What's it like?
The new petrol engine is predictably smooth when firing up to idle and that doesn’t change underway as the revs climb up through the range. Maximum power is between 5,000rpm and 6,000rpm and, in truth, that flexibility is evident pretty much throughout the rev range.
With Auto, Comfort or Dynamic selected in the Audi Drive Select programme, engine response is sharp and predictable, it’s only in Eco mode that it acquires a sludge-like quality in an effort to eke out the fuel ration by sidestepping fidgety throttle input from the driver.
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.
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A little too expensive!!
A Focus RS is only £20 dearer than this A3!
Not that bad, but clearly overpriced...
..this dullest / blandest of all Audis (subjective opinion, of course, but coming from an Audi lover I guess, since I've own 3 of them till now - none with that clutch disease though.)
To put it short: for my eyes, the A3 Sportsback (hum, where IS the Sport?) it's not a hatch, nor a break - something in-between, giving an impression of indecision coming from a depressed designer.
Maybe one captive in chains somewhere in VAG's basements, :-) since the lines of this... hybrid-car (hatch-break, I repeat it) seem drawn under deep narcosis.
some quality control money should be directed at the clutch
along with cheat free mechanicals ,at that pric ethe car is a joke, sells discounted on pcp.