Test Drive Audi A3 Hatchback 3 Doors since 2012 Hatchback
Audi A3. Spies 3D
At a press conference to journalists, who had just rolled out a new treshka Audi on the roads of Mallorca, distributed stereo users and showed the same car in a 3D video shot in the adventure style of the agent 007. Audi A3. Price: N.D. On sale: from autumn 2012
Maxim Fedorov, 34 years old, car journalist, driving experience 8 years, personal car - Ford Focus II.
And it was the topic! After all, to appreciate the whole novelty of this model, it must be considered in three dimensions.
In the two-dimensional projection of the Audi A3 of the past and the last generations, almost identical: the external dimensions of the hatchback have not changed, only the wheelbase has grown. But this is the novelty chip! In the parking lot, it takes the same place as before, but at the same time it is felt both a car of a higher class both in the size of the cabin and internal equipment. Interior of Ingolstadt Hatchback is impressive. What is neither touching, from soft plastic front panel to metal rims of climate control regulators, everything is felt by German quality and thoroughness. I am expressed by the language of audiophiles, the interior of the new Audi A3 is a real HI-END, while classmates reach only to the Hi-Fi level.
For the quality of finishing and equipping, the new treshka is not inferior to senior Audi models
In contrast with the salon, the exterior of the model does not produce the same Wow effect. In Design, the hatchback did not happen a revolutionary jump, although since the advent of Audi A3, the second generation passed 9 years a whole eternity! In Audi, the delay in the new release is explained by a successful restyling of the previous treshki. The updated car successfully kept a 20% share in the sales of the brand, and if so, it seems to be in a hurry with fundamental changes. But this is the official version. Another version, more realistic, is that in the concern VW simply delayed the development of a modular platform, on which a new A3 was supposed to be built. This platform autoconecer needs a shot. It will save him billions of euros, allowing the line of VW / Audi / Skoda / SEAT models on a large scale and at less cost than the current golf cart.
MMI Media System
But buyers advantages of the new chassis are likely to not feel. At least, to say that the Audi A3 of the third generation on the go differs from its predecessor, it is impossible. The car goes excellent, but also the former treshka in this regard was at least no worse. However, the novelty has another bitch economy. Moreover, low fuel consumption in this case is a consequence of not only high efficiency of turbogo (undegraved aggregates on A3 are not set), but also low weight of the machine. One alloy block of cylinders of a 140-strong motor 1.4 TFSI facilitated the car immediately by 21 kg. It was more successful to save only on the body: due to the use of high strength steels, he lost 25 kg. Well, the overall weight loss of the hatchback comes up to 80 kg.
The instrument panel is very informative.
I started my acquaintance with an Ingolstadt novelty I started with a version with a 1.4 TFSI engine and did not regret. This unit is interesting in that it is equipped with a cylinder shutdown system when only two pots of four work at low load. On the go, it does not appear in any way, but allows you to save some gasoline, which together the start-stop system reduces the overall consumption of fuel to the level of diesel models. At the same time, the motor-economy pleases the excellent burden and a rapid response to gas: the car turns into a real lighter with it! The above is equally fair both for a version with a 6-speed mechanic, and for an option with a 7-speed DSG robot, but for myself I would choose a pen, whose provocating to a dynamic ride a clear gear shift mechanism allows you to merge with the machine into a single integer.
In contrast to the gasoline turbomotor version with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with a capacity of 150 liters. with. Not impressed. Firstly, this motor significantly takes on the nose of the hatchback. Secondly, despite the solid superiority in the torque, diesel does not give the same opportunity to ignore which the gasoline unit provides, since it is much already the operating range of turns. Considering the above, as well as the high cost of such a motor and its demandingness to the quality of fuel (in the absence of a tangible gain in economy compared to a gasoline turbo engine), I do not see the arguments in favor of purchasing Audi A3 2.0 TDI.
For dessert, I took the most powerful hatchback in the S-Line body, equipped with a 180-strong 1.8 TFSI in combination with DSG and full Quattro drive. This, of course, is not Audi RS3, but the anger in the car is felt. Only the voice of the motor is unnecessarily quiet and fresh here is clearly asking for a configured release system. As for the full drive, bring the car to such extreme modes when the electronic locking of the inter-axis clutch turns on, I failed: and with the front-wheel drive Audi A3 holds the road very chain. But in winter, the extra pair of leading wheels will clearly be superfluous.
In the mirror, thin strips of LED turns of rotation are built
For many buyers, new products will not be superfluous and additional pair of doors facilitating landing on the rear row. But the five-door Sportback version will have to wait: as in the case of the first two generations of AUDI A3, such a modification will be released later than the 3-door. When? It is possible that next year. And in 2014, the surprise is awaiting us in the form of Audi A3 with the body of Sedan! However, for those who closely monitor the premieres of the motor show, this is not a surprise at all, since the prototype of the new treshki was first introduced last year in a two-blank body.
High tech
The crown of technological triumph of masters from Ingolstadt is the MMI media system. It uses a high-resolution retractable display and a powerful NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, capable of coping with 3D graphics. Well, if the MMI is equipped with a communication module, the system turns into a real computer with access to the World Wide Web: here you and Facebook with Twitter, and thousands of streaming radio stations, and Google Maps Street View photographs. Plus, MMI can work as a wireless router, allowing Audi A3 passengers to connect their gadgets to Wi-Fi. The system is managed using six buttons, pairs of switches and wheels with a touchpad, which requires a certain skill and addictive time. So, in a few hours spent in the car, I learned only to be able to use music and navigation.
Our verdict
Hatchback Audi A3 third generation This is a real spy-superagent that can not stand out in the crowd and perfectly owns. His strict costume has impeccable cut and expensive, but a kind of trim, behind the lapels of which is hidden a modern high-tech weapon, which is able to plunge into the fear of the strongest enemy.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
+
High level of comfort is combined with driver chassis drives, high-quality
finishing, media system with a powerful processor and a beautiful intrinsic, spacious salon.
-
The new model has a minimum of external differences from the predecessor, the car in the basic configuration is devoid of the main goody of the MMI system.
Driving
Excellent dynamics, even with a 1.4 TFSI engine, excellent handling.
Salon
Impeccable finishes in combination with the best in the class of the media system.
Comfort
The salon became spacious, although Hatchback dimensions did not increase.
Security
In the ESP base and 6 airbags. For surcharge, the automatic braking system.
Price
In Germany from 21,600 euros.
Love not love
Safely
The radar of active cruise control allows you to keep a secure distance on the track.
Obviously
The instrument panel is very informative.
Emko
The volume of the trunk grew by 15 liters.
SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions 4237x1777x1421mm
Base 2601 mm
Curb weight 1175 kg
Full weight 1735 kg
Clearance N.D.
Ragge volume 365/1100 l
Volume of fuel tank 50 l
Engine gasoline, 4-cylinder., 1395cm3,
140/5000l.s. / Min - 1, 250/14004000 nm / min-1
Transmission mechanical, 6-speed,
drive front
Dynamics 213km / h; 8.3C to 100 km / h
Fuel consumption 4.9 liters per 100 km
Competitors Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1-Series
A source: Journal 5 Wheel [July 2012]
