Test drive Audi A3 1996 - 2003 hatchback

Riddle for Aristotle

The new Audi-A3 could become an ideal car for a prosperous philosopher who loves luxury.
  
The ancient Greek philosophers were great masters in terms of riddles. They will think of something more uploaded and well, everyone in a bracket is to look for an answer. But some puzzles remained unsolved. For example, what happened before, an egg or a chicken? Aristotle gave preference to a leaf. Plato and Socrates abstained.
 
Scraps of the school curriculum, as well as the eternal axiom about the superiority of the original above the copy, I remembered the wheel of a new Audi-A3. After all, no one makes special secrets that formally the most prestigious representative of the golf class sold in Russia is almost a copy of the Volkswagen-Golf. Or is it the other way around?

Logical paradox
However, in a calendar attitude, this dispute is not worth a damned egg. After all, the first generation of A3 debuted already in 1996, that is, two years before the fourth golf. However, the knowledgeable people claim that the Golf platform was given to Ingolstadt ahead of time, as they say, by right of kinship. Not a machine, but a logical paradox. One way or another, the success of the threek actually became a revelation for Audi itself. Over 875 thousand A-thirds, who were dispersed in the world in seven years, only at first seem with a modest figure. For an expensive hatchback of a class with cheap A3, I have never been very good numbers. And so far, the owners of the treshka have no problems with the resale of the car in the market in the second-hand market is stably high.
 
Nevertheless, the peculiar complex of Volkswagen at Audi has survived. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the new generation of the model, first presented this spring in Geneva, for six months overtook the fifth golf. So fewer suspicions of borrowings. However, in order to finally dispel all doubts, Ingolstadt announced that the new A3 would be much more sports. What is this expressed? Well, probably, you need to start from the appearance, they meet something, as usual, by clothes.
  
We met somewhere
The fact that Audi is not like a Volkswagen is understandable. Another question is that a person who is not too knowledgeable in automobile design can get into trouble if he sees the old and new one and a new one nearby. If they are also in the same Korner, then distinguishing them is not easy. And in the stream it is completely difficult. Although, having looked closely, you find differences. Front optics of the business card of the new car. I especially like the aggressive slope of the front disperseers like arrogant eyebrows. Effective!
 
That's just more in the appearance of a new, more sports audi and there is nothing to single out. A modern squat profile, a competently designed balance of sharp corners and smooth rounding is an ordinary average car, which passers -by do not turn into and drivers do not lick. In addition, in the back there is something from Ceat. Hmmow someone will say that restraint and self-esteem are also not separated from the image of Audi, like four rings on the emblem. For me, all this looks more like a genre crisis in the Audi stylistic studio.
  
As good as it gets
But where a healthy fraction of conservatism is only good is in the interior. Two dashes that give the head of the salon developers with the head, this is the backlight of the compartment for small things at night you will find your mobile phone without difficulty and the red LED, sunbathing when the doors are blocked from the inside. Stylish, elegant, easy.
 
 
Betage backlight for small things is a very smart solution

 
Burning LED signals about blocked locks
 

In general, the interior makes a strong impression. As if all his strict magnificence migrated from the car with two classes higher. Believe me, these are not empty words. Cool skin, wooden inserts in the cabin, soft carpets here does not smell cheap at all.
 
   
Agree, such an interior is high-quality, convenient, conservative could decorate any business class sedan

Elegant and practical cup holder option, although not expensive only 19 euros

Please note: even decorative plugs framing the ESP shutdown button are distinguished by exquisite style

By the way, sports dashes really penetrated into the salon of a new threek. And, I admit, they look a little out of place. Here, let's say, pens-pens connecting the central console and the front panel almost wiped jeans about it to the holes. And why is this sports gam in a family hatche? But this accessory, which appeared on the TT compartment, is also on the new golf, which means you understand. The same story with a gas pedal that was made in a floor. What, suspended are so uncomfortable? But now, between the gas and brake pedals and the brakes, there is very little space left in winter shoes can be stomped at two at once.
 
 
The same pen-pens that caused so many troubles to my right leg

 
Pay attention to the unpleasant proximity of gas and brake pedals

But how cool in a new three -piece in the back seat! Not like in the era of the fourth golf. On the sofa, two adults will be comfortable and without problems. Of course, with a seat completely pushed back, the cat cried there. But on the other hand, a basketball playing can go in front. At the same time, the trunk pleases with an almost perfect rectangular gut. Great. But let's finally look under the hood.
 
   
Now, it was quite spacious for two adults before on the A3 couch were only traveled by children, bags and umbrellas

Grounds for newspapers and atlases in the backs of chairs are included in the bag of baggage worth 90 euros

Golf class trunk volume is not record, but evaluate the correct rectangular compartment and folding flush with the floor of the sofa
 
What does not spoil the old horse?
Easy, thanks to gas stops, I raise a weighty lid, and there BA, all faces familiar to a 1.6-liter 8-valve engine with a capacity of 102 liters. With. What are you doing here, old man? Do you know when he first appeared on the cars of the Volkswagen empire? I will tell you exactly a year before the appearance of the first generation A3 on the A3 market. It, of course, pleases that veterans do not age soul. But all the same, other engines from the 1995 range are already retired. Anyway, a 2-valve unit looks a little alien under the hood of a car, the development of which began in the 21st century.
 
However, in the case this old horse is still better than you can judge by the materials of the personal file. The short two first gearboxes do not make the car too dumb. In the city, the dynamics are adequate (although nothing more), but on the highway behind the threshold of 110120 km/h, one and six of course begins to show its age and working volume. You will only get to the declared 185 km/h in the German autobahn. In Russia, either a settlement or a tractor driver, who decided to drag a hay of hay over the highway, will meet much earlier.
 
It is also amazing that Audi engineers managed to muffle the sonorous voice of the veteran. Vibro and soundproofing are not bad. There are no complaints about aerodynamics at all, the wind does not whistle around the racks and at 140 km/h. The only noise that penetrates the unpleasant rumble of rubber into the salon, which at high speeds somewhat resembles the sound of an ending hug bearing. Saving on the isolation of arches? We can say otherwise a reduction in production costs.
 
So, we can’t wait for sports with such an engine. A meaningful ESP OFF button on the front panel (recently serial equipment of all audi), as well as disc brakes of all wheels that you do not make claims, just insurance for an inevitable case of winter driving. But is there really something sports in this car? Rather, yes.
  
An example to follow
Even in the parking lot, I noticed that the A3 steering wheel rotates literally in one little finger. Not just easy, but very easy, even against the background of today's cars, all as one equipped with amplifiers. But after a couple of minutes, prescribing an arc in such a delicious protracted right, I was literally amazed at the steering wheel was filled with a juicy, elastic effort. Perhaps for the first time I meet a steering wheel, which is not in words, but in fact changes performance depending on speed. Just great.
 
But I liked the suspension even more. In front of a proven and honed McExonson, but a completely new independent four-leaf structure took root from behind. This duet, along with the body, which, compared with the previous model, has become tougher by 33%, provides commercial responsiveness and sharp habits.
 
Audi responds even more alive to the movement of the steering wheel, without frightening with excessive rolls, divers in corners and even, squeaking with tires, clearly writes a high -speed arc, slowly straightening the trajectory. And before, Treshka was not offended by the talent of delicious controllability, and now she was taught even more.
 
And it is only a pity that a relatively short -flowing suspension negatively affected the smoothness of the course. Audi simply does not notice the small road rubbish, in the cabin quietly, softly and comfortably, but it is only worth it under the wheels to be something more serious than sewer hatches, as the situation changes, and by no means for the better. The car begins to thump with the limiters of the move, and the driver and passenger are not experiencing the most pleasant sensations.
    
To Russia with a package
All audi-A3 officially sold in Russia are mandatory equipped with an enhanced suspension, a protective metal crankcase, operating instructions and a service book in Russian. In addition, antifreeze is poured into the cooling system with a reduced freezing temperature, and the spacers in the suspension are slightly reduced by the ground clearance.
 
Without competitors
Do not understand me inadvertently: Audi-A3 is an excellent car. He had previously been prestigious and solid, and now the salon and gambling can also include his talents behind his talents. And everything would be fine if you don’t know that there is another car on the market that combines all these talents plus a more affordable price. I mean the new golf. And it doesn’t matter who copied whom. After all, Volkswagen and A3 have the same, literally one to one, motors, gearboxes, suspensions and steering racks. Even the floor gas pedal and so that did not like my right leg on the central console and are present on both cars. So, by and large, in undeniable advantages A3 there remains an exceptionally higher image of the brand. Well, is it worth the extra thousand euros? It is not for us to decide, of course, not to Aristotle, but exclusively to you.
 
However, since the BMW Compact is not delivered to Russia the only actual competitor A3 or there is simply no choice for those who wish to acquire a prestigious golf-class hatchback.
    
Dear that sweet
The price of A3 in Russia starts with 20,643 euros. So much is asked for the basic package of Ettrakshn. At first glance, it really looks attractive: four pillows, ABS, ESP, climate control. But, buying a prestigious audi, it is difficult to put up with a simple plastic texture of the finish and fabric seats. It makes sense to pay for the version of the embosses (22,289 euros) or the emboss (22,469 euros). A3 immediately has cast discs, adjusting the driver's seat in height, a leather steering wheel and a gearbox lever, as well as various pleasant salon trifles, such as gripping nets, additional lighting and an anti -surplus rear -view mirror. On the embosses, in addition, there are wooden inserts.
 
But even the richest A3 set needs upgrade. Like it or not, without xenon, leather, music, heating seats and parking sensors Audi is difficult to imagine, and without enamel metallic, flight compliance, heating seats and fog and simply unrealistic. Audi options are traditionally expensive for a circle of exactly 5555 euros. As a result, A3 even with a basic engine and mechanics, but in a good configuration it will pull somewhere for 28,000 euros. For this money, you can buy Toyota-Kamri of a business class with a 2.4-liter engine and a full package of equipment.
 
BEHIND
A high image of the brand, spacious, made by the highest standards, a magnificent steering wheel amplifier
AGAINST
This is a golf with an Audi emblem and a higher price, a morally obsolete engine
 
Audi A3 1.6
Total information
 
Body (number of places/doors)
Hatchback sedan (5/3)
 
Equipped mass, kg
1205
 
Complete mass, kg
1765
 
Length x width x height, mm
4203x1765x1421
 
Base, mm
2578
 
Front/back, mm track
1536/1517
 
Road clearance, mm
120
 
Radius of turning, m
5.35
 
Trunk volume, l
350/1100
 
Speed, km/h
185
 
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, with
11.9
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km city/highway
9.6/5.5
 
Fuel supply, l
(AI-95)
 
 
Engine
 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
gasoline, in order, 4-cylinder, 8-valve
 
Diam. cylinder/piston stroke, mm
81/77.4
 
Working volume, SMZ
1595
 
Compression ratio
10.3: 1
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
102 (75)/5600
 
Torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
15,1 (148)/3800
 
 
Chassis
 
Drive unit
On the front wheels
 
Transmission
5-speed, mechanical
 
Suspension:
Independent, spring, with reptile stabilizers, with telescopic shock absorbers
 
front
Type McEzerson
 
behind
Mollycent
 
Steering
rhealenic type with an electromechanical amplifier
 
Brakes
disk, in front ventilated
 
Tires
205/55 R16
 
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [12/03]