Test drive Audi A3 1996 - 2003 hatchback

Fresh blood

The new Audi A3 looks and does not go the same as the previous model. Much better.
 
Metamorphoses with Audi A3 reminded the story described in Pygmalion. Only in this case, the mentor was not English, but the Italian master Walter de Silva, who headed the Audi design center, and had previously held the same post in Alfa Romeo. Perhaps he only pricked A3, but with a new appearance, both the stunning severity of the steering and the southern temperament came. The model remained recognizable, in German, solid and practical (and after all, the former, say, was good), but transformed, as if learning to demonstrate dignity and forgetting about old habits.
 
Sharp, as was said
 
In Ingolstadt found the only word that best reflects the essence of the novelty. And the word is Sharp - sharpness. It was listed on press films, nominated badges, posters. The second generation of the model is really pointed, I would say - sharpened under the driver, which is elegantly expressed in the exterior. Pay attention to the side view - a three -door hatchback looks like a sports compartment. And the sharp features of the front, slightly carried out towards the wind? It elusively resembles Fiat Stilo or Alfa 147. And this is just not bad, but good!
 
In fairness, I will say that Walter de Silva came to Audi when A3 was almost ready. So, after all, Professor Higgins turned Miss Dolitl into a secular flower in a short time. Several inspired strokes, and a calm, in essence, the appearance gains swiftness. In addition to the pointed lines of the front line, there are, for example, trifles such as lighting equipment. The rear lights looked quite good before, but now, one might say, they decorate the stern, and in the dark only a small rectangle in the center of everyone shines. Lamps - turns indicators in the front headlights coquettishly emphasized by chrome squares. In general, each detail works for the sports image of the brand and, at the same time, as if once again indicates - before you are not VW Golf, namely Audi. And finally, the colors of the bodies. For my taste, so A3 is very suitable for a defiantly bright yellow.
 
To complete the picture, we turn to the numbers. The new model became 53 mm longer, and the wheelbase increased by as much as 65 mm, wider 30 mm and lower by 10 mm. That is why the hatchback resembles a dynamic coupe. And inside this comparison acquires a special meaning.
 
Deja Vu sometimes pleases. A3 is not a TT model, but it is undoubtedly decorated with familiar round air supply deflectors, the same climate control unit, a small steering wheel with convenient protrusions and wings that limit the central console. Of course, the gaps are also perfect, but there is no doubt in the high quality of materials. However, there are a lot of original solutions - which costs at least the landing brake lever. The control buttons of the navigation system are located on the central tunnel between the driver and the passenger, and the information is displayed on a small screen on the instrument panel. The shield itself is in the company's company style, with chrome rims of devices, red arrows and white backlighting. On the screen, you can display various data of the on -board computer, for which you need to press the button in the end of the right steering lever. The remaining keys, including on the central panel, glow with a fiery red color, which, however, is not annoying. The musical system sounds excellent, and if there is a Bose inscription on the chrome stripes around the speakers, then the salon is easy to turn into a concert hall or disco.
 
The seats are low, which, along with the developed side support and proximity of the gearbox lever, only emphasizes the sportsity of the machine. Adjustments - a great many, the steering wheel moves down - up and forward - back. In general, even the basic equipment does not seem poor: the front windows, the central castle with remote control, the adjustment of the driver's seat in height, the air conditioning and the ESP stabilization system are already available in the ATTRACTION version, the initial for A3. There are two more levels of execution - Ambition and Ambiente. Each is characterized by a list of equipment and, of course, at a price. Personally, I especially liked Ambition. Perhaps because it is the most dynamic - sports seats, a three -spitting steering wheel, aluminum inserts on door panels, 17 inch cast discs and a sports suspension. Let in this case the clearance is reduced by 15 mm, but the car keeps the road like a predator.
 
Racing to Vino di casa
 
Quite decent in size (270 km in length and 145 km in width), the Italian island of Sardinia as if created for test drives. It was not without reason that many automobile companies have chosen it for such events. Excellent and not too loaded roads, even if they are narrow, steep climbs, descents and turns, plus beautiful landscapes around and decent service - what else is needed for journalistic walkways? Need a good car. Audi A3 with honor withstood the exam that I arranged for her, not without the help of a temperamental driver under the name Giuseppe.
 
But before it is worth saying that under me was the most powerful version of A3-with a 2-liter gasoline engine (3.2-liter will appear later), a 6-speed mechanical gearbox, a sports chassis with 17 inch casts and low-profile rubber . We can say that the hellish mixture, especially for these places where drivers are not used to passing. As a result, this trip, I will report to you, became a certain moment of truth.
 
So, I don’t bother anyone, listening to the car and not even thinking of turning off the electronic collar - ESP. And without any back thought, I catch up Fiat Punto Sporting. Further, when the light of xenon headlights of the yellow A3 was reflected in the rear view mirror of the car along the car, the following began. The Italian blinked with an emergency and immediately pressed the gas. Well, I understood the signal, I accept the call. Moreover, the opponent is more than worthy, especially on such narrow, clearly familiar to him as five fingers, mountain serpentines. Well, Audi A3 2.0 FSI, go! I move to the step below - the tachometer arrow immediately shot up to the red zone, and the hatchback rushed in pursuit.
 
Yes, it is a hard sports suspension, which on our roads will shake the riders, here - just right. It provides excellent sensations when attacking turns, allowing to fully realize the potential of a 150-horsepower engine with direct gasoline injection. There are practically no body rolls. Excessively configured (in Italian?) Steering with an electric amplifier, a clear transmission algorithm allow the turn to go over a bend; Lifting, descent, again rise almost without losing speed. The clutch pedal, got rid of the generic and tiring long stroke, also pleased.
 
In the course of the race, the ESP stabilization system showed itself a couple of times - but it did it so correctly that only a colleague sitting on the right, a yellow bulb on the instrument panel, noticed its work. In principle, with such a setup it can not be turned off at all - it will not interfere. And yet I tried, and I was satisfied. The rear, independent and multi -link suspension holds the car with all his might. The moment of demolition is clearly traced and perfectly controlled, which will clearly appeal to fans of sports driving. In short, it took 30 minutes to sharply reduce the move before the trunk of Punto after the next turn. The A3 brakes were on top - the pedal force is perfectly dosed, the ABS, standard for all versions of the car, comes into operation no earlier than required.
 
The FIAT driver, once again blinking an emergency for, invited him to stop near the nearest cafe. With pleasure, especially since the place is pleasant, suitable in order to make a couple of frames. Having met, Giuseppe said that he really liked it, and he was not averse to getting to know each other (I suspect, not so much with us as with the car). I omit all compliments, I will only say that we managed to slowly smoke a cigarette, while our new acquaintance with an undisguised gleam in his eyes examined what he started and practically overtook. It all ended with what you should expect - a proposal to taste the excellent Vino di casa, that is, local wine. Grace! - We answered with a smile, but firmly added that the Russians did not allow themselves to be driving.
 
The next one of the most inexpensive A3 versions with a 1.6 -liter gas engine and a standard suspension fell into my hands. Also - very good, although the body nods are more noticeable, and the moment of skidding occurs earlier. Which is not sacred, given the other profile of rubber and 16-inch discs. Although this car is even capable of lighting with 5-speed mechanics.
 
In conclusion, he decided, already in order to react from the races, to try out the diesel version A3. But it was not possible to relax. The new 2 -liter turbodiesel has a capacity of 140 liters. with. And combined only with 6-speed mechanics. This combination started me so much that the new partner in a test drive could not stand it for five minutes, demanding caution, especially in the rain. Well, okay, it's time to return the car and tidy up the impressions of the plate with magnificent paste and the glass of now quite appropriate (and excellent!) Red wine.
 
Unfortunately, it was not possible to test the most powerful A3 with a 6-cylinder engine with a volume of 3.2 liters and a capacity of 250 liters. with. - She will enter the market closer to the fall. A little earlier, all -wheel drive versions of Quattro, options with an automatic checkpoint and a new direct Shift Gearbox) will be available.
 
We will live until August
 
In Russia, sales of the new Audi A3 will begin immediately after the International Moscow Motor Show in August. So far, prices are not determined for our market, but it is known how much this model costs in Germany, where it will begin to be sold in May. Gasoline versions: A3 1.6 - 18850 euros, 2.0 FSI - 22100, V6 3.2 - 31000; Diesel: 1.9 TDI - 20700 and 2.0 TDI - 22500 euros. Not cheap, of course, but you have to pay for the good.
 
The company plans to implement a total of 1.3 million cars. Recall that the A3 of the previous generation in seven incomplete years has diverged in the amount of 875 thousand units.
 
Finally, the last. I had a firm belief that innovations brought into the appearance and in the content of A3 should inevitably find a continuation in future developments. In other words, the brand popular not only in Russia received fresh blood, and it is most likely not long to wait for new products.
 
Andrey Osipov
 

A source: "Automobile Izvestia"