Test Drive Audi A3 Hatchback 3 Doors since 2012 Hatchback

The effect of novelty

The burning problem with the Hatchback Audi A3 third generation is that no one believes that this is a really new car. In vain, they do not believe in it, it is the newest modular platform VW, it has a brand new body, and in its line of motors there is not a single unit, familiar with the previous tresh.

The reasons for the philistine skepticism with respect to the new A3 are clear: if you look at the three-year casual, then the look will noted that more sharp headlights, and the complicated pawn plastic. However, if you put the old and new cars nearby, then almost a nine-year-old age difference becomes more than noticeable.


The silhouette of a three-door hatchback almost did not change, but the car itself now looks markedly sports due to the other line of lateral glazing, expressed firewalls on the side and more chubby wheeled arches.

The grill of the radiator slightly added in size, and its upper corners are now bevelled, as the corporate style requires. Plastic bumpers changed, large air intakes appeared. Interestingly, A3 looks in version S Line (in the photo). Rear lights are now elongated, partially integrated into the trunk lid.

Especially good is the sharp edge of the upper stepper, stretching through the entire body.

And it is logical, because from the point of view of technology, a new trend with the predecessor Rodnit is unless that name: all body panels and a power cell are completely new. The hood, the front wings and the front subframe are made of aluminum, which made it possible to save more than 10 kilograms. The body, by 26 percent consisting of ultra-high-strength steels, 25 kilograms are easier than before, and the car itself lost 80 kilograms.

Platform A new MQB modular trolley, on the basis of which the Volkswagen concern plans to produce and golf-class cars (segment C), and larger D-segment models, and even crossovers. If it is quite rude, its key difference from and so a fairly universal Golf platform VW PQ35 in maximum unification of everything and all, including the standardization of the fastening points of the suspension elements, power units and transmissions. This allows without special costs to change the wheelbase and a rings for a specific model, and to equip it with almost any of the motor and transmission on the Volkswagevage warehouse.


True, in the case of the A3, the suspension schematics with the transition to a new platform did not change: the front McPherson on the aluminum subframe, and the back is a newly configured four-chap.

But there is also a nuance independent rear suspension from now available only on powerful treshki, and on machines with a capacity of less than 100 kW (136 horsepower), which will appear later, a simple torsion beam will be used.


The unification of the fastenings of the power units allowed the Audi engineers to tilt all the motors by 12 degrees back (earlier gasoline engines had a 10-degree tilt forward) and deploy them around their axis 180 degrees. As a result, the front axle managed to push 40 millimeters ahead, and the front samples to reduce 50 millimeters, improving the mass distribution along the axes.

Electromechanical power steering with a rail motor Another mandatory feature of all models built on the MQB platform. On the one hand, it helps to save 0.3 liters of fuel on each hundred kilometers of run, and on the other, it allows you to implement the automatic parking system. Moreover, not only parallel, but also transverse.

Modern electronics in new treshka a lot. Adaptive cruise control with a vehicle stop function in traffic jams, operating at speeds up to 200 kilometers per hour, active system for maintaining robes of movement and the control system of blind zones, road sign recognition system, as well as an advanced set of active security that allows you to avoid an accident or minimize it consequences. In a dangerous situation, when electronics gets from the sensor system stabilization information about the unstable movement of the car, it can automatically pull the belts and close the windows and the hatch in the roof.


The tracking system for blind zones signals the danger when rebuilding the blinking light bulb in the side mirror.


When the PRE SENSE system is triggered, the car pulls up the belts, closes the windows and reports the danger using the indicator on the display.


The retention system of the band itself turns the steering wheel on small angles, compensating for the trajectory displacements.


Alarm prevention system with radar controls space in front of the car


And if necessary, can independently slow down to minimize the consequences of the accident.

But the most interesting is the system of preventing a collision, which is available on machines equipped with adaptive cruise control (ACC). She has three work algorithm. First, when the ACC radar only detected a quick approaching object, the electronics will give sound and visual signals. If the driver does not respond, then the car uses the brake system for a short brake impulse, they say! If there is no action sitting at the wheel and continue, the electronics will begin intensively, but not urgently slow down the car to reduce the consequences of a possible impact. But if the speed falls below 30 kilometers per hour, and the object will continue to be in dangerous proximity to the car, the ass will use the brakes in full force. The same system will help prevent hitting on a suddenly stopped car in urban traffic jams such accidents often occur at rates of 20-30 kilometers per hour.

This technological complex debuted on Audi A6 only last year, and now available on the Hatchback Golf Class.

The advanced navigation complex with a 64-gigabyt hard disk, google satellite cards and traffic jams, internet access, and also with the ability to listen to Internet radio and use Facebook and Twitter applications with the ability to listen to Internet radio and use Facebook and Twitter applications. Later, the installation functionality will expand: the driver will be able to view personal news feeds, fuel prices and flight schedules.


1. A total of 11 millimeters thick LED backlight LCD thickness has a resolution of 800x480 and is installed only on expensive versions of AUDI A3 with the MMI Navigation Plus top system. The chart here corresponds to a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with a clock frequency of 1.2 gigahertz. Interestingly, the entertainment onboard electronics on A3 is now upgrading: the central unit now consists of two parts of the radio module that is responsible for the basic functions, and a multimedia module that can be replaced by more powerful. Slots for SD cards and a CD receiver are hidden in the glove compartment.
2. Details of the ventilation system consist of 23 parts: pulling or blending its central section can be changed direction of blowing.
3.3d-insertion on the front panel is made of transparent plastic, in which several layers of foil are injected.

But the interior of the new treshki in his minimalism is similar, rather, on the Audi A1 ascetic salon. Monolithic front panel with round ventilation system deflectors, functional tidy with two arrow pointers tachometer and speedometer, whereas for the temperature sensors of the coolant and fuel reserve are used diode scales.

Interior


In the Salon of New A3, very few buttons most functions can be controlled either via the on-board computer using the keys on the steering wheel, or using the MMI joystick with a touch panel and a pair of stylish rocker switches.


The front seats are completely new. They are easier and installed slightly lower than before. In the line S Line chairs have pronounced side support of the back and thighs. Later, even more evil sports seats with integrated head restraints will appear.


Rear will be enough space for the legs and heads even passengers in the meter of ninety thanks to the increased wheelbase and slightly raised ceiling. However, the threesomes are inconveniently the average passenger will interfere with a wide and high central tunnel.

But let the simplicity of the A3 salon not misleading: the quality of the materials used is the highest. The soft front panel is a finger on a half-meter, aluminum overlays around the ventilation deflectors and the climate control unit has the finest ripples and spin with pleasant clicks, and all the keys are pressed with retrosted strokes. In expensive versions, part of the central tunnel and the door panels are covered with skin with a contrasting line, and with an optional cabin-lighting package in the hatchback, the glove box, folds on the doors and a niche of the cup holds are beautifully illuminated.

What else interesting in Audi A3?


At the time of starting the sales of motors, Audi A3 will only have four: one diesel and three gasoline. 150-strong two-liter diesel (320 nm) is a new version of the previous unit of the same volume. The engine became easier, received a new fuel injection system, new balancing shafts and a two-stage oil pump. With the stated fuel consumption of 4.1 liters per hundred diesel hatchback A3 on one tank, it is able to drive up to 1200 kilometers without refueling.

Both 1,4-liter gasoline turbo travels are also new. The base 122-strong unit with an intake manifold integrated into the cylinder head became the easiest of the predecessor by 21 kilograms through the use of an aluminum block and a lightweight turbine. A more powerful 140-strong version of this motor is equipped with a half-cylinder half-up system. Such a motor a little earlier appeared on the Audi A1 Sportback AUDI A1 Fiftemer.


For Audi A3, three different suspensions are available. Basic, sports - with an understatement of 10 millimeters and other settings of elastic elements, and the version included in the S Line package. It is even tougher and reduces the ground clearance of 25 millimeters.

Finally, the top 180-strong turbo engine 1.8, unified with the updated AUDI A4 / A5 family. Its feature is the simultaneous use of direct and distributed fuel injection (through additional nozzles in the intake manifold, which are activated at low loads). True, for a treshka, its torque was reduced from 320 nm to 250 nm, so that a simple seven-step robot with two dry clutches provided for A3 coped with the load. In the all-wheel drive version with a more robust six-speed robotic transmission with wet clutches, its torque is slightly above 280 nm.

And if for the massive five-year Audi A5 Sportback, its returns have grabbed almost back, then for compact A3 180 forces just right! Confident thrust in the entire range under the spectacular pixeling of the bypass valve under the discharge of the gas and encourages to go faster and faster.


All-wheel drive transmission for Audi A3 new generation is a traditional Haldex with a multi-disc electro-hydraulic coupling in the rear wheel drive. The Quattro transmission will be available for modification with 150-strong turbodiesel and mechanics, or for the top version with 1.8 engine and S Tronic robot.

A treshka with this engine, a mechanical transmission and a mechatronic chassis with a S LINE package, which includes a suspension lowered by 25 millimeters, it seemed very balanced. The steering wheel is short (shorter than RS3!), Accurate and informative. It is hardly the best settings for the electromechanical amplifier among all Audi models. In the comfort mode, efforts on the steering wheel, however, not enough, but there are no complaints about the car to its work. And in Dynamic mode, it appears pleasant, but not artificial severity.

The suspension collected, pleasantly dense, with a noticeable difference in the operating modes of active shock absorbers: in Comfort A3 allows itself a light star on the waves, but it works more comfortable for small defects. In the Dynamic chassis mode is going, rolls are reduced and the hatchback begins to go completely flat, but it does not become a shutter hard.


The Audi A3 Mecchatronic chassis has four main modes of operation: comfort, auto, dynamic and efficient, designed to save fuel. Plus, the Individual mode in which the driver can select a combination of characteristics to its taste: the steering settings, suspension, gearbox (on automatic transmission) and the sensitivity of the accelerator are separately adjustable.

In general, choosing one or another Audi Drive SELECT algorithm, the driver changes the steering settings, gas pedals, adaptive light and adaptive cruise control, air conditioning, transmission, suspension, and Pre Sense system.

Controlness balance close to neutral, with light insufficient turning in twisted turns. But at the output of A3, it allows you to accelerate enough early: the electronic imitation of the interstole blocking is clearly biting the unloaded inner wheel, redirecting the moment to the loaded external and refueling the machine inside.

At high speed Hatchback Audi A3, unshakable, however, makes the driver to make tuning with the handle to compensate for the barely noticeable trajectory displacements. What is due to the low sensitivity of the steering wheel in the okolonulous zone, the suspension settings or inside the wide tires for a short acquaintance with the new three did not understand.


Feel the efficiency of the full drive system on dry asphalt is difficult. Yes, at the exit of turning, it is possible to open gas even earlier, however, the imitation of the front self-block on the front-wheel drive versions is not worse.

The diesel version A3 is noticeably tougher. It is no longer so tolerant for small irregularities, and on largely adversely shakes its passengers, and with any AUDI DRIVE SELECT settings. And in a pair with a mechanical transmission, this car is also demanding about the driver: to move, without having stressed, the first time is very difficult due to the lack of thrust in the lower range of revolutions. But since 2000 revolutions, when the motor goes to the peak 320 nm of torque, in response, even on the easy pressing of the gas pedal rolling the wave of acceleration, not resurrected until the red zone of the tachometer. Therefore, in order to go quickly, you have to click the transfers all the time by holding the tachometer arrow in the range between the numbers 2 and 5.

And you can choose a version with a robotic gearbox. Diesel duet 2.0 and six-speed ES-Tonika works damn nicely. The robot always knows what transmission to offer the engine, and that in turn is always ready to issue a juicy portion of thrust, and without a hitch at the beginning of the acceleration phase, which was noticeable by car with mechanics.


The new Audi A3 willingly respond to the redistribution of the balance in turns, tightening inside in response to a gas discharge or short braking, especially with a diesel engine. But even a slight slip of the rear axle of the hatchback immediately breaks down the stabilization system.

However, from the point of view of the driver's pleasure, the diesel is not the best choice. The heavy engine loads the front axle harder, reducing the mobility A3 and adding a feeling of inertia to its character. Diesel hatchback has to more strain with alternate loads in turn bonds, forcing the stabilization system to interfere in the management process in sufficiently innocuous situations.


On the car with a 140-strong turbo engine 1.4, the ride failed to a group of 10 journalists were allocated only two such cars. However, this engine is familiar to the A1 Sportback: it has a sufficient stock of torque, and the shutdown mode of the cylinder pair is reminders only by the icon on the on-board computer. No extra vibrations.

To be honest, Audi A3 is generally not drivers car. Even in the most powerful 180-strong version, with the dynamics of the charged hatchback and sports suspension, the new hatchback is very correct, it is clear, quickly, comfortable but not at all excitement. And in this second problem of the new Audi A3: it looks much more sporty than it really is.

But maybe this is not a problem at all? After all, 900 thousand owners of the A3 of the previous generation, issued since 2003, chose this model by no means for the sporty character, which was not in it, but for something else.

For four rings on the lattice and a balanced chassis, for rich equipment or for German origin, for example. According to these parameters, the new treshka will urinate the nose not only with its predecessor, but also most competitors! In its assets, the refined chassis, the richest set of new electronics, up-to-date appearance and, of course, the novelty effect. And with the sport you can and wait. Before the output of Audi S3.
 

Source: Magazine Motor [June 2012]