Audi A3 creates its niche among luxury cars (Auto review)

The vim and vigor two words adequately describe the performance of German luxury car maker Audi. The post monsoon review of Audi A3 is definitely full of verve.

In a price-wise comparison, after BMW 1-series, Mercedes A and B class; people’s expectations rose from the Audi as well and here it is with A3, which creates a new class of compact luxury sedan.

Looking at Audi’s compact sedan A3 – then it is quite a different model than its larger siblings like A4 or A6. Though, one can feel the same aura of luxury with plush interiors, exteriors, upholstery, also with its equipment level in A3.

Alike to its other siblings, interiors of A3 are fairly similar to them, but there are a few things which will grab your attention. The first thing is MMI screen – it pops out of the dashboard, which will function through a touchpad – positioned at the back of the gear knob, which is just like a laptop’s mouse pad, no matter how sloppy is your writing, its silky pad will accept it.

Second, its air vents that are encircled with aluminum look, which can be adjusted to a wide or a particular spot to diffuse of, air distribution. Third, it has given a touch of 3D optic design in its interiors.

The interior ambience looks much brighter in the day light with its panoramic glass roof. Leather upholstery dappered to a 4-spoke multi-function steering wheel, besides its infotainment consist of MMI radio, navigation and touch, Bluetooth interface, driver information system (color display), Audi music interface, 10 speakers including central speaker in the dashboard and subwoofer.

Comfy seats in front, while rear seats lacks a thigh support may be in a longer journey; headroom and legroom are not much roomy though taller adults will find comfort at front seats. Looking at its rear seat then it is a two and maximum a three seater. What adds more in rear? Are the rear armrest, rear air vents, and cup holders – two at edge of each at outer rear seat.

The entry level A3 comes with the two engines, a petrol and a diesel engine. Diesel will be in four variants and a one variant of petrol.

Automatic gear box is smooth; it dashes the speed of 100 kmph in 8.6 seconds in diesel and 7.3 seconds in petrol. Diesel weighs 1340 kg and petrol as 1295 kg. It has fuel tank capacity of 50 litres approximately in both petrol and diesel variants; wheel base is 2637 mm and R17 alloy wheels. Moreover, it gives you a quite good room in rear luggage compartment 425 litres of boot space.

The 40 TSFI petrol engine avails 7-speed S tronic transmission, Max. power, kW (hp): 132(180)@5100-6200, 250 torque and 1250-5000 Nm at rpm with 250 kmph of top speed, Audi claims fuel efficiency of 16.60 kmpl on highways, however on city roads it would be 8-10 kmpl.

The 35 TDI diesel engine comes with 6-speed S tronic transmission, Max. power, kW(hp): 105(143)@3500-4000, 320 torque and 1750-3000 Nm at rpm with top speed 215 kmph. For diesel company claims 20.38 kmpl of average mileage on highways, while nearly 14 kmpl on the city roads.

Since the A3 is launched, so far nearly 12 cars have been sold across the state. If you are planning to buy A3 then the car will be in the right hands in terms of safety features. It is equipped with the ABS, EBD and ESC with eight airbags including driver’s knee airbag. As the A3 is much for the younger segment of people, the car gives a sporty glance; further what more will feast your eyes is its scarlet paint. Younger folks should definitely opt for the scarlet to draw more eyeballs on the road.