Test drive Audi A3 1996 - 2003 hatchback

Newbie in the Bundesliga

Audi-A3 second generation
Interesting thing marketing: Audi positions the new A3 as a CD-class car of the premium segment. Moreover, the company considers ... model A3 of the previous generation, which debuted in 1996. Once jumping high, in the future you can not lower the bar. The new A3 simply must be better than the predecessor, that is, to remain the most and most against the background of competitors and correspond to the premium level.
That hides a catchy style
The fact that Audi does not intend to give in to a leading position is evidenced by this fact: the novelty is not offered in the basic (easier - in minimal) configuration. There are three equipment options: Attraction, where the main emphasis is on style and bright personality, Ambition is the most dynamic version with sports front seats, steering wheel and suspension, Ambiente is the kingdom of comfort and exclusive decoration. But these are, figuratively speaking, shades. The general line of Audi in relation to the A3 model is unshakable - an alloy of high technology, sports and spectacular design.
The latter is not in doubt. The car looks aggressive and dynamic. The device with such proportions, lines, predatory frontal design is difficult to imagine in the extreme right among leisurely family crews.
The interior is a little calmer, but it has a certain hidden force. Round devices, with shiny edges for metal, heating and ventilation deflectors, the climate installation handles cause associations with a racing car cockpit. But these are only designer tricks. There is no talk of the asceticism of a true athlete.
The internal space is rationally designed in German. The finish is luxurious. The driver's workplace is convenient. The range of adjustments to the front seats is huge. Noise and vibrations are not annoyed on the go. Numerous electric drives, an audio system, climatic installation are designed to ensure the comfort of the inhabitants of the salon. The latest doubts about the appointment of a car were disposed of in a terrible soft clutch pedal with a large move and a clear, but deprived of racing nervousness, steering with an electric power. Before us is a champion of a sports lifestyle, but not a purebred athlete. However, a car for daily trips along ordinary roads and should be a successful stylization, and not a projectile, the driving of which requires special training.
FAMILY TIES
The new A3 is built on the folkvagen-golf folkvagena platform. Compared to the predecessor, it is 30 mm wider and 10 mm below. Of course, the base has also changed - it has become 65 mm longer. As a result, the proportion of the three -door A3 hatchback makes it similar to the compartment.
And what about the filling? Firstly, three new engines appeared: 2.0 FSI gasoline with direct fuel injection and V-shaped six with a working volume of 3.2 l with a capacity of 250 liters. p., as well as sixteen -valve turbodiesel 2.0 TDI.
In terms of transmission, the choice is also not poor. Front or four-wheel drive, five- or six-speed mechanical gearboxes, a six-speed machine with manual switching and the latest development of the Volkswagen-Audi group- a sequential DSG box with electron-hydraulic switching. There are interesting technical solutions in the suspension. The front is made according to the traditional scheme: a subframe, forking levers, racks of McEzeson. However, the reproach stabilizer is directly associated with shock absorber stances, which, according to the designers, reduces fluctuations and tagging of the body.
The steering follows modern trends: the hydraulic amplifier gave way to electric. This made it possible to reduce fuel consumption by an average of 0.2 liters per 100 km.
A3 mechanics, of course, complements the set of electronic devices of active safety. There is an ABS, a distributor of brake efforts, a stabilization and control control system, an electronic blocking of differential, etc. Now - briefly about the running qualities of the new items.
Diesel goes to favorites
Unfortunately, the full range of engines and transmission will appear on sale only in the fall. Therefore, only front -wheel drive cars with mechanical gearboxes were presented at the presentation. There was no the most powerful gasoline engine.
But, I assure you, a modification that can fall in love with a fan of dynamic driving was found. It turns out that sports style and high technologies are quite compatible with ... diesel fuel! Audi A3 with a 16-valve two-liter turbodiesel is simply magnificent. An instant response follows the slightest movement of the gas pedal - you immediately presses you into the back of the seat. The motor provokes it to twist it, as if it are gasoline, but with this tendency to high turns, it is also very burdened.
Even when lifting a mountain serpentine, there is often no need to work as a lever of the gearbox. And the sound! Sitting in the cabin, the diesel engine is not to identify - a noble bass caressing soul is heard. Only standing next to the machine, according to the characteristic sounds of the motor at idle, you understand what you are dealing with.
Against this background, 2,0 FSI gasoline does not cause any special emotions. A good, even engine - and nothing more. On the plain, he demonstrates confident and quick acceleration. But it is worth starting to climb the mountain, how to turn on a low gear - on the rises, the engine is frankly sour. According to subjective sensations, it is weaker than turbodiesel. True, the numbers say the opposite: 2.0 FSI per 10 liters. With. More powerful, with it the maximum speed of the audi is higher by 4 km/h, and acceleration to hundreds is slightly faster. What is the matter? The overwhelming advantage of the diesel engine is in the torque: 320 N.Ms at 1750 rpm against 200 NM at 3,500 rpm in gasoline. Hence the impressive accelerations and pleasant painfulness. It remains to add that it is Diesel that will soon be honored to work in tandem with a full -wheel drive transmission and a sequential gearbox.
But what about the second offspring of a diesel tribe? The eight -valve, well familiar to the owners of Audi and Volkswagen, 1,9 TDI also looks worthy. And again thanks to a large torque and almost gasoline character. He, of course, is not so cut against both two -liter counterparts, but he did not lose his fighting qualities A3 he equipped.
Judging by the nature of the presentation, the last strokes are needed to complete the group portrait of the new A3 family. Apparently, by the end of the year, we will be able to evaluate the most interesting modifications against the background of competitors, and Russian fans of four rings - order a attracted car.

Brief data
The new A3, created on the Volkswagen Golf V platform, made his debut in the spring at the Motor Show in Geneva.
The car is equipped with three gasoline engines: 1.6 liters, 75 kW/102 liters. p., 2.0 FSI, 110 kW/150 l. With. and V-shaped six 3.2 liters, 177 kW/241 l. p., as well as two diesel - 1.9 TDI, 77 kW/105 liters. With. and 2.0 TDI, 103 kW/140 l. With. Gearboxes - five- or six -speed mechanical or six -speed automatic with manual switching function. The front wheel drive. Cars with the most powerful gasoline and diesel engines are also equipped with all -wheel drive transmission. In the fall, a modernized version of the V6 motor with a capacity of 184 kW/250 liters will appear. With. and DSG gearbox with electron-hydraulic switching.
The price of a car in Germany is from 18,500 to 31,000 euros.

The appearance and characteristics of the sixteen -valve turbodiesel 2.0 TDI.
Sports style interior: dominate circles with edges for metal.
Vadim Kryuchkov. Photo: Author and Audi

Source: The magazine "Driving"