The S tronic DCT automatic transmission response is noticeably softer in Comfort mode than Dynamic, while the Auto option is a good day-to-day compromise.
Going from 0-62mph takes 8.2 seconds so this is no race car, but the A3 Sportback does feel pleasingly quick on open, country roads. Like the 1.4 that preceded it, the 1.5 has cylinder-on-demand technology to reduce fuel consumption when the engine’s workload is low, and is imperceptible.
Our test car was equipped with passive suspension which is unaffected by the Drive Select settings. The firm ride it delivers in combination with 25/40 R18 tyres ensure the ‘Sport’ in Sportback feels apt and, although well within acceptable limits, relays a pretty accurate impression of the state of indifferent secondary road surfaces. If you prefer a car with a marshmallow ride, this isn’t for you.
The A3 Sportback is suspended by McPherson Struts at the front and a four-link axle at the rear, and tracks true and straight over the worst back roads. Anti-roll bars at both ends keep body roll in check through corners and the speed-dependent electro-mechanical steering does a good job with tight precision. The test car’s Hankook Ventus S1 evo 2 tyres grip well even on cold, slippery roads, and that feeds back through the steering wheel as you turn in to corners giving a feeling of security and confidence.
The Black Edition is based on S-Line trim level and gets 18in wheels (up from 16in on entry level Sportbacks), the Audi sound system, privacy glass, black door mirrors and a black styling pack. That includes a black grille surround and roof rails. Our test car was equipped with cool, S-Line seats with part leather and sequence cloth inserts.
The interior is roomy enough but not huge, though front seat accommodation does have a snug, cockpit-like feel. As usual, the spectacular Audi Virtual Cockpit lets you configure the main dials and secondary information as you wish.
Join the debate
xxxx
COD nearly GOD
Have alot of expreience of the 1.4 COD and it's a corker, my father in law has averaged 52mpg in over 40,000 miles, it's real torquey and doesn't hang about getting to 60.
Downside, clutch has always had a 1st gear slight judder from new, I've been in other Audi's that have had this problem so he's just accepted it rather than made a big deal of it.
p.s. at 32k, this is not a good example of the A3 in terms of value
AddyT
xxxx wrote:
Is that the 125bhp engine? If so, it's distinctly average. I should know - I have a second car for work with this engine and it is not torquey nor quick to 60. I am guessing therefore the one you refer to has more power than 125?
xxxx
140bhp then 150bhp
The A3 1.4 COD had 140hp at first then up'd it 150hp about 18months later. Better performance figures all round compared to the 'normal' 1.4 tfsi and was only £750 more expensive at the time. Saved £100 a year on tax too!
jonholmzee
My A3 1.4 TFSI COD has the
My A3 1.4 TFSI COD has the same clutch judder issue when cold. Really annoying though especially when my dealer says its fine because he only see it when its warmed up.
Nice car though and other than the judder it has been faultless over 30k and 3 years.
xxxx
Audi clutch
Sounds like a class law suit!
Boovie
Clutch Judder when cold 1.4 COD
My wife's 2017 A3 1.4 150 has done 10000 miles. It also has slight clutch judder when cold, so it is going into the Audi dealer next week. Looking at other VAG forums it seems to be a common problem on the 1.4 COD, which I guess is more or less the same engine as the 1.5.
The car is great other than this, but VAG need to sort the clutch issue.
Quattro369
HOW MUCH?!!!
Surely £32,775 is S3 money?!!
scrap
Agree, an insane price tag.
Agree, an insane price tag. But it will be competitive on a PCP deal and has low running costs.
Orangewheels
exactly
£35,800 is the starting price for an an S3 nowadays, but at the same time the £32,775 must be "as tested" because a standard A3 Sportback 1.5 TFSI Black Edition S Tronic lists at £30,180, and you can pick up an SE Technik manual version of the same 1.5 TFSI engine for £23,975 before discount - A3 black editions aren't exactly value for money!
jer
I'd guessed 26k
Are small cars costing more than large cars in the real world? So this would be more than an A4 or a end of life A6?
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