Analysis of the 2017 Audi A3 Sportback (2023)

there is a little moreAudi A3 2017than a simple style update.

of course the newA4Inspired headlight and front bumper treatment along with slightly revised rear styling and new wheels mark the changes for the updatedaudi a3outside, but there are bigger, more important changes under the plate.

Perhaps the most important of these is the addition of a new entry-level three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine: the first of three canisters that grace theAudiA3 range, and there's a good chance the powertrain will be the new entry point to the range when the new A3 arrives in Australia in late 2016.

The 1.0 turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces 85 kW of power (7 kW less than the 1.4) and 200 Nm of torque (on par with the four-cylinder). It consumes less fuel -4.7 liters per 100 kilometers compared to 4.9 l/100 km - and is only a few tenths of a second slower from 0 to 100 km/h (9.7 seconds compared to 9.3 seconds). .

There may be some skeptics who would argue that a three-cylinder engine has no place in a luxury brand's portfolio, but Audi isn't the first brand to add this type of engine to its ranks:BMWmiMinithey have three-pot models, and Audi itself has themA11.0 TFSI too.

In the A1, this engine variant forms the platform to attract new buyers to the brand and is a success, with the 1.0-litre variant accounting for 28% of sales in this range. In the current A3 series, the 1.4 TFSI, which is expected to be replaced by the 1.0 TFSI, accounts for 18% of sales.

Part of the appeal of the 1.0 TFSI in the A1 range, and part of why it's likely to succeed if sold here, is that it's offered with an automatic transmission, in this case a seven-speed dual-clutch, or S tronic. Similar to Flame Audi. And the powertrain is a nice touch.

Power delivery is perfectly acceptable for a car of this size, and there is some degree of driveability, though the inherently unbalanced engine roar may be less of a hindrance for some. This reviewer is of the opposite opinion: the shocks are not very strong, nor are there annoying vibrations when idle.

It's responsive at low speeds and on the highway, with good acceleration and decent mid-range torque (especially from 2000 to 3500 rpm) if you pick up a bit of pace.

The gearbox handles well, too, with quick shifts in gear, and isn't as harsh at low speeds as other stable Audi models with this type of gearbox.

We have also pushed the new 2.0 TFSI model, a new powertrain for the A3 range, scaled down compared to the new A4 and converted to a transverse for the first time, which will replace the 1.8 TFSI and deliver more power.

The existing engine produced 132 kW and 250 Nm, while the new one produced 140 kW and 320 Nm, putting it in hatchback territory, not to mention coming much closer to the Mercedes-Benz A250, which has 160 kW/ 350 Nm, but The model is now fully all-wheel drive, the A3 2.0 TFSI is available with front-wheel drive or with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive.

We tested the Frontrider on the humid outskirts of Munich and it's fair to say that given the greasy road conditions, the quattro version would have been a better choice. Occasionally the front tires would spin and we even witnessed some axle shifting (with the front suspension bobbing up and down as the powertrain tries to feed the ground), which is undesirable.

Otherwise though, the 2.0 TFSI was well refined, with a very linear power delivery and good midrange torque over a much wider range than its underpowered sibling (1400-4200rpm). On the Autobahn this model showed what it had to offer and seemed eager to hit its limited top speed of 150 mph.

The old 1.8 TFSI used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but the new 2.0 TFSI model has a new seven-speed S tronic which, unlike the 1.0 TFSI model and its seven-speed cogger, was a bit wobbly at low speed. .

The driving experience was pretty similar to A3s we've tested in the past, which is to say, a solid performance. Compliance and ride comfort, even with 18-inch alloy wheels, were impressive, while steering, via a new flat-based three-spoke steering wheel, was also remarkably good. We did notice some difference in steering weight between the 1.0 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI, with the former feeling a bit heavier and perhaps a bit more direct, which might have been the case with the Audi Drive Select system's steering modes. .

It's not just about the driving though - there have been significant changes to the interior as well, including the addition of the high-tech virtual cockpit display in front of the driver, with the 12.3-inch digital display giving the driver of the car all kinds of possibilities Information such as navigation (with Google Maps), speed, trip and speedometer, driver assistance systems, phone and audio options and much more.

This will be optional on all A3 models, and while it's an impressive piece of equipment, it's still a question buyers will have to answer for themselves whether it's worth the expected $2,000 price tag for the option.

The A3's interior also receives a few other minor upgrades, including a new frameless rear-view mirror and a revised button layout for the Audi MMI Touch media interface, which is presented on a 7.0-inch pop-up display. .

The menus have been updated and are now the same as the new A4 and Q7 models (a carousel setup with much cleaner graphics), which look more modern and help give the cockpit a technological edge.

As we have seen in this generation of the A3 in the past, the seats are comfortable and offer a good fit in the front, while the second row is suitable for a couple of adults or children (with two ISOFIX anchor points for the seats). exterior) . Storage space is good, too, and trunk space varies between FWD and AWD and hatchback and sedan, but there's plenty of room for a weekend's worth of luggage in all configurations.

The A3 is covered by a three-year unlimited-mileage warranty plan, and buyers can again take advantage of a three-year/45,000 km flat-rate service plan with annual or 15,000 km service. Currently, the plan costs $1680.

The updates to the 2017 Audi A3 may not look like much from the outside, but as we found out at the international launch, there's a lot to come from this mid-life update. And just like the previous version, there's a lot to like.

We're curious to see if the 1.0 TFSI will be homologated for Australia, as it could be a fitting prelude to the impressive 2017 Audi A3 range.

Fence

Audi A3 Sportback 2017 to test

thumbnail

23 Photos

(Video) 2018 Audi S3 Sportback Black Edition S- Tronic 8V - Spec & Condition Review - How everything works