 "Audi A3")
The entry-level luxury segment has never been abuzz with activity as it has in recent times. The response to the A-Class and 1-Series, hatchbacks from Mercedes-Benz and BMW respectively in this segment, was enthusiastic initially, but time has shown that in India people prefer a sedan for its prestige value. The third German maker of luxury vehicles, Audi, too was left with the choice of either launching a hatchback or making alternative plans in the light of the experience of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Audi decided to take the bolder step of designing a full-fledged sedan in the hope that it represents a more viable option for long-term success. Enter the Audi A3.
The new car is aimed at younger buyers who aspire to own an Audi but are deterred by the premium price tag. The A3 may be a mini A4, Audi's lowest-priced executive car till now, but looks more like the higher placed A6. The company has not cut corners in producing the A3 as far as visual appeal and build quality are concerned. The signature Bavarian front fascia remains imposing. With the slim bi-xenon headlamps and the huge all-black air ducts on the front bumper, the A3 manages to appear crisp yet sporty. The side profile reveals the muscular aspect of the sedan - the slightly flared wheel arches and the prominent shoulder line from the headlights to the smart LED rear lamps add serious character to the newbie. What makes it a class act is the way Audi has managed to keep the ridges and the broad strokelines subtle.
Just because the A3 is touted as an entry-level Audi does not mean it has to compromise on luxury. Start the ignition and the 7-inch Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) display pops out of the dashboard. Gimmicky? Sure, but it is a great talking point, not to speak of bragging rights. The multi-media unit has an inbuilt memory of 20 GB, and the display has the touch responsiveness of a top-class smartphone. What reassures you that this is typically German-built car is the fathomless 'thud' you hear when you close the door.
Both the front passenger and driver's seats have electronic adjustment buttons, another smart move that reminds us that the A3 has not forsaken its luxury DNA. The seats are large and provide good support. However, the legroom at the rear is average at best, especially if you have a tall person sitting in the front, which will leave the front seat encroaching into the space at the rear. Also, since the A3 has a sloping roof, the rear passengers have limited headroom. Audi expects most of the owners to sit in the rear and, therefore, has installed an AC vent there with a controller. The A3 also has a full-length panoramic sunroof that even the A4 doesn't boast of. It has a class-leading 425 litres of boot space.
The interiors come in either all black or dual beige-black combination. What is good to see is that the centre console has only a few buttons, which not only makes it easy to understand the functions but also affords a cleaner look. I loved the air turbine-like AC vents, controlled by a rotary wheel that gives out a whispered click when you close the vents. These are the little details that shows how Audi has paid full attention to every aspect of the car.
To be a true German car, it needs to drive and behave like one. When I fired up the 2-litre diesel engine, there was the expected clatter and rattle, and then it settled down to a refined purr. It ran smoothly in both slow traffic and the open highways without the bothersome power lag. You can keep driving the car the entire day and it will never leave you wishing it could do things better. With no annoying engine noise seeping into the cabin, you are assured of a serene time at the steering wheel.
The A3 is a front-wheel drive, unlike the usual all-wheel Audis. But since it is based on the versatile MQB platform which lies at the heart of all new Volkswagen vehicles - be it the Golf, Audi TT or the Skoda Octavia - the A3 doesn't feel nose-heavy. In fact, you get the feeling that the car's weight has been equally distributed over its length. It is razor sharp when it comes to handling. There is hardly a nervous body roll nor the impression of its not being planted on the road. The suspensions are perfectly set up to tackle the uneven Indian roads. What is heartening is that the A3 didn't crash into potholes even at slow speed.
The Audi A3 is a well thought out sedan. It heralds a new dawn of luxury cars - those that do not compromise on quality, performance and safety and comfort features even when providing an affordable upgrade to the executive class. It is a great all-rounder and drives brilliantly. The steering is on the lighter side and makes driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic that much easier. Audi has not revealed the A3's price, but it will certainly be lesser than the A4's Rs 34 lakh. If it is in the region of Rs 26-28 lakh, then Audi surely has a winner on hand.
AUDI A3 SEDAN 35TDI
Engine: 1,968 cc, diesel
Power: 143 hp @ 3500-4000 rpm
Torque: 320 Nm @ 1750-3000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, 0-100 km: 8.6 seconds
Mileage: 20.38 km/litre (ARAI)
Arup Das is Features Editor at AutoX
