Audi A3 Sportback Ambition 1.8 TFSI quattro S tronic 2013 Review

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $45,500
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Metallic Paint $1050; Technik package S $2990, S line sports package $4200
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: 98 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 6.6 (combined)
CO2 emissions (g/km): 130 (combined)
Also consider: BMW 1 Series (from $35,600); Lexus CT 200h (from $39,990); Mercedes-Benz A-Class (from $35,600); Volkswagen Golf GTI (from $41,490)

There might be cheaper ways to slink behind the wheel of a new Audi A3 Sportback -- after all the range does start from $35,600 -- but unlike the entry-level model, and indeed the A3’s main rivals, the vehicle on test features the security of quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

The A3 Sportback Ambition 1.8 TFSI quattro S tronic may sound like nothing more than a jumble of numbers and letters but, translating Audi-speak, it describes a small mid-grade hatch fitted with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving all four wheels.

See? It’s not as hard as it sounds.

Better yet the combination works together quite well. The direct injected engine offers a keen 132kW and 280Nm with peak torque available from nice and low in the rev range (1350rpm) all the way to 4500rpm. Power delivery is crisp right through to redline and there’s just a hint of character from the exhaust to keep things interesting.

But if there’s a sticking point in the drive to the wheels it comes from the six-speed transmission. There’s more than a moment’s lag as you apply the throttle, and in Sport mode, the S tronic unit is stubborn to upshift after short bursts of moderate throttle, leaving you to grab the plus paddle, or flick back into Drive.

It’s less an issue when you’re on the hop, and here, the transmission shifts promptly between ratios. The shifts are clean and decisive, and should you wish to use the paddles you’ll find the reaction times are just as impressive.

The A3 Sportback corners very well, and considering it’s underpinned by the same MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten, or Modular Transverse Matrix) architecture as the much heralded Volkswagen Golf, this shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The suspension (our test car had the optional sports suspension set-up) is set up with cornering in mind and ride quality can suffer as a result. Our test car was also fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels (part of the $4200 S line package) which may have exacerbated the issue, but hey, they fill the arches quite nicely.

The all-wheel drive system offers plenty of grip through the twists and turns, and although this isn’t a hot hatch by any stretch of the imagination, there’s enough punch to make the squirt between corners rewarding... especially considering the speed limits.

But while the chassis is up to task through the twists and turns, the steering leaves a little to be desired. The rack is direct enough, but the wheel itself is over-assisted, and masks much of the granular feel from the front wheels that ultimately helps placement. It doesn’t really change when you select Dynamic mode either.

Audi says the A3 Sportback tested has a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.6L/100km; but in reality don’t be surprised to get at least another 50 per cent again. While most of our time was spent chugging around town, our end figure of 9.3L/100km was a little disappointing.

More encouraging was the car’s amenity and accommodation. The cabin is well presented, the quality of materials used high grade, and the layout is familiar and somewhat basic. It takes no time to understand, such is the obvious placement of the switchgear and secondary controls.

Other highlights include the upmarket and easy-to-read instrument panel and nice, grippy steering wheel, while the seating position is comfortable and flexible enough to make long stints in busy city traffic bearable.

Although there’s room for four adults, the rear centre position is best reserved for children. The leg and headroom up back is better than the car’s dimensions would suggest, as is the cargo space at 380 litres.

We noticed a little tyre rumble on coarser chip asphalt, perhaps due to the performance rubber fitted, but the cabin was otherwise free of wind noise, vibrations or rattles... even the wipers glided quietly across the windscreen.

In a market segment dominated by two-wheel drives the A3 Sportback ‘quattro’ is a capable and beautifully presented introduction to the world of prestige motoring. It feels a little more upmarket than most in this category and is a rewarding drive to boot.

However, with the $10,000 cheaper Volkswagen Golf GTI almost as good in every respect, and offering a little more punch, it’s debatable whether the extra grip and four-ringed badge is worth the coin.

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