The new Audi A3 Sedan

Just when you think car manufacturers have covered all the bases, they keep surprising us with something new.  Take the Audi A3, for example – Audi already has the compact executive sedan product offering covered with the A4, while A3 is the hatchback 3-door and Sportback 5-door or cabriolet.  Then the A3 sedan is unveiled – the first A3 4-door, as the first sub-compact executive sedan, then?  Surprise!

The A3 sedan is said to offer all the strengths of the A3 range, including lightweight design and powerful highly-efficient engines, then adding the appealing sedan silhouette and esteem to its talents. 

Designed to be expressive in every detail, we have yet to hear someone comment that this is not an attractive car.  The sporty stance is a mix compilation of classic 3-box sedan, with the more slanted rear of a coupé, with a high short sporty boot – only mentioning this, because the original Audi A4 also had the short boot.

So is it something new?  Well, BMW might argue that the 3 Series sedan was the first compact sedan, but that was 20 years ago – compact execs have grown to become, well, not so compact.  BMW could have kept going at its created segment by slotting in a 1 Series or 2 Series sedan into its portfolio… but Audi and Mercedes-Benz grabbed the empty space that existed, with this A3 sedan and the CLA sedan (which the company calls a coupé, due to its sloping roofline).

So time to get excited about affordability, right?  The A3 sedan clearly slots in neatly below the A4 sedan, so the A3 is much cheaper, surely?  Well, no.  At launch in December 2013 the A3 sedan kicked off at R 323 500 for the 1.4T SE manual, where the lowest-priced A4 sedan 1.8T 88kW S was R 329 500, albeit with the A3 at higher SE spec where the A4 is base S.  Both these cars have since increased to, respectively, R 349 500 and R 355 000, as at August 2014.  Move up to find matching naming – the 1.8T SE manual variants are A3 at R 382 500 versus A4’s R 406 500 recommended retail price.  Add R 17 000 on A3 for the S-tronic automated gearbox in each case.  Similar differences of approximately R 20 000 exist for the A3 to A4 2.0TDI SE cars.  Therefore, the price gap between the A3 and A4 sedans are not as wide as many would have hoped. All prices include taxes (fortunately environmental tax is null or low, thanks to the engines’ low CO2 emissions).

Since launch, Audi has fleshed out the A3 sedan upwards, by adding a 1.8T quattro (where “quattro” was introduced at Audi as an actual spec level for its highest-spec models) with the same 132kW power as the 1.8T SE, but with torque boost by 30Nm to 280, quoted at R 421 500.  The first-ever S3 sedan was also added to top off the range, using the same 206kW 2.0TFSI engine as the 3-door and Sportback S3s.

Back to the back – the boot measures 425 litres with the split rear seats up, expanding to 880 litres when folded down.  Get behind the steering wheel and you’ll see a well laid-out interior with a Driver Information System showing images in detailed graphics.  The A3 sedan also makes use of the modular infotainment system.

The MMI Radio with full-colour slide-out LCD screen is standard-fit.  An optional “MMI Navigation plus” system interfaces to cell phones and mobile players via Bluetooth, with a turn/push control designed as a “touchwheel” (called MMI touch) has a top surface as a touch-sensitive pad for inputting letters, symbols and numbers, by writing with a finger.  Smart.
 
A generous set of standard feature on A3 sedan include an LED interior lighting package, front centre armrest, rain/light sensor, knee airbag (in addition to usual front, side and curtain airbag armour), 17-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, front sports seats, Audi Drive Select with efficiency program, exterior aluminium package, leather-covered multi-function sports steering wheel (with shift paddles for S-tronic gearboxes) and dual-zone automated air-conditioning.  Cloth upholstery is standard on all SE, while quattro gets partial Alcantara suede-cloth with leather as standard – leather is optional on all.  Cruise control as standard is felt to be an omission from this level of car, though buyers can choose from the usual system or adaptive cruise control.  Other options include an upgrade to various designs of 18-inch wheels, Bang&Olufsen sound, heating for front seats, LED headlights, park assist, panoramic roof, S line exterior package (as per the car in pictures here) and, interestingly, an option to change from the normal round to a flat-bottomed steering wheel, usually reserved for S or RS Audis.  The “Audi exclusive” special paint is also available.

A more compact exec sedan than the ones we’re used to – well done Audi for quickly moving in on this available spot.  The Audi A3 sedan is a clever addition, and one can downsize without losing the smart look.  Pricing is perhaps too close to the bigger A4 – still, the A3 sedan is crisp and fresh, delivering a young & proud, taut presentation.