Revamped Audi A3 delivers more value

Audi has shuffled prices and specifications for its revised A3 range for 2016, with the prestige importer claiming that the end result is a gain for consumers.

"With some very strong, mid-life cycle changes to the engines – and equipment – our customers will be well looked after in the premium compact segment," said Audi Australia MD, Andrew Doyle, in a video message to journalists attending the revised A3's local launch last week.

"With the addition of the product improvements... there's no doubt the A3 will continue to go from strength to strength."

At entry level the range now kicks off with a 1.0-litre TFSI (three-cylinder) Sportback model priced at $35,900 – slightly lower than the previous 1.4-litre base-grade variant. Rated at 85kW (5kW less than the 1.4), the three-cylinder also generates 200Nm for a fuel consumption figure of 4.8L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 9.9 seconds.

Audi has dropped the 1.4-litre engine from the range, that powerplant's position now occupied by the new three-cylinder mill. And diesel has been ditched for the A3 as well, in the Australian market.

The 1.4-litre TFSI COD (Cylinder-on-Demand) engine continues to be available, rising in price from $39,100 to $39,900. Developing the same power and torque (110kW and 250Nm), the fuel-saving COD engine uses 5.0L/100km.

Other variants in the updated range are powered by a new 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder engine that's available in both front-wheel drive ($45,900) and as a quattro S line variant priced from $49,500. These figures are for the Sportback body style only. The new 2.0-litre engine continues to be a turbocharged and direct-injected unit, producing 140kW and 320Nm, for fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km and a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds for the front-wheel drive Sportback.

Now pumping out 213kW and 380Nm, the S3 can complete a 0-100km/h dash in 4.8 seconds and consumes fuel at the rate of 6.6L/100km in combined-cycle testing. The quattro system in the S3 has been tuned for "more frequent and pronounced torque distribution to the rear axle", in accordance with the mode chosen through the car's Drive Select system.

Audi has reserved the turbocharged three-cylinder for the A3 Sportback. The A3 sedan and cabriolet models are fitted with the 1.4-litre COD engine as the cheapest option for those body types. All models are fitted as standard with seven-speed S-tronic (dual-clutch) transmission as standard, other than the base 1.0-litre Sportback – which is also available with the S-tronic transmission as a $600 option – and the high-performance S3 Sportback and sedan models.

Distinguishing the latest model A3 from its predecessor is a series of visual changes, including new headlight clusters, a wider single-frame grille, dynamic indicators in the (optional) LED tail lights, restyled bonnet/bumpers/rear diffuser, 10 new wheel designs and four new colours. The new colours are: Cosmos Blue, Nano Grey Tango Red, Vegas Yellow.

Read the Audi A3 and S3 review

Inside, changes to the driving position comprise a new three-spoke steering wheel, redesigned air vents, application strips with design light and a frameless rear-view mirror.

In addition to the facelift, the interior restyle and revised drivetrain selection, the A3 gains standard MMI satellite navigation, with the MMI controller now simplified with just two buttons instead of four. But the single-point controller now offers a joystick function and touchpad also.

Natural voice control will recognise a destination in a sentence starting with "Where can I find...?" or "Take me to the next..." Voice control can dial the number of a person in a paired phone's contacts – using the same natural method.

Audi's Virtual Cockpit system is offered for the first time in the A3, as part of the Technik option pack priced at $2900, but fitted as standard in the S3. High-resolution graphics are displayed through a 12.3-inch screen.

Another new option is Matrix LED headlights, a $1300 option for the A3 2.0 TFSI quattro, but a $2800 option for lower-grade models, which have to specified with LED headlights – at $1500 – that are already standard for the quattro variant, in addition to the Matrix system.

New driver-assistance systems for the A3 include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function operational up to 200km/h, autonomous emergency braking (which Audi calls Pre sense front with Pedestrian Warning) and rear-cross traffic assist. These are bundled up in the Assistance package, costing $1500, or $1950 for the S3, if luxury car tax is included.

Audi claims that the A3 1.4 TFSI COD represents $5000 better value, now fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels in lieu of 16-inch alloys, a high-gloss exterior package, aluminium-look interior, aluminium mistral inlays, an interior lighting package and the other new features mentioned above as standard.

The front-wheel drive 2.0 TFSI front-wheel drive model adds kit worth $3000 more over the value of the previous model, including Audi Side Assist, Audi smartphone interface and Sportline exterior pack. Additionally featuring LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, sport suspension and S Line exterior pack, the A3 2.0 TFSI quattro is worth $7300 more, according to the importer.

Also with LED headlights, plus Virtual Cockpit, Audi Side Assist/Rear Cross Traffic Assist, pre-sense city with AEB, smartphone interface and digital radio (DAB+), the S3 has gained $4900 worth of extra value, according to Audi.

Key features fitted as standard to the entry-level 1.0-litre Sportback include: 16-inch alloy wheels, fabric seat upholstery, cruise control, auto headlights/rain-sensing wipers, rear-view camera, front/rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, eight-speaker CD audio system, satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. Safety equipment consists of seven airbags (including side curtains and driver's kneebag), Attention Assist, Audi pre-sense city with AEB and pedestrian detection, plus seatbelt reminders for all seat occupants.

The 1.4-litre TFSI COD variant builds on the base model's specification with 17-inch alloy wheels, leather seat upholstery, aluminium-look interior trim, interior lighting package and shift paddles.

Higher up the ladder, the A3 2.0 TFSI Sport (front-wheel drive) adds Audi Drive Select, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, sports front seats trimmed in leather, aluminium door sills and Audi smartphone interface for Apple and Android.

Additionally, the quattro model gains 18-inch alloy wheels and premium LED headlights (with adaptive cornering lighting and dynamic indicators). The S3 goes one step better, with standard Nappa leather upholstery for the front sport seats, MMI Navigation Plus, Virtual Cockpit, Digital Radio (DAB+) and 10-speaker CD/DVD audio system.

Prices are as follows:
A3 Sportback 1.0 TFSI – $35,900
A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI – $39,900
A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI – $45,900
A3 Sportback 2.0 TFSI quattro – $49,500
S3 Sportback – $62,900

A3 Sedan 1.4 TFSI – $41,500
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI – $47,500
A3 Sedan 2.0 TFSI quattro – $51,100
S3 Sedan – $64,500

A3 Cabriolet 1.4 TFSI – $45,000
A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI – $55,000
A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TFSI quattro – $58,600
S3 Cabriolet – $72,000

Read the Audi A3 and S3 review