speaker audio, cruise, rain and light sensors and multi-function wheel with paddle shifters are also present in Ambition. Additionally, the higher grade receives front sport seats with height, depth and seat rake adjustment, aluminium highlights, front fog lights, full colour driver info system, Audi Drive Select and a three- (rather than four-) spoke sports wheel.

As ever, it’s in the options listings where things can quickly grow out of hand... Audi is not alone being especially adept at creating ‘value’ packages that bring in equipment you’d probably expect standard for the outlay.

The test car was equipped with two such packages. ‘Technik’ adds satellite navigation (via Audi’s MMI navigation plus and a larger 7.0-inch screen), Audi parking system plus with rear-view camera and park assist and upgraded sound for an additional $2990. For another $4200 the S line sports and interior package brings combination leather/alcantara upholstery, Xenon plus headlights with LED DRLs and a choice of 18-inch alloys (in this case a matt black, 5-arm rotor design).

The Glacier White metallic exterior paint is also optional (at $1150), and lends the matt black rims a striking contrast.

Add these items together, and you come to $56,140; a not-insignificant sum of money, pushing the relatively diminutive A3 Sedan into some dangerous pricing (and performance) territory.

As previously mentioned, the now-traditional Audi refinement levels are present and correct. Both the exterior and interior exude a quality feel: soft touch plastics and tactile switchgear.

The S line-embossed leather seats are also a comfortable place to be, and there’s a surprising level of room, even in the rear. A 425-litre boot capacity and split-fold rear seats further add to the compact sedan’s practicality.

Despite the usual pause as the dual-clutch transmission takes up drive, once underway the A3 sedan, which shares the latest VAG MQB platform with Volkswagen Golf and Skoda Octavia (fine steers both), is as polished a drive as the quality fit and finish suggests.

It is, however, curious how quickly you notice the lack of a seventh gear, both in terms of sheer gear spread for acceleration but also in a top-gear cruise. Looking at the specifications reveals the non-quattro A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI to have a 0.795:1 ratio seventh gear and a final drive ratio of 3.227; the quattro’s top (sixth) gear is longer (0.756:1) but its final drive much shorter (3.989).

While its gearbox may lag (no pun intended) behind its seven-speed VAG counterparts, the quattro drivetrain more than makes up for it with superb traction, enabling a rapid 0-100km/h time of 6.8sec, besting its non-quattro counterpart by 0.5sec despite weighing 100kg more (unladed weights: 1295kg v 1395kg, both without driver).

That surfeit of traction compliments the flexible 1.8-litre turbo-petrol engine. This a mill which is responsive and linear throughout its rev-range but it does lack any real top-end sparkle. The only hiccup is a too-aggressive re-engagement via its stop/start system.

It would be nice if that gearbox would allow full manual control of gearshifts (as Audi’s RS models do in ‘manual mode’) to fully exploit the engine’s flexibility on winding roads. As it stands, an unwelcome mid-corner kick-down is never more than one burst of throttle away. Given the engine's torque, programming that prefers a high rev, low gear approach to gaining maximum drive out of corners is at odds.

Apart from the gearbox gripe, the A3 Sedan is highly capable on Australian country roads. Even the steering – long an Audi bugbear – is much improved in weight and response, while still adding assistance during low-speed manoeuvres.

Even at highway speeds, the cabin is well isolated from road noise, even on the 45-profile tyres fitted to the test car.

In isolation, the A3 1.8 TFSI Sedan is an excellent example of a modern, efficient vehicle that is eminently capable of carting a small family around.

The quattro is better still, with more traction, performance and efficiency than its front-drive bretheren. But my eyes keep returning to the as-tested price and wondering how it can cost more than a new Volkswagen Golf R. Horses for courses…

2014 Audi A3 Sedan 1.8 TFSI quattro pricing and specifications:
Price: $47,800 (plus on-road costs)