What is it?
The latest and biggest addition to the Audi A3 range. It adds an extra two doors to the recently-launched three-door hatchback, and is expected to take two out of three A3 sales.
Audi is quick to point out that the Sportback is not simply a five-door A3 – it has added 58mm between the front and rear wheels to create more interior space. That manifests itself as extra room for rear passengers and a larger boot. For that extra interior flexibility, Audi asks an additional £620 over the equivalent three-door.
The front axle has been moved forward by 40mm compared with the old car, creating a shorter overhang. The Sportback uses a McPherson suspension arrangement up front, with a four-link rear set-up at the rear.
Predictably weight has increased. The car tested here has gained an additional 30kg over the three-door, which has had a marginal impact on its on-paper performance and fuel economy. But you’d have to test them side by side to notice. Even with the weight increase, it is still substantially lighter than the car it replaces.
The 2.0-litre TDI engine we’re testing here will account for around 40 per cent of this model's sales. It’s a comprehensively worked-over version of the engine from the old car, but Audi has done enough to keep it among the class best. The engine will be initially offered with a 148bhp output, but a 181bhp version will arrive next spring.
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rpf72
I'd fallen asleep by the
I'd fallen asleep by the second paragraph. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
5wheels
picasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssso
Good Gods man change that epitaph!! There are real people in here who have real cars!!
vinylnutter
rpf72 wrote: I'd fallen
If your so indifferent why the need to share your view? Particulary when your sleepy observation is the first comment on the article.
Zedboy
Zzzzzzz+1
I'd fallen asleep by the second picture.
Suzuki QT
Ageless ...
Everyone thinks that Audi = "impeccable, but boring" ... I would rather have a classic car that will still look classy in years to come than one of the latest fad cars that will have the design longevity of a house fly ...
Challenger440
11 pictures...
... and not one of them showing the full length of the car side on... which is the only place it looks different from a normal A3. Instead i get a close up of a taillight lense and some interior switches. (!?)
(And I agree - got bored pretty quickly)
Next.
paul896
LED Lights
Wasn't the new SEAT Leon also the first one in this class with LED Headlights? I know the A3 is more premium but is it not the same class???
Old Toad
I like this
Much prefer this to the three door . Not sure what you get as standard though . The new Skoda Octavia which will no doubt be a better car for less if you dont have any badge fetish .
Looks like a good car to downsize to from larger saloons though .
BenC30
I'll have a V40 please.
I'll have a V40 please.
BriMarsh
I cannot even begin to imagine...
...how many of these I will see in Lane 3 of the motorway in six months time. And rightly so; there can hardly be a more exciting, refined, neatly stitched, neighbour impressing, super-efficient, low g/km, BIK-friendly, low-depreciation vehicle on the market. Who on earth could want more? And I'll have a grey one please!
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