With competition heating up in the luxury-car space, Audi has been on its toes for quite some time now -- launching several new products across segments. While its German counterparts were caught-up introducing hatchbacks in the Indian market, Audi opted for a bold approach by sizing-up and launched the A3 sedan. Tapping the right nerve of the Indian buyers for their penchant for ‘big cars’, Audi seems to have hit the sweet spot by adding more ‘value’ to its most affordable car. Although, it was not long ago when the A3 entered
As part of Audi’s new strategy for , we have seen as many as 10 new launches, but the A3 has remained a crucial product all the while. The best judgment, however, can only be made once you are behind the wheel, and so we did by driving the car in
What captures your attention at a moment’s notice the fresh design of this 2016 avatar. Borrowing cues from the new Q3 and the Q7, the updated grille now looks sharper and exuberates confidence. The headlamps also get a similar treatment. They now available with Audi’s latest Matrix LED units and further provide the A3 with an aggressive façade.
Thanks to matte silver accents at the corners, the front bumper looks more chiselled and sportier. The rear has also gone under-the-knife with sporty twin-diffusers and a revised taillight design, making the A3 more appealing than before. The dynamic turn indicators are new entrants to the 2016 A3’s exteriors.
Step inside and you get treated to the S3’s sportier looking, flat-bottomed steering wheel which has sportiness written all over it. Adding more to its sports attire, you now get an all-black interior setup instead of the previous dual-tone theme along with illuminated doorsills, which is a welcoming change.
Apart from all this, the major highlight inside the updated A3 though is Audi’s virtual cockpit, which although, is now a common site across all the Audis. Thus, the conventional dials have made way for the 12.3-inch TFT screen that offers you all that you need to know from behind the wheel. It includes two views – one -- a conventional setup with a large speedometer and tachometer, and the second -- which lets you toggle between a large display for infotainment or the navigation system.
Audi has not altered the dimensions of the saloon, indicating that space and comfort have remained unaltered. Seating at the front is quite comfortable, as we’ve seen earlier, but rear row is a bit cramped especially for taller occupants. Seating three abreast on the back will be a compromise due to the large transmission tunnel which is a hindrance for the middle passenger. Coming to the features, the A3 also gets the retractable 7-inch display for the MMI, which gets a new interface and is now simpler and quicker to use than before. Apart from that, the usual array of features include electrically adjustable front seats, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, Audi’s Drive Select and the new Matrix headlights.
Coming to the diesel to be same as before, which is a 2.0-litre TDI motor churning out 150PS of peak power and 340Nm of torque. However, the same capacity engine is offered globally, but it gets tuned to deliver 184PS of power and 380Nm torque. Although, we are not really sure if the same tuned engine will hit the Indian roads anytime soon. With peak torque figures reaching betwwen 1750rpm and 3000rpm in both versions, overtaking a car becomes a breezy affair. However, when it comes to the lower powered variant, one can notice the turbo lag quite significantly. On the down side, the cabin does become a prey to engine noise which tends to reach inside often; something you would not expect from a car of this stature.
Next in line is a potent petrol heart under the hood of the A3. This new 2.0-litre TFSI engine replaces the older 1.8-litre TFSI engine. The new motor manages to deliver an impressive 190PS of peak power and 320Nm of torque. This can be seen directly on the road as the A3 catapults from 0-100kmph 6.7 seconds and has a top speed of 244kmph. Power delivery is quite smooth and punchier thanks to the higher output. As revs pile on rather quickly, the petrol avatar becomes a sheer joy ride. Power is now delivered in a more linear fashion and the engine response is quite sublime, generating that lively feeling no matter where the tacho needle is pointing.
Its impressive performance has a lot to do with the swift transmission on offer and the introduction of paddle shift levers. Gear shifts are fast and smooth whether in ‘drive’ or ‘sport’ mode, which makes for a blissful experience. The diesel and petrol engines are mated to Audi’s 6-speed and 7-speed S Tronic transmission, respectively.
One thing that has not changed, and we really like that, is the driving dynamics of the new A3. It feels focused in terms of handling, and you get that extra confidence especially around zippy corners. The 184PS diesel version that gets Audi’s all-wheel drive Quattro system is more road-hugging and offers better grip than its front-wheel driven petrol counterpart. That said, some more feedback from the steering would have done us some good, considering it will be driven on Indian roads. Driving it on the butter-smooth
Audi will be playing smart when it comes to the pricing this saloon. Expect the 2016 A3 to be placed competitively like its predecessor, especially since Audi has manufacturing plans for the 2.0-litre TDI unit for
So will this updated avatar of the A3 be enough to attract premium car buyers? We think it will. It’s sharp and sportier design language is now more appealing than ever. With interesting features on offer along with fun-to-drive handling, it now takes its luxury badge more seriously. Especially for those moving into the luxury segment for the first time, the A3 can be a great value for your money.
Source: CarDekho.com
